Best 3DS Games That Never Came To Nintendo Switch

The Nintendo Switch truly feels like a celebration of the company’s history, featuring a diverse selection of iconic titles from the NES all the way to the Wii U. The 3DS, however, is a bit of a different story, mainly going unrepresented during the Switch’s lifespan.

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Granted, you can find a few excellent 3DS remasters on the Switch eShop, such as Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD and The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles. Nonetheless, most of the handheld’s library remains stuck in the past, including many of its best games. Make sure to keep your old 3DS because the following titles, unfortunately, never made it to the Switch.

8

Super Mario 3D Land

A Charming 3D Platformer

Super Mario 3D Land

Systems

Released

November 13, 2011

Developer(s)

Nintendo EAD Tokyo

ESRB

e

Super Mario 3D Land is one of the few mainline entries that never came to Switch, and its absence is pretty noticeable. The game is known for combining elements from the 2D and 3D titles, reviving the fan-favorite Tanooki Suit, and featuring a staggering 16 worlds to explore. It may not be the most innovative installment, but it’s still a blast to replay time and time again.

While its sequel, Super Mario 3D World, was ported to Switch as an enhanced edition, 3D Land had no such luck. No official reason was ever given, but it might be because of the game’s depth perception puzzles, which are tricky to solve without the 3D slider.

7

Kid Icarus: Uprising

A Grand Comeback

Kid Icarus: Uprising

Systems

Released

March 23, 2012

Developer(s)

Sora Ltd.

Publisher(s)

Nintendo

ESRB

E10+ For Everyone 10+ due to Comic Mischief, Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes

Talk about a comeback! Kid Icarus: Uprising resurrected the series after a whopping 21-year absence, turning a long-forgotten platformer into a world-renowned third-person shooter. Take control of an angel named Pit, who must save the world from the armies of Medusa and Hades. The game was an instant hit, thanks to its hilarious dialogue, endearing characters, and thrilling gameplay.

Fans have been asking for a Switch remaster for ages, but sadly, it never came to pass, likely because the development studio closed just four months after the game launched. Be prepared to dig out your old 3DS to revisit this mythological adventure.

6

Professor Layton Vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney

A Meeting Of The Minds

Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney

Systems

Released

November 29, 2012

ESRB

t // Mild Blood, Mild Suggestive Themes, Mild Violence, Use of Alcohol

Every single Ace Attorney game is available on Nintendo Switch except one: Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright. In this epic crossover, the two crime solvers get transported to a medieval fantasy kingdom called Labyrinthia, where they must defend clients during intense witch trials.

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The gameplay combines Layton’s head-scratching puzzles and Wright’s thrilling courtroom battles, which complement each other surprisingly well. A Switch remaster would’ve been incredible, given how rare the game has become since its launch. Unfortunately, you’ll need to hunt down the 3DS cartridge to experience this magical mystery.

5

Pushmo

A Lovely, Underrated Puzzler

Here’s a hidden gem for you. Pushmo is a drastically underrated puzzle game published by Nintendo themselves. Each stage has a tower made of blocks, which you must push or pull to create a path to the roof. The charming graphics and cleverly designed brain teasers earned it universal acclaim at launch.

Tragically, the game was a digital exclusive and became unavailable to buy when the 3DS eShop closed in 2023. A Switch port would’ve done wonders for game preservation, but the game is still missing. Let’s hope this adorable puzzler will return sometime in the future.

4

The Legend Of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds

The Sequel No One Saw Coming

The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds

Systems

Released

November 22, 2013

Developer(s)

Nintendo EAD

Publisher(s)

Nintendo

ESRB

E For Everyone due to Fantasy Violence

No one expected to receive a sequel to A Link to the Past, yet Nintendo surprised 3DS owners with A Link Between Worlds in 2013. When a wicked sorcerer plans to revive Ganon, Link must travel across Hyrule and its parallel world, Lorule, to save the day.

There’s a lot to love about this game, including its open world, item-rental system, and the new painting mechanic, which allows Link to merge into walls. Overall, it’s an outstanding adventure and a worthy successor to the iconic SNES game. It’s a shame it never came to Switch because it would’ve been amazing to replay on a TV.

3

Fire Emblem: Awakening

A Legendary RPG

Fire Emblem: Awakening

Systems

Released

February 4, 2013

Publisher(s)

Nintendo

ESRB

T For Teen due to Alcohol Reference, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes

Arguably the most famous entry in the series, Fire Emblem: Awakening follows Prince Chrom and his amnesia-riddled tactician Robin, who get roped into a gruesome war filled with time travel, undead armies, and an ancient evil. Thanks to its superb tactical RPG combat, charming social simulation, and exhilarating story, it’s considered one of the best 3DS games ever made.

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Above all else, Awakening is known for establishing Fire Emblem as a household name, effectively saving the series from certain ruin. It’s unfortunate that such an important piece of Nintendo’s history is stuck on old hardware, but sadly, it never made it to Switch.

2

Shin Megami Tensei 4

A Big Game For Such A Small Handheld

Shin Megami Tensei IV

Systems

Released

July 16, 2013

ESRB

m

Switch owners have no shortage of Atlus RPGs to enjoy, but Shin Megami Tensei 4 isn’t one of them. The story follows a medieval warrior named Flynn, who must protect his kingdom from an evil samurai that turns people into demons. There’s a surprising amount of content here for a 3DS game, and it’s a thrill from start to finish.

Given the series’ popularity, it’s a bit strange that Shin Megami Tensei 4 was never ported to Switch, or to any platform for that matter. JRPG fans will need to hang on to their 3DS cartridges a bit longer.

1

Metroid: Samus Returns

All Hail The King Of Metroidvanias

Metroid: Samus Returns

Systems

Released

September 15, 2017

Developer(s)

MercurySteam, Nintendo EPD

Publisher(s)

Nintendo

ESRB

E10+ For Everyone 10+ due to Animated Blood, Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes

Metroid: Samus Returns is not only an excellent remake of Metroid 2, but it also revived the series after a seven-year hiatus. This time, Samus Aran must infiltrate the Metroid’s home planet of SR388 and annihilate the entire species. The gameplay is notable for introducing many elements that would return in Metroid Dread, such as the melee counterattack.

Sadly, the game launched at the wrong place at the wrong time, hitting the 3DS seven months after the Switch came out. Despite its critical success, it flew under the radar for many Nintendo fans. A Switch port would’ve been a dream come true, but unfortunately, it never happened.

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