The 3DS games of TGS

Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime 3

The original DS Rocket Slime deservedly picked up something of a cult following when it launched back in 2006. An inventive, colourful action RPG aimed at a younger crowd, it still stands up as one of Square Enix's more enjoyable franchise spin-offs. This sequel (the first GBA title never made it West, hence the '3') offers more of the same. And when we say more of the same, we really mean it - hold it up against its predecessor and you'll be hard pushed to spot much of a difference.

Again, our limited linguistic abilities prevented us from figuring out exactly what is going on plot-wise, but the key difference is that the action has shifted to the high seas, with its predecessor's occasional tank battles replaced with combat sequences that see you bombarding enemy vessels with your cannons.

There were many more sophisticated handheld RPGs on display on the show floor but Rocket Slime 3 seems like a bright, cheerful and welcome addition to the growing 3DS library nonetheless. Providing Square chooses to localise, that is.

Beyond the Labyrinth

A little bit Ico and a little bit Resonance of Fate, this RPG from Star Ocean developer Tri-ace is as beautiful as it is obtuse.

Visually, the titular labyrinth that has a touch of Ueda in its blend of moss, sun and sculptured stone, is heart-stoppingly beautiful. Unfortunately, Beyond the Labyrinth's grid-based navigation makes it a world that's painful to explore, and its battle system is impenetrable in its current guise.

Elemental attacks are combined to take down enemies in combat that's seamlessly woven into the exploration, and there's an ethereal female character who must be protected at all times.

Tri-ace's strategy RPGs are often slow to reveal their charms, so with a little more time and some localisation Beyond the Labyrinth could still reveal a game that's the equal of its impressive visuals.

Sonic Generations

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Attribution

With the absence of a dedicated Wii game for SEGA's mascot this year, this 3DS game is the sole Nintendo outing for Sonic this year - though Sonic Generations looks more than capable of carrying the torch on its own.

Like the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of this 20th Anniversary celebration, this bundles together highlights of the hedgehog's checkered past, though the switch in hardware means a subtly different approach.

Classic Sonic plays much the same as on Generation's home console counterparts, while the levels starring leans more on the DS's Rush games than it does Sonic's more recent 3D outings.

Which turns out to be a smart move, as the linked grinds and loops of Rush are more in tune with handheld gaming - and make for richer pickings than some of the lacklustre home console games offer.

It's smart and attractive, with only the occasional dip in frame rate in what's still an early build threatening to spoil Sonic's birthday party.

Hot-Blooded Tough Guy Kunio 3DS

An unfamiliar title, but one look at Hot-Blooded Tough Guy Kunio 3DS should put you in familiar territory - this is a welcome revisit to the world of River City Ransom from BlazBlue developer Arc System Works.

As one of the archetypal 8-bit games, it's surprising that this particular franchise hasn't been earmarked for the 3D Classics range that's been dribbling onto the 3DS's eShop, and it's hard to see what this all-new game offers above and beyond a simple remake with a tacked-on extra dimension.

Only the arena-based arcade mode was available to play on the show floor, and it revealed the simplistic pugilism to be complete and largely untouched.

Nintendo has already proven how well retro visuals translate to the 3DS, and this particular game is at least making a little extra effort in that regard. Backgrounds boast impressive depth, and the shoulder buttons allow you to zoom in and out of the action.

It's unlikely this will ever make it out of Japan as a boxed game, but as a downloadable curio Hot-Blooded Tough Guy would be a welcome addition to the still sparse 3DS eShop.