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Best 3DS Family Games

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The Family Gamer Awards FGA suggests ideal 3DS games for different family age-groups: Infants, Juniors, Students, Workers, Parents and Seniors.

These awards complement PEGI's age-appropriate ratings by suggesting games each age group will enjoy. Rather than warning families about which games are inappropriate, we suggest which games each age group will get the most out of.

The games awarded for infants for example, not only contain appropriate content for 3 year olds but are also easy enough for them to play and enjoy.

The 3DS handheld is the next big jump forwards after the original DS. The previous itterations of the DS (DS Lite, DSi and DS XL) were simply tweaks of that existing system. The 3DS is an entirely new platform offer different games with better graphics (that aren't useable on the old DS) a 3D screen and comprehensive download store, the eShop.

The 3DS is backward compatible with all the old DS games. It also offers a section in the eShop store where old NES, SNES, GBA, Gameboy, Gamegear and other retro system games can be purcahsed and played on the 3DS.

There are three versions of the 3DS. The origianl 3DS, a larger screened 3DS XL and a more robust and cheaper hinge-less 2DS. All these systems support the same games and can run those old DS games your family will have collected.

Here we list the Nintendo 3DS games that have been recomended for families in the Family Gamer Awards.

3DS Games for Infants (3 to 6 yrs)
The best games for toddlers, very-young children and pre-school kids from 3 to 6 years old. These games work with the basics of play and should easily engage the super young players in our families. Simple and easy controls and bright colours engage young players in some educational and informative games.
3DS Games for Juniors (7 to 11 yrs)
The best games for primary school, junior and young children aged from 7 to 11 years old. These games provide experiences that connect with a basic joy of discovery and play. Although still simplistic they engage with a wide range of basic principles.

New Style Boutique
Buy:
UK US
New Style Boutique: New Style Boutique follows up on the first game with better visuals and more nuanced interactions with the customers. The depth is considerable as players have to judge personality of each shopper and stock their shop with the right clothes. Ideal for junior gamers, girls or boys.
Family Gamer Award Details
- Award: Age Group Runner Up
- Date: Spring 2012
- Platform: 3DS version(s)

Skylanders Spyro's Adventure
Buy:
UK US
Skylanders Spyro's Adventure: The quality of the toys and simplicity of using them to save your progress in the videogame make this ideal for junior players. The gameplay itself is like a more action focused Lego game, and again, ideally suited for pre-teens.
Family Gamer Award Details
- Award: Game of the Year
- Date: Autumn 2011
- Platform: Wii 3DS 360 PS3 version(s)
3DS Games for Teens (12 to 15 yrs)
The best games for secondary, high-school, teenagers, adolescent kids and young-adults aged from 12 to 17 years old. These games provide thrilling experiences that major on brash, loud protagonists and aim to connect with the teens in our families.

Lego Lord of the Rings
Buy:
UK US
Lego Lord of the Rings: Lego Lord of the Rings offers a massive exploreable middle earth alongside the usual linear levels. A step towards the upcoming GTA style Lego City Undercover that ticks all the role play boxes of the books and films. Perfect for Teen Tolkien (or Lego) fans.
Family Gamer Award Details
- Award: Age Group Winner
- Date: Autumn 2012
- Platform: 3DS Wii Vita DS 360 PS3 version(s)

Paper Mario Sticker Star
Buy:
UK US
Paper Mario Sticker Star: Although it may seem like just another Mario game on the 3DS, this role-play meets platforming Mario is the perfect mix of storytelling and action. Players work through a paper craft world collecting stickers and attacking enemies. Perfect for family gamers young and old, ideal for teens.
Family Gamer Award Details
- Award: Age Group Runner Up
- Date: Winter 2012
- Platform: 3DS version(s)

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Shadow Wars
Buy:
UK US
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Shadow Wars: Well balanced strategy from the creator of Laser Squad and XCOM/UFO. This is the most fully featured 3DS launch game (along with Super Street Fighter IV) and it oozes quality. Perfect for whiling away between lectures.
Family Gamer Award Details
- Award: Age Group Runner Up
- Date: Spring 2011
- Platform: 3DS version(s)
3DS Games for Students (16 to 17 yrs)
The best games for students, studying, college, school and young-adults aged from 16 to 17 years old. These games provide experiences that are great to share in halls, offer multiplayer thrills, or demand commitment and dedication to progress.
3DS Games for Workers (18 and over)
The best games for those with full time jobs, workers, 9-to-5-ers, employed hard-core gamers 18 years and over. These games provide more of a challenge in both dexterity and problem solving. They are often more about strong single player experiences that hard working hard core gamers. Although these are often longer experiences that are also ideal to switch off and chill out after a long day at the office.

Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time
Buy:
UK US
Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time: The classic Zelda game reborn, but more importantly a console Zelda experience on a commute friendly handheld. The level of graphical reworking, addition of new controls and tips system make this a standout re-release of the definitive Zelda videogame from the 90s.
Family Gamer Award Details
- Award: Age Group Runner Up
- Date: Summer 2011
- Platform: 3DS version(s)

Super Mario 3D Land
Buy:
UK US
Super Mario 3D Land: Mario returns to its 2D feel while retaining a fresh 3D perspective. The simple addictive nature draws from Mario Galaxy and Super Mario World to create a perfect commuting or after work 3DS game.
Family Gamer Award Details
- Award: Age Group Runner Up
- Date: Winter 2011
- Platform: 3DS version(s)

Street Fighter 4
Buy:
UK US
Street Fighter 4: Street Fighter is the game that started the fighting genre. And here in a return to old style game play married with state of the art hand drawn visuals we find a game so engaging and beautiful we played until our hands hurt. Perfect for easing those aches and pains after a long day at work.
Family Gamer Award Details
- Award: Age Group Runner Up
- Date: Spring 2009
- Platform: 360 3DS PS3 version(s)
3DS Games for Parents
The best games for parents, mums, dads, carers, aunties and uncles. These games connect with the gamer on a more mature level. Story driven and often open ended, the experiences here provide space to play with complex issues and engage in moral dilemmas. Either that or to escape the grind of the work/home balance.

FIFA 12
Buy:
UK US
FIFA 12: A new impact system for players, improved tactics and graphics make FIFA 12 stand out. But it's the history that parents have with this game that will make it one to play with the whole family.
Family Gamer Award Details
- Award: Age Group Runner Up
- Date: Autumn 2011
- Platform: 360 PS3 3DS Wii PC version(s)
3DS Games for Grandparents
The best games for grandparents, older, senior, grown-up, mature, retired and wiser people. These games provide a slightly slower, although no less challenging experience. Time and consideration are of the essence as our most senior gamers enjoy interacting with other players and perfecting their approach.

Pinball Arcade
Buy:
UK US
Pinball Arcade: The genius of Pinball Arcade is that it recreates classic arcade tables in digital form. On iPad, Vita, PS3 and 360 this offers not only a chance to revisit classic tables of your youth but to discover new tables for silver gamers to play.
Family Gamer Award Details
- Award: Age Group Runner Up
- Date: Spring 2012
- Platform: iPad WiiU Vita 3DS 360 PS3 version(s)

Rhythm Thief
Buy:
UK US
Rhythm Thief: This simple rhythm game offers grandparents a little more to explore with a Professor Layton style story and musical challenges that relate well to the narrative.
Family Gamer Award Details
- Award: Age Group Runner Up
- Date: Autumn 2012
- Platform: 3DS version(s)

Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask
Buy:
UK US
Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask: Although some will complain that this could have been on the DS, its visual improvements and larger story arc actually make this a more engaging game for grandparent players.
Family Gamer Award Details
- Award: Age Group Winner
- Date: Winter 2012
- Platform: 3DS version(s)

Pinball FX
Buy:
UK US
Pinball FX: The perfect antidote to a busy dusty day at work. Just like playing in the dingy arcades of old, this 360 game recreates the physicality and touch of the real game.
Family Gamer Award Details
- Award: Age Group Runner Up
- Date: Winter 2008
- Platform: 360 3DS PS3 version(s)

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