Casual Games for DS/3DS

[Ahna]

Hi folks.

I am buying a 3DS XL in anticipation for AC:NL but would like a few games to hold me over until then. What I love about AC is that it is a play at your own pace type of game and do what you want. Very open ended and casual. It's also something I can play for a long time.

So I am looking for games that are like this.

I am considering the new Harvest Moon game as I have never played one. I am also looking at Nintendogs+cats just because it is cute.

If you all have any suggestions for the Wii as well let me know!

 

[Juicebox]

I would suggest Harvest Moon, because although you have more responsibilities in the game, it's still very casual and lighthearted.

Harvest Moon is a good choice for the Wii as well, Mysims (although considered "childish" by most gamers) is also a very relaxing game because your only goal is to search for materials and build things. You don't even have to keep you character alive.

 

[Ahna]

I would suggest Harvest Moon, because although you have more responsibilities in the game, it's still very casual and lighthearted.

Harvest Moon is a good choice for the Wii as well, Mysims (although considered "childish" by most gamers) is also a very relaxing game because your only goal is to search for materials and build things. You don't even have to keep you character alive.

Thanks!

Which Harvest Moon would you suggest for the Wii?

 

[SockHead]

Super Mario 3D Land is pretty casual. It's really easy to pick up and beat a level in like 5 minutes. It's not a very long game, but if you don't play it 5 hours at a time, then it'll last.

 

[Mairmalade]

If you're in the market for a handheld Harvest Moon the newest 'A New Beginning' is the way to go. It's a large blank slate for awhile, but after your first season more will open up (and rapidly). You customize your character, village, and farm. In late spring a villager that sells blueprints will arrive and you can buy them from her (and find more later). You can build roads, street lights, benches, box decor, potted plants, etc. You rearrange all the buildings as you please.

It also features all of the normal Harvest Moon elements you'd expect and makes them feel right. It's great to pick up whenever you want and play for extended sessions or even just an hour. There's lots to do and you easily become embedded within your goals. It'll keep you busy for awhile.

As far as Harvest Moon games on the Wii go -- it's a real hit or miss. You have Tree of Tranquility and Animal Parade that were directed for the console, but Magical Melody (originally for the GCN) was released for Wii. Magical Melody kicks both ToT and AP to the curb, IMO. Sure it lacks the character customization you got in ToT/AP (you cannot change your character's outfit in Magical Melody), but it has more to offer overall.

If you want something to do just for a short periods of time here and there (dabbling, if you will) the new Paper Mario for the 3DS is fun, Professor Layton, Super Mario 3D Land, and New Super Mario Bros 2.

 

[BellGreen]

If you're in the market for a handheld Harvest Moon the newest 'A New Beginning' is the way to go. It's a large blank slate for awhile, but after your first season more will open up (and rapidly). You customize your character, village, and farm. In late spring a villager that sells blueprints will arrive and you can buy them from her (and find more later). You can build roads, street lights, benches, box decor, potted plants, etc. You rearrange all the buildings as you please.

It also features all of the normal Harvest Moon elements you'd expect and makes them feel right. It's great to pick up whenever you want and play for extended sessions or even just an hour. There's lots to do and you easily become embedded within your goals. It'll keep you busy for awhile.

As far as Harvest Moon games on the Wii go -- it's a real hit or miss. You have Tree of Tranquility and Animal Parade that were directed for the console, but Magical Melody (originally for the GCN) was released for Wii. Magical Melody kicks both ToT and AP to the curb, IMO. Sure it lacks the character customization you got in ToT/AP (you cannot change your character's outfit in Magical Melody), but it has more to offer overall.

If you want something to do just for a short periods of time here and there (dabbling, if you will) the new Paper Mario for the 3DS is fun, Professor Layton, Super Mario 3D Land, and New Super Mario Bros 2.

I suggest Prof. Layton and NSMB2 as well.

I sugges Miracle Mask, its for the 3DS.
Although I suggest playing Curious Village, Diabolical Box, Unwound Future, Last Specter, or even the MOVIE.

TIMELINE:
Last Specter (prequel)
Eternal Diva (anime movie, in the prequel trilogy
Miracle Mask (in the prequel trilogy
Curious Village (in the second trilogy)
Diabolical Box and Unwound Future, same as Curious Village

Although most of them feature death, like Curious Village, Unwound Future, and Last Specter.

 

[LollyPie]

I got Nintendogs and really enjoy it. Its casual like your looking for. I'm in agreement with everyone else as well about Harvest Moon. I haven't played the new one yet but its a good series. And I noticed someone mention My Sims which I also played and liked for the most part. I would recommend any of these.

 

[Justin]

Mario Kart 7 can be pretty fun to just pick-up and casually play a few races if you're bored. Also, I second Sock's suggestion of 3D Land.

 

[Garrett x50 cal]

Nearly every 3ds game is a casual play for 30 minutes kinda game.
MK7
Harvest Moon
Nintendogs
Cooking mana
etc
etc
etc

 

[Jake]

I'd go for the HM game.

 

[AmenFashion]

Harvest Moon is the perfect casual game. It has a very laid back, nostalgic atmosphere that sucks you right in.
I'm wanting to get Harvest Moon A New Beginning once I get my next paycheck. All I hear is great feedback from it, so I'd say that's the way to go.
As far as Wii, get Harvest Moon: Animal Parade!
Tree of Tranquility is fantastic also, but Animal Parade has all of that game and more, as well as fixed some of ToT's downfalls. I feel it's the perfect HM game

 

[Bacon Boy]

Side Note: Best Harvest Moon game ever: It's A Wonderful Life

I'd recommend AC:NL, also, but it's not out yet...

 

[Prof Gallows]

Nearly every 3ds game is a casual play for 30 minutes kinda game.

Pretty much this.

 

[Trent the Paladin]

Nearly every 3ds game is a casual play for 30 minutes kinda game.
MK7
Harvest Moon
Nintendogs
Cooking mana
etc
etc
etc

Resident Evil Revelations isn't exactly casual. But Harvest Moon: A New Beginning is pretty easy going, Nintendogs is too, 3D Land like sock said, and Code of Princess if you like beat-em ups?

 

[Ahna]

Hi all. Thanks for the recommendations.

I got AC:WW (to hold me over until the new one. ) and the new Harvest Moon.

Sticker Star looks fun as well. As does 3D Land.

I'm not great at platformers or RPGs but I still like them.

 

[Garrett x50 cal]

Resident Evil Revelations isn't exactly casual. But Harvest Moon: A New Beginning is pretty easy going, Nintendogs is too, 3D Land like sock said, and Code of Princess if you like beat-em ups?

I did say pretty much there's always exceptions, Resident Evil being one in this case.

 

[BellGreen]

Hi all. Thanks for the recommendations.

I got AC:WW (to hold me over until the new one. ) and the new Harvest Moon.

Sticker Star looks fun as well. As does 3D Land.

I'm not great at platformers or RPGs but I still like them.

You should get Professor Layton games, if you like brainteasers and sad endings.

 

[Brad]

but if you don't play it 5 hours at a time, then it'll last.

Wish I would have know that....

 

[Volvagia]

Harvest Moon: A New Beginning. Probably the best casual 3DS game

 

[BellGreen]

Harvest Moon: A New Beginning. Probably the best casual 3DS game

Yeah, the music is cheery and fun.