Thinking about the earliest gaming consoles, Nintendo is surely one of the finest that was launched. It has millions of fans around the world and people still have the retro consoles with them, which is part of their childhood memory. With time, Nintendo understood the demand of gamers and introduced portable and handheld consoles, of which, one of the most popular ones is the Nintendo 3DS.
The dual-screen gaming console is considered to be one of the best portable gaming consoles on the market. It provided the same kind of engaging experience to the user in a portable format but improved the graphics and visuals at the same time.
The handheld gaming console became a massive commercial success for the company and also brought a lot of the best 3ds games. The company also released other versions of the console, which were Nintendo 3DS XL, 2DS, and 2DS XL, which resulted in a massive library of games on offer for the users.
The gaming console might not be available now, as it was succeeded by Nintendo Switch in 2017, but it still has a large user base and still remains one of the best consoles from the company. If you can still get your hands on it, we have a list of the 20 best Nintendo 3ds games that are still enjoyable and will surely excite you with the gameplay.
Below is the list of the Best 3DS Games on Nintendo
Animal Crossing: New Leaf
The animal crossing has been considered one of the best games and became a phenomenon for Nintendo players. With the launch of a new version called New Leaf, the game developers marked a new era on Nintendo 3DS. The gameplay revolves around you as a player, with the responsibility to create your own town and run it.
Also Read: Best Games like Animal Crossing
The game has great graphics and a simple-to-use interface. It also comes with an upgraded multiplayer so that you can share the joy of playing this game with your friends. It is probably one of the best and most popular 3ds games that you will ever get your hands on.
Fire Emblem: Awakening
This is one game that is definitely worth suggesting to all Nintendo 3DS fans. There is no doubt that it is one of the best Nintendo 3ds games. Fire Emblem wasn’t available everywhere so not many people know about it. The game was created by Intelligent Systems and Nintendo SPD, where it had the features of all the previous games in the franchise.
The game was also a financial hit and had rich gameplay and graphics. The game comes with a permadeath system which can kill your character permanently as well. It comes with rich gameplay, great tactics, and much more. The game is seriously challenging and you will be totally into it with focus while playing it.
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
The Legend of Zelda is one of the most iconic games in this format and is also considered to be one of the top Nintendo ds games. The game was specifically remasted for Nintendo 3DS, with much better performance, graphics, and interface. The game provides a lot of classic gameplay with snappy actions and flexible progression.
The gameplay and storyline are the same but the actual gameplay is much more refined on this console in every way.
The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D
It is another popular 3ds games that you need to have on your list. The Majora’s Mask version of the game has a classic cult status among Nintendo fans and the remastered version of the game is just one level ahead. The game comes with addictive storytelling and smart tweaks which improve the game a lot.
The game is one of the greatest of all time and is also one of the best-remastered versions of the game. It can be said that this version is a major improvement over the classic version.
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions
Another great franchise that has also been the best Nintendo ds games is Mario. Every person who has ever played a game knows about Mario. This game takes you back to the mushroom kingdom, where Luigi and Mario embark on an adventure. You will also see nemesis Bowser, Princess Peach, and all your favorite and classic characters from the Mario franchise.
This is actually a remastered version of the same game that you could have played on Gameboy Advance. However, this version also has some new elements. Some smart tweaks make this game a lot snappier and also provide a timeless experience that you expect from a Mario game.
Monster Hunter 4
The Monster Hunter world is one of the most popular franchises in the world of gaming. The game was developed by Capcom and was primarily played on Nintendo devices. This game in particular brought all the trademark elements of the franchise, which included a lot of different monsters, bosses, crafting of weapons, and more.
You can play solo or as a party of four in multiplayer mode. The game has so much to offer that you will never be bored of it. The game provides the best quality when compared to any game on Nintendo 3DS. If you are looking for a game that you will forever play, then this is it.
Pocket Card Jockey
The game was developed by Game Freak and is one of the most popular 3ds games available right now. The game is fun to play and has a lot of things to do. The developers were able to combine two elements into the game which included high-speed horse races and a card game. It is one of the reasons why the game is a lot more addictive.
The game provides a tactical blend of stacking cards and winning the card game gives you better chances on the circuit to win the race. You will be able to raise your horse and makes various upgrades to other elements as well.
Rhythm Paradise Megamix
Mix some catchy music into the game and it becomes really popular among people who like music and games equally. The game combines great visual elements and catchy music, which makes the game interesting. It also consists of short games with short rhythms. The game is filled with colorful visuals which look stunning.
It comes with some really colorful cast like onions with facial hair and a burly wolf and more. It is surely going to attract a lot of kids due to its visual appeal.
Shin Megami Tensei 4
Shin Megami is the fourth release in the franchise after many spin-offs by the developers. Holding onto the original storyline and characters, the fourth installment brings in a lot of new elements to the game. You will be playing the character who is going to save a lot of people from the post-apocalyptic world. The focus of the game is primarily on things like exploration, combat, and item management.
The gameplay will bring a lot of elements from the previous games, combines with better graphics. The storyline will bring the character to a stage where differentiating between good and evil will be hard. The fusion of characters in this game is very satisfying and it will engage you for hours of gameplay.
BoxBoy
If you like games that come with an element of puzzles and fun, then this is the game for you. It comes with minimalistic graphics and a smooth gameplay interface. The character and game are cute, and fun, and will make you feel both dumb and brilliant. The gameplay makes you squeeze the cubes in a specific series to make a certain formation. You can drag, drop and toss the cubes to get past the obstruction and obstacles.
There is a complete world of puzzles and levels that you will have to cross. Each level will challenge you with various puzzles, where you have to use different strategies to solve them. You will also have to save your cubes with armor against deadly lasers and other challenges. The game is really addictive and has many levels for countless hours of gaming.
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Dual Destinies
A complete courtroom drama is what the game provides you. You will be playing the main character Phoenix Wright, who deals with legal battles in the courtroom. The story of the game is just like a movie, where you will be challenged in court. It also covers various aspects of the personal life of the character while playing the legal drama.
You will be going to cross-examinations of witnesses, and rivalries of the prosecutors. The game story is mysterious and will keep you in suspense till the last moment. If you are looking to play a dramatic, thriller, and suspense-filled game in 3D, then this is the pic for you. The game engages you with a lot of new and unexpected twists as well.
Shovel Knight
The game was released in 2014, and ever since then, it has been a popular game in its niche. The game is considered the best among the old games and is counted in the lines of Super Mario and Donkey Kong. You will be playing as the main character and will have to go through various stages based on natural elements like water, air, darkness, and more. Each of these stages will end with a boss fight with the knight from the Order of No Quarter.
You will also be exploring a lot of new villages in the game, where you can meet people like wizards, bards, etc. You can explore new weapons, and trade goods as well. The overall 3D graphics provide a great interface for the gameplay. If you are looking to play an old classic, which will engage you with adventure and excitement, then this is the game for you.
Bravely Default
Another game was released in 2014 and has since become very popular to provide an altogether new type of game series. The game is an excellent RPG that provides an excellent game design. The story is completely Japan-centric, with a great storyline. The best part about the game is the storyline, which has been crafted and written in a way that the game keeps you captured all the time.
The graphics of the game are amazing and the entire story is filled with adventure and great storytelling. The game also has a lot of weapons and combat strategies, but it is still more popular due to the narrative scale.
Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy
This game came after different spin-offs and five core games before it. The game was developed and released as the finale for Prof. Hershel Layton’s globetrotting adventures. The plot of the story in this game has been taken from the previous versions as well. Here all the stories from the previous games have been brought together with plat ties.
It is also packed with references to previous games and includes a lot of elements as well. It has a lot of puzzles, and adventure and comes with great storytelling. The major gameplay is about solving puzzles, which come with great graphics as well. The character is trying to find out the connection between a lost civilization and an amnesiac young lady.
Kid Icarus: Uprising
The Kid Icarus series is a big deal on this platform and is one of the most decorated games as well. Released in 2012, this game was created by developers which also included people who were behind Smash Bros. It is a great visual extravaganza on the console and combines part shooter and part action-adventure genre.
Although the series is old, the graphics and storytelling will still engage you for hours of gameplay. The shooting mechanics are brilliant and can be done through both shoulder buttons and touch screens. The controls are very subtle and are worth spending hours on.
New Super Mario Bros. 2
The Mario franchise does not need any kind of introduction. The game allows you to play as Mario and Luigi where the main mission is to collect as much money and coin as you can. The overall theme of the game is gold and the game will push you to collect as many gold coins as possible. It has multiple stages with various kinds of challenges on offer.
It is a great game if you looking to compete with your friends and strangers in a high-score challenge. The game can be played both online and offline. The overall experience of the game is rich and something you would really enjoy.
Super Smash Bros. for 3DS
The game was released in 2014 and has the biggest collection of characters you will find in a Nintendo game. Luigi, King Dedede, Olimar, and a boy with psychic powers and a baseball, you name it and it’s there. It is considered to be one of the best multiplayer games on the device. The game comes with decent graphics and a great interface.
The overall controls are easy to use and you will definitely enjoy the variety of elements and players that you get to play in this game. It is a great game under the Smash Bros franchise and certainly one that you should have.
Monster Hunter Stories
The game was released in September 2017 and is among the best entry series one could ask for. If you are a fan of monster hunter games, then this one will surely provide you with lots of entertainment. The game has a lot of vastness and provides a variety of controls as well. The game also comes with certain elements that would remind you of the Pokemon series.
Also Read: Best Games like Monster Hunter
Finding eggs, hatching them, and waiting for the little beast to come out is one of the most exciting moments of the game. You also get to fight big monsters, which could be challenging. You can also use your monsters to fight the bigger ones in the game. Overall, the game has a great storyline, which can be enjoyed for hours.
Mario Kart 7
Mario Kart is one of the most popular series on Nintendo and this series takes all the good elements from the previous one. The game brings in new weapons, new karts, and other elements, which adds a lot of freshness to this game. The game was aimed to perfect all the elements of the previous versions with tight controls.
It comes with new underwater racing and the addition of gliders. It can be played both online and offline for maximum fun.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3D
Last on the list is Xenoblade Chronicles 3D. Released in 2015, the game is massive and shows the powerful capabilities of the console. It takes place on the bodies of two powerful titans where the cities exist on their knees and oceans in the rib cage. One titan has humans and a plump rabbit reading in them as home and the other has an evil race of robots called Machina, both being constantly in war.
Also Read: Best Fighting Games on Android to Play
You can play as the hero Shulk and fight with Machina using a sword that grants a vision of the future. If you like RPGs this would be a great game for you.
Best 3DS Games of All Time in Order – Our Top Picks👌
We have listed the top games available on Nintendo 3ds below, in no particular order.
| Game Name |
Wiki Link |
| Animal Crossing: New Leaf | More Info |
| Fire Emblem: Awakening | More Info |
| The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds | More Info |
| The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D | More Info |
| Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions | More Info |
| Monster Hunter 4 | More Info |
| Pocket Card Jockey | More Info |
| Rhythm Paradise Megamix | More Info |
| Shin Megami Tensei 4 | More Info |
| BoxBoy | More Info |
| Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Dual Destinies | More Info |
| Shovel Knight | More Info |
| Bravely Default | More Info |
| Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy | More Info |
| Kid Icarus: Uprising | More Info |
| New Super Mario Bros. 2 | More Info |
| Super Smash Bros. for 3DS | More Info |
| Monster Hunter Stories | More Info |
| Mario Kart 7 | More Info |
| Xenoblade Chronicles 3D | More Info |
Verdict
Here are some of the best 3ds games that you can get your hands on and enjoy countless hours of fun and excitement. These games were specifically designed for the console and are enjoyed even today, after years of their release. So go ahead and get these games for the best experience with the console.