The Nintendo 3DS may have started its journey on store shelves, but the handheld has spent plenty of time firmly positioned on top. That diminutive machine contained full-on RPGs, competitive multiplayer games, cozy life sims and some of the most adventurous Nintendo experiments of the past 15 years.
And then, there’s the fact that a ton of 3DS games have aged quite nicely. They don’t seem like “small” versions of console games — they feel as if they’re complete, and have been carefully crafted, often more creative than what we encounter now.
Whether you’re picking up cartridges, revisiting your own old system or putting together a retro library for the first time, this guide is intended to provide an aid in determining what Nintendo 3DS games are most worth your time right now — not just the most popular ones (though we did take that into consideration), but also the games that still make sense to play today. If you love gaming history, you might also enjoy exploring the best GameCube games that still shine today or even looking back at classic PS2 games.
Quick picks (if you only have time for a few)
- Best overall game: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D
- Best strategy RPG: Fire Emblem: Awakening
- Best cozy game: Animal Crossing: New Leaf
- Best multiplayer title: Mario Kart 7
- Best hardcore action game: Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate
- Best classic-style JRPG:Bravely Default
1. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D
This is not merely a visual improvement, but the final edition of one of the most popular games in the history of the world. The new gadgets, gyro targeting, and the upgraded graphics, enable dungeons to be simpler to read and also look much smoother to navigate. The thing is that it makes the newcomers feel the vibe of Zelda: clever puzzles, emotional narratives, and the world that remains fresh after more than 20 years are its greatest assets.
Who should play it? Every person who adores adventure games or desires to experience a flavor of the game history in its most favorable form. Playing in stereoscopic 3D made Hyrule feel alive, and it’s often ranked among the best video games ever made.
2. The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
Nintendo did not simply imitate one of the classics, it created a contemporary sequel to A Link to the Past. The wall blending mechanic completely alters the design of the puzzle and offers you more freedom when compared to the majority of the Zelda games. It is also among the earliest games where you get the order of dungeons more in your own way, thus making the exploration experience something personal and new.
Why it is important: It silently predetermined the form of open-ended Zelda games of the future.
3. Pokémon X and Pokémon Y
These games deprived Pokémon of its former boundaries. They also included all 3D battles, Mega Evolutions, player customization, and online playing globally that has made it possible to trade and battle easily by everyone. The Kalos remains one of the most aesthetically pleasing areas in the show. Retards need to watch it every time they are starting out, the pace is friendly, and the mechanics are not so overwhelming that one feels like a shallow user. For collectors, they sit alongside the most iconic entries in Pokémon’s long history.
4. Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon
Sun and Moon took a bold swing. Classic gyms were replaced with island trials, the plot was turned more character oriented and regional variations of archetypal Pokémon gave it a feeling of fun. The atmosphere is less cold, more comfortable, and surprisingly touching at moments. Recommended to the players who are seeking something new in contrast to the traditional Pokémon format.
5. Fire Emblem: Awakening
This game did not only rescue the franchise, but it revived it. It combined intensive tactical warfare with relationship frameworks, time-travel narrative, and alternatives that do not kill the game. It still has permadeath, but one much more concerned with every unit, given the characters now have stories. The tactical RPG is still one of the best on any Nintendo system. With deep tactical strategy, branching romances, and heartfelt storytelling, Awakening became one of the best Nintendo 3DS RPGs and a turning point for the series’ global popularity.
6. Animal Crossing: New Leaf
Not only are you a resident, but also the mayor. The minimal change in design leaves all the control to you: plans, structure, happenings, and the evolution of your neighborhood. Their pace is slow, and that is why the people go back every year. This is why so many longtime fans continue to gravitate to this entry at the expense of New Horizons simply because it is all about social life and town flair.
7. Mario Kart 7
Smart tracks, gliders, and underwater parts transformed the Mario Kart racing into a faster race that is more vertical. It is one of the greatest handheld multiplayer games of all times, particularly the ones played locally using wireless. To this day, it is still ideal as a pick-up-and-play game. With both online and local multiplayer, it became a staple for parties and remains one of the best multiplayer 3DS games.
8. Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS
It did not seem possible to bring Smash to a handheld, but it works amazingly. The list is very large, the stages are intelligent, and the web-enabled portable Smash is competitive in the first instance. It also introduced character customization fighters, unobtrusively putting a touch of RPG in the series. One of the most vital selections among the fighting fans and party gamers. Today, it stands among the top 3DS fighting games and is one of the system’s best sellers.
9. Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon
Dark Moon develops the concept further to appear as a mission-based establishment with several haunted mansions. The riddles are more intelligent, the settings have more detail, and co-op introduces an unexpected replay value. Luigi remains one of the most adorable characters in Nintendo, a nervous, awkward, and ideal fit to be the protagonist in a ghost-hunting comedy adventure. With multiple mansions, co-op play, and lots of charm, Dark Moon became a surprise hit and one of the best 3DS exclusives.
10. Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate
It is among the most in-depth games on a handheld. It added the aspects of vertical fighting, climbing, and much more active monster battles. Together with a mass of weapon variety and extended evolution, you are capable of damaging 300+ hours overtime. It’s good to play with those who enjoy learning complicated systems and hunting together with their companions.
11. Kid Icarus: Uprising
This is a rogue of a game, the best rogue of games. High-action flying shooters transition to third-person action, all interwoven with nonstop voice action and unexpectedly humorous dialogue. It is experimental, very daring, and one of the most original releases by Nintendo. Combined with witty dialogue, it became one of the most unique and underrated 3DS games.
12. Bravely Default
A modern classic that all the fans of the old-school games would be happy to see. The Brave/Default system enables you to save or use the future turns, making risk-reward choices in each battle. The occupation is profound and adaptive as well as wholly addictive. Reminds classic Final Fantasy, just made a bit modernized as a game of strategy lovers. It became a cult favorite and is often recommended as one of the best 3DS JRPGs for serious RPG players.
13. Xenoblade Chronicles 3D
This is a tech miracle. It is a huge open-world RPG recreated in Wii form directly for the New Nintendo 3DS. More visually simplistic, yet the scale, music, and story have not been compromised. Only on new 3D models, but worth it entirely should you have one.
14. Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
Those remakes merge Hoenn nostalgia with current mechanics, Mega Evolutions and good after-story material. The Delta Episode introduces a significant plot that extends the original storyline, making these remakes more conclusive than merely improved. Packed with nostalgia and enhanced with Mega Evolutions, they’re some of the best Pokémon 3DS games to replay today.
15. Shovel Knight
This indie hit became one of the best 3DS eShop games. It is one of the most successful indies ever on Nintendo handheld. Narrow passageways, gorgeous pixel graphics, and killer techno-dub music make it seem like an up-lost NES game- subtlety– except with the polish of today. It also received several DLCs on the house therefore making the 3D version surprisingly well-endowed.
The Best Multiplayer 3DS Games
The 3DS wasn’t just about solo play. Its local wireless and online features made it one of the best handhelds for multiplayer fun. Popular picks include:
- Mario Kart 7
- Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS
- Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon
- Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate
- Pokémon X/Y and Sun/Moon
These games kept the handheld community alive for years and are still fun to revisit with friends.
The Best-Selling 3DS Games
According to official sales figures, these are the best-selling titles:
- Mario Kart 7 – Over 18 million copies sold
- Pokémon X and Y – Over 16 million
- Pokémon Sun and Moon – Over 16 million
- Super Mario 3D Land – Over 12 million
- Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS – Over 9 million
Unsurprisingly, Nintendo’s big franchises like Mario and Pokémon dominated the charts, much like how franchises in other consoles—such as the best PS2 classics—defined gaming eras.
Why the Best Nintendo 3DS Games Still Matter
Even though the 3DS has been retired, its game library remains legendary. It combined innovation, portability, and variety, offering RPGs, platformers, multiplayer hits, and indies in one system.
For collectors, exploring the 3DS is like opening a treasure chest of gaming history. Whether you want Pokémon adventures, Zelda epics, or cozy sims like Animal Crossing, the 3DS delivers.
And if you’re into retro gaming in general, you might also enjoy learning about quirky gaming culture, like unblocked browser games or even the history of lottery-style games.
✅ In short: The 3DS may be gone, but its library lives on. From Pokémon X/Y to Fire Emblem: Awakening and Animal Crossing: New Leaf, these are the best Nintendo 3DS games that every fan should experience at least once.
