3DS Hidden Gems

While the console is essentially dead, the Nintendo 3DS has one of the most robust libraries stacked full of quality titles — though it did take some time to fill out. The handheld saw some stagnation when first launched, to be sure. But the tides did eventually turn, and it’s now considered among the best handhelds of all time, in no small part because players loved the library of brilliant 3D games that could be experienced on this juiced-up DS successor.

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The 22 Rarest 3DS Games (& How Much They’re Worth)

The 3DS is gone but not forgotten. Of all the games in its massive library, these are the rarest and most valuable.

It makes sense to celebrate the best titles from this great handheld, though the spotlight has already been greatly shined on the heavy-hitters. Instead, it seemed like a good idea to focus on the 3DS hidden gems that may have flown under the radar. After all, this handheld is the source of Nintendo staying afloat following Wii U’s lack of success. This was mainly due to the wealth of awesome games on this system — along with some underrated 3DS games not getting the attention they deserved.

Updated on January 29, 2025 by Stephen LaGioia: The 3DS was a beacon of light for Nintendo when much of their business saw darkness and stagnation in the early 2010s — with Wii U falling short of sales expectations, and, for many, the game library as well. But despite now being overshadowed somewhat by mobile gadgets, as well as the Steam Deck and Switch, the handheld brought a unique charm. It hosted a slew of diverse, colorful stereoscopic 3D games, and (along with the DSi Shop) marked the beginning of a virtual eshop on a Nintendo handheld. With so many titles, and the handheld now being an afterthought for many, it’s easy for various hidden gems to get lost in the shuffle. And so we refined and updated this already robust list with a few more great ones.

31

Adventure Bar Story

An Interesting Bar-Based Hybrid Of Final Fantasy Tactics And Harvest Moon

While renditions of this tactical RPG from Rideon have made their way on Steam and Switch, it also saw a quiet release on 3DS’ eShop — back when it still existed. The game blends overhead exploration with isometric, strategic battles. Though it also injects interesting quasi-sim gameplay in which the player, a humble bar owner, must keep up their reputation and thrive.

This is done by managing (and growing) aspects of their bar by way of progression, cooking, and gathering goodies. The experience cleverly interweaves crafting/cooking with combat-based upgrades that allow players to gain an edge in battle. The learning curve is a bit steep, but the rewarding gameplay is worth the investment.

30

Cooking Mama: Sweet Shop

Baking On A Handheld Has Never Been So Sweet

Systems

Released

September 12, 2006

ESRB

e

This charming cooking sim and minigame romp saw decent success on the original DS, but as Nintendo shifted back to a more “core” gaming direction in the 3DS era, this sequel was more of an afterthought. It didn’t help that the game was more a spin-off than a fully-fleshed out sequel, and one that focused on baking.

Still, the game was regarded by fans for its plethora of recipes and innovative interface, balanced by easy-to-grasp mechanics. The game also features a whopping 160 bite-sized minigames to consume and digest, all revolving around tantalizing baked goods.

The game offers ample fun, especially given its budget price. While more of a mixed bag for some, Sweet Shop filled a niche in the 3DS library, and brought back a taste of DS and Wii’s era of more casual and expanded-audience gaming.

29

Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology

A Radiant Remake Worthy Of Its Name

Radiant Historia

Systems

Released

November 3, 2010

There is no shortage of vibrant, enjoyable JRPGs on 3DS, and this version of Radiant Historia from 2018 is no exception. This remake draws from the already robust DS game while polishing and adding details throughout the 30-hour epic.

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The game shines with deep grid-based arena combat, a gripping tale involving branching plots of warring factions and alternate timelines, and stylistic visual detail.

28

Picross 3D: Round 2

A Puzzle Game That Deserves More Attention

Most people know HAL Laboratory as the developer of Kirby and the Forgotten Land, one of the best games featuring everyone’s favorite ravenous pink blob. This first-party Nintendo developer has made some of the best games on their consoles, including a 3DS hidden gem that is a joy to play through.

Picross 3D: Round 2 is a simple puzzle game that makes the most of the 3D capabilities of this console. Players must analyze the numbers featured or a row or column of blocks to uncover a 3D portrait. It’s a light, easy-going game with varying difficulty levels for each puzzle that makes it accessible for everyone.

27

Crashmo

Simple Platforming Challenges Offered In A Charming Package

Players who assumed that the majority of cute puzzle games on the 3DS were as easy as they come would be in for a rude awakening when they got their hands on Crashmo. The game certainly looks charming enough, but the small, well-designed platforming levels are way more challenging than anyone could’ve expected.

Perhaps this is why a lot of people don’t talk about Crashmo all that often, turning it into a 3DS hidden gem that more fans of unique platforming titles should check out. Moving blocks to set up platforms for Mallo to jump on feels great, and players who are worried about this title’s challenge can rest assured that a rewind mechanic will help them overwrite any mistake with ease.

26

SteamWorld Heist

A Great Turn-Based Shooter With An Emphasis On Tactics

Players who think that geometry can never be cool will sing a different tune after playing SteamWorld Heist. It’s a 3DS hidden gem that players will have a great time with, and it seems that the game impressed enough players to warrant a well-deserved sequel that came out after a long time. Boarding ships and taking out opponents in turn-based battles is way more engaging than most people would assume.

SteamWorld Heist features a wealth of combat scenarios where players must bounce their bullets off the environment at odd angles to damage their opponents. It’s one of the many unique facets of this title’s gameplay that makes it a blast to play through even now.

25

Attack On Titan: Humanity In Chains

An Underrated Action Game Based On The Popular Anime

Attack on Titan will go down in history as one of the greatest anime ever made. A relatively straightforward series about saving humanity from the threat of the Titans transformed into something magical, with many people loving the themes and motifs that are explored in the latter half of the series and how it tells a human tale that is extremely relatable in many disturbing ways.

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A game that focuses on hunting Titans and glorifying their kills may be missing the point of the series, but this is a small complaint in the grand scheme of things when players get their hands on Attack on Titan: Humanity in Chains. Sure, the title may suffer from the 3DS’ limitations, but players willing to look past some of the title’s faults will find themselves enjoying a fairly decent game that makes the most of the Attack on Titan IP.

24

Dragon Ball Z: Extreme Butoden

An Overlooked Fighting Game Featuring Everyone’s Favorite Dragon Ball Characters

Most people know Arc System Works as the developers behind the amazing Dragon Ball FighterZ, which is easily one of the best Dragon Ball games ever made. However, shades of this game’s brilliance could be seen in another Dragon Ball fighting game that was released prior to this title, which was a successful release in many ways despite having some issues that were ironed out in its later releases.

Dragon Ball Z: Extreme Butoden features some amazing sprite work and fun fighting gameplay that makes it a blast to play through. The story mode may be a bit too lean for most people’s tastes, but that’s a small price to pay for a game that makes the most of the 3DS hardware to let players enjoy some fun gameplay as they try to nail the best combos and show their enemies who’s boss.

23

The Amazing Spider-Man

A Unique Take On Spider-Man That Works Around The Handheld’s Limitations

Before players were graced with the brilliance of Insomniac’s Spider-Man games, players had to contend with a wealth of half-baked movie spin-off titles that showed a lot of promise but didn’t do anything too unique or innovative to help them stand out as good video games. Most people would label the 3DS in the same bracket, but this robust 3DS game has a lot more to show than most would assume.

The side-scrolling combat gets the job done and serves as a decent adaptation of the first Amazing Spider-Man movie. Along with this, there’s a Vigilante game mode that includes strategy elements to let players enjoy a fresh change of pace from the usual action-packed gameplay of the main game mode.

22

Rhythm Heaven Megamix

An Excellent And Challenging Collection Of Rhythm-Based Minigames

Rhythm Heaven is a series that many fans of tough rhythm-based games will have a great time with. Despite what seems like a simple gameplay loop, the charming presentation of Rhythm Heaven and its vast catalog of tough games make it worth checking out for most fans.

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It can be surprisingly challenging, but players who give Rhythm Heaven Megamix a chance will be more than astounded by what’s on offer here. The challenge is more than welcome for fans who will get into the groove of things in no time at all!

21

Crimson Shroud

A Great Story With An Unwavering Focus On Tabletop RPGs

Most people know Level-5 as the developers of the Professor Layton and Ni no Kuni series. However, there are numerous titles that this talented developer has produced, and it’s a shame that the vast majority of them haven’t seen the respect and recognition they deserve. One such title is Crimson Shroud, a JRPG that relies heavily on dice rolls to decide the many outcomes in combat.

The game is designed by Yasumi Matsuno, a video game designer who played a huge role in the creation of Ivalice, a world present in Final Fantasy that has been explored time and time again. For all the big names behind this title, Crimson Shroud has become a forgotten fragment of video game history, which is a downright shame.

20

Etrian Odyssey 4: Legends Of The Titan

Great Entry In A Long-Running Dungeon-Crawling Series That Demands Players’ Attention

Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan

Systems

Released

February 26, 2013

Pretty much every Etrian Odyssey title on the 3DS can be a solid candidate for being some of the most underrated games on the handheld. While it’s true that these games can be pretty challenging at times, players who come to grips with the gameplay systems and how they synergize with each other are bound to love the hardcore dungeon-crawler gameplay of Etrian Odyssey 4.

The simple premise of this game may turn off many people from enjoying this experience, but it’s the scintillating combat of the series that has served as the major draw. There’s a ton of depth to this system, and players who may be struggling with the game’s enemies need to do some research if they don’t want to hit a brick wall over and over again during their playthrough.

19

Fantasy Life

A Unique Combination Of The Life Sim Genre With JRPG Gameplay

Systems

Released

October 24, 2014

Developer(s)

Level-5

Another game by Level-5 that was lauded by fans and critics alike yet never attained the popularity it deserved, Fantasy Life is a unique gem of a title that combines simulation elements with the hallmarks of the JRPG genre. The end result is a game that is jam-packed with content and is pretty lighthearted to boot.

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Fantasy Life was a perfect game for a portable device like the 3DS, letting players whip out the console and do a quick job or two before putting it down again. Not all JRPGs need to feature world-ending stories with godlike beings pulling the strings — sometimes, most players just crave the simpler things in life, and Fantasy Life fits the bill in this context.

18

Resident Evil Revelations

A Highly Underrated Chapter In The Resident Evil Series

The Nintendo 3DS featured a lot of great family-friendly games, but that doesn’t mean the console was adverse to Teen titles or Mature offerings. A good example of this shift in tone was Resident Evil Revelations, a bit of a dark horse in the franchise. The release followed the iconic Jill Valentine as she and BSAA member Parker Luciani searched through an abandoned cruise ship for Chris Redfield.

It offers up the same classic Resident Evil-style gameplay that players have come to know and love, with a pretty unique backdrop in a sprawling cruise ship that’s filled with an array of interesting locations and enemies.

17

Okami

A Beautiful Cel-Shaded Title With Zelda-esque Gameplay

Those looking for a 3D action platformer with some flair will want to get their hands on Okami. It’s easily one of the most beautiful games ever created, thanks to its overwhelmingly striking visual style that looks like a blend between cel-shading and a watercolor painting. Those who enjoy Japanese culture and are looking for something visually exciting to work their way through will find a lot to enjoy with Okami.

But the iconic title is much more than looks. Although it’s a beautiful storybook-style adventure, there is a lot to enjoy about Okami‘s gameplay mechanics. This one should be experienced by all players.

16

The World Ends With You

A Stylistic Action-RPG With A Unique Story Set In Modern Tokyo

Systems

Those who enjoy the Kingdom Hearts series, specifically Chain of Memories, will likely be familiar with developer Jupiter. The team joined forces with Square Enix to craft their series with The World Ends With You, an action RPG that brings fantastical elements and a very stylish flair to the modern age.

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The story follows a group of teens in Shibuya, toting an anime-style appearance and offering up fun combat elements and an array of other interesting mechanics that make it feel like its own adventure while simultaneously feeling “close” to other classic action RPG titles that 3DS owners may have played.

15

SteamWorld Dig 2

A Metroidvania Title Focused On A Large Underground Mine

Systems

Released

September 21, 2017

Developer(s)

Image & Form

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

A Crossover Tactical RPG Featuring Namco Bandai, Capcom, And Sega Characters

Systems

Released

October 11, 2012

Developer

Monolith Soft, Capcom, Sega, Red Entertainment, CyberConnect2, Banpresto

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

An Excellent Tales Game With The Character Writing Being Its Biggest Highlight

Systems

Released

October 10, 2006

Developer(s)

Namco Tales Studio

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.

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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 3DS hidden gems the handheld has to offer, as well as one of the longest, clocking in at 50 hours.

12

Heroes Of Ruin

A Classic Dungeon-Crawling Adventure

Those who have ever played a game in the Diablo series should get the basic 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 allow 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.