I should start this by saying a quick farewell to Pokemon Shuffle & Mario & Luigi: Dream Team .. Shuffle had posted times to start with but fizzled out towards the end. Dream Team was a surprise entry in the penultimate chart.
Now for the nitty gritty.
20 -
I tipped this to pip A Link Between World's at the final stage, but this, the latest port of a fabulous N64 gem, clings on by the teeth of the evil moon to just secure a top 20 slot. Combined total 172 hours.
19 -
Well I was surprised to this platforming star, enter with a giant leap at the final flag pole. 100% is what pushes some people on in a game like this. Accumulated total = approx. 172 hours (with a few more minutes than our green capped wonder from Hyrule).
18 -
A re-entry and no easy task so late in the day. If a franchise can pull off a trick like that it is indeed the one with pocket monsters. The earliest of the DS Pokemon games also makes it onto the most played list of its successor. Final total, 178 hours.
17 -
Mario seemingly infuriated by the expulsion of Dream Team, doubles his rewards by appearing twice. New Super Mario Bros. 2 had far more coins than most games care to dream about. 3 users have spent 180 hours searching for all of them.
16 -
Link masterfully swishes his sword through some tough opposition to end up climbing vines and finishing in 16th place. 187 hours all in.
15 -
Phoenix Wright .. The power in his hand and mind has given him a place in our most played. I certainly wasn't expecting the courtroom legend to continue up the charts .. I don't have an objection to it either mind. Accumulated time of 214 hours.
14 -
Very strong finish from the trainers of Pokemon and lovers of this franchise. It was made for the DS, but backwards compatibility means you can catch all of your favourites again on the new machine. Or see what you missed if you didn't play it back then. Lugia and Ho-Oh are so unforgettable I'm not sure I ever will. 215 hours altogether.
13 -
Water battling on our hand helds .. for some now a distant memory, with the newer MH version on the scene ... The chance to take your home console created hunter out and about was very good though .. 350 hours, gives MH3U a place .. but not one within the top 10.
12 -
Pokemon is phenomenal, people go crazy for it .. we are no different. Black and White 2 combines 438 hours and 7 user times.
11 -
Will this be the highest Pokemon title on the final list? 516 combined hours from everyone who has it in their top 10 almost gave it a glorious top 10 finish.
This is the 'business end'
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Water battling removed .. "now ride on the back of the monsters!" like you're in an insane rodeo of death ?! Capcom made a wise move and did themselves proud .. we get to benefit from their great work. 571 hours was enough to guarantee it finishes 10 .. I give MH4U a gun lance blast salute.. bravo hunters.
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Gotta catch em all .. thats what we try to do anyway .. thats why so many folks get each and every version .. marvellous rework, appreciated by SONM forum members as well. 13 times and 618 hours.
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Kid Icarus emerges victorious from a few heated battles in our charts with some battle hardened Monster Hunters. Its fast paced and with a brilliant soundtrack its well worth a look if you haven't already. You could add to the 719 hours already accumulated for next year ..
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Turnbased Battle Strategy with emotional touches and a story to suck you in. If you like to think before you act and plan your approach carefully to devastating effect, then this could well be the game for you. Its place in our top 10 was never in question.. pushing beyond 1000 hours at 1138. Nicely done Awakening.
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Great little games on the go + swapping puzzle pieces, and more .. Free recreational software expertly designed to appeal to our collector instincts. I wondered if this would make the top 10. Street Pass Mii Plaza is the highest climber of the final chart moving from 11 to 6 and even knocking Fire Emblem down a notch. 10 users have a combined total hours of 1234.
Best game of all time? It has been masterfully ported to our handhelds for yet more people to appreciate. 1342 hours total from 16 times.
Cartoon Link meets up with Big Link for a cosy 'chat and some bants' .. yep you guessed correctly its S S B. Handheld for the very first time, very very entertaining, Ninten-do try things. This 'thing' works lovely in our card slot. 1716 hrs.
Before we went upside down, we had the chance to fly for the first time. 'Mario Kart always delivers' Mario Kart 7 was no exception to that rule. Maintain its height for the last leg of its journey with 2097 hours.
X & Y, I think X had the better legendary .. but Y had the cooler looking one (lets be honest). Still joint second place for most users .. who, between them all, have 2529 hours. Very Impressive to claw its way to 2nd against some tough opposition .. ( a new challenger - SSB, and a console staple MK)
It was (for me at least)
all about the music. In my house, in the club, on the boat or even in my back room club at the museum. I have such a varied selection of crazy music. Even walking around gives you a relaxing little ditty. I also think everyone is able to find their own favourite thing in this game. Plan projects, go on trips, invite friends, grow stuff .. if we say its 'horses for courses' ? ..... this is Red Rum in the Grand National for 3DS creationists.
5972 hours .. THATS SOME GOOSEBERRY FOOL AMOUNT OF HOURS!
Easier to count who didn't play it than the total, but that total would be 29.
So thats over half a year with no time to sleep, eat or anything else ..