10 Best Nintendo 3DS games of all time
Are you ready to play some Nintendo 3DS games? Well, the good news is that there are a ton of great exclusives for Nintendo 3DS. You can experience some of the most beloved titles from the platform’s history in just about every category imaginable. You can also pick up some smaller, but equally great, indie games for free with your 3DS. So, let’s get started. In this post, we’ll list down the best Nintendo 3DS games you can play right now. Note that this list will be updated periodically so make sure to check back if a new game is released that you missed!
10 best Nintendo 3DS games of all time
1: Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3D World
Super Smash Bros. for 3DS is one of the best Nintendo 3DS games ever made. It’s the culmination of all the Melee and Brawl games released for the system, and it looks and plays like the definitive version of the fighting franchise. It also happens to be one of the only 3D platformers to feature on this list.
2: Metroid: Samus Returns
Metroid: Samus Returns is the third game in the lengthy Metroidvania series. It’s a re-imagining of the original Metroid from 1987, and it’s a blast to play. The updated graphics, the addition of a new playable hero, and the return of the Specialuses make the game feel like a classic. It’s also great if you’re a completist and have always wanted a chance to play the first Metroid. Samus Returns also includes plenty of new features, including the “Metroid-verse to the past” mode that includes classic 2D graphics and music, and a new challenge course.
3: Mario Kart 7
Mario Kart 7 marks the series’s first foray into 3D, and it looks and plays fantastic. The courses are based on real-world locations, like New York’s Central Park and Las Vegas’s Strip, and the game’s stunning graphics and realistic racecars bring the track designs to life. There are now a ton of new characters to choose from, including the adorable Gold Mario, Donkey Kong, and Bowser Jr. And the game offers incredible online play with a plethora of new features, including random late-game additions, a damage system, and a sort-of-third-person point of view that works well for time trials.
4: Super Mario 3D Land
Super Mario 3D Land is a fun and creative reinvention of the 3D Land series. The gameplay is similar to that of previous entries in the series, but it takes a more creative approach to how it presents the levels. The 3D Land mechanics are still very much in place, but Super 3D Land brings a new level of 3D creativity to the entire experience. The game features 20 levels, including some new creative ones, as well as aDirector’s Cut that includes four extra levels and a few new features. There’s no denying it: Super Mario 3D Land is a home run for 3DS.
5: Shovel Knight: Masterpiece Edition
If you’ve been waiting for a Shovel Knight game, you can now play the first ever digital version of the game at no cost. The game features all new, fully 3D graphics, as well as Classic Mode, which is essentially a nostalgia trip for fans of the original game. The game also comes with a free base that you can add coins to, and you can even get free mountable snowflake figurines. What’s not to love? Shovel Knight: Masterpiece Edition is a perfect addition to any 3D platforming collection.
6: Pokemon Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire
Pokemon Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire is the third generation of the wildly successful Pokemon franchise. It’s set in the Kanto region, which was the first one to get an official generation. The story follows Ash Ketchum, a young trainer who, after a disappointing loss in the Johto League, travels to Hoenn to try his luck in the new region. The game features the classic Pokemon games, but with a new lease of life thanks to the new inputs of the players. The graphics have been redone to take advantage of some of the newest 3D games, and there are a ton of new features, including the ability to catch and trade Pokemon as well as a crazy new system for breeding.
7: Fire Emblem Fates: Special Edition (UMVP)
The latest entry in the long-running tactical RPG series from Intelligent Systems, Fire Emblem Fates: Special Edition, comes to 3DS with plenty of new characters, maps, and features. The biggest change is the introduction of a more story-driven approach to the game, which feels very different from previous games in the series. The base game, though, stays intact with all the excitement and action from the main story. The biggest draw of this version, though, is the new Unversed system, which lets players create new characters using the avatars of all the Unversed that have ever existed. The system has been completely streamlined, and Unversed characters can be generated in just a few minutes. Now, that’s exciting.
8: Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition
The Final Fantasy series was essentially rebooted in 2015 with the release of Final Fantasy XV, which was a huge step forward from the series’s traditional approach to storytelling. The game, which is set in an alternate history version of the Final Fantasy world, follows King Regis, the titular hero, as he attempts to take the kingdom back from the clutches of the monolith, which has been ruling the land for centuries. This is definitely one to check out if you loved the mainline Final Fantasy games, as well as mobile Final Fantasy, and want a portable version without compromise.
9: Persona 5
The latest entry in the Persona series, Persona 5, is a strategic RPG combining elements from the famed JRPG and modern-day adventure games. The story follows the character Ryuji Sakamoto, who has “chosen” to become a “Modern Morpher,” which means he has switched powers and abilities with those of his videogame counterparts. The game is filled with plenty of engaging characters and a fascinating lore, making it an ideal role-playing game for fans of the series. The game also happens to be full of gorgeous, fully 3D graphics, making it one of the best looking games available for the system.
10: Splatoon
Splatoon is a game about shooting ink, switching between squids and other colorful, bizarre and practical allies to take down your opponents. The game is played in a 2D shooter environment, and players use Inklings, a colorful team of squid-like heroes, to fight against other teams of Octarians, which are fish-like warriors. The game features a variety of single-player campaign, a great single-player campaign and an online multiplayer feature, where players can battle against each other or other teams.
Conclusion
Nintendo 3DS games are an excellent way to spend your time. They have fantastic graphics and a ton of fun gameplay to offer, so if you’re looking for something new to play, or just want a change of pace from the usual fare on the platform, these games are worth checking out.
With such a wide array of great Nintendo 3DS games available now and in the future, there’s no shortage of options when it comes to picking up some new titles. So make sure that you choose wisely!