[quote name='token2k6']crazy man, I believe you, guess I made myself filter it out b/c no way was I going all the way down the same road as last year. Picking it up for console and 3DS again. Plus, my kid never got into the 3DS version b/c of the different style game play, said it was too hard..wonder if Giants is the same formula or different on there..[/QUOTE]
The 3DS game is very similar to the first one, but they made a few very good improvements. The levels are much longer and more varied/wide open, they have a few bosses here and there and they got rid of the timed "Bad Guy is Chasing You" stuff. You do have speed runs (I think) for challenges, but it is just to beat some flat time instead of the old "pick up the clocks or die". Also the new game is based on the same universe, with Flynn and the rest of the characters instead of some other group of beings that aren't even mentioned in the main game. Leveling characters is also a bit slower. The game isn't quite as hard either - but there are some tough jumps.
On the bad side, the frame rate is worse, I recommend not using the 3d effect to make it smoother. Also, some figures really aren't made for this type of game, including the pack in Pop Fizz. He has a minimum range/slow throwing thing that really stinks to use on most of the mobs that like to run in close, and his transform doesn't last long at all and you take damage while transforming. Pop Fizz works much better on the console where you can play 2 player and keep range.