Our retail list has a mix of duplicates with the Community results but also a few other titles, perhaps helping to showcase the depth of the 3DS library further. Let's get to it.
The autostereoscopic 3D effect of the 3DS hasn't always been well utilised, yet this Mario platformer puts it to great use. Puzzle rooms and general platforming are easier to judge and look fantastic with the 3D effect enabled, and Nintendo certainly brought its A-game with this first all-new 3D Mario game on a portable (following the remake / remaster Super Mario 64 DS in the previously generation).
We were surprised this didn't finish higher than 9th in the Community vote, and if we were rating these it'd be a little higher. While it's naturally not as slick as its Wii U equivalent, this portable entry is nevertheless a remarkable technical achievement and a lot of fun for some drop-in brawls.
A game that perhaps did more than most to boost 3DS hardware sales in its mid-life, turning the summer of 2013 into an Animal Crossing bonanza. This title was all over social media and captured the hearts and long-term fans and newcomers alike, also including some nifty online features. Some, of course, are still running their towns to this day.
This writer is was caught out when this didn't make it into the community top 10, but it was a very strong performer among our hardy band of staff voters. Masahiro Sakurai's team went all out with this 3DS title, with fantastic production values and an interesting blend of air and ground based levels that utilised stylus controls. Quite a divisive game because of those controls, but much-loved by many.
Another title pushing out some high profile rivals, it's nice to give this adorable platformer a nod. As it's a Kirby game it's not a particularly taxing experience, but it's packed full of charm, colourful visuals and delightful moments. A cuddly and lovely game, and we're looking forward to its follow-up - Kirby: Planet Robobot.
Another that missed out on the community list, history will likely regard this one highly as an important evolution, in various senses, of the franchise. Though not without flaws on a technical level, this brought the main Pokémon series into a 3D world, while introducing Mega Evolutions and some terrific online features. It laid the groundwork for ORAS and Sun & Moon, after all.
Poor old Luigi, often teased for having the launch game for the underperforming GameCube, forever in Mario's shadow. With this portable sequel, however, Next Level Games joined the top table of developers closely association to - if not owned by - Nintendo. A fantastic game full of wit, clever design and stylish diorama-effect visuals. Another title that shows the impressive depth of the 3DS library.
A game that, as admitted by Intelligent Systems, effectively saved the franchise. This was Fire Emblem's last shot at finding a big audience and it succeeded; it delivers an engrossing and challenging turn-based strategy experience that can be hardcore or accessible, thanks to the optional disabling of permadeath. When you add in the DLC this gives a lot of bang for buck, and is highly regarded by various members of the team; our European writers can't vote for its sequel just yet...
It's no surprise this is much loved in our team, more-so than the 3D remasters that have graced the portable.. Considered a sequel of sorts to the iconic The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, it has lovely visuals and clever gameplay design to keep anyone hooked in the adventure. Whether moving through walls as a 2D painting or trying out new items, this provides a lot of memorable gaming.
Though it's since been outshone by its Wii U successor, this is a title that was hugely successful on 3DS and stands up as a fun entry in the series. With some enjoyable tracks and visuals that help showcase just what the 3DS can do, this also provides solid online play for endless replayability. Plus it's still a laugh occasionally seeing someone try to exploit glitches that have been patched out...
Honourable Mentions that just missed out:
- Cave Story 3D
- Star Fox 64 3D
- Fire Emblem Fates
- Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D
- The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D
So there you have it, some of our favourite games that we recommend. Some big hitters missed out due to - perhaps - a limited voting base, but some of these titles are well worth considering beyond many of the notable choices that featured in the community results. Let us know which of these you like in the comments.
Further Reading
Comments 48
Reminder to all that there is a second page
Wow, intiallly was sad to see only 2 3rd party retail 3DS games, and they are honorable mentions.
Then I looked at gamerankings, and all the good third party releases are eshop basically. Though I will give a shout to SMT IV, Project X Zone, Theatrethythm: Final Fantasy: Curtail Call, Persona Q and a number of other RPGs I'm sure I'm forgetting.
But MH4U is only an honorable mention. For shame!
Hey nx rumor states its more powerful than the ps4. Post an article guys
I seem to be one of the few people who thinks Smash 3DS is superior in almost every way that matters. Better stages, better modes, more accessible multiplayer due to portability, etc. etc.
Fire Emblem Dates and Kid Icarus get my vote. In my opinion, they are the two biggest killer apps on the 3ds. Fire Emblem Awakening and Super Mario 3d land also get a shout out.
I wish we got a good 2d metroid game this generation, but I suppose federation force will have to suffice.
@NinjaWaddleDee That typo is hilarious
Rusty’s Real Deal Baseball is one of my favorite 3DS games. Very glad it made it on this list.
Being the massive SMT fanbiy I am I am gonna call you out for not including Shin Megami Tensei IV!
I've kicked around downloading Attack of the Friday Monsters, and this has convinced me to get it next time it's on sale.
All in all, both lists are solid.
Bravely Default?
Rhythm Thief, anyone?
Good lists, by the way.
..good lists, mostly agree..no love for Crashmo or Stretchmo tho? (Gunman Clive was voted 1 & 2)...
I agree with both these lists better than the community ones... Glad to see Shantae and Luigi on there! I would've added one of the M&L games somewhere, but other than that, great lists!
@MetaRyan: Rhythm Thief is a great game! Definitely one of my favorite 3DS games.
Some great titles on both lists and just shows how deep the 3DS library is. I never played Shantae, I may have to try it out now.
Some great choices there, but I feel like a couple of obvious games are missing. I can't think what they might be off the top of my head, but it just seems like some are missing or something.
Rusty Baseball? Seriously?
So........ No Fire emblem birthright? Should I not get it?
@Ashthearcher Fates, which includes Birthright and Conquest, was listed as
"Honorable Mentions that just missed out". I played Birthright and it was awesome.
@Grumblevolcano
Not wrong though
This list includes the amazing Kid Icarus: Uprising but excludes MH4U >.<
As I said on the community list these lists need more Atlus (and other 3rd party) love considering some amazing games they have made on the 3DS.
I am pretty fine with the download list but the inclusion of Rusty's Baseball is odd. It is charming but I didn't think it'd make it onto the top 10.
Crimson Shroud and Liberation Maiden were also both amazing download titles.
It's nice to say Attack of the Friday Monsters make it on the list. That was one small, but fun experience. Except getting all cards after endgame which was tedious. Guild01 and 02 had some neat gems.
Page 1 was disappointing, especially since it kicked off with a game unavailable here.
The list on page 2 was much better, and contains lots of great games.
Badge Academy is way more addicting than Rusty's Baseball game!
@Ralizah You're definitely not alone there. I've put way more time on the handheld version, if for no other reason than Smash Run. Not only that, but I feel the AI is a bit better balanced, too. Then again, I am much more of a solo player, so that might be the reason I like it so much...
Also, very disappointed to see VLR missing again... Not nearly enough love for Zero Escape.
I'm done caring about these top 10 charts especially for the 3ds. You can take any game from my top 10 and it could be number one in one week and number ten the next. There's so many quality, to good, to great games on the system and so many are interchangeable!
No FE Fates or MH4U??! Those should be the very first games on the list. Eh ehm... let me show you how it's done
RETAIL
1) Fire Emblem Fates (especially Conquest)
2) Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate
3) Fire Emblem Awakening
4) Zelda Link Between Worlds
5) Xenoblade Chronicles
6) Donkey Kong Country Returns
7) Kid Icarus Uprising
8) Bravely Second
9) Super Smash Bros
10) Luigi's Mansion
Honorable Mentions
-Mario Kart 7
-Zelda Ocarina of Time
-Star Fox 64
-Mario Golf World Tour
-Code Name STEAM
eSHOP
1) Shovel Knight
2) Steamworld Heist
3) Shantae Pirate's Curse
4) Bravely Second: Ballad of Three Cavaliers
5) Mario vs DK: Tipping Stars
6) Stretchmo
7) Box Boy
8) Gunman Clive 2
9) Mutant Mudds
10) Art of Balance
Honorable Mentions
-Crashmo
-Mini Mario Amiibo Challenge
-Pokemon Battle Trozei
-Dr Mario Miracle Cure
-Pokemon Rumble World
VIRTUAL CONSOLE
1) Super Mario World (SNES)
2) Super Metroid (SNES)
3) Donkey Kong Country 2 (SNES)
4) Zelda Link to the Past (SNES)
5) Sonic the Hedgehog 2 3D (Genesis)
6) Donkey Kong Country (SNES)
7) Super Mario Bros 3 (NES)
8) Earthbound (SNES)
9) Mega Man 3 (NES)
10) Mega Man 2 (NES)
Honorable Mentions
-Gunstar Heroes 3D (Genesis)
-F-Zero (SNES)
-Super Mario Kart (SNES)
-Pokemon Yellow (GBC)
-Zelda Oracle of Ages/Seasons (GBC)
"This writer is was....."
typo
@Grumblevolcano Haha, thats because I have to type on my stupid smartphone.
Crimson Shroud gets no love... So here is my vote for Matsuno goodness
We'll make it one day Cave Story... We'll make it one day.
@JaxonH I can roll with that list.
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate... AS AN HONORABLE MENTION?!?!
That's just disgraceful. And no honorable mention for Steamworld Heist? That game was awesome!
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate... AS AN HONORABLE MENTION?!?!
That's just disgraceful. And no honorable mention for Steamworld Heist? That game was awesome!
Again...where is Resident Evil Revelations???
@Philo Definitely agree. VLR is still my GOTG (Game of the Generation) thus far, although I'm hoping that ZTD will prove to be even better.
I guess we'll see how much depth is lost in this last volume, considering it's not a VN and more of a Telltale-esque adventure game.
@Trinexx Honestly, I was expecting to love it, as I'm a huge fan of story-driven games, but found it extremely limited and dull, not to mention finding the story and writing pretty drab. Folks here seem to love it, but I have to be honest, I regretted even paying a sale price of around $2 for it. That's all to say I hope you enjoy it, but I recommend approaching it with caution, as I found it lacking in every way.
@JaxonH It was all good till you failed to mention the best video game series of all time, Ace Attorney.
@Ralizah Haha, I know exactly how you feel about VLR. That and 999 are pretty much the top games in my collection for both of the DS lines. I think most would call me crazy for being more excited about the ZE series than generally any games recently, but it's nice to know someone else holds it in as high regard as I do.
And yeah, I'm also a bit concerned about the new 'cinematic' approach of ZTD... I was always a supporter of the hand-drawn stuff in 999, so it's a bit of big change for me to accept. If they had just kept VLR's style it would've been fine... but if it helps to get the writing's point across, then it should be okay. I just hope it doesn't get in the way of it instead...
@Ralizah Yeah you are the only one
It's too bad Kid Icarus: Uprising didn't make the community list since I still regard it as one of the best games ever released on the 3DS. It also deserves a sequel.
@Mr_Zurkon ok thanks. I must have derp'd and not seen that.
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call is a good game often overlooked. I never played any FF game, but this title is the best music game on 3DS. There are over 200 songs in this game! No other music game out there has this much music content. It practically rendered the first game obsolete.
Pac Man and Galaga Dimensions is a hidden gem to me.
Especially playing Galaga 3d with stereoscopic 3d turned on: it's the closest thing to VR without wearing a headgear. Try this game if you have a New 3DS.
Kid Icarus: Uprising. Best 3DS exclusive
@MarioPhD: Hm, I might find some gameplay online before I make my decision then. Thanks for the input.
surprisingly i actually got all retail 3DS games that's was in the list(except for animal crossing new leaf) as well as pullblox
@Angelo-Noir
I know right? It is one of the best eShop games I have played so far and I am loving every moment of it!
The battles can be challenging, the dice based system is great, music is great and I love the atmosphere and the storytelling! It definitely belongs on this list in my opinion. A short, but finely crafted adventure RPG experience.
Just finishing up the uber side battle on my 2nd playthrough.
And no top 10 list can ever be completely satisfying considering the large number of amazing games, and some games which just slip under the radar >.<
Hahaha, that's true "Plus it's still a laugh occasionally seeing someone try to exploit glitches that have been patched out..."
@Trinexx No problem. I just hope I can save someone else from all my disappointment. I love quirky and story-driven games (Telltale's The Walking Dead, Life is Strange, Thomas Was Alone, Little Inferno, etc.) but this game feels like it might be a storytelling revelation to someone who has never played a game with a decent story before. Like, if you thought Super Mario Bros. was the height of storytelling, this might be a noticeable step up. I suppose there's not much else like it on 3DS, but It felt exceptionally hollow and wooden to me compared to the great titles on PC and Wii U even that have a focus on story and characters. I was expecting a tight, narrative-driven experience, and it felt more like a fairly boring children's book with exceptionally weak gameplay elements. So, with the right expectations it might be good, but I was hoping for a heart-warming indie-game story-driven experience like so many that I love, and...... man. What a bummer.
Drum Dash was awful...
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