What if the best handheld console ever made is one you can no longer buy new? That’s exactly the situation with the Nintendo 3DS. Nintendo stopped making the system in September 2020, and the eShop closed to new purchases on 27 March 2023. Yet the 3DS library still holds up remarkably well, and the roughly 75.9 million people who bought one already know why. For everyone else, this guide sorts the strongest titles by genre, explains what makes each one special, and covers the practical details that actually matter when you’re hunting cartridges today.

Why the 3DS Library Still Holds Up

The 3DS family sold about 75.9 million units worldwide and moved around 390 million games. That’s a huge install base, and it attracted the kind of software support that only comes along once a generation.

Two things make the library especially strong. First, the 3DS plays original Nintendo DS cartridges, which effectively doubles the catalog. Second, the system hosted the main-series Pokémon transition to 3D models, starting with Pokémon X/Y in 2013 and ending with Sun/Moon in 2016. Those games alone account for three of the five best-selling 3DS titles ever.

A note on criteria: “best” is always subjective. This list weighs critical reception, sales, lasting influence, and genre coverage. Review scores and sales figures shift over time, so treat any ranking as a snapshot rather than gospel.

The Best 3DS Games by Category

Best Overall: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D

Released in 2011, this remake of the Nintendo 64 classic sits among the most consistently top-ranked 3DS titles on review aggregators. It’s also the safest recommendation for anyone new to the system.

The 3D version cleaned up the visuals, added a touchscreen map and item menu, and included a Master Quest mode for veterans. The motion controls for aiming work better than they have any right to. If you only play one game on the system, make it this one.

Best Strategy Game: Fire Emblem: Awakening

Fire Emblem: Awakening arrived in Japan in 2012 and worldwide in 2013, and it saved the franchise. The series had been on life support before this release. Awakening added casual mode, which removed permanent character death, and that single change opened the door to a much wider audience.

The support conversations between units give every character a personality, and the marriage system ties directly into the next generation of fighters. It’s turn-based tactics with real emotional stakes, and it remains one of the most recommended strategy games on any handheld.

Best Platformer: Super Mario 3D Land

Super Mario 3D Land launched in 2011 and did something clever: it blended the freedom of 3D Mario with the tight level design of the 2D classics. Levels are short, focused, and built around the stereoscopic 3D effect, which genuinely helps with judging jumps.

The game is also forgiving. Players who struggle with 3D platforming can lean on the tanooki suit and the generous checkpoint system. It’s the ideal first game for a younger player or anyone returning to gaming after a break.

Best Life Sim: Animal Crossing: New Leaf

New Leaf came out in Japan in 2012 and worldwide in 2013, and it became a daily ritual for millions. You arrive in a town, get mistaken for the mayor, and slowly build a life through fishing, fossil hunting, and chatting with neighbors.

The 3DS version added public works projects and a shopping street, giving players long-term goals beyond decorating a house. It’s slow by design, and that’s the point. New Leaf is the kind of game you play for twenty minutes before bed for two years straight.

Best Action Game: Kid Icarus: Uprising

Kid Icarus: Uprising (2012) is the most divisive game on this list, and also one of the most ambitious. Director Masahiro Sakurai built a rail shooter with ground combat sections, a sprawling weapon fusion system, and a genuinely funny script.

The catch is the controls. The default scheme uses the stylus for aiming, which forces an awkward grip. Many players swear by the stand that shipped with the game; others remap to the Circle Pad Pro or, on New models, the C-stick. Push through the learning curve and you’ll find one of the system’s most inventive games.

Best Adventure: Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon

Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon (2013) sends the more timid Mario brother through a series of haunted mansions with a strobe light and a vacuum. It’s structured as short missions, which suits handheld play perfectly.

The animation is superb, the ghost-catching is satisfying, and Luigi’s nervous humming carries the whole tone. It’s a great pick for players who want something spooky but not scary, and it pairs well with the system’s 3D effect.

Best Traditional Zelda: A Link Between Worlds

A Link Between Worlds (2013) takes the top-down Zelda formula and removes the biggest friction point: the item rental system lets you tackle dungeons in almost any order. That freedom makes the game feel modern even by today’s standards.

The wall-merging mechanic is the star. Link flattens himself against walls and moves through them, which opens up puzzles that no other Zelda game can replicate. It’s also one of the few 3DS games where the 3D effect is genuinely useful for solving problems.

Best Racing Game: Mario Kart 7

Mario Kart 7 is the best-selling 3DS game at roughly 18.9 million copies, and it earned that number. It introduced gliders and underwater sections, added kart customization, and ran at a smooth frame rate that made online races feel competitive.

The online servers for 3DS games have since been shut down, so multiplayer now means local play. Even solo, the time trial ghosts and Grand Prix cups hold up. It’s the easiest game on this list to recommend to absolutely anyone.

Best Pokémon Entry: Sun and Moon

Pokémon X/Y (2013) began Generation VI and brought full 3D models to the main series. Pokémon Sun/Moon (2016) ended the 3DS run and, in many fans’ eyes, ended it on a high note.

Sun/Moon replaced gyms with island trials, added regional variants, and gave the series its strongest story in years. If you want the purest classic experience, X/Y is the cleaner entry point. If you want the most polished one, go with Sun/Moon.

Quick Comparison of the Top Picks

Game	Release	Genre	Best For	Approx. Sales
Mario Kart 7	2011	Racing	Everyone, quick sessions	~18.9M
Pokémon X/Y	2013	RPG	First-time Pokémon players	~16.7M
Pokémon Sun/Moon	2016	RPG	Story-focused fans	~16.3M
Pokémon Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire	2014	RPG	Nostalgia for Gen III	~16.2M
New Super Mario Bros. 2	2012	Platformer	Co-op and casual play	~13.4M
Ocarina of Time 3D	2011	Action-adventure	Series newcomers	Not in top five
Fire Emblem: Awakening	2012/2013	Strategy RPG	Tactics fans	Not in top five

Sales figures are approximate and drawn from historical Nintendo data. They’re useful for spotting cultural impact, not for judging quality. Plenty of excellent games sold modestly.

Hardware Matters More Than You Think

Not every 3DS plays every game equally well, and this trips up a lot of buyers.

The original 3DS (2011) and 3DS XL (2012) run the full library except for a handful of “New” exclusives. The 2DS (2013) drops the 3D effect entirely but keeps compatibility. The New 3DS and New 3DS XL (2014 to 2015) added a second analog nub, a faster processor, and near-field communication built in. The New 2DS XL (2017) combined the faster hardware with a clamshell design and no 3D.

Why does this matter? A few games, including Xenoblade Chronicles 3D (2015), only run on New models. Others, like Kid Icarus: Uprising and Super Smash Bros., benefit from the extra control stick. If you’re buying used, check the model before you commit to a wishlist.

Practical Tips for Buying and Playing Today

Here’s what actually works, based on how the system behaves in practice.

• Buy cartridges, not downloads. The eShop closed to new purchases in March 2023. You can still redownload games you already own, but you can’t buy new ones. Physical carts are the reliable path.

• Check battery health first. Used 3DS consoles often ship with swollen or worn batteries. A replacement battery is cheap and easy to install on most models.

• Test the hinge and the Circle Pad. These are the two failure points that show up most often on used units. Open and close the lid a few times and move the pad through its full range.

• Don’t skip DS games. Backward compatibility means the original DS library is fair game. That’s hundreds of extra titles for very little money.

• Be realistic about online play. Nintendo’s online services for 3DS titles are gone. Local wireless still works, so two consoles and two carts can still race or battle.

• Watch for counterfeit carts. Popular titles like Pokémon and Fire Emblem are commonly faked. Buy from sellers with clear photos of the cartridge label and a return policy.

If you enjoy the social side of gaming, the community angle is worth exploring too. The Minds Eye Society LARP community behind vampire games shows how dedicated groups keep niche game scenes alive long after official support ends. That same energy keeps 3DS meetups and local tournaments running today.

Games That Deserve More Attention

The top sellers get all the headlines, but the 3DS has a deep bench.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3D is a full-scale JRPG squeezed onto a handheld, and it’s exclusive to New models. The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D (2015) is a darker, stranger follow-up to Ocarina of Time with a time-loop structure that still feels bold. Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate (2015) offers hundreds of hours of hunting if you click with its loop. Shin Megami Tensei IV (2013) is a punishing, atmospheric RPG for players who want something with teeth.

For lighter fare, Puzzle & Dragons Z and Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright scratch different itches. And if you’re the kind of player who names every character and creature with care, there’s a whole genre of fun to be had in the naming screen alone. This collection of 300+ funny names for people, pets, games and more is a good place to start when your Pokémon team needs personality.

How to Build a Starter Library Without Overspending

The 3DS is a buyer’s market in one sense and a collector’s market in another. Common titles like Mario Kart 7 and New Super Mario Bros. 2 are cheap. Pokémon games and Fire Emblem: Awakening have climbed in price as nostalgia kicks in.

A sensible approach is to start with three or four cheap, high-quality games and expand slowly. Mario Kart 7, Super Mario 3D Land, and Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon cover racing, platforming, and adventure for a modest total. Add one big RPG once you know the system suits you.

If you’re also curious about older Nintendo hardware, the same logic applies. Our guide to the best GameCube games worth playing today follows the same criteria-based approach, and it’s a useful comparison for anyone deciding which retro console to invest in first.

Conclusion

The best 3DS games aren’t just nostalgia pieces. Ocarina of Time 3D, Fire Emblem: Awakening, Super Mario 3D Land, and A Link Between Worlds would earn their reputations on any system. Mario Kart 7 and the Pokémon entries explain why the platform sold nearly 76 million units. The hardware quirks matter, the eShop is gone, and used prices are climbing, but none of that changes the core truth: this is one of the deepest handheld libraries ever assembled. Pick a model, grab two or three carts, and start with Ocarina of Time. The rest will follow.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the single best 3DS game?

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D is the most common answer, and it holds up best for newcomers. Fire Emblem: Awakening and Super Mario 3D Land are close behind depending on your taste in genres.

Can you still buy 3DS games digitally?

No. The 3DS eShop closed to new purchases on 27 March 2023. You can still redownload games you already bought and receive software updates, but new digital purchases are not possible. Physical cartridges are the way to go.

Does the 3DS play regular DS games?

Yes. Every 3DS model is backward compatible with original Nintendo DS cartridges. That effectively doubles the library and makes cheap DS games a great way to build a collection.

Which 3DS model should I buy?

The New 3DS XL and New 2DS XL are the safest picks. They run every game in the library, including New-exclusive titles like Xenoblade Chronicles 3D, and they have the extra analog nub. The original 2DS is the budget option if you don’t care about the 3D effect.

Are 3DS games still online?

Nintendo’s official online services for 3DS titles have been discontinued, so matchmaking and online races no longer work. Local wireless play between two nearby consoles still functions, which covers multiplayer in games like Mario Kart 7 and Pokémon.

How many 3DS games are worth owning?

A reasonable shortlist runs to about 25 to 30 titles across genres, and a serious collection can reach well past 100 once you include DS games. Start with five or six proven picks and expand based on what you actually finish.