10.
Opening our list of the Top 10 Best 3DS Visual Novels is Hakuoki: Memories of the Shinsengumi
One chapter in the critically acclaimed Hakuoki series, Memories of the Shinsengumi levels
up the visual novel-slash-otome genre with native 3D capabilities, compelling storylines,
and a loveable cast of characters.
Set in the feudal era of Japan, journey with Chizuru in her search for her lost father.
As she navigates through the tumultuous period, she meets a strange band of samurai that shares
in her quest and takes her in.
In your search for your father, you'll encounter imperial soldiers, supernatural forces, and
the love of your life.
Build relationships with the men of the Shinsengumi, and weave through each heart-melting storyline.
This version adds six more stories to the original, offering players new perspectives
behind every twist and intrigue, and giving more meaning to other events in the game.
Bask in their improved 3D forms, and have some photobooth fun with a PlayScore of 8.01.
9.
Corpse Party: Back to School Edition
One of the scariest games to reach western shores.
Another one of Japan's masterpieces lands on the begging hands of the rest of the world,
and boy are we in for a treat.
Follow the story of a group of high schoolers as they try to uncover the mysteries of their
haunted school.
While that doesn't sound all that scary, you'll be delightfully proved wrong after every trying
chapter.
With their hand-drawn 2D sprites, venture into their paranormal worlds.
Despite its cutesy look, it covers some of the darkest themes ever explored in videogame
form.
From cannibalism, to child murders, and so much more.
It knows when to hold back and build suspense, and then bring it all out in a spine-tingling
crescendo.
A remaster from 2011's PSP version, it delivers even more thrills with redrawn sprites, more
bone-chilling music, and a few extra chapters.
It has a PlayScore of 8.25.
8.
Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy
The last main entry to the series that features Professor Layton is nothing but a fitting
send off to his legacy.
The sixth game in the overall series, the Professor finds ancient relics once more as
it directly continues the events of the previous game.
It's a journey around the world, unlocking the secrets of the ancient Azran civilization.
Much like their previous titles, Professor Layton brings even more exciting puzzles with
him.
Solve each one with this adorable assistants, and navigate through its fascinating story.
Aside from their main puzzles, the game also gives you a taste of mind-boggling action
with a new puzzle every day for a year.
Being the last of the series’ prequels, it serves as the strong glue that binds the
two trilogies together.
While there's not a lot of innovation involved, it's a great use of their time tested formula,
with a PlayScore of 8.70
7.
Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
Level 5 and Capcom combine to unite two of the 3DS' greatest minds.
Dealing with the dark powers of witchcraft and deception, they work together and put
their minds to the test.
In this crossover, a mysterious books transports them to a strange, medieval land.
Explore the mysterious Labyrinthia, and Use Professor Layton's gentlemanly charm and Phoenix
Wright's forceful objections in two varying game styles.
Find clues in the world around in Adventure, and defend your client from wiccan accusations
in the Witch trials.
Each mode makes use of the two series various strengths, creating a service that all their
fans can enjoy.
A staple of the Layton series, but a first for the Ace Attorney, the game features complete
voice acting for most of their cutscenes.
Immerse yourself in it's exciting narrative, solve every mind-boggling riddle, and meet
a slew of new and interesting characters.
It has a PlayScore of 8.74.
6.
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy
Now for the trilogy that started it all.
We don't usually put collections into our lists, but we thought we could make one special
exception.
Let's flash back to the early days of our Ace Attorney, and help him solve his very
first cases.
Still lacking the now standard voiceovers, it doesn't take much, if any, of the game's
masterpiece-quality cases.
This game covers the first three trials of our titular Phoenix Wright.
Despite his rookie status, he deals with high-risk murder cases with the help of the chief and
her sister Maya.
A rookie lawyer at best, Phoenix Wright scouts locations for important clues and uses reasoning
to lay down the law in court.
Face off against your rival Miles Edgeworth, and shutdown his affinity for fabricated evidence
with the the power of the truth.
Defend your clients, and yourself, in each thrilling trial.
It has a PlayScore of 8.74.
5.
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies
A clear upgrade from the decade old classics, Phoenix Wright returns to continue the tale
that Apollo Justice began.
Set in a world haunted by fabricated evidence and false accusations, Phoenix Wright stays
faithful to his name and aims to set things right once and for all.
Forming a trio of the best defense attorneys, Phoenix, Apollo, and a new psychological expert,
Athena Cykes.
These legendary lawyers bravely face against the games’ sea of lies.
Using your new psychoanalytical expertise, play with each character's strengths to win
every case.
Unveil the secrets of your opponents with Wright's psyche locks, look around for any
sign of lying with Apollo, and use Athena's background to detect conflicting emotions
in your witnesses.
Build up your case with in-depth investigations, shake the court with your discovered contradictions
and bring back faith to the world's justice system.
It has a PlayScore of 8.77.
4.
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Spirit of Justice
The Spirit of Justice comes alive once again with the help of our iconic Ace Attorney and
two of his best students, Apollo Justice and Athena Cykes.
Set one year after the events of Dual Destinies, Phoenix travels to a religious nation to visit
his old friend, Maya Fey, while his understudies deal with the daily at the Wright offices.
This latest entry to the main series sees the return of many beloved characters from
the classic series, as well as some new additions.
Put yourself at risk against the absolutes of a religious tradition, and defend a close
friend from an incriminating murder trial.
Either way, you’ll get a healthy dose of the series’ best puns, cases, and twists.
And with Capcom’s masterful strokes, the game only gets better with new mechanics and
smoother gameplay.
Fight against corrupt practices, and defend the innocent.
There’s no objections here.
It has a PlayScore of 8.82.
3.
Zero Escape: Zero Time Dilemma
The third and final entry in Spike Chunsoft's Zero Escape series comes packed with the same
suspense, and haunting psychological horrors as its predecessors.
Follow the story of three people forced into a deadly game along with six other participants.
It's a decision game that will decide their fate, as well as the whole of humanity.
With life and death hanging by their fingertips, the 9 participants split into three groups
must make the wisest decisions to save all their lives.
While release is possible, half of the fun is exploring every grim timeline in the game,
when decisions become even harder to make.
Doing away with the text-based adventures of their previous titles, Zero Escape takes
on a more cinematic approach.
Still, with every chapter, the writers prove they're one of the best in the business.
It’s the perfect way to end a well-loved series, and it receives a PlayScore of 8.83.
2.
Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask
Level-5’s delightful puzzle series is packed with the proven and tested formula that the
series was once known for.
But with its new features, it comes in with a welcoming twist to the core gameplay in
Professor Layton’s crime-solving activities.
It’s the fifth game of the series.
It also differs from their predecessors when it comes to the 3DS’ hardware functionalities.
Players will now actively use the stylus to zoom in and out of the game’s clever puzzles
via magnifying glasses.
Just so you know, the game has over 150 puzzles!
Some puzzles can be downloaded via the eShop.
Totalling to almost 400 puzzles all in all!
It was widely praised due to its compactibility.
It’s fit for the 3DS’ console when it comes to the game design and puzzle mechanics.
It’s a tricky, yet rewarding experience.
It has a PlayScore of 8.84
1.
And the best Visual Novel on the 3DS is Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward
Of course, who could forget the follow-up to the legendary 999?
While its rooted in the characters of the previous title, it manages to work just fine
as a stand-alone game.
Play, and watch things unfold, as a man named Sigma, trapped alongside 8 other people.
Imprisoned by a nefarious Zero, they delve into the risky business of the deadly Nonary
games.
Following the trend of most reviewers, we're not gonna tell you much about the game's plot.
The game is divided into two parts.
Read through its award-winning narrative in novel mode, and try to look for clues in an
escape the room type section.
There’s so many shocking and satisfying twists in this game that it’s not enough
to play through it once.
Fall in love with each of their flawed and well-written character, and feel responsible
for each of them.
Experience the visual novel in its finest form, with a PlayScore of 8.91.