OK, so my brother bought me a 3DS XL for my birthday and I have to say so far I'm pleasantly surprised, despite the fact that I have to turn the 3D effect off because it gives me a headache. It feels good to be playing as Mario and Link again (my last Nintendo was the SNES), but so far the only games I have are Zelda: A Link Between Worlds and New Super Mario Bros. 2, which are great, but I'm looking for more now.

I've had a look at some lists for inspiration and I'm particularly interested in the Fire Emblem and Dragon Quest series, so if anyone has experience with them then please feel free to share. I'll consider all types of games so share your favourites and I'll check them out!

I hadn't seen the 3DS thread further down. I'll ask there and this can be closed.

if you enjoy JRPGs, go give "Tales of the Abyss" a try

Castlevania: Order of Oclessia. An excellent blend of action, RPG and old school challenge. Nice music also. Great game.

Fire Emblem Awakening is probably my 2nd favorite from 2013, though keep in mind I didn't actually buy many games in 2013, right behind Bioshock Infinite and just ahead of Papers, Please.

Shin Megami Tensei IV. Oh, and Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance. Highly recommend any Professor Layton game, too. Etrian Odyssey IV is quite a good game, too.

Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate is pretty decent. Also second Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance.

I agree on Fire Emblem and Monster Hunter 3; also, Bravely Default is a good JRPG. Donkey Kong Country Returns is a great platformer if you like a more difficult one than Mario.

Then there's Pokemon X/Y, of course.

Mario Kart 7

Super Mario 3d land

Fire emblem awakening

Pokémon XY

Legend a Zelda: A link between worlds

Luigis mansion: Dark moon

Monster hunter 3 Ultimate

SteamWorld Dig

Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the titan.

Animal crossing: New leaf

Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of time

Just some of the games considered cream of the crop of the 3DS library.

Legend of Zelda Four swords Anniversary Edition is available in the eshop for free until tomorrow.

Not in Europe, unfortunately.

D:, I hate it when they do that, hopefully in the near future?

Anyway! I would suggest Fire Emblem, although I honestly don't S support anyone for the terrible characters that their children are.

Both Shin Megami games are good, IV is extremely good for beginners of the series, you can even use play coins if you die so you won't have to restart everything again.

The only DS game I have played is http://www.metacritic.com/game/ds/final-fantasy-tactics-a2-grimoire-of-the-rift, which I went out of my way to play because I love the Tactics series. Great game, just make sure you understand the character system.

My top picks, in order, are:

1. Shin Megami Tensei IV - Before I bought this game (I did so because it was on a best of 3ds list from IGN), I had never heard of Atlus or SMT besides the Persona series, from advertisemants and forumites. That being the case, Atlus and SMT are now among my favorite companies and game series, respectively. It's like a mash up of the gameplay of pokemon and the 3rd person look of Mass Effect.

2. Fire Emblem - I just got this and I am already addicted to it. I have never played a game like this before (I almost didn't get it but the recommendations from friends and the reviews online were too much to ignore). There is a demo but I wouldn't judge the game solely on it because I played it before I bought the game and was like, "what's all the hype about?". It's a tactical party based jrpg and it's fun as hell!

3. Paper Mario Sticker Star - Turn based Mario goodness with a gorgeous 2d world and a hilarious script.

4. Animal Crossing - I am a 28 year old man and I shouldn't like this game but I do. It's hard to say if you'd like this but you could always watch youtube gameplay vids.

5. Bravely Default - I have only played the demo, as it's not out yet. but I absolutely loved it. Check it out if you like old Final Fantasy-like JRPGs (though I hate Final Fantasy lol).

Nice, I just downloaded it!

These are all great recommendations.

Thanks peeps, I'll have a look at all of these

Except Super Mario 3D Land, that is. I know it's supposed to be great but as I understand it the 3D effect is integral to gameplay and I can't use it because it gives me a splitting headache

Do you have a 3ds XL? the 3d effect is far less vomit inducing on the larger screen. Also Mario 3d land is certainly playable without 3d on, their really isn't much difference if it's on or off in the game.

Heh! You'll be surprised, we're pretty young compared to the older folks that play the game, a lot of people in their 40s.

Personally I think it's a relaxing game, It is, as you said, not for everyone, so I would suggest the OP to check some videos.

Frozen.