The Rarest 3DS Games (& How Much They’re Worth)

Key Takeaways

• 3DS game prices are soaring, with some titles reaching over $1,000 due to rarity and demand.
• Standout games like Kirby’s Extra Epic Yarn and Pokemon Sun & Moon Dual Pack draw high values.
• Niche games like Tomodachi Life and Barbie: Groom And Glam Pups also fetch hefty sums of money.

The Nintendo 3DS had a great run which lasted almost ten years, but like all good things, that run came to an end. The system was discontinued in late 2020, meaning that there will not be any new titles released for the popular handheld console. In the years since then, many people have begun to collect rare and valuable 3DS games.

The rarest 3DS games can sell for surprisingly high prices, forcing collectors to reach deep into their pockets in order to add them to their shelves. Some are highly coveted due to the excellent gameplay that they offer, while the rarity of others is derived from how poorly they sold and thus how few copies of them there are out in the wild.

Updated December 11th, 2024, by Blaise Santi: It’s a tough world out there for video game collectors. The market can fluctuate at a moment’s notice, making yesterday’s highest-valued titles the stuff of bargain bins. This is especially true for the Nintendo 3DS, given it was only earlier this year, in April 2024, when the system’s online capabilities were shut down worldwide. As the once-beloved handheld console slowly becomes obsolete, its games will rise and fall in value as determined by collectors. Keep your eyes peeled in the wild for these specific games or rare finds for the 3DS, as they might reward sellers with the most money on the open marketplace, according to PriceCharting.com.

Est. Value: $118

Kirby’s Epic Yarn was originally released on the Wii in 2010, but was ported to the 3DS towards the end of the console’s lifespan in 2019 as Kirby’s Extra Epic Yarn. This handheld port is notable for being Nintendo’s last game published on the console before it was discontinued, adding amiibo support, new sub-games, and a brand-new difficult gameplay mode.

The game itself is valuable as it is, going for $108 on resale sites, but there’s an even rarer version out there for Nintendo collectors: an in-store demo cartridge that sells online for an average of $118, sometimes way higher. Though it’s marked “Not for Resale,” Nintendo probably won’t pay much mind to buyers considering the console is discontinued.

21 Style Savvy: Fashion Forward

Est. Value: $130

The Style Savvy series began on the Nintendo DS in 2008. The third installment of the series, Style Savvy: Fashion Forward, was its first appearance on the 3DS in 2015, and it sold over 1 million copies when it was first released. However, this hasn’t stopped the game from rising in value over the past few years, as it’s currently valued at over $100 on resale sites.

Style Savvy: Fashion Forward only recently began to spike in price in mid-2023, finally accruing over $100 in value this past year. All things considered, there’s nothing particularly special about this entry in the series to warrant such a high value, but perhaps owners of the entire package can get a quick buck off it.

20 Gravity Falls: Legend Of The Gnome Gemulets

Est. Value: $139

Gravity Falls is one of the most beloved cult animated series out there, but even diehard fans of the franchise may have never played its 3DS game from 2015. Legend of the Gnome Gemulets is probably the closest fans will come to controlling an episode of Gravity Falls, as a side-scrolling platformer with some charming “Metroidvania” qualities.

Sadly, reviews weren’t positive for the game upon its release, given how short it is, but it will still likely appeal to fans of the series. Good luck tracking down an available copy though, considering it’s currently valued at over $130.

Est. Value: $165

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater was originally released in 2004 for the PlayStation 2, but the only other console it’s been ported to thus far is the 3DS. Snake Eater 3D was an early release for the handheld system in 2012, which was originally made as a hardware demo and eventually turned into a full-fledged release, taking advantage of the 3DS’s features.

However, the 3DS port was also released with a premium package in Japan that’s valued at over $1,000. This limited edition came with a 3DS console packaged with Metal Gear Solid 3D: Snake Eater, and was only available in Japan, which explains why western collectors are willing to pay top dollar for it.

18 Professor Layton And The Azran Legacy ($159)

Est. Value: $169

Professor Layton games for the 3DS generally carry a hefty price tag these days. This is a pity because these games are amusing, and at times challenging, puzzle games. In this installment, the Professor and his assistant travel the world looking to uncover the secrets surrounding an ancient civilization called the Azran.

With its engaging and fun narrative, charming characters, and numerous puzzles, Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy offers its players a satisfactory adventure experience to the beloved series on the Nintendo 3DS platform. Picking up a copy can be expensive, but it is definitely worthwhile.

17 Pokemon Sun & Moon Dual Pack ($114)

Est. Value: $177

The dual pack for Pokemon Sun and Moon lets players explore the Alola region from two different perspectives. These titles were a part of the seventh generation of Pokemon games and were released for 3DS in 2016. They’re two of the highest-rated Pokemon games thanks to a few new innovative features.

The games introduced a new set of regional Pokemon species as well as a new Island Challenge feature that took the place of GYM Battles. The dual pack provided an opportunity for players who wanted to obtain two widely beloved Pokemon titles and did their job quite nicely in terms of sales and popularity.

16 Tomodachi Life

Est. Value: $217

It’s surprising to see a first-party release from Nintendo valued so highly by collectors. Tomodachi Life was certainly a unique release from the company, allowing 3DS users to observe the day-to-day lives of their system’s Mii characters, building relationships with one another, performing concerts, and having jobs, and so on.

The game certainly has a lot of charm and niche appeal, and was even one of the best-selling games for the console. That doesn’t necessarily explain the surprising estimated value of over $200, but given the recent spike in 2024, it wouldn’t be surprising if many collectors feel it’s worth more now that the 3DS’ online services have been shut down.

15 Yo-Kai Watch 2: Psychic Specters

Est. Value: $231

Psychic Specters was the third version of Yo-Kai Watch 2. Only the most die-hard of fans are willing to buy a game three times – except for Pokemon fans looking to actually catch them all. For those new to the Yo-Kai series, they are actually extremely similar to the Pokemon games in terms of play style and mechanics.

For a Yo-Kai game, Psychic Specters isn’t tremendously expensive, but those wanting to add this title to their 3DS collection should still expect to pay over $100 for a loose cart and around $145 for a complete-in-box copy. This places the title among the most expensive 3DS games, though it’s pretty far from the top spot.

14 Heavy Fire: The Chosen Few

Est. Value: $245

Heavy Fire: The Chosen Few is an on-rails arcade shooter game released for 3DS and Wii U platforms. It revolves around the player shooting all kinds of insurgents, terrorists, and the like from a first-person perspective using various weapons and perks.

The game did not do much in terms of new mechanics, but it didn’t really need to. A good old action-packed on-rails shooter was what many arcade-loving players wanted to experience after getting their hands on the new handheld console.

13 Rhythm Thief & The Emperor’s Treasure

Est. Value: $264

Rhythm Thief & The Emperor’s Treasure is a very rare 3DS game from Sega. In it, the player controls a legendary art thief who must seek to unlock the secrets of his mysterious past. This game is a rhythm-based puzzle game that somewhat resembles a digital board game at times.

With its unique blend of engaging storyline, charming visual style, and rhythm mechanics, the game offers a very distinctive and entertaining experience for both fans of the rhythm and adventure games genre, and newcomers to musical games. Those wishing to experience it for themselves will need to spend big though, with complete copies regularly selling for more than $200.

12 Pokemon Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon Dual Pack

Est. Value: $296

A part of the seventh generation of Pokemon games, Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon take the player back to the region of Alola. This time, they’ll capture and train even more wild Pokemon to beat other trainers and uncover the mysteries of the legendary Pokemon Necrozma.

The two games are effectively enhanced versions of the original Pokemon Sun and Moon, and the dual pack enables players to obtain both games in a single purchase. The Ultra games are highly regarded by fans for their expansive storyline and new features.

11 Scribblenauts Unlimited Special Edition

Est. Value: $313

Scribblenauts is another franchise that got its start on the Nintendo DS, making its 3DS debut with Scribblenauts Unlimited in 2012. However, as a launch title for the Wii U, 3DS players may have missed this memorable installment of the sandbox series. It’s a shame, because the Special Edition of it is not only highly valued at over $300, but it also comes with some cool accessories.

Those accessories are both a 3DS case resembling the head of main character Maxwell and a special 3DS stylus shaped like a thick number two pencil. It’s certainly enough to make a player feel like they’re really in the world of Scribblenauts, even if the superior version of the game can be played on PC and iOS.

10 Dragon Quest 8: Journey Of The Cursed King

Est. Value: $315

Dragon Quest 8 was originally released in 2004 for the PlayStation 2, but in 2015 Square Enix remade the game for the 3DS. With remastered 3D graphics, the game recaptures a lot of the aspects that fans loved about the original title, utilizing the bottom screen for character info and map data.

This Dragon Quest game also bears a strong resemblance to the Pokemon franchise, as players can capture the monsters they defeat in battle. Many fans consider this iteration of Dragon Quest 8 the definitive version of the game, which explains its steep value on the 3DS game market.

9 Etrian Mystery Dungeon

Est. Value: $322

Developed by Atlus and Spike Chunsoft, and released for the 3DS in 2015, Etrian Mystery Dungeon is a beautiful mess of dungeon-crawling and role-playing mechanics. The game mixes the two genres and offers players a delightful experience while they gather their party and explore procedurally generated dungeons filled with unique enemies, traps, and treasure.

The game features turn-based combat and customizable characters and was adored by the community for its successful mix of both genres into a worthwhile gaming experience. Together with a few other factors, this popularity among fans has ensured that Etrian Mystery Dungeon retains its place among the rarest games for the Nintendo 3DS.

8 Yo-Kai Watch Blasters: White Dog Squad & Red Cat Corps

Est. Values: $285, $329

Yo-kai Watch Blasters is part of the Yo-kai Watch series. The game revolves around capturing and befriending various Yo-kai creatures with unique abilities, much like Pokemon. Yo-Kai Watch Blasters: Red Cat Corps and its other version, Yo-Kai Watch Blasters: White Dog Squad, are extremely rare 3DS offshoots of the main series.

The Blasters games are both beat ’em up style games that emphasize cooperative multiplayer gameplay, letting players team up with their friends locally or online to overcome challenging missions and defeat opposing adversaries.

7 Yo-Kai Watch 3

Est. Value: $514

The Yo-Kai series started out hard to find, and now the demand is starting to outpace the supply. All the Yo-Kai Watch games for the 3DS are highly sought after by collectors, and because of this, collectors can expect to pay quite a bit for them. Yo-Kai Watch 3 was the last in the series to be released for the 3DS and is by far the most highly valued.

For those unfamiliar with the series, the Yo-Kai Watch games are somewhat similar to the Pokemon games. Instead of cute little animals though, the player uses spirits. This game, despite being incredibly fun, did not sell well in North America, and reportedly only sold about 4,000 copies.

6 Alien Chaos 3D

Est. Value: $611

Alien Chaos 3D is a side-scrolling action platformer with much better music than one would expect. Additionally, players are likely to find themselves immersed in the fights listening to hard-hitting metal guitar riffs as they blow their enemies away. Sadly, the obscure 3DS title didn’t attract much attention upon initial release.

The action in the game is very akin to early side-scrollers like Mega-Man or Contra, but the game also adds a cleaning mechanic, where players literally must sweep up the aliens they defeat in every stage, making it one of the most unique games on the Nintendo 3DS, as well as one of the most valuable.

5 Professor Layton Vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney

Est. Value: $750

Many gamers only know of Phoenix Wright from his appearance as a playable character in Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3. However, there are several Phoenix Wright story-based puzzle games that involve trials in court. The Professor Layton series is more of a straight puzzle game than the Phoenix Wright games, but is also story-driven.

This puzzle game from Capcom combines the two franchises. In addition to being rare, it is also praised by critics and players. On eBay, a loose game card costs about $85. A complete-in-box copy can cost collectors up to $140 depending on its condition, with new copies costing even more.

4 Guide Louvre

Est. Value: $999

Guide Louvre barely even qualifies as a game. It was born from a partnership between the Louvre and Nintendo with the hope of modernizing the museum’s audio tour. As a result, unless the player is literally inside the famous Parisian museum, then they have no reason to insert this game into their 3DS.

Guide Louvre was released in numerous languages and included several tours the player could take while exploring the Louvre in real life. There was even a medal-collecting reward system to encourage exploration of the various exhibits. The unique use of this title and having only one purpose makes this title a rare gem, though not a playable one.

3 Fire Emblem Fates: Special Edition

Est. Value: $1,622

This 2015 interation of the Fire Emblem franchise took a page out of Pokemon‘s handbook, with two individually-sold versions of Fire Emblem Fates, which determine the player’s in-game allegiance. However, indecisive gamers could purchase the Fire Emblem Fates: Special Edition, which gave players access to both installments in one cartridge.

In addition, the Special Edition of Fire Emblem Fates also came with the third version, which was only available as DLC. Given the discontinuation of the 3DS eshop, this version of Fire Emblem Fates is incredibly valuable to newcomers of the series, which explains its value of over $500.