You are pushed into the position of a village's new mayor in Animal Crossing: New Leaf, which means it is up to you to assist create the regulations and aid in the growth of the burg. But don't worry: it's a relatively laid-back gig. You'll still have time to go fishing, capture bugs, create outfits, dig up fossils, decorate and extend your home, and conduct other peaceful activities with your pals.

The internet and StreetPass capabilities of the 3DS are put to good use here, allowing you to visit friends' villages and see how other players' homes are furnished. Animal Crossing enthusiasts will be thrilled to know that Animal Crossing: New Horizons is now available for the Nintendo Switch.

Release date: 2012

Platforms: Nintendo 3DS, GameCube

Link to buy: amzn.to/3LSfyB2

Ever Oasis is a game that attempts to achieve a lot of things. It's an action RPG, a settlement-building game, and a dungeon-crawling adventure game all at the same time. Consider Animal Crossing mixed together with The Legend of Zelda to get a sense of what it's going for.

You take on the role of a juvenile creature in a perilous desert environment. Your people can establish safe havens known as Oases with the assistance of a water spirit. Chaos, a terrible force, is advancing over the country, attempting to destroy all living things, and it is up to you to construct a powerful Oasis by attracting citizens by performing objectives in the broader world and preserving the Oasis itself.

The principle is straightforward, but it's entertaining and offers a more open spin on the settle-building genre. Because it is so ambitious, the game does not succeed in every aspect, but it is beautifully designed with fascinating gameplay and adventures that will keep you playing.

Release date: 2017

Platform: Nintendo 3DS

Link to buy: amzn.to/3Gl4QBF

While Mario has always been strong and courageous, his brother Luigi is not. Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon follows the less daring of the two Mario Brothers as he explores through homes with a lukewarm timidity that will make you giggle as much as it will make you sympathize with the game's green-hatted hero.

Dark Moon, the successor to the original Luigi's Mansion for the Nintendo GameCube, is a pure adventure game. You'll solve riddles, gather cash, and generally enjoy the game's eerie – but never terrifying – environments. Dark Moon is the bite-sized adventure you've been waiting for if you're looking for clever, humorous platforming.

Luigi progresses through five distinct themed houses, collecting ghosts and completing riddles to advance to the next level. Dark Moon has a cooperative multiplayer option that may be played locally or online over the Nintendo Network. Critics gave the game mostly excellent reviews, complementing the game's 3D aesthetics and new features, while some criticized the game's mission-based structure and absence of checkpoints.

Release date: 2013

Platforms: Nintendo 3DS, Arcade game

Link to buy: amzn.to/3sWmTc0

Mario Kart 7, like the other games in the series, is nothing short of pure, adrenaline-fueled racing exhilaration. Choose one of 16 popular Mario characters (or a Mii), select your kart, tires, and glider, and then use all of your talents (and any stuff you can steal) to outrace and outsmart your opponents on insanely planned courses like Mario Circuit and Neo Bowser City.

The addition of underwater and airborne elements in this installment makes this one of the most diverse Kart games yet, while famous courses from previous releases add to the pleasure. A thriving online community means that you will never be without competitors.

For up to eight players, the game supports both local and online multiplayer. It was met with favorable reviews, with acclaim for the new improvements, music, and gameplay, but criticism for the restricted single player modes (such as the loss of the customisable Versus mode), item balancing, and difficulty curve. Following Super Mario 3D Land, Mario Kart 7 was the second 3DS game to sell over five million units.

Release date: 2011

Platform: Nintendo 3DS

Link to buy: amzn.to/3NRF36X

Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon are fantastic additions to the Pokemon series and the franchise's final releases on the Nintendo DS platform. As a result, they're a must-play. Following on from 2016's Sun and Moon, these games transport players to the new Hawaii-inspired territory of Alola, where they will meet the seventh generation of Pokemon and explore all new areas.

This time, though, the player may explore a dark new realm, a much larger plot, a brand new legendary Pokemon to catch, and a new terrible gang to battle. Although the Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon editions of the game are basically the same, each has its own set of Pokémon, so you'll have to trade with other players (online or offline) to capture them all. Purchasing the opposite Ultra version of the original (for example, purchasing Ultra Moon after previously playing Sun) is another option to complete your Pokedex without needing to trade online.

Release date: 2017

Platform: Nintendo 3DS

Link to buy: amzn.to/3LKqX5C