While the 3DS didn’t sell as well as Nintendo’s other handheld consoles, it still had success and became one of the legendary company’s best-selling consoles. Given that its other main console at the time, the Wii U, had disappointing sales figures, the success of the 3DS kept Nintendo as a main competitor in the video game market.
But the console itself wasn’t the reason it sold so well. Much of this success is due to the sheer number of incredible games on the 3DS, which are still worth playing to this day because of their innovative gameplay, impressive graphics, and sheer entertainment value.
ten Persona Q2: New Cinema Maze
Developed by Atlus as a blend of Character and Etrian Odyssey, Persona Q2: New Cinema Maze is a 2018 dungeon crawler RPG and sort of a sequel to Persona Q: Shadow of the Maze. Players control the characters of Persona 5, Persona 3 Portable, Persona 4, and Persona 3 as they fight enemies in various worlds while trying to escape from a movie theater.
While the story isn’t as strong as the other entries in the series, this game has a great art style and an amazing soundtrack. Plus, it’s great to see all of these characters interacting with each other and fighting together.
9 Tomodachi’s life
Tomodachi’s life is a 2013 life simulation and a sequel to the Japanese exclusive Tomodachi Collection on the Nintendo DS. In this game, the player creates their own Miis and watches them do all kinds of unexpected things, like going to space or becoming idols. The game doesn’t always make a lot of sense, but it’s part of the fun. Since another similar game was released a few years later titled Miitopia, it is safe to say that this game was a hit.
8 The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
Released in 2013, The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds is an action-adventure RPG that follows the game from 1991 The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past for the SNES. Players control Link as he sets out on an adventure to save Princess Zelda and stop the evil wizard Yuga from resurrecting Ganon.
While it uses a lot of elements from other games in the series, this game introduces some new features, including the ability for Link to blend into the walls. Although others Zelda games were released on the 3DS, many fans and critics consider a link between worlds to be one of the best in the series due to its more open approach to Hyrule and the difficult difficulty of its puzzles.
7 Zero Escape: the last reward of virtue
After the success of one of the best visual novel games Zero escape, a suite entitled Zero Escape: the last reward of virtue was released in 2012 on 3DS and PlayStation Vita. This mysterious sci-fi visual novel adventure game follows a young man named Sigma who is forced to play a game of life and death with several other people.
The main objective of the player is to solve several escape puzzles throughout the experience. Unlike most visual novel games, players will have to explore all of the different choices in order to get the real ending. This is because the player gains the ability to time travel and the different choices are treated as separate timelines that further reveal the story. All of this makes the experience incredibly unique and interesting.
6 Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Dual Fates
After the release of one of the best Nintendo DS games Apollo Justice: Ace Lawyer in 2007, the popular courtroom mystery visual novel series As Lawyer had a long hiatus that left many fans concerned that the franchise was over. But in 2013, the series finally returns to 3DS with Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Dual Fates. Taking place a year after the events of the last main game, the player takes control of defense attorneys Phoenix Wright, Apollo Justice, and Athena Cykes as they solve cases and attempt to bring justice back to the courtroom.
Similar to previous games, the game features courtroom segments, where players cross-examine witnesses and present evidence, and investigative segments, where players ask questions and search for clues. But the game adds new 3D characters and sprites, bringing the beloved series into the modern era.
5 Animal Crossing: New Leaf
When Animal Crossing: New Leaf released in 2012 for 3DS, the game dramatically changed the direction of this popular life simulation franchise. Unlike previous entries, the player is now the mayor of the city filled with anthropomorphic animals instead of just a new resident. This change, in addition to having a secretary named Isabelle, would continue to be used in all games after that.
As a critical turning point for the series, the game is expected to be played and enjoyed by fans and casual gamers alike. The combination of the pillars of the old series and new upgrades such as improved character customization and the ability to swim in the ocean makes this entry a delightful experience.
4 Super Mario 3D Land
Although the story is extremely similar to most Mario platform games, the 2011 Super Mario 3D Land introduces new concepts popular enough to be reused in the future World of Super Mario 3D. As one of the best games similar to the most popular Super mario galaxy, in the game, the player again takes on the role of Mario as he sets out on a journey to save Princess Peach from Bowser.
But the game was different from previous iterations because it combined levels similar to 2D Mario games with movement and 3D capabilities Mario Games. This combination leads to a fun experience that is both simple and engaging.
3 A courageous omission
Originally designed as a sequel to Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of the Light, A courageous omission is a 2012 RPG that follows four protagonists as they attempt to restore four crystals that have been consumed by darkness. Along the way, they discover some secrets and a greater evil in history.
This critically acclaimed RPG combines elements of Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Higurashi when they cry and other various influences as well as his own new ideas. After the game became very successful with its interesting storytelling, gorgeous art style, and gorgeous music, it became its own RPG series with a critically acclaimed sequel, Courageously Default 2, released this year.
2 Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon
Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon are upgraded versions of 2016 RPGs Pokémon Sun and Moon. Released in 2017, the games continued the seventh generation of Pokemon games and followed a young Pokémon trainer who has just settled in the Alola region. While traveling through the different islands, the player tries to complete the island’s trials while fighting various evil groups.
While these improved games are extremely similar to the original versions, these iterations are better because they have additional content such as more features, characters, and Pokémon to play with and customize. One notable new feature that proved popular with fans was the Ultra Warp Ride, which allowed players to battle Ultra Beasts and find Legendary Pokémon from every game in the series. For gamers who want to play seventh generation games, these are the places to play.
1 Fire Emblem: Awakening
When Fire Emblem: Awakening was in development, the creators thought this might be the last Fire emblem game since the tactical RPG series was struggling. Regardless, however, this game ended up not only saving the franchise but also making Fire emblem one of the most popular modern RPG franchises. Set two thousand years after the original Fire emblem In this game, the player controls a customizable amnesiac character named Robin who becomes the tactician of a prince named Chrom and his army against the living dead.
For many people, this game is the reason they bought a Nintendo 3DS. With new mechanics such as an easier difficulty level called Casual Mode and a larger world map that allowed for more action, the game is now considered by some to be one of the best RPGs of all time.
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