Best Nintendo 3DS Games: The Most Essential 3DS Versions

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• Best Nintendo 3DS Games: The Most Essential 3DS Versions

Looking for the best Nintendo 3DS games? Then you have come to the correct place. While the Nintendo Switch console has taken the world by storm in recent years, there's still a lot of love for the old dedicated handheld, the Nintendo 3DS. We don't care if the original 3DS is a decade old, it brings wisdom after all. And by wisdom we mean a stellar game library. Although the 3DS is older than most, it's not really surprising that Nintendo insists on supporting the platform, even with the undeniable success of the Switch and the new Switch Lite. The 3DS has managed to amass an install base of over 67 million, which is a lot of people you can still sell games to. And since the only handheld competition on the market is from Nintendo, the company only strengthens its safety net. No matter what kind of game you like to play, you'll find something to suit your taste on the 3DS XL or 2DS XL, and you won't be able to find many titles elsewhere. From slow, easy-going life sims like Animal Crossing to fast-paced platformers like Super Mario 3D Land, there's no shortage of options on this console. Read on for the top 20 3DS games, or if you're looking to dive into the most retro DS library, check out our list of the best Nintendo DS games.

Animal Crossing: New Leaf

(Image credit: Nintendo) In Animal Crossing: New Leaf, you find yourself thrust into the role of the new mayor of a village, which means it's up to you to help set the rules and help develop the town. But don't worry: it's a great concert. You will always have time to go fishing, catch bugs, design clothes, dig up fossils, decorate and expand your home, and spend time with friends doing many relaxing things. The 3DS's online and StreetPass features are put to good use here, allowing you to visit friendly cities to see how other players' houses are decorated. Animal Crossing fans will also be happy to know that Animal Crossing: New Horizons is also available, albeit for Switch. Animal Crossing: New Leaf

Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D

(Image credit: Nintendo) After being out of action for many years, Donkey Kong has finally returned to the platform with Donkey Kong Country Returns on Wii, and this 3D version could be even better than the original. It contains everything fans have loved in classic DKC titles: enemies to jump over, bananas to collect, cars to drive, secrets to uncover, and wacky bosses to overcome. It may seem like a lot of monkey business, but make no mistake, the game can be extremely difficult. Nintendo Donkey Kong Country...

Ever Oasis

(Image credit: Grezzo/Nintendo) Ever Oasis is a game that tries to do a lot of things. In a way, it is at once an action RPG, a colony building game, and a dungeon crawling adventure title. Imagine a squashed animal crossing in The Legend of Zelda and you'll have an idea of ​​what you're aiming for. You play as a young creature in a dangerous desert world. With the help of a water spirit, his people can create safe spaces called oases. An evil force known as Chaos is moving across the country trying to destroy all living things and it's up to you to build a strong Oasis by attracting residents by completing quests around the world and keeping the 'Oasis itself. The premise is simple but nice and adds a more open touch to the settlement building type. Being so ambitious, the game doesn't hit the mark in all areas, but it is well-designed with satisfying mechanics and adventures that will keep you playing.

Awakening of the fire emblem.

(Image credit: Intelligent Systems / Nintendo) The Fire Emblem strategy RPG series has been around for a while, but the 3DS entry is arguably its best yet. With a variety of unique heroes at your disposal, you will engage in turn-based battles on the gridiron to bring peace to the land of Ylisse. When you're not fighting enemies, you'll work to build relationships between characters, allowing them to not only better cooperate in combat, but also to marry and have children, who will also become playable characters. Many additional downloadable missions add to the depth and longevity of this game.

Luigi's Mansion Dark Moon

(Image credit: Nintendo) Although Mario has always been daring and brave, his brother Luigi is... well, no. Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon follows the less adventurous of the two Mario Bros. He walks through the mansions with a warm edginess that's as likely to make you laugh as it is to make you sympathize with the game's green-hatted hero. Dark Moon, the sequel to the original Luigi's Mansion on the Nintendo GameCube, is an end-to-end adventure game. Solve puzzles, collect coins, and generally enjoy the scary mansions in the game, but never be too scared. If you're looking for a smart and fun platformer, Dark Moon is the bite-sized adventure you've been waiting for. Do you prefer a more modern version? Then you may prefer Luigi's Mansion 3 for Switch. Nintendo selects: Luigi...

Mario Golf: WorldTour

(Image credit: Nintendo) Mario sports games have always been a controversial issue. Whether you remember smashing home goals in Super Mario Strikers, cracking an ace in Super Mario Tennis, or shooting an eagle in the original Mario Golf title, most Nintendo sports titles featuring the mustache mascot have been memorable, nice and yes, even competitive - business. Mario Golf: World Tour does nothing to break this trend. Simple tutorials immerse you in the world of grass equipped with Lukitos and Chain Chomp, while local and online multiplayer requires you to take your game to the next level.

Mario barth 7

(Image credit: Nintendo) Like the other games in the previous series, Mario Kart 7 is nothing short of pure adrenaline-pumping racing excitement. Choose one of 16 popular Mario characters (or a Mii), choose your kart, tires and glider, then use all your skills (and all the items you can hang on) to overtake and outwit your competitors on courses designed like crazy! like Mario Circuit and Neo Bowser City. The underwater and aerial segments featured in this episode make it one of the most varied kart games to date, and classic courses from previous entries add to the fun. A strong online community ensures that you will never run out of competition too. Mario Kart 7, Nintendo, ...

Super Mario Maker

(Image credit: Nintendo) Feel like you've played every level of Super Mario? Well, it's time to start playing yours. Super Mario Maker is also available on Wii U and this version is just as intuitive and easy to use as this version, but has the added benefit of being able to play on the go. For a 3DS port, this is an incredibly feature-rich game that has a lot to offer players interested in pushing their creativity. Although it may not contain as many items as the Wii U version due to system limitations, it still has over 60 interesting tools to choose from for building. There are some limitations to sharing levels online which are frustrating and disappointing, but when it comes to level-making games this one is solid and worth a repeat if you can't get to the Wii U version. You can also grab Super Mario Maker 2 for Switch if that's more convenient for you. Super Mario Maker, Nintendo, ...

Metroid: Samus Returns

(Image credit: Mercury Steam/Nintendo) We never asked to rethink Metroid 2 on 3DS, but now that it's here, we're really, really excited. Metroid: Samus Returns is a side-scrolling action-adventure game with a general structure very similar to Metroid 2. But there are modern additions that change (and improve) the game in terms of controls, visuals, and gameplay. . This game marks a whole new and promising direction for 2D Metroid gaming, and its visuals showcase the best of the Nintendo 3DS system. It should also fill a void until we hear more about Metroid Prime 4. Nintendo Metroid: Samus...

Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire

(Image credit: Game Freak/Nintendo) It may have introduced Pokémon Omega Ruby and Sapphire Alpha as cash-in remakes of two somewhat lackluster entries in the Monster Capture franchise. There is no shame in this. This is what we think too. But actually, sitting down with Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire is like seeing a friend after a decade apart: they're both different than they were 10 years ago, but still just as fond of each other now as they were. at the time. The 3DS versions of Ruby and Sapphire add a number of cool, even revolutionary new features, such as Mega Evolutions of X and Y, and Pokémon Box that allows you to send monsters from game to game. Do you like Pokemon? So be sure to check out our list of the best Pokemon games of all time.

Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon

(Image credit: Game Freak/Nintendo) Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon are the latest big additions to the Pokemon series and swan song titles for the franchise on the Nintendo DS platform and as such are a must play game. . Jumping from 2016's Sun and Moon, these titles take players back to the new Hawaii-inspired region of Alola, where they will meet the seventh generation of Pokémon and explore new places. This time, however, there's a dark new dimension for the player to explore, a much bigger story, a new Legendary Pokemon to catch, and a nasty new bunch to deal with. Although the Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon versions of the game are essentially the same, each version offers exclusive Pokemon, so you'll need to trade with other players (online or offline) if you want to catch them all. Buying the opposite Ultra version of the original (for example, buying Ultra Moon the last time Sun played) is another way to fill out your Pokedex without having to trade online.

Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy

(Image Credit: Nintendo / Level 5) Professor Layton's Level 5 games consistently deliver some of the best puzzle-solving gameplay on Nintendo 3DS, so it's really something to say that Professor Layton and the Legacy of Azran is probably the best of the bunch. It may be the sixth in the series, but luckily, you don't need to have played any of the previous titles to understand the story. This game's beautiful animation, truly thought-provoking puzzles, and an engaging story, not to mention a long one, make it a title you don't want to miss. Not only that, it's excellent value for money; Even after completing the main story, the game offers an additional 365 puzzles to unlock and solve. Professor Layton and the...

Monster Hunter Generations

(Image credit: Capcom) At 13, it can be hard for newcomers to break into the Monster Hunter action-RPG franchise, but Generations is by far the most accessible title in recent memory. The mechanics are still complex and the learning curve is steep, but the generations are revisiting the combat enough for players to take new approaches on the battlefield. These changes level the playing field for complete beginners, but don't cheer up old fans because it's a change that benefits them too. In Monster Hunter Generations, players once again play the role of a hunter who is on a quest to face dangerous monsters in an ancient world, moving between offline and online quests to progress. As always, don't expect a story to guide you through the game, instead the incentive to progress in Monster Hunter comes from securing better and more powerful gear that allows you to unlock the next level of quests. If you'd rather play the latest addition to the Monster Hunter franchise, check out our Monster Hunter World review.

Super Mario 3D Land

(Image credit: Nintendo) It's hard to go wrong with Mario, and Super Mario 3D Land is probably the best portable outlet for the plumber. Delivering the same kind of block-bashing, enemy-bashing, and pipe-riding fun that made Mario a household name, this game ups the stakes with wonderfully creative level design and wacky power-ups like a boomerang costume and Tanooki outfit. from Super Mario Brothers 3. The game makes great use of the system's stereoscopic 3D capabilities, and there are hidden surprises around every turn, including a ton of challenging bonus levels that only become available after beating the main game.

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS

(Image credit: Nintendo) For hectic action and an endless supply of Nintendo fan services, look no further than Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS. The game's biggest characters are there (as well as some of the more obscure ones): Mario, Sonic, Link, Mega Man, Samus Aran, Little Mac, Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Pikachu, and dozens of others, all facing off in stages. based on Nintendo properties. If you've played a previous game in this series, you already know the drill: Defeat your opponents with standard attacks and special moves, then send them flying off the stage! Of course, you can play alone, or you can fight in matches with up to four players locally or online. However, it's not quite as good as Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on Switch. Super Smash Bros. Nintendo 3DS

Bravely second: final coat

(Image credit: Square Enix / Silicon Studio) If you're a fan of RPGs, the 3DS is a great console option and Bravely Second: End Layer is one of the best games of its kind. From Square Enix, this is the sequel to the much loved JRPG Bravely Default. Bravely Second is a continuation of the original game's story, two and a half years later, bringing new worlds to explore and new enemies to defeat in the same turn-based combat system. If you've enjoyed Bravely Default, Bravely Second is definitely worth playing as it brings to the table most of what made this game amazing. It's so similar in some ways that it could be considered a defect, but if it ain't broke, why fix it?

The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between the Worlds

(Image credit: Nintendo) Whether you're new to the Legend of Zelda series or a seasoned veteran, A Link Between Worlds offers fantasy adventure at its best. While the earlier introduction and narrative connection to 1992's A Link to the Past make this entry something of a throwback, new elements like the ability to rent items and tackle dungeons in almost any order, as well as Link's new power to merge with the walls in a 2D painting, they breathe new life into the Zelda franchise. Traveling between Hyrule and her alternate reality counterpart, Lorule, you'll clear brilliantly designed dungeons and embark on many side quests.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D

(Image Credit: Nintendo) The original Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for the Nintendo 64 is one of the most acclaimed games ever made, and this enhanced version is even better. Not only does it feature the same epic time-traveling storyline, full of puzzles, dangers, and sword-swinging actions, but it offers vastly improved graphics and more user-friendly gameplay like gyroscopic targeting and hints. Additional optional. If you're up for the challenge, you can tackle the Master Quest mode, which features increased difficulty and a mirrored world map. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina...

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D

(Image credit: Nintendo) Majora's Mask in 3D might be the third Legend of Zelda game on this list, but we wouldn't dream of not including this excellent remake of the Nintendo 64 classic. Compared to the blockbusters that make up the For the rest of the Zelda series, Majora's Mask often seems like it doesn't quite hold up by comparison, but it's by no means a bad game. Rather, there are time-specific quests and puzzles that are a very unique addition to the Zelda formula and continue to work perfectly in this portable format. The Legend of Zelda: Majora...

The shaggy world of Poochy and Yoshi

(Image credit: Good-Feel / Nintendo) Yoshi's Woolly World is one of our recommended Wii U titles, but if you can't get your hands on the console version, we highly recommend you don't miss out on this portable port. Poochy and Yoshi's Woolly World contain all the levels from the Wii U title, with a few more steps with Poochy, which may be a way to make up for the fact that the console version's co-op is now gone. The game is a standard 2D platformer, but it has interestingly designed levels as well as very woven graphics that help it stand out from the rest of the games you can choose from in the genre. The woolly world of Poochy and Yoshi...