Top 10 Underrated 3DS & 2DS Games

For anyone that’s a fan of dungeon crawlers, this hidden gem should more than satisfy your need for beating the snot out of hordes of monsters while on the go. Drawing inspiration from similar games such as the ‘Diablo’ series, this action RPG was widely praised for its surprisingly robust selection of characters and addicting gameplay. Furthermore, the game features a bevy of excellent multiplayer modes, taking full advantage of the 3DS’ ‘street pass’ technology to create complex and well integrated online functionality that isn’t often seen on a portable gaming device. So, let’s recap: great online multiplayer, solid RPG mechanics, fun combat…why isn’t this more popular again?

If you’re a fan of the classic run and gun platforming action of the ‘Mega Man’ games (and honestly, why wouldn’t you be?), then this homage to that series is a must-play. ‘Gunvolt’ encourages fast-paced bursts of gaming goodness, with a relentless onslaught of enemies for the player to blast through and challenging areas for them to traverse. The game additionally rewards the player for how quickly they can complete each stage, providing the title with great replay value for those who want to achieve their best possible score. It all comes together as a solid pick up and play experience, one that we ‘Azure’ you is worth adding to your 3DS collection. Get it? Okay.

Still want more titles that feel like a throwback to the ol’ days of gaming? ‘Mutant Mudds’ captures the cleverly simple yet challenging gameplay of the NES era, for a game that is, if nothing else, just a whole lot of fun. The controls are simple, with a jump button and attack button to help you tackle the obstacles ahead. What really sets this game apart from other indie platformers on the handheld is how it effectively makes use of the portable’s ‘3D’ functionality. At multiple points throughout the game, the player is able to bounce between the background and foreground, adding new layers of depth (literally) to the adventure.

From the folks who brought us the ‘Fire Emblem’ series, ‘Code Name S.T.E.A.M’ was their attempt to launch an all new franchise for Nintendo, but sadly, it didn’t take off as initially hoped. It’s puzzling how it didn’t resonate with gamers, as the game exhibited a great deal of polish in every aspect of its design. The colorful cel-shaded graphics are a joy to look at and the alternate steampunk inspired history is wondrous to lose yourself in. On top of this, the hybrid of third person shooting and turn based strategy gameplay make this an experience unlike any other on the handheld. It’s perfect for letting off some ‘steam’ on a long bus or plane trip.

With its strong emphasis on speed and problem solving, this puzzle platformer is a rush for any gamer who loves having to simultaneously test their reflexes and observation skills. Taking control of a cyborg police officer, the player will need to take full advantage of the many abilities at their disposal, knowing how to properly approach each situation whether they call for careful jumps or well-timed shots against enemies. Similar to ‘Azure Striker Gunvolt’, the gameplay here is also measured on a timer, rewarding players for their performance and opening possibilities for speed runners to go nuts. How very mighty indeed.

The fourth entry of this dungeon crawler RPG series was also the first installment to land on the 3DS, so you’d think that would have opened it up to an even wider audience, right? Sadly, that’s not the case, which is a shame considering the amount of quality content here. With an epic storyline revolving around a high fantasy setting, rife with interesting characters and an absolutely gargantuan overworld to explore, providing hours of gameplay value; this is one odyssey that any fan of the genre (or a good challenge) does not want to miss. Also, just gaze upon that stunning art design. Gaze! Gaze we say!

In the mood for something a little bit different? ‘Harmoknight’ is an action platformer with a twist. Instead of just jumping and shooting at random, the point here is to instead match up your movements to a musical rhythm provided by the game. It may sound a little bit odd at first, but give it a chance and don’t be surprised if you catch yourself tapping your feet and jamming away to every well-timed button press, as you simultaneously traverse through the levels and create some catchy tunes. It’s a strange mash-up, but sometimes, the strangest scenarios can give life to the most unexpectedly enjoyable results: ‘Harmoknight’ is proof of that.

Video games are already about escaping into a fantasy world, so why not dive into a game specifically designed around that philosophy? From the moment you begin, ‘Fantasy Life’ provides the player with the freedom of choice: the choice to select their class, profession, skills and so on and so on. After you’ve set that up…well…go and live your fantasy life! Collect resources, plunder for hidden treasures, explore the world, fight monstrous foes! You name it! The sky is the limit! With so much to see and do, an entire world of seemingly endless fun is waiting for you…and the tons of other people who missed out on it.

Up for something a tad more intellectually stimulating to stretch them brain muscles? This puzzle platformer tasks the player with controlling ‘Qbby’, a square that has the ability to create multiple connected boxes in order to overcome obstacles and successfully explore environments. As you progress through the game, the stages become increasingly more intricate and complex, demanding the player to rise to the challenge and *ahem* think outside the box in order to crack each puzzle and move forward. Considering its reasonable price point and incredible gameplay depth for such a simple premise, ‘Boxboy’ is a no-brainer. But, that’s only for the purchase part. You’ll need your brain. Because puzzles.

Before we reveal our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions…

“Final Fantasy Explorers” (2016)

“Zero Time Dilemma” (2016)

“Steel Diver: Sub Wars” (2014)

While this Atlus RPG series undoubtedly has a solid fanbase, many would argue its legion of followers isn’t quite large enough to do the game justice. Featuring an epic plotline about a samurai defending his kingdom from an invasion of hostile demons, a deep and rewarding turn based combat system and wonderful musical tracks and its not hard to figure out why this is a game that more 3DS owners should check out at some point. Plus, its worth noting that some gamers have argued that ‘Shin Megami Tensei’ rivals (or even exceeds) the Pokémon series, another game about battling various monsters in a large world. That’s saying something.