10 3DS Games Still Worth Playing Today

10 3DS Games Still Worth Playing Today

Welcome to MojoPlays, and today, we’re taking a look at the 10 best Nintendo 3DS games that still hold up incredibly well today!

“Mario Kart 7” (2011)

We’ll be the first to admit that MK7 doesn’t have as strong of a track selection as the other games in the franchise, and some characters included here are…questionable. (Metal Mario? Seriously?) But don’t let that deter you. MK7 does hold some fun gimmicks to spice things up a bit. One of the first things you’ll notice is the ability to build your very own kart! Bodies, wheels, and gliders will affect your stats on top of your character’s weight class, making it crucial to create a kart that suits your playstyle. Of course, the way the game utilizes the 3DS’s capabilities to give the visuals a ton of depth between your kart and the incoming obstacles.

“Pokemon X & Y” (2013)

The 3DS did get a handful of wonderful mainline “Pokemon” games. If you prefer “Sun & Moon” or the remakes of “Ruby & Sapphire”, more power to you! For us, “X & Y” were just as great as the titles before it. Not only did we get a whole new generation of pocket monsters to collect, we also got to see the world of “Pokemon” in a new light with the 3D functionality. Plus, we now had a handheld “Pokemon” game sporting 3D character models of each “Pokemon” instead of 2D sprites. Basically, it was a technical step-up in the long-running franchise. Plus, the Mega Forms were a cool gimmick. If only this level of quality had carried over into the Switch’s lifespan.

“Fire Emblem: Awakening” (2012)

It almost feels like every new “Fire Emblem” is better than the last (“Engage” notwithstanding). As for “Awakening”, well, it’s almost hard to describe just how impressive this game was. From the beautifully written story to the new features to adhere to both casual and hardcore tactics fans, “Awakening” managed to rejuvenate the franchise in a way Nintendo had never anticipated. While planned to be the final game in the series, Nintendo and developer Intelligent Systems went all out on the production value here, which is something you can’t say about a lot of 3DS games let alone handheld games in general.

“Kirby: Planet Robobot” (2016)

Kirby saw a large handful of titles thrown his way during the DS days. “Triple Deluxe”, the port of “Epic Yarn”, the 3D remake of “Kirby’s Adventure” - they are all well and good. “Planet Robobot”, on the other hand, was a total blast! Look, you don’t need much reason to play this game. It’s Kirby, and he’s got a freakin’ mecha! And not only do you still get copy abilities like any normal “Kirby” game, but the mecha can get copy abilities, too! It all conjures into one of the most destructive and fun games the 3DS ever saw.

“Dead Or Alive: Dimensions” (2011)

With the exception of one notable title you’ll see soon, “Dead Or Alive: Dimensions” was the only major fighting game that gracefully translated from more powerful home consoles to the 3DS. Whereas “Tekken” and “Street Fighter” got 3DS games that suffered from technical setbacks like lower frame rates or missing features, “Dead Or Alive” managed to deliver a complete package. An entire story campaign, smooth frame rates, exceptional audio AND visual fidelity, an online mode, and as with every DOA, a plethora of costumes to unlock between both gameplay and SpotPass. This was the ultimate love letter to fans of the franchise.

“Kid Icarus: Uprising” (2012)

“Kid Icarus” is one of Nintendo’s many neglected franchises that simply does not get enough love, especially its 3DS outing. “Kid Icarus: Uprising” presented a unique control scheme for the system, one less reliant on button presses and more on stylus controls. Sounds weird until you find the groove. Suddenly, dodging attacks, countering, and charging up attacks feels immensely satisfying. On top of that, every one of the on-rails shooter segments is thrilling as Palutena as Pit flying through narrow gaps and across wide open vistas and chaotic skies. In terms of aesthetics, combat mechanics, and set pieces, this was Nintendo’s own “God of War”...in its own special way.

“Animal Crossing: New Leaf” (2013)

The exciting part about “New Leaf” wasn’t just some of the new characters like Isabelle or the refined graphics that made “Animal Crossing” even cuter with the right amount of detail. No, it was the premise that sold us! For years, we lived in the villages of “Animal Crossing” as mere residents that could shake trees and dig up fossils all while dealing with an ever-increasing amount of debt from that shady Tom Nook. In “New Leaf”, we were no longer just residents, but mayors! Yes, you could run your own village with community projects and enacting ordinances…all while dealing with an ever-increasing debt from Tom Nook. There’s just no escaping that damn raccoon, is there?

“The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds” (2013)

As with many, many 3DS games, “A Link Between Worlds” took everything we knew and loved about “Zelda” and forced us to start thinking about perspective. The trick in “A Link Between Worlds” came in the form of Link suddenly being able to turn two-dimensional. While you still had to rely on some gear to solve puzzles and explore dungeons, there were times where merging into walls would be required to progress, sometimes even leading to secrets. And even if you weren’t super crazy about this one, there were two other “Zelda” titles to wet your whistle. Really, the remakes of “Ocarina of Time” and “Majora’s Mask” greatly improve upon the originals thanks to the 3DS’s touchscreen.

“Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS” (2014)

“Oh, ‘Smash Bros’, what an obvious choice for a list about games on a Nintendo console!” Well…yeah? “Smash 3DS” was a remarkable experience, and not just because it was the first game in the franchise to be on a handheld. “Smash 3DS” took every concern someone uttered about the franchise going on a smaller screen, and it solved nearly every one of them without taking a breath. A UI that was easy to read, stages that were simple enough yet still had fun shticks to distinguish them all, and a wealth of game modes both old and new were all smashed into one tiny cartridge. Whether you enjoyed single-player, Smash Run, or fighting friends through Download Play, there was too much to love here. And we didn’t even mention the impressive roster that was built for this installment!

“Super Mario 3D Land” (2011)

It’s somewhat befuddling how some gaming outlets would cry how boring Mario supposedly was yet continued to give high scores. Even “3D Land” managed to prove them wrong in how it offered a ton of different ideas in gameplay regardless of how archaic they may be. From platforms that switch positions when you jump to that tricky Shadow Mario following your every move, “Super Mario 3D Land” made the simplest ideas fun and challenging. Couple that with fun items like the Boomerang Flower and cleverly hidden secrets like Prize Boxes, and sure enough, this was another title showing Mario at the top of his game.

What’s your favorite game you played on the 3DS? Let us know down in the comments, and be sure to subscribe to MojoPlays for more great videos everyday!