Most Anticipated Nintendo 3DS Games of 2018

The Nintendo 3DS seems to be entering its twilight years, but Nintendo has promised a full slate of games throughout 2018 at the very least. There are a decent amount of hits to look forward to on the handheld scattered throughout the rest of this year, thankfully, so if this is the 3DS's last hurrah, it looks like it's going to go out with a relatively large bang. We now present our choices for the Nintendo 3DS games we're hotly anticipating in 2018. 

Detective Pikachu

If you've ever wanted to solve crimes with an indomitable, wise-cracking Pikachu by your side, the upcoming Detective Pikachu is for you. It's finally coming stateside with the yellow mouse and his good friend Tim Goodman solving the mystery of Tim's missing father this March 23. It's even being turned into a theatrical release starring Ryan Reynolds as Pikachu. It's going to be a lot different from any Pokemon game that's come before it, but it looks like a fun, good-spirited time that should offer plenty of heartfelt moments and puzzle-solving fun akin to the hijinks seen in the popular Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney series. 

The Alliance Alive

FuRyu's latest RPG, The Alliance Alive, takes place a thousand years into the future after demons take over the world. Humanity has been pushed back into a small band of freedom fighters by the powerful monsters, creating a resistance force that's been working toward building a network and launching an attack on the demons in a bid to take the world back so that humans can once again rise to power. Traditional role-playing fans will get a kick out of the familiar stylings, and newcomers will be excited for the engaging story. It's scheduled for release March 27. 

Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux

Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux isn't a brand new game, but an enhanced port coming to Nintendo 3DS. It's based on the original Nintendo DS release of Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey, one of the more divisive entries in the series. It's the fourth Shin Megami Tensei release overall, with a tale that follows a team dispatched to investigate an enormous black void in the South Pole known as Schwarzwelt. It can swallow anything it touches, so it must be stopped. That's why a special task force is sent out to contain it and figure out where it came from in the first place. It's set for release this year. 

Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age

This is the eleventh core entry in the long-running Dragon Quest role-playing series. Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age will mark the newest fantasy narrative with traditional RPG mechanics, lots of different monsters to fight off (including those adorable Slimes and Drackys, of course) and a story that'll grab you from the very beginning and keep you engaged. You won't need any prior knowledge of the series to jump into this game, and you'll still be able to enjoy the trademark Dragon Quest elements fans have been excited for ever since the series' debut. The game is still projected for a 2018 release.

Shakedown Hawaii

Shakedown Hawaii is certainly not Retro City Rampage 2, so don't get it twisted. It's a whole new standalone game that's actually a parody of white collar organized crime, shady business practices, and other fun, adult things like that. You'll play the role of an aging CEO who finds himself working with a company whose practices are quickly running out of style and out of time. He's got to find a way to modernize his business, and fast, by any means necessary. So instead of fighting against ne'er-do-wells, you'll beat down white-collar workes, executives, and similar folks. The game is aiming for a 2018 release.

Shovel Knight: King of Cards

The fourth campaign expansion for Shovel Knight, Shovel Knight: King of Cards, will feature King Knight. It'll also be free for anyone who owns the Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove collection. It's meant to recount the tale of how King Knight took his throne and likewise joined The Order of No Quarter. It's aiming for a 2018 release, so you'll be shoveling yourself into fun at some point this year. 

Brittany Vincent

Senior Editor

Fueled by horror, rainbow-sugar-pixel-rushes, and video games, Brittany is a Senior Editor at Shacknews who thrives on surrealism and ultraviolence. Follow her on Twitter @MolotovCupcake and check out her portfolio for more. Like a fabulous shooter once said, get psyched!