by Wayne K. Wilkins

Created on: February 11, 2013

Video game trends change just like the seasons and many games, even age-old franchises and concepts, seem to come and go just the same. After recent announcements such as the Prince of Persia series being on hold and the Wii U console not doing as well as Nintendo had hoped for, trends may indeed be on the verge of changing again. One series of consoles, the DS and 3DS consoles, that seem to continue to do well regardless of the changes in trends, continue to enjoy success in 2013. Here are some of the recent developments in the DS markets.

The biggest trend in the 3DS market in 2013 appears to be the return of age-old franchises. The recent release of “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D” was incredibly well received. Similarly, new instalments to the “Paper Mario,” “Fire Emblem” and “Tales” series continue to dominate headlines. The Pokemon series also continues to grow with “Pokemon X” apparently scheduled for a 2013 release.

Speaking of the Pokemon series, over on the regular DS, the 2012 releases of “Pokemon Black And White 2” continue to dominate online forums and video game related websites related to the games. The latest instalments to the Pokemon franchise were as well received as their predecessors and boasting two individual storylines, not to mention, a jaw dropping number of Pokemon, incredible graphics and a vast and immersive world, the age-old concept of Pokemon games continue to prosper in the trends.

In recent years, the DS has also proved to be a revival zone for old genres. The “Etrian Odyssey” franchise for example, which currently spans four games, breathed new life into the dungeon crawling RPG genre that was once dominated by “Wizardry” games on the PC, but somehow vanished with time. “Steal Princess” is another game that takes players on a trip down memory lane to the times of “Landstalker” and “Alundra” with its innovative puzzle-style action gameplay. 

The Harvest Moon series, as of 2013, is currently prospering more than ever thanks to the latest game on the 3DS console, “Harvest Moon 3D: A New Beginning.” The game, which is tentatively titled, is the most customizable and as such, the most unique instalment of the franchise to date. Allowing players to customize just about everything from their clothes, hair and the placement of their farm – and buildings around the village – the game is vast, endless and beautiful and its success will likely see a new emphasis on life simulation games in the handheld world.

The world’s most loved handheld consoles continue to prosper and grow as their trends continue to change. The console doesn’t know other gaming trends such as the growth of FPS games or the like, but instead, the consoles continue to serve as hubs for age-old genre concepts, game concepts and even franchises. A flawless series of “go to” consoles for those looking for a magical break from the modern day world of high definition run and gun blasting, the 2013 trends for the DS and 3DS consoles, based on recent releases, recent genres and upcoming stuff alike, look to be very exciting.

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