For anyone who owns a Nintendo 3DS and the games on it, today’s your lucky day! We’re diving into the land of retro gaming once again; this time, it’s Nintendo’s turn. Something about handheld gaming that Nintendo has mastered causes us to flock to them. It’s excellent value for money, and the endless hours of entrainment is a fair trade. Anyway, let’s not waste time and jump into our top 10 list of 3DS titles.
Which Nintendo 3DS Games Are the Best?
Gaming shouldn’t feel like a barrier; it’s a hobby anyone and everyone should be able to get into. The inclusive essence of Nintendo games ensures that while most of their offerings are for all ages, there are also games for adults. Well, we won’t beat around the bush today, as the list is fairly extensive, with 10 spots to fill, to be precise. Today’s selection is all about the uniqueness and enjoyment that best captivate players.
Any game that falls short won’t make it on our top-tier Nintendo 3DS games list. However, we’re limiting the picks to one game per franchise for fairness. After all, we can’t put all 10 spots for Zelda or Mario games and call it authentic. We’re going for diversity, most of all, to cater to multiple tastes and genres. Well, let’s see which Nintendo 3DS games make the cut today.
10. Fire Emblem: Fates – Astonishing Revelations Await in 3 Variants of the Amazing JRPG
Kicking things off for our list of fun Nintendo 3DS games, we’re going with Fire Emblem: Fates. Long story short, this game has 3 versions, much like Pokemon. However, the difference is, each one isn’t merely a carbon copy of the other. Each version of Fire Emblem Fates, whether it’s Birthright, Conquest, or Revelations, has unique characters and exclusive features.
The gameplay has similar elements between all three, but the story divergence and game mechanics difference is vast. If you purchase all three versions, it’s like playing three different Fire Emblem games. The plot intertwines beautifully between the three versions, and players will love the secrets that reveal during the third route, making it one of the best Nintendo 3DS games ever.
The introduction of casual mode allows players to avoid the consequence of permanent death to their units. A divisive feature since that’s kind of a long-time shtick of the best Fire Emblem games. The weapon degradation system is also replaced with trade-off mechanics. Players can set up a base to interact with their in-game characters and spouse.
9. Pokemon Sun and Moon – Truly Immersive 3D Exploration Mesmerizes Players in the Nintendo 3DS Game
The Pokemon formula from the previous Nintendo 3DS games shakes up with Pokemon Sun and Moon. The games kickstart the 7th-Gen of Pokemon and make full use of the 3D features of the hardware. Not only are the visuals outstandingly gorgeous, but the gameplay aesthetics sees a major overhaul. The characters aren’t chibi size; instead, their appearance and movement have more detailed character models.
Pokemon Sun and Moon also introduce variants of regular Pokemon aside from new powerful ones. The names may seem similar names, but their class types and attacks are different. Also, if you like seeing more bonding time between trainer and Pokemon, then Pokemon Sun and Moon have you covered. Players can also take pictures of the Pokemon in the wilderness in their natural element.
The battles in Pokemon Sun and Moon are intense, requiring proper tactical decisions to come out the victor. Not only do Pokemon Sun and Moon rank among the top Pokemon games, but they’re some of the best Nintendo 3DS games, period. There’s loads of exciting features, but the major one is the island setting, where you take in the breathtakingly scenic vistas.
8. Super Smash Bros. For Nintendo 3DS – The Nintendo Brawler is A (Pardon the Pun) Smashing Game
For fans of fighting games, this next entry on our list of best Nintendo 3DS games is a treat. Super Smash Bros. For Nintendo 3DS is one of the most fun and highly accessible titles on the platform. Players can choose from over 50 characters, mostly from Nintendo’s own wheelhouse. However, guest characters also appear, sprucing up the roster.
Super Smash Bros. For Nintendo 3DS is a game that’s the stuff of dreams, and the face-off pairings are surreal. You can have Donkey Kong go up against Samus Aran or Bayonetta in a standoff against Cloud Strife. The possibilities are endless. You’ll love diving into the gameplay, as up to 8 players can battle online. It’s tons of fun to play with friends, like our favorite top 4 switch co-op games.
7. Mario Kart 7 – One of the Most Fun and Addictive Racing Games Ever
Moving on to the next entry on our list of top-tier Nintendo 3DS games, we have Mario Kart 7. This one is an absolute blast, as it’s got the traditional Mario Kart fun factor. Players can choose from any of the popular Mario characters and their specific vehicles then take to the circuit. The racing is a pure adrenaline rush but with loads of silliness that enhances the enjoyment.
Players will love discovering shortcuts, picking up power boosts, and throwing obstacles in the way of their opponents. Mario Kart 7 has an evergreen appeal, meaning you won’t get tired of the game, as its replayability is ridiculously high. The Nintendo 3DS game’s selection of race tracks offers more creative ways to enjoy Mario Kart 7.
Another highlight of Mario Kart 7 is the game’s exclusive 3DS gyroscopic controls. Players don’t have to use the directional input to control the steering movement. Instead, the screen-tilting creates a more innovative experience for players. It’s things like these why Nintendo is always ahead of the curve, like introducing nifty features such as sports accessories for the Nintendo Switch.
6. Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate – Stalk the Monsters, Place Traps, and Hunt Endlessly
To cap off the first half of our list of top Nintendo 3DS games, we have Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate. The definitive version of the 4th mainline entry of the Monster Hunter series is a delight to dive into. Players follow the route of the story; that’s a recurring trend in the Monster Hunter games. A young and fledgling hunter undergoes the rite of passage to becoming a hunter.
The gameplay is in-depth and requires players to pay attention to the surrounding. Making preparations before confronting the behemoths is vital. The emphasis on the story in Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate gives the game a high-stakes feel. You’re hunting creatures that are destroying the natural order and threatening human civilization. It doesn’t get more epic and grand than that.
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate is fun on its own, but when you’re playing with friends online, is when the enjoyment is at its apex. The thrill of wearing down a colossal creature with friends is the ultimate hunting game experience on the Nintendo 3DS. If you enjoy such titles, check out our picks for the best hunting games that you can play in 2023 on the PS4.
5. Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies – Evoke Absurd Legal Prowess, and Test Your Logical Skills
The Nintendo 3DS game to usher us into the final half of our list is Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies. The legendary attorney returns in his full zeal and signature quirkiness to the joy of the fanbase. Phoenix joins newcomers Athena and Apollo as the trio works to battle against corrupt practices and restore the justice system. The visual novel format meshes sublimely with the game’s narrative.
Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies brilliantly incorporates distinct gameplay elements for each of its protagonists. Phoenix Wright can converse with witnesses and talk them into revealing their secrets relevant to the case. Similarly, Apollo Justice has the ability to detect visual cues during interviews of witnesses hiding the truth. While Athena Cykes can detect emotional discrepancies during witness statements.
The game requires logic and remembering the answers of witnesses during the trial. If there are any contradictions, players need to point them out and form a logical conclusion. The aim of this fantastic Nintendo 3DS game is to prove the evidence against the protagonist’s clients is false and fabricated. Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies is a thumbs up in our book; definitely worth playing.
4. The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time 3D – A Timeless Classic that Still Holds Up Magnificently
For the next game on our list of top-tier Nintendo 3DS games, we have The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time 3D. The title is a remake specifically for the 3DS and makes great use of the Nintendo handheld’s hardware. Not only do the graphics get a nice upscale, but The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time 3D uses the gyroscope control for aiming Link’s bow.
The game is eye candy, and its gameplay has plenty of the classic Legend Of Zelda D.N.A. to please the fanbase. The gameplay is streamlined, understandably, since it’s a handheld title and not a home console, yet that doesn’t detract from the fun in any way. The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time 3D holds the distinction of being one of the most faithful remakes of a beloved entry in the franchise.
The puzzles in The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time 3D are time-sensitive. Players need to have quick reflexes to get to the designated points in time or risk running back to the starting position to try again. The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time 3D is one the finest Nintendo 3DS games around that can easily stand against our other favorite action-adventure games.
3. Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse – Mysterious Vibes With Compelling Narrative and Satisfying Gameplay
For the number 3 spot on our list of top Nintendo 3DS games, we have Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse. The long-running JRPG series is a staple of the Nintendo first-party lineup for years now. The games always deliver fantastic, thought-provoking, morally grey dilemmas. The good and bad aren’t always as clear in any Shin Megami Tensei game, and Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse is no different.
The gameplay of Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse is the standard turn-based combat and free exploration when outside of it. The storyline is diverse and has plenty of twists and turns to give our favorite story-driven games a run for their money. The epilogue and endings are diverse, providing radically different outcomes depending on the allegiance of Nanahsi, the game’s protagonist.
The game is notorious for its difficulty, so always be prepared to save and have backup items to get yourself out of a pinch. Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse is the equivalent of the Dark Souls of JRPGS in terms of the surprises it throws at the player. Still, it’s a Nintendo 3DS game we find utterly enjoyable, and we recommend it to anyone who’s remotely a fan of JRPGS.
2. Metroid: Samus Returns – Our Runner-Up Pick for the Best 3DS Games Ever is A Side-Scroller Masterpiece
For our runner-up choice on the list of excellent Nintendo 3DS games, we’re going with Metroid: Samus Returns. Yes, it’s another remake on our list, but what can we say? Nintendo almost never misses the mark with these kinds of titles. Anyway, in Metroid: Samus Returns, players step into the shoes of the iconic and beloved heroine, Samus Aran, as she navigates the perilous Planet Zebes.
The levels are a labyrinth-esque structure, where each level interconnects seamlessly with the other. Later on, players can unlock fast-travel points, which are handy for backtracking and finding hidden goodies and upgrades. Metroid: Samus Returns also features a much-welcome game mechanic, the counter-attack. Players can time their block to not only deflect enemy attacks but deal critical damage in kind.
Metroid: Samus Returns is one of the most fun and challenging games on the Nintendo 3DS. Players can freely aim Samus’s weaponry blaster at any angle. There are plenty of additional secondary weapons that help Samus overcome the hostiles she comes across. Overall, Metroid: Samus Returns offers a brilliant combination of such an immense level of enjoyment and intensity that few games can surpass it.
1. Streets Of Rage 2 – Beat’em Up Brawling Mindless Fun is Our Top Choice for the Best Nintendo 3DS Game of All Time
For the final pick on our list of top-tier Nintendo 3DS games, we have Streets Of Rage 2. The beloved side-scrolling beat’em up game is the epitome of exciting and exhilarating gameplay. The iconic themes of the franchise instantly put players in the mood to rock out and deliver a beating on fools. The game’s combos and special moves are an absolute delight to pull off.
There is a story too, and eye-catching character designs that are reminiscent of the 90s fashion sense. Streets Of Rage 2, while fairly easy to jump into, won’t hold the player’s hands. It’s the Nintendo 3DS game that will make players learn its dodging and side-stepping moves and then how to time their hits and not get greedy. Streets Of Rage 2 is tons of fun on it’s, but with friends, it’s where you’ll have the most fun.
The colorful art style of the playable characters and the enemies on screen is visually stunning. The retro pixel art style vibe will have you longing for simpler times. Streets Of Rage 2 is pure mindless fun that you don’t need to worry about messing up too much and can be played casually to relax and have a good time. It’s one of the best 2D-era games with an everlasting appeal for casual and veteran gamers.
Final Thoughts on the Best Nintendo 3DS Games Of All Time
Well, that’s a wrap; our list of the Crème de la crème Nintendo 3DS games concludes. We sincerely hope you all have fun reading through the details of our entries. If you have any questions, comments, or rants, fire away in the comments below. We’re always eager to receive feedback from our readers. How many of the games on our list have you played? Which of them still holds up for you? Please tell us.
Oh, and it’s bound to happen that we forget plenty of other excellent games. So, if there’s a favorite title of yours we’re missing, inform us about it. For more retro gaming goodness on Nintendo hardware, here’s our excellent curation of the 10 best NES games of all time. Well, that’s it for today; take care, everyone, and stay safe. We’ll see you next time; until then, happy gaming, everbody!
