Top 10 Nintendo 3DS games of 2011 (so far)

We're halfway through 2011, and three months into the lifespan of the Nintendo 3DS. In this relatively short space of time, the console has already seen dozens of releases, with loads of developers providing their wares in stereoscopic 3D.

Of course, with the launch of any new console comes the inevitable shovelware and rushed releases, and while the 3DS has seen some great additions to its game library, it's also seen its fair share of rubbish.

We've cast our eyes over all the Nintendo 3DS titles released to date, and now provide you with a list of the top 10 3DS games available for the platform.

If you're feeling a little bored with the games you've picked up, why not give some of these a try and get that Circle Pad working again.

It's no secret that the original N64 version of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is adored by everyone at Pocket Gamer, and frequently lauded as one of the best games of all time.

It was hardly surprising, then, that the 3DS remake was swiftly presented with our coveted Platinum Award, as we fell in love with Link's classic quest all over again.

This isn't a mere port of the original: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D features revamped visuals that breathes incredible new life into the weary looks of the N64 edition.

Whether you played through the game back in 1998 or not, Ocarina of Time 3D is essential 3DS gaming, and should be owned, played, and loved by all.

There was a flurry of negative press surrounding Dead or Alive: Dimensions, including a possible child pornography violation that saw the game pulled in Sweden, which saw it receive a reclassification in Australia.

Let's not dwell on that, though, as Dead or Alive: Dimensions is action-packed and content-heavy, with loads of modes to play through and 25 fighters to choose from.

Everything you need in a beat-'em-up is present, from online battling and FMV story sequences, to a survival mode and a wide selection of moves.

As with all the best fighters, Dead or Alive: Dimensions is easy to get into, with great pick-up-and-play action, but incredibly difficult to master. You'll need to plug hours of play into this title before you'll find yourself dominating online.

While the Pirates of the Caribbean movies may be losing their charm with every subsequent release, the Lego games series goes from strength to strength.

The latest game in the Lego franchise is based on Captain Jack Sparrow's adventures, and provides the familiar block-building, puzzle-solving action that we've come to know and love.

While the game is perhaps a little too simplistic in its design, the stereoscopic 3D effects give the title a new depth that hadn't been possible until this point.

With all four Pirates of the Caribbean films bundled in as playable storylines, and tons of replay value in the form of unlockable characters from the films, this is a worthy addition to your 3DS gaming library.

Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars was an interesting launch release for the Nintendo 3DS. While the majority of other titles emphasised the 3D visuals over gameplay, Ghost Recon was all about the latter.

Despite finding ourselves turning the 3D slider down during play, Ghost Recon is frequently the game we keep going back to, as it is an absolute blast.

This turn-based tactical strategy title offers futuristic scenarios a-plenty, coupled with incredibly tense action and a huge amount of mission depth.

Alas, the lack of multiplayer meant that Ghost Recon quickly became a forgotten gem among the masses, but it gives us great hope for a meatier Ghost Recon release on 3DS in the coming years.

The Beautiful Game came running out of the 3DS launch tunnel in the form of Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 3D, in what proved to be a great first attempt at bringing the PES series into the stereoscopic world.

PES 2011 3D is just as playable as its home console counterparts, that feeling of full ball control complemented by a depth of visuals that hasn't previously been witnessed.

The downside was a rather rushed release that barely features any content. Sure, there is enough to keep you going for a league or two, but outside of that, the menus are a bit bare.

Fortunately, the actual football bit is smart and efficient, and fills us with hope that the next PES 3D release will be the ultimate handheld soccer experience.

The original Nintendogs was a Nintendo DS console seller, appealing to gamers and non-gamers alike. No one could resist the fluffy critters jumping up against the screen and vying for your attention.

Hoping to take that original success through to the Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo launched a new version of the game in stereoscopic 3D, with added felines to boot.

While Nintendogs + Cats couldn't possibly match the innovative feel of the original, it still provides plenty of cute animals to prod and poke all over again.

The StreetPass features make this worth looking into as well, with those folks you pass in the street appearing during your virtual dog walks. AR cards also allow you to see your dogs pose on your kitchen table.

Think arcade racing games, think Ridge Racer. The classic series received a 3DS installment as a launch title, offering gameplay that's familiar yet addictive.

Namco Bandai knew that the safest option was to provide the same experience we've come to know and adore: hence, this game does nothing you haven't seen before, but remains just as playable as ever.

Though the game is missing online play, we still enjoy our time with the single-player content a serious amount, and have accelerated past a good number of high scores via StreetPass.

And those stereoscopic 3D visuals give the Ridge Racer experience a whole new depth that just wasn't possible before - you can feel your car whizzing past scenery in ways previously unimaginable.

Pilotwings Resort was perhaps one of our biggest disappointments on the 3DS, as the Pilotwings franchise was rebooted and given a mere smattering of content.

But while the game is hopelessly short, it does show off some of the best implementations of the new 3D effects, as you soar around the sky and swoop down on the ground below.

With a nice range of skyward vehicles to take control over, and plenty of high scores to beat, every moment with Pilotwings Resort is wonderful fun, and makes us truly appreciate the visual effects the 3DS can provide.

Hopefully, Nintendo will see the promise that lies in this series, and give us a sequel - but with a lot more content next time around.

Another racer makes our top 10 - but whereas Ridge Racer plays it safe and sticks to what it knows, Asphalt 3D draws inspiration from its well-known mobile offerings and injects a whole lot of speed.

With glowing neon lights and nitro boosts all over the shop, Asphalt 3D offers an incredible demonstration of what the new stereoscopic 3D visuals can do.

It is rather rough around the edges, with silly collisions, jumps that don't exactly abide by the laws of gravity, and loading times that make us want to cry.

As a first attempt at moving the racing series to consoles, Asphalt 3D is a resounding success, and has stayed plugged into our 3DS handhelds much longer than many of the other 3DS launch titles.

Dead or Alive: Dimensions may have the girls, but Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition has the brawn, with beefy arms and completely OOT power moves.

We genuinely could not believe how brilliant this port of the console classic looks, with visuals that nearly match its HD counterparts.

From the wide roster of classic fighters to the fantastic online modes, Street Fighter came to the 3DS as a real contender, and has us glued to the dual screen during many a lunch break.

We hope that, in future, developers look at how easy the online multiplayer in this game was implemented, and follow suit. So much was done right here, and the game sold fantastically well as a result.