While the console is essentially dead, the Nintendo 3DS has one of the most robust libraries stacked full of quality titles, even if that wasn’t always the case. This may be hard to believe, but when Nintendo’s handheld originally launched it was looking like it would be a failure. Thankfully, the console’s tides turned and it’s now considered one of the greatest handhelds of all time.
It makes sense to celebrate the best titles from this great handheld, but many 3DS players have likely covered the big guns in the console’s library at this point. Instead, it seemed like a good idea to focus on those great titles that may have flown under the radar. So, with that in mind, these are ten of the greatest overlooked games on the 3DS.
Updated March 20th, 2021 by Stephen LaGioia: With the continuing success of the Switch, the most recent dedicated handheld from the Big N has become overshadowed by this more technologically-capable hybrid machine. This has been the case despite the variety of newer models, including the New 2DS XL, helping to bring some momentum. Nonetheless, the 3DS continues to bring a unique charm with its glasses-less 3D capability and dual screens, along with a slew of uniquely charming titles. As such, it seemed appropriate to dig up and highlight even more of the various hidden gems on Nintendo’s handheld.
15 SteamWorld Dig 2
Building on the sturdy foundation of their 2013 sleeper hit, Image & Form offers even more of the rewarding SteamWorld Dig gameplay to Nintendo’s handheld, fleshing out the details and offering a more diverse, expansive world.
The experience can be described as a more accessible variant of Terraria sans the building – with its blend of platforming, combat, and resource-gathering. The game draws in players with its easy-to-learn mechanics and charming steampunk themes. Yet it keeps them hooked with its rewarding gameplay, along with a unique system of tools and steam-powered upgrades. SteamWorld Dig 2‘s pick-up-and-play sensibilities and interface prove a great match for the touch-enabled 3DS.
14 Project X Zone
While Monolith Soft is known for crafting one of the most renowned RPG series on Nintendo platforms in Xenoblade, less-known is this similarly fun tactical RPG from 2012. Project X Zone draws from a pool of properties from Namco Bandai, Capcom, and Sega – including Phoenix Wright and Legend of Valkyrie – and tosses them into a role-playing epic that spans 60 hours. Despite its vast scale, Project X Zone captivates the whole way with its amusing narrative, colorful characters, and fun combat which blends strategy and action.
Much like its Japanese-only predecessor from ’05, Namco x Capcom, this romp serves as a memorable celebration of some of Japan’s biggest gaming stars.
13 Tales Of The Abyss
Though it tends to be overlooked for being a port of a PS2 title, this Tales rendition on 3DS remains a fan-favorite, and arguably one of the best RPGs to grace the 3DS. As is typical in this beloved Namco series, Tales of the Abyss entices with its charming anime art style, along with a gripping story involving a downtrodden hero clashing with a nefarious power.
The 3DS enhances the already fun, fast-paced combat of this ARPG with its solid use of touch controls, along with providing an easily-viewable world map while traveling. This delightful adventure shines as one of the best hidden gems the handheld has to offer, as well as one of the longest, clocking in at 50 hours.
12 Heroes of Ruin
Those who have ever played a game in the Diablo series should get the base idea of Heroes of Ruin. Developed by n-Space and published by Square Enix, this isometric action-RPG utilizes a lot of the 3DS’ online capabilities like SpotPass and Street Pass, which allowed players to trade items and complete daily challenges.
Taking place in a magical kingdom where a city’s guardian has been cursed, players can customize their character and set out for some classic dungeon crawling either solo or with friends online. While Heroes of Ruin will never reach the heights of other Square Enix classics or the games it’s been inspired by, it’s a decent enough title to jump into and a solid entry on the 3DS.
11 Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars
It’s understandable that most gamers tend to have forgotten about a Ghost Recon game on the 3DS – if they knew it was there in the first place. But, that doesn’t mean Ubisoft’s turn-based tactical title should be overlooked. Taking notes from franchises like Fire Emblem, the Wars series, and even Final Fantasy Tactics, Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars won’t surprise in terms of basic gameplay, yet, the addition of cover mechanics makes the franchise feel fresh.
With multiple modes to play and a story that takes around 35 hours to complete, there’s a lot to enjoy here. Somehow, despite all this, the game seems to have been overlooked.
10 Code Name: S.T.E.A.M
In many ways, Code Name: S.T.E.A.M feels like Nintendo’s answer to Sega’s Valkyria Chronicles series, but weirder. Named Lincoln vs Aliens in Japan, this title developed by Intelligent Systems mixes turn-based tactical gameplay with third-person action, as Abraham Lincoln takes on hordes of aliens in a steampunk-inspired adventure.
The game is equal parts bizarre and well designed, being a truly perfect fit on the 3DS. Yet, for some reason, it seems like it’s been ignored. Maybe it’s because of its deep, more complex mechanics, or maybe there just isn’t enough love for steampunk Abe Lincoln, but it’s still a fantastic game.
9 Ever Oasis
Inspired by the legendary Mana series, Grezzo’s action-RPG blends town-management with classic adventure gameplay in a seamless way. With an overarching story of restoring a town, players must bring in new residents, help them out, and reap the rewards. They do so by taking on quests that require them to leave, meaning every decision made impacts one’s little oasis.
What makes this game so great, however, is that a player’s progress isn’t only seen through character stats. There is a real, tangible, visual development to see as a player’s town moves from little sand dunes to a lush city full of life.
8 Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked
Shin Megami Tensei is one of the best RPG franchises around, and many of the series’ best titles have a home on the 3DS. Now, the most popular may be Shin Megami Tensei IV and its sequel, but Devil Survivor Overclocked is just as good.
As a remake of a fantastic 3DS title, Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked takes the gameplay and plot — which sees modern-day Tokyo under attack by digital demons only our protagonist can stop, capture and fuse — and extends it, updates the visuals, and provides more goodies from the original 2009 release.
7 Theatrhythm: Final Fantasy
Final Fantasy is one of the longest-standing franchises in video game history, and its soundtrack is iconic. So, it’s no surprise that Square-Enix tasked developer Indieszero with creating a title that celebrates a beloved part of the storied series.
Allowing players to develop a party of four consisting of characters from the first 13 games in the series, they will take on massive boss battles and play through entire stages all to the beats of some of the most iconic music in gaming. It’s a celebration of Final Fantasy, and fans of the series need to play it.
6 Shinobi 3D
At one point, before Sonic The Hedgehog, Shinobi’s Joe Musashi was Sega’s unofficial mascot. The 2D-ninja platforming series may not have been the most popular franchise in the world, but there were some truly great games that are beloved to this day. Sega brought the franchise back on the 3DS with a fantastic side-scrolling adventure.
Putting players in the shoes of Joe’s father, Jiro, who is transported 800 years into the future and even into outer space. While this game does retcon the long-time protagonist in the series’ existence, it’s a fantastic arcade-centric title on a system that doesn’t have a lot of games like this in its library.
5 HarmoKnight
Game Freak may be known for their insanely popular Pokémon games — heck, the 3DS has two sets of games — but every once in a while they produce something outside of that universe, and it’s usually really good. Case and point, HarmoKnight. Blending rhythm and platforming, players run through 2D levels collecting musical notes, building their own soundtrack in the process.
Taking control of Tempo, players must run through automatically scrolling levels collecting music notes along the way. Yet, mistiming a jump can lead to a slight miscue, meaning the game’s soundtrack may be off by a half-second. This kind of design calls for incredible accuracy, but it’s easy to get back on track.
4 Nano Assault
This thrilling shoot ’em up from Shin’en Multimedia gives players a taste of arcade-style gaming that feels delightfully retro despite its 2011 release. Like its predecessor on the DS known as Nanostray, this one struggled to stand out amidst a strong, expansive lineup of action titles. But aside from its short length, this can stand with the best of them, with its impressive visuals, solid mechanics, and some fun, intense shooter gameplay.
In a premise that feels very “2020,” the goal is to take out microscopic viruses which threaten to put a damper on things. Players will soar and shoot their way through over 30 celestial stages, along with plague-ridden micro planets ala Super Mario Galaxy.
3 Kid Icarus: Uprising
It not often that a Nintendo-branded property gets overlooked, but that is largely the case with this atmospheric shooter – just as it has been for the Kid Icarus series in general. Though this character inspired by Greek mythology is most known for his outings on Super Smash Bros., he also stars in perhaps one of 3DS’ best exclusive titles.
After a wait of over two decades for his own game, the hero Pit is finally able to spread his wings and soar on this exhilarating third-person shooter. Those who favor arcade-style action, particularly flight-heavy romps like Bayonetta, should look no further than this hidden gem from Nintendo and Project Sora.
2 Rune Factory 4
For a long time, gamers always wondered how Harvest Moon would play if dungeon crawling elements were added to the game. Well, Rune Factory answered that question, and the fourth entry in the series may have been its best.
With a three arc plot that sees our protagonist waking up in a small town, players must farm, craft, and dungeon crawl their way through the story, all while building relationships in the process. That last point is a major mechanic of the game, and there are events scattered throughout the plot to help strengthen these relationships. Not all are romantic either, which makes the game feel a little more honest.
1 Corpse Party
Corpse Party is one of those games that, to certain players, is very important, yet it never reached mainstream success. That’s not to say it hasn’t been successful, in fact, the game gets ported to newer consoles every few years, and for good reason too. As a survival horror title, Corpse Party puts players in the shoes of a group of friends who, after unknowingly performing an occultist ritual, are teleported to a demonic school full of monsters who want nothing more than to inflict pain.
The game is very heavy on the narrative aspects of storytelling while featuring no combat. This makes one’s character very vulnerable, making the game — that is pretty cartoony on the surface — that much scarier.
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