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E3 2012: Our top 10 most anticipated Nintendo 3DS titles from E3

Mickey, Mario, Mirror of Fate

E3 2012: Our top 10 most anticipated Nintendo 3DS titles from E3
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3DS

The 3DS did not have the best time at E3 this year. The neglected handheld got about five seconds of screen time at Nintendo's main conference, and the dedicated "software showcase" for the system failed to deliver any new games.

We've pretty much left E3 with the exact same list of anticipated games as the one we went in with - Scribblenauts Unlimited and Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate notwithstanding.

But, we won't let all that spoil our love of the little handheld. E3 did solidify our desire for ten upcoming games, after all. Here's why...

New Super Mario Bros. 2
By Nintendo - out August 19th

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This bouncy platformer is all about bling. Pipes spray out coins and shiny enemies literally poo out dosh. It's an economy gone mad - one visit to the Mushroom Kingdom could fix the Euro and settle the US debt.

Amid this opulence, Mario and Luigi once again set out to rescue Peach. Their tattered raccoon suits will return, along with some classic Mario baddies.

Paper Mario: Sticker Star
By Nintendo - out Christmas 2012

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Mario's latest paper-thin RPG takes place at the "annual Sticker Fest" (not exactly Glastonbury, is it?), where cheeky villain Bowser scatters six Royal Stickers (not exactly the Crown Jewels) throughout the kingdom.

Mario's gotta get them back, using stickers as everything from currency to attack coupons. He'll also slap the stickers on the game's flat backgrounds to make bridges and construct giant fans.

Castlevania: Lords of Shadows - Mirror of Fate
By Mercury Steam - out autumn 2012

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In Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate, you'll get to play as legendary hero Trevor Belmont. And his descendant Simon Belmont. And a bunch of other whip wielders with the surname Belmont, as they continually knock off Dracula.

Unlike the Metroid-inspired 'Vanias of the DS, this is no pixel-art side-scroller. Instead, it's an action-heavy brawler with a focus on combos. There are also humongous Titan bosses to overthrow.

Scribblenauts Unlimited
By 5th Cell - out Christmas 2012

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5th Cell is still plugging away at its most ambitious idea: a puzzler in which you can spawn any object, animal, or Lovecraftian monster just by scribbling its name in a magic notebook.

This time, hero Maxwell solves hundreds of head scratchers in a giant open world. StreetPass functionality shows how nearby players tackled the game's more tricky quandaries.

Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion
By Junction Point and DreamRift - out autumn 2012

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Epic Mickey's apocalyptic Wasteland was a dumping ground for old Disney cartoons and theme park rides. Now, it also plays host to forgotten games, as the fortress from the Mega Drive's Castle of Illusion is taken by Wasteland forces.

In this collaboration between Junction Point and Henry Hatsworth-developer DreamRift, anything Mickey paints on the touchscreen will come alive in the game world. You'll use this ability to attack baddies and solve puzzles.

Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance]
By Square Enix - out July 31st

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Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance] is the first real follow-up to Kingdom Hearts II, and Squeenix hopes it fills some airtime before the third game is ready. So, Sora and Riku head off to the Sleeping Worlds to train up and take the Mark of Mastery exam.

The duo will visit locales like La Cité des Cloches from The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and The Grid from Daft Punk music video Tron: Legacy. Square Enix says that every Disney universe in the game is brand-new to the series.

Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon
By Nintendo - out Christmas 2012

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If New Super Mario Bros. 2 was about collecting coins, Luigi's Mansion is about spending them, as Mario's lily-livered younger brother powers his vacuum cleaner with cash.

The limber green ghostbuster will catch poltergeists and solve puzzles in three different mansions. He'll need to use a variety of strategies (and gizmos) to collect different ghosts.

Fire Emblem: Awakening
By Intelligent Systems - out 2012

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This tactical adventure might have been a no-show at Nintendo's software showcase, but Nintendo of America told Twitter that Fire Emblem: Awakening will launch outside of Japan.

It's more fathoms-deep strategy catnip, with the ability to customise your hero character with items and special spells. And as a first for Nintendo, it will feature paid downloadable content.

Heroes of Ruin
By n-Space - out July 17th

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Here's why Square Enix's fantasy monster basher Heroes of Ruin has got us all hot under the collar. It features online co-operative multiplayer, with up to four pals dropping in and out when they please. Plus, they can chat using the 3DS microphone.

If that doesn't float your goat, how about a huge single-player quest with more loot than you can shake a Level 7 flame-tipped sword at? Or the way your character's fighting style and abilities evolve during the adventure?

Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes
By TT Games - out summer 2012

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The Dark Knight's a bit knackered. Arkham City took it out of him, and he's got a big movie coming out. So, to take a load off, he's called in pals like Superman, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern to help smash The Joker into pieces.

If you've played other Lego games, don't expect too many surprises. You'll bash baddies, solve simple puzzles, and collect studs. But, you will hear the characters actually talk this time around - a first for these Lego tie-ins.

Mark Brown
Mark Brown
Mark Brown is editor at large of Pocket Gamer