Opening our list of Top 25 3DS Games of All Time is Shantae and the Pirate's Curse
Prepare for another dazzling adventure in one of the console's many platformers.
See our agile half-genie in an unlikely team-up with her danger-footed arch-nemeses.
After losing her powers, Shantae enters the swashbuckling fray, with new weapons to save
the day.
Other than her gorgeous locks, use ordinary tools in extraordinary ways to bring back
Scuttle Town to rightful hands.
It has a PlayScore of 8.78.
24.
3D Out Run
Yu Suzuki’s 1986 racer gets a portable 3D remaster.
This game will probably bring back a lot of good memories, with its friendly visuals and
overall chill gameplay.
Cruise through relaxing countrysides and sandy beaches with its enhanced 60 frames per second.
It includes modern additions like difficulty settings, car customizations, and arcade cabinets
that restore the game to its authentic retro form.
It has a PlayScore of 8.81.
23.
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies
In this visual novel, use your logical wits as you defend your clients in the dark era
of false claims.
Search for evidence, talk to witnesses, and put them on trial.
Do whatever you can to find holes in your opponent's charges.
Use Wright's psyche-locks, find the liars with Apollo, and watch their emotions with
Athena.
It’s time to lawyer up with a PlayScore of 8.76.
22.
Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask
The console's best-selling launch title, take a trip through Professor Layton's past and
discover his best-kept secrets.
With all his favorite friends, venture through its many chapters and solve the mysteries
in every one of them.
Retaining its original gameplay, it gained changes in other aspects.
Enjoy new 3D graphics, and navigate the environment with the 3DS's touchscreen.
It has a PlayScore of 8.84.
21.
Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse
Atlus isn't letting this list go by without their own Shin Megami Tensei.
Enter another one of their twisted tales, and fall in love with each of their colorful
cast of characters.
While it's set in the same universe, Apocalypse takes a different path, with a different story
and an all-new hero.
Resurrected by a demon's pact, a young hunter finds himself in an unlikely situation.
Battle, explore, and collect.
It has a PlayScore of 8.85.
20.
Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King
One of the most acclaimed video games ever, Dragon Quest VIII was the first in the series
that received a 3D makeover.
Bask in its cel-shaded environments, and enjoy the joyous freedom that the third dimension
offers.
Journey around the kingdom of Trodain with the aptly named Hero, and Save the kingdom
by defeating the malevolent Dhoulmagus.
Often compared with the Final Fantasy series, Dragon Quest proves that they're a masterpiece
of their own.
It has a PlayScore of 8.86.
19.
Rhythm Heaven Megamix
A rhythm game that's both challenging and relaxing.
Groove to the beat of of music to clear each of its 100 stages.
You don't need dance moves to play, so long as you got fingers to tap.
Its Remix stages revives the previous title's Rainbow Towers, compressing them into one
song and filling it with tower-themed goodness.
Explore its story mode to aid the homeward-bound Tibby, or clean up your act in time for its
Perfect Campaign.
It has a PlayScore of 8.89.
18.
Kirby: Planet Robobot
It's not like he needed it, but the adorable pink ball gets himself a mechanical upgrade.
Kirby fights fire with fire as he makes use of a mysterious mech to save his town from
mechanization.
Use your Robobot armor to lift and destroy objects, copy abilities, and beat down enemies.
This robotic enhancement is a welcome addition to Kirby’s already enjoyable formula, receiving
a PlayScore of 8.9.
17.
Zero Escape: Virtue’s Last Reward
Chunsoft's sequel to 999, it follows the story of 9 kidnapped individuals put in life-or-death
situations.
Read through the game's thrilling narrative, and find clues to solve the mystery of your
captor’s motives.
It anchors mostly on the choices you make, as you decide to ally with or betray the other
captives.
This opens up the opportunity to explore the different results, making it a highly-replayable
game.
It's intricate and powerful storyline awards it with a PlayScore of 8.91.
16.
SteamWorld Heist
Hop on board along with the galaxy's greatest pirates.
They're not after the treasures...I mean, they're not just after the treasures.
These do-gooding pirates ambush spaceships filled with the most conniving and corrupt.
Sneak into position in its turn-based combat, and fire trickshots onto enemy automatons.
No need for mathematical equations with laser sights to help your aim.
So go take the booty and abandon ship with a PlayScore of 8.91.
15.
Kid Icarus: Uprising
Dive into this tale of Greek mythology made especially for the Nintendo's handheld console.
It has a perfectly executed combination of on-rails and third-person shooting.
Along with Goddess of Light Servant, Pit, fight against extraordinary creatures in a
war against the dark Grecian Gods.
It's been widely praised for its dazzling story, enchanting music, and addicting gameplay.
It's a remarkable yet unexpected revival of the Kid Icarus title, and it receives a PlayScore
of 8.92.
14.
3D Streets of Rage 2
Sega's side-scrolling brawler makes its way to the 3DS in the form of a polished remaster.
Relive your favorite fights with Axel, Blaze, and Max Thunder, along with the resident anarchist
Skate.
To save your friend from dastardly Mr. X, plow through the city's vermin with your bare
hands, and pummel them with devastating attacks.
Are you ready to rumble?
It has a PlayScore of 8.95.
13.
3D Sonic the Hedgehog 2
With Dr. Robotnik up to another one of his shenanigans, there's only one person we count
on to stop him.
Our handsome hedgehog hero zips into play, showing off his new 3 dimensional crib.
Spin and dash through the South Island’s all new zones, and save the animals from Eggman's
evil grasp.
Ride the loop-de-loops and collect rings anew in another exciting Sonic adventure.
It has a PlayScore of 8.99.
12.
Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon
Step aside Mario, it’s Luigi’s time to take on the spotlight.
There’s a lot more to see in the green Mario brother’s second venture into the paranormal.
He’ll show you he’s got the bigger balls in the family as he explores abandoned mansions
to capture the ghosts that haunt it.
Luigi’s game boasts tons of content, with five more mansions to conquer and more puzzles
to solve.
I’m sorry, Mario who?
It has a PlayScore of 9.02.
11.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3D
Monolith Soft’s compact port of the Wii game.
While it loses a bit of its graphical charm in the process, it doesn’t take much away
from the Chronicles inherent ingenuity.
In its massive and mesmerizing open-world, you can take on quests, collect items, and
fight mechons in complex, real-time battles.
Complete your quest for vengeance, and make the mechons pay for their sins.
It has a PlayScore of 9.04.
10.
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate
A dream for all you boss-fight enthusiasts out there.
Jump into the role of hunter and take on the land's smartest, most ferocious beasts.
You're not gonna win with your mindless hack-and-slash maneuvers.
No, you are not.
With each monster having their own playstyle, no fight is ever the same.
Pick the perfect weapon amongst an arsenal of 14, and use the environment to your advantage.
You don't level up in this game, but you better grow in your monster-hunting ways.
It has a PlayScore of 9.05.
9.
Mario Kart 7
Join Mario and his friends in the seventh edition of this classic racing game.
Navigate the 32 tracks of the Mushroom Kingdom with 16 playable characters, including Lakitu,
Honey Queen, and Mario’s metal counterpart.
Gather your most disposable friends and block their path to victory.
Douse them with flames, and batter them with your lucky sevens as you coolly hang-glide
through the air.
It’s definitely a winner’s game with a PlayScore of 9.07.
8.
Animal Crossing: New Leaf
Take on an exciting new life in this award-winning simulation.
Elevated to the position of mayor upon your arrival, you hold the colorful town in your
hands.
Make the town even more colorful by passing ordinances and creating facilities to better
the lives of your cute citizens.
You don’t need life-threatening events to have fun!
Meet your adorable neighbors, visit towns, and watch the hours go by.
It has a PlayScore of 9.1.
7.
Bravely Default: Flying Fairy
It’s probably not the best sounding name, yeah we know.
But trust us, it is good.
It’s a modern take on the classic JRPG.
Published by Square Enix, it was originally developed as a sequel to Final Fantasy.
Which is why it shares many aspects with the series, except for its unique combat mechanics.
With the “brave” and “default” system, defer your turns to unleash powerful attacks
onto your enemies in the next one.
It adds depth to an already amazing game.
It receives a PlayScore of 9.12.
6.
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS
Join in the most stylish brawl ever created, along with Nintendo’s greatest superstars.
Bash, smash, and crash your way around its many arenas with a roster of 58 playable characters.
Send your opponents off to outer space and back using your unique set of abilities.
It has two additional exclusive game modes for even more smashing fun.
It’s the perfect party game for all ages with a PlayScore of 9.13.
5.
Pokemon X and Y
Of course!
The first of the sixth generation, and the very first to feature Pokemon in full 3D.
(Not that we got sick of the 2D action, though because we never will.)
Enjoy fighting monsters with your oddball starters, and roam or ride around the france-inspired
Kalos Region.
Become the Pokemon master and collect the 4 legendaries, including the version-exclusive
Xerneas and Yveltal.
It’s the same old Pokemon fun made even better!
Y ultimately achieved the superior PlayScore of 9.15, while X received a PlayScore of 9.11
4.
Shovel Knight
One of the most impeccable crowdfunded creations out there, this shovel-wielding knight dug
out of the dark dungeons and into our very hearts.
It’s not hard to see why this simple game won over so many critics and gamers.
It has intricately designed 8bit sprites and landscapes, addicting gameplay, and a story
of love and friendship that we could all learn from.
Venture to the Tower of Fate with the brave knight and take back what’s rightfully yours.
It has a PlayScore of 9.16.
3.
Super Mario 3D Land
Free from the constricting 2D plane, saving Princess Peach has never been this fun.
Let’s be honest, it’s never been about the destination, right?
With bigger landscapes, comes bigger foes.
Face off against greater goombas, squeaky piranhas, and more as you struggle to collect
coins across its vast and diverse Kingdom.
Stomp on those mushrooms with style with the return of Mario’s adorable Tanooki suit.
It has a PlayScore of 9.16.
2.
Fire Emblem Awakening
Fire Emblem is one of the gems of the tactical RPG genre.
It made its beginnings as a game that was far too niche for the common player, with
its hard and tedious gameplay.
It was with the aptly named Awakening though that people began to open their eyes to the
beauty of the franchise.
Embark on fluid, grid-based combat along with your group soldiers, and delve into its captivating
narrative.
It has a PlayScore of 9.22.
And the number one 3DS game of all time is Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D
A remaster of one of the most critically acclaimed games ever made.
It was the closest the franchise has ever got to an open-world setting before Breath
of the Wild, and it’s made even better in the console’s glasses-free 3D.
Set off on an adventure around Hyrule as Link fights to defeat Ganondorf.
It builds up on the N64’s legacy, adding improved navigation, optimized controls, and
enhanced graphics.
It was the best on the N64, and it remains the best decades after, with a PlayScore
of 9.51.