Top 10 Best Nintendo 3DS Games

The Nintendo 3DS has one of the most impressive game libraries of any handheld console, packed with incredible titles across a wide range of genres. From fast-paced racing games to epic RPGs, platforming adventures, and intense fighting games, there's something for everyone.

It's no surprise that the system remained popular for so long, with fans still revisiting their favorite games years after release.

The Top Ten

Mario Kart 7

It's the only 3DS game I have. The rest are all for DS. It's so cool. You have freedom in driving modes and cars. You can customize your wheels and paragliders, and there are loads of cool new courses, characters, and items. Great.

You can kind of make your car with thousands of combinations! It has new power-ups, plus the 7up. 7up has 7 items with you! The best racing game within the Mario Kart franchise!

It is an awesome Mario Kart game! Despite no single player VS mode or Waluigi, it is the best Mario Kart in the series. In my opinion, it is better than Mario Kart Wii. I'd put this game at number 3.
Super Mario 3D Land

I remember being 6 years old and making a whole bunch of voice recordings, saying that this and Mario Kart 7 are the best games ever. I remember loving each Bowser fight, and the final Bowser fight was really fun and had a lot to it.
It was really cool running and jumping through levels. I think it was actually my first 3D Mario game. I played the two-player Mario Galaxy 2, but you just help get items, so that doesn't count. Mario Kart 7 is also good, but I didn't have any friends who had a 3DS and had this or could play with me, so this is better.

The only thing I hate about this game is Princess Peach. Having to rescue her, listen to her voice, and see her cry when kidnapped by Bowser is frustrating. I don't know how that even happened. Maybe Princess Peach was frozen asleep. I prefer to rescue Luigi.
Nonetheless, I love this game. I'm still a beginner at it.
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS

Oh gosh, is this game addicting. Even after you've unlocked all the characters, there is still tons of replay value. Smash Run was one of the best ideas ever. Most characters are unique, with the exception of Lucina, Dr. Mario, and Dark Pit. My favorite is veteran fighter Ness.
I wish all fighting games were like this! The customization was a very good idea, and Ganondorf can finally have a sword! The Mii Fighter is a very fun idea, and I already have over 10. Overall, this is not just the best 3DS game, but the best fighting game ever!

My favorite thing about this game is using unlicensed characters without violating Nintendo's terms due to Mii Fighters. I will download an Iron Man Mii and add him into the game in the Mii Gunner category.
Fire Emblem: Awakening

This game never ceases to amaze me. Its difficulty ranges from easy to extremely hard and has loads of customization for each character and the many classes. Great storyline, nice graphics, a wonderful soundtrack, and you could find yourself playing this game many times without getting bored.
Possibly the greatest game for the 3DS so far. Otherwise, one of the greatest RPGs available right now!

If you know true gaming, then you love Fire Emblem: Awakening. Who can forget the intensity of losing teammates while at the same time falling in love with them? The best 3DS game, and an outstanding RPG. As of right now, it's 7.R.R. for real. Once you've tried it, you'll play it over and over again many times. Get this to Number 1!
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds

Even though this game was a copy of A Link to the Past, it was a great game that changed the story and some other things. I was really into the game even though I have played A Link to the Past. To me, it's my favorite 3DS game to date. When I lost it, I was pretty sad and upset.

Why is this only number nine? It's an awesome game. Definitely deserves to be #1. Finally, we have a Zelda game with no companions and freedom of choice. It's the best Zelda game since Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask. They are also on 3DS, but I don't think remakes should be above a new game.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D

The best thing I've ever played on my 3DS. I got the 3DS when it first came out, so I've played many games on it, but this was by far the best one. I love the storyline, and everything about it is creative. The graphics are awesome. I don't know about you, but those kinds of graphics are the most appealing to me. I would say it's one of my favorite games.

I remember playing this game on the N64 back in the day, and now I got it for the 3DS! It's the number one game ever made. It has really good graphics, and the fighting is awesome too. Along with Epona and being able to play as Link as a child or an adult, it truly is a gaming masterpiece.
Animal Crossing: New Leaf

Not a game for the hardcore gamer, but that is what makes it so special. Animal Crossing is one of those games that you will enjoy most if you put as little effort as possible into it. Once you realize that, it becomes not only super relaxing but also super fulfilling. I often find myself becoming proud of my town and attached to my villagers. Animal Crossing is the only game that has ever done that for me.

I don't understand why this isn't higher on the list! This game has the number one soundtrack of the 3DS games and that feel-good gameplay that makes you want to revisit it every day. Not to mention, it makes you feel like a terrible person whenever you don't play it for a long time because you get so attached to the characters and the game!
Kid Icarus: Uprising

Uprising is a unique reboot to the franchise. The game revitalizes forgotten characters, and it is very fun to play. The game-play is different when compared to other "shooter" games because of the 3DS having only one analog stick.

Choosing one game is impossible, but I'll cast my vote for Kid Icarus because it's something new. Sure, there were two Kid Icarus games prior to this, but a) they look like they were completely different from this, and b) they came out twenty years ago.
The characters are hilarious. I especially love Palutena and Viridi. The online multiplayer is super addicting. One more thing, you can definitely tell this was made by the same guy who made Super Smash Bros. The checklist works the same way, the Boss Battle works the same as All-Star Mode, and the Idol Toss is just like the Trophy Launcher from Melee.
Pokémon Y

I enjoyed the mix of new and old, which gave me a nostalgic feel while still offering new aspects to enjoy. The competitive scene was a lot easier to approach with the mini-games.

Although I was bothered by the Fairy-type, which I find overpowered, everything else they added was amazing.

Better than Ocarina of Time. Mario Kart 7 number one? Well, I've never played that game, so I can't judge. This is the best handheld game since Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time and Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story.
New Super Mario Bros. 2

Collecting all those coins is fun, not to mention the return of the flying Tanooki suit.

Great game. My friend just got it, and it's really good.

The best, but then again I only have three 3DS games.

The Newcomers

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Shin Megami Tensei IV
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Monster Hunter XX

The Contenders

Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon

As someone who has always thought that Luigi's Mansion for the GameCube was one of the best games of all time, I was stoked to play Dark Moon when I first got it. And I was far from disappointed.
The graphics are brilliant, the story (while similar to the GameCube version) is amazing, and with all the new ghosts and areas to explore, Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon will have you seriously entertained.
While I feel that this game didn't live up to the "horror" factor that its predecessor held, it was still great fun, and I come back to it over and over again. It is definitely worth your time and money.

This is a very good game. My aunt gave it to me while I was in Alaska, and I have been playing it ever since. I have not gotten far, but the Poltergust is remade, and the mansion is very intriguing. This game should be a lot higher. At least in the top ten. GET THIS GAME.
Tomodachi Life

I got this game last summer, and ever since then, I haven't been able to remove it from the game slot. It's so awesome. It's just an upgraded version of Animal Crossing: New Leaf.
The bad thing is that my son fell in love with my brother's daughter. They're married now. It's actually not bad, but crazy!
The food looks so heavenly, and I love their reactions to it. The clothes are fashionable, and some are whack, which is funny when I give them whack clothes. I love the interior designs. They're the best!
Not to forget all the events like the Rap Battle, and the Compatibility Tester is just random.
Love Tomodachi Life.

From the day I slotted in the game card, I wasn't able to stop playing. First, it was Animal Crossing: New Leaf, and then Tomodachi Life. The possibilities in this game are endless. Your islanders keep you busy opening new places, experiencing a rap battle, falling in love, and eventually having a baby.
It also has interactive activities, such as magic shows and your Tomodachi's dreams. It is so fun, and I recommend it to anyone who loves role-playing.
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D

I kinda feel bad voting for a game that was originally on the N64 for a 3DS list, but I would feel worse not voting for it. Majora's Mask is easily one of my favorite games, if not my #1 favorite, of all time. Plus, being able to take it on the go is a pretty amazing feeling.

This is my favorite Zelda game, and it is made more accessible to modern audiences via this remake.

It's a great game! I can't tell which is better, Ocarina of Time or this!
Pokémon X

It was a little easy but addicting. I got my first two level 100s in it, and I played it for 8 hours one day!

Best Pokémon game, much better than those awful RBY games that were just terrible.

It's amazing and beautiful, with much better graphics than Black and White.
Mario & Luigi: Dream Team

This game is awesome. I don't feel like going into details, but it is very good (but long).
Why does everyone love Superstar Saga and feel so meh about Partners in Time? I feel the exact opposite. Superstar Saga was very good, but it was very unpolished and wasn't as immersive. Partners in Time, while dismissed by most, was actually very immersive, had great bosses, storyline, gameplay, and unique locations. I love Partners the most from this series. However, the other three are still very good, so play them all!

Best Mario game of all time, to be honest. (I've played more than 50 Mario games, so I know what I'm saying.) Great plot, great new place, good new characters, strong character personalities, and the most violent Mario game, along with Mario Strikers Charged, rated E10+ (Smash Bros. doesn't count).
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate

Fighting huge monsters is really fun!
Kirby: Triple Deluxe

This game is Kirby perfection! I do not have a single complaint about Triple Deluxe. It is my favorite 3DS game that is not a remake and also my third favorite Kirby game.
The visuals are the best in the series, the soundtrack is awesome (as usual), the best mini-games since Amazing Mirror, and the story is surprisingly better than expected (at least for Kirby standards). Getting 100% completion was refreshingly difficult. For me, it was probably the biggest challenge to complete since Super Star.
All in all, Triple Deluxe is a perfect game for any 3DS owner.

I LOVE Kirby: Triple Deluxe. It is challenging because I can't get the 100% completion. I've gotten almost everything - the Sun Stones, the keychains - except completing True Arena.
Dark Meta Knight's Revenge takes almost my whole life before I go through Soul of Sectonia. I have it and will never get tired of it. It is a year old now.
Pokémon Omega Ruby

I love this game. I finished the game and I still play it! There are lots of legendaries to catch. I'm missing 9 still and I have 10.

Got it for Christmas time from my cousin. I never played a Pokémon game before. I didn't know I would love it so much.
Resident Evil: Revelations

A sick, awesome game. It deserves a much higher spot on the list just based on quality, replay value, and getting your time and money's worth out of the game.

This list is terrible. This is the best 3DS game and the best Resident Evil game. I have played them all.

This is not my favorite 3DS game, but it's ironically my favorite Resident Evil game.
Paper Mario: Sticker Star

Man, something about this game is so addicting, but I don't know what.

Love the puzzle aspect of this game.
Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition
Star Fox 64 3D

I love the N64. It is such an inspiration to the 3DS. Star Fox 64 is a wondrous, heavenly video game, and its 3DS remake? A modern classic!
Now, let's see these classic N64 video games and their 3DS remakes. There is Star Fox 64 3D and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D. Can't there be a Super Mario 64 3DS? Super Mario 64 for the Nintendo 64 is my favorite video game of all time.
Scribblenauts Unlimited

It's hilarious when you do cruel things to the NPCs and then reset like nothing happened.

The freedom to do whatever you want in this game is very cool.
Pokémon Alpha Sapphire
Bravely Default

A game based on the pre-VII old-school Final Fantasy games with a few twists, Bravely Default has a captivating story, fun battle system, beautiful art, and amazing music. While it has a few glaring flaws, it's still an amazing game and will always be a favorite of mine.

I've figured it out. Square Enix put everything good about Final Fantasy into this game, didn't call it Final Fantasy, and created the most artsy and beautiful RPG since Xenoblade Chronicles.

This is the best Nintendo RPG out there.