We are about to reach the end of an era. As of March 27, 2023, the Nintendo 3DS eShop will close permanently. When this happens, a lot of great games will become permanently unavailable, with many more only obtainable through the purchase of an absurdly overpriced game cartridge, as well as Virtual Console games that will only be available on older platforms (and also possibly overpriced).

As many of you are aware, over the course of the last year I have been reviewing games on the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U platforms, specifically looking to try to create a comprehensive list of every worthwhile game on those platforms that cannot be played on Nintendo Switch. Within the next month, this project will come to an end. However, before it does, I wanted to make one last big push to present to you the games I feel are truly worthwhile to get on these platforms, and specifically games that I feel people will be missing out on if they don’t get them before the eShops on these platforms close.

I’ll point out that as of this writing, you can still buy games on the Nintendo 3DS eShop. You can no longer add funds directly through your Nintendo 3DS, but you can add them by inputting a gift card code into your account on Nintendo.com or your Nintendo Switch, so long as that account is also on your Nintendo 3DS.

As such, with roughly one month left, this is the absolute last chance for those wanting to snatch up these games before it’s too late… but with hundreds and hundreds of games released on the Nintendo 3DS, which ones should you make it a point to get?

What follows are the list of games I truly believe are your best options to get on the Nintendo 3DS eShop before it’s too late. These games all fit within the following guidelines:

1. They are all (with only a few exceptions) games that received a B grade or better in my review on eShopperReviews. The Nintendo 3DS has tons of exclusive games I’m not going to mention here because I just don’t think they’re good enough. This list will only include the best of the best. In other words, no Pokemon Rumble games will be on this list.
2. These games are all not currently available on any modern gaming-only platform – Not on Nintendo Switch, not on PlayStation 4 or 5, and not on Xbox One or Xbox Series systems. A few of these games may also be on mobile devices or PC, but players seeking to play these games on a platform designed with videogames in mind, this is the only option. I’m skipping games like Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy for this reason – if you want it, just get it on a current-generation platform.
3. For games which have a game cartridge available, the digital version of the game is significantly less expensive than buying a copy of the cartridge on eBay. After all, there’s no need to rush to buy the game if you can get the cartridge anytime for the same price or less. For this reason, you won’t see many of the best Nintendo Switch games on this list, games like Mario and Zelda titles – these are absolute must-have games on the Nintendo 3DS, but you’ll still be able to buy them at a decent price after the eShop closes.
4. These games are all, the last time I checked, still available on the Nintendo 3DS eShop as of the time I checked this (January 2023). It’s kinda’ pointless for me to tell you to buy games that have already been delisted, after all.

Okay, so with these rules out of the way, let’s get to the games. I have sorted these into four categories: DSiWare Games, Digital-only eShop Games, Games With an Overpriced Physical Version, and Virtual Console games. Within each of these categories, I’ll be listing games alphabetically. Also, this list will include games whose reviews I have not yet published, but will be getting posted within the next month.

Let’s get started!

1. Digital-Only Games (DSiWare)
2. Digital-Only Games
3. Games With an Overpriced Physical Version
4. Virtual Console

Digital-Only Games (DSiWare)

When the Nintendo 3DS launched, the Nintendo 3DS eShop was backwards-compatible with many of the games previously released on the Nintendo DSi game system’s digital shop, called DSiWare. When the Nintendo 3DS eShop closes, we’ll be losing all of these games as well.

I should note that some DSiWare games are just scaled-back versions of games released on Nintendo DS. I won’t mention those here – the Nintendo 3DS is backwards-compatible with Nintendo DS games, so if you want to play those games, just get the full physical release. Rather, these games are only available as DSiWare. Also, keep in mind that unlike other games on the Nintendo 3DS, DSiWare games can only be saved to the Nintendo 3DS’s internal memory, so you’ll be limited in how many of these you can have on your Nintendo 3DS at any time (though you can back these up to your MicroSD card, at least). My advice? Start with the ones that appeal to you the most.

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AiRace – While this game had numerous sequels on Nintendo 3DS, the only one truly worth playing is the original, simply titled AiRace. Where all other games in the series are disappointing Arcade-style races through narrow corridors, AiRace features Racing Game gameplay that’s reminiscent of the plane portions of Diddy Kong Racing. It’s a bit light on content, but I still think it’s well worth the $8 price tag. In fact, it’s one of my favorite DSiWare games.

Art Style: Aquia – Quite a few of the Art style games are excellent, and the first one in this list is Aquia, which has players pushing blocks into a column of other colored blocks looking to make a match. The gameplay here is compelling and fairly unique, making this a good choice for fans of the genre. Like the other Art style games, this one is only $5.

Art Style: Base 10 – This Falling-Block Puzzle game is bland-looking and its gameplay involves math, which means it will instantly be a turn-off for some gamers. However, Puzzle Game fans who give it a try will find it to be a delight, with the goal being to make matches that add up to 10 to clear them. An excellent entry in the genre.

Art Style: Pictobits – This Falling-Block Puzzle game about using the touchscreen to pick up and put down colored boxes to try to match what’s falling takes a bit of getting used to, and it’s a bit light on content, but despite this it is still a unique and compelling Puzzle game that’s well worth the $5 price tag.

Art Style: Precipice – Precipice has players moving around a simple 3D plane trying to avoid falling boxes and pushing them around to make them easier to climb and traverse on. The movement in this game is a bit stiff and sluggish, but this issue aside this is a surprisingly enjoyable Puzzle-Platformer.

Aura-Aura Climber – This game’s simple arcade charm and surprisingly engaging gameplay has players trying to climb as high as possible using a grapple-like ability. At only $2, this game is an absolute steal, and truly worth the tiny $2 price tag.

Castle of Magic – This Platformer combines elements from numerous classics in the genre, such as Sonic the Hedgehog and Donkey Kong Country, along with a wonderfully colorful presentation and great gameplay. Platformer fans should definitely pick this one up!

Chronos Twins – This Action-Platformer makes clever use of both screens on the Nintendo 3DS, with your character existing in both spaces and needing to fend off enemies and avoid obstacles in both. It’s a good idea done well, and it’s absolutely worth the $5 price tag.

Crazy Sudoku – Far from “crazy”, this game’s presentation is outright bland, but this game makes up for that with well-crafted gameplay, an excellent multiplayer competitive mode, and a low $2 price tag. If you’re a Sudoku fan looking to add a game to your Nintendo 3DS collection, this one is worth getting.

Delbo – This Puzzle game is sadly feature-poor, but at $2 it can get away with that, especially when the gameplay and presentation are both excellent, with a creative alternate take on games like Astro Pop and Puzzle Bobble. Puzzle Game fans should definitely give this one a look!

The DodoGo! Series – This series consists of the games DodoGo!, DodoGo! Challenge, and DodoGo! Robo, and follows a formula similar to the Mario Vs. Donkey Kong games, where players are trying to guide some hapless Dodo eggs back to their nest. The gameplay here is solid, and the presentation is delightfully endearing. New players may be best off trying out DodoGo! Robo first, as it’s the shortest, simplest, and easiest game out of the trio, and only costs $2. Also, be sure to save DodoGo! Challenge for last, as that game was clearly made only for those who completed the first game and wanted something harder. However, all three feature more or less the same great gameplay.

Dragon Quest Wars – When you think of Dragon Quest, you likely think of the classic Turn-Based JRPGs the series is known for, not a Board Game-style game featuring the series’ adorable monsters. Oddly though, this strange approach to the franchise works, making for fun and unique strategic gameplay. It’s a bit lacking in single-player content, but that’s more than made up for with its excellent multiplayer gameplay.

Drift Street International – This Arcade Racing game looks surprisingly good for a DSiWare title, features excellent gameplay, and good track design. Its biggest problem is a lack of content, with only 9 tracks to race on. However, for only $8, this game packs a lot of good gameplay into its small package.

Face Pilot: Fly With Your Nintendo DSi Camera! – A game that uses camera motion tracking as its primary input seems gimmicky enough, but when the camera the game has been designed for is the underpowered camera on the Nintendo DSi, it seems doomed to fail. And yet, while it’s not perfect, Face Pilot actually works surprisingly well, giving players a Pilotwings-style experience on the Nintendo DSi (and in turn, on the Nintendo 3DS) that well exceeds the game’s small $5 price tag. If you are a fan of the Pilotwings series, this is definitely a game you’ll want to get.

G.G Series: Assault Buster – Assault Buster is an Arcade-style Action-Platformer where players shoot down robotic enemies while dodging return fire using a jetpack that also makes players briefly invincible. This game packs a lot of action for its tiny $2 price tag, and the way the game makes players carefully consider their use of the jetpack among the hail of gunfire is really fantastic.

G.G Series: Energy Chain – This Puzzle game has players placing multicolored blocks in a grid, trying to create circuits between two of the “dynamos” spread across the screen. It’s a simple premise, but the result is a really fantastic Puzzle game that’s absolutely worth the small $2 price tag.

G.G Series: Great Whip Adventure – This Indiana Jones-style Platformer features some good obstacle course-style level design with a fair amount of variety, making this well worth its tiny $2 price tag.

G.G Series: Ninja Karakuri Den – This game has players taking the role of a constantly-hopping ninja trying to toss shurikens to take out cogs while evading enemies and trying not to fall off the stage. It’s a fun and original concept that brings a great Arcade-style Action-Platformer fun that’s surprisingly compelling, and well worth the low $2 price tag.

G.G Series: Wonder Land – This Bullet Hell Shmup with an Alice in Wonderland theme has a surprisingly good presentation for its $2 price tag, and some really excellent gameplay. It’s sadly fairly short, but it’s still well worth getting for anyone who enjoys this genre.

Go! Go! Island Rescue – This Puzzle-Platformer is roughly similar to Puzzle games like Lemmings and Krusty’s Fun House, while still being fairly unique in its own right, and also boasting some strong puzzle design and an appealing presentation. This is a great pick for Puzzle gamers.

The Inchworm Animation Series – Inchworm Animation offers Nintendo 3DS owners a surprisingly robust tool for creating animation on Nintendo’s handheld given its $5 price tag. Its sequel, Butterfly: Inchworm Animation II (which isn’t DSiWare), expands on this with new tools and features, but does a poorer job explaining those tools. I can see each of these two pieces of software having their own niche for would-be artists looking for a tool to use on the go.

Mighty Flip Champs – This game technically doesn’t belong on this list, I gave it a B-, under my B-grade threshold. However, I know that there are some players out there who would be up in arms if I didn’t include this here. It is an endearing Puzzle-Platformer where players must swap your top screen for the screen on bottom as you try to navigate the game’s levels. The gameplay is original, with well-crafted level design, and the presentation is highly endearing. It may not have made my cut, but I absolutely understand if others see this as a must-have.

Mighty Milky Way – Yet another “mighty” game from WayForward on this list, Mighty Milky Way is a game that has players using the touchscreen to create planets and bounce the game’s adorable protagonist Luna toward a black hole at the exit. The gameplay is truly unique, and Luna is one of the most endearing characters I can recall seeing in a game in quite some time, spouting off random bits of French as you play. Overall, a delightful game.

Number Battle – This game seems to want you to think it’s boring. The generic name, the boring visuals, and… ew, yuck, is that math!? Well, no, actually, unless you just mean counting from one to five, or the reverse… Anyway, while it might not seem like much from the outside, once you play it, you’ll find that Number Battle is a brilliant Board Game-style strategic showdown where players place down tiles and try to use matching or sequential numbers to score the most points. I cannot stress enough how much I enjoy this game’s wonderful yet accessible strategy, and even though absolutely no one seems to have any interest in this game, I strongly feel like it’s one of my favorite games in the DSiWare lineup, and on the Nintendo 3DS in general. For $5, I highly recommend it.

Penguin Patrol – This character-based Puzzle game presents a fairly straightforward gameplay where players must carefully plot a path across ice to rescue stranded penguins. While this game doesn’t do anything especially new or unique, it takes solid gameplay and wraps it in good presentation with an excellent $2 price.

Pinball Pulse: The Ancients Beckon – It is rare to come across a pinball game that is truly something special, but even rarer to find it in the form of a $5 DSiWare game. This game absolutely nails both the great gameplay and presentation that perfectly captures what you expect from a truly great pinball machine. Definitely a must-have.

Pop Island: Paperfield – I should note that both Pop Island and its sequel, Paperfield, feature the same great gameplay, but Paperfield wins out as it has a much smaller $2 price tag. Both of these games have players playing one of a team of animals or vehicles with different traversal abilities, essentially playing a game of capture the flag. While it’s nothing to set the world on fire, for a cheap $2 game, this is an excellent multiplayer title to add to your Nintendo 3DS collection.

Soul of Darkness – This game clearly wants to be a Castlevania game, and surprisingly, it does a good job of copying the great gameplay of those classic Action-Platformers. To be clear, this is not a Metroidvania-style game, but that’s okay, because it’s still an excellent attempt to copy the formula of the Castlevania series before the days of Symphony of the Night.

Starship Defense – There are numerous Tower Defense games on the Nintendo 3DS, and this one is by far my favorite. Players place turrets on and around a ship in space, and can control the angle those turrets point. The visuals are nothing special, but the gameplay is outstanding. I highly recommend it.

Surfacer+ – I don’t know who came up with the idea of using the touchscreen to place growing flowers while trying to avoid balls bouncing on the screen, but this is an excellent Arcade-style game that’s surprisingly compelling, with gameplay that’s a bit like the classic game Qix.

Telegraph Sudoku & Kakuro – For $2, this game contains 2500 puzzles, which is a massive value. But on top of this, the controls for this game are excellent. Numerous games that cost more than this offer far less. If you’re a fan of Sudoku-style Puzzles who owns a Nintendo 3DS, consider this a must-have.

The Viking Invasion Series – Much as with Starship Defense, these games are just well-made Tower Defense games, plain and simple. The story is completely disposable, but the gameplay is well-crafted. On balance, I think I prefer the first game in the series, Viking Invasion, but players pressed for space on their Nintendo 3DS system may want to go for the second game, Viking Invasion 2: Tower Defense, as that is not actually a DSiWare game and as such it can be saved to and played from your MicroSD card.

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Digital-Only Games

Okay, now moving on to digital-only games on the Nintendo 3DS eShop. I should note that a few of these actually did get physical releases in other regions, but since the Nintendo 3DS is region-locked, getting those games on the eShop is really the easiest way to play them in the US. And of course most of these games I’m about to name got no physical release in any region.

Okay, so on to the games!

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3D Galaxy Force II – While a version of this game is technically playable on the Nintendo Switch within the Sega Genesis Classics Compilation, that version is based on the Sega Genesis version of the game, which… well, sucks. The Nintendo 3DS release of the game, on the other hand, is based on the original Arcade game, and it’s truly amazing what this game was able to accomplish given the technology of the time, using faux 3D visuals to create convincing 3D landscapes in a Star Fox-style On-Rails Shooter. Of course, this is nowhere near as amazing as Star Fox 64 3D, but it remains an excellent port of a classic game nonetheless.

The Ace Attorney Series – The original Phoenix Wright trilogy did get a port to modern platforms, so I’m skipping that one. However, there are multiple other Phoenix Wright games that weren’t so lucky, stuck on the eShop (with a few ported to mobile devices too). These games are Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Dual Destinies, Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney, and Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Spirit of Justice. There’s also Professor Layton Vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, but you’ll be hearing about that game a bit later. Anyway, turning back to Dual Destinies, Apollo Justice, and Spirit of Justice, all three of these games are outstanding combinations of Visual Novel and Graphic Adventure, that have players alternate between investigating crime scenes and then defending clients in a courtroom by exposing contradictions in witness testimony. If that sounds dry to you, you clearly haven’t played an Ace Attorney game, as these games feature over-the-top characters and absurd stories featuring magic, possession, and numerous bizarre story beats. This series has long been one of my favorites in both the Visual Novel and Graphic Adventure genres, and I strongly recommend that anyone who enjoys these games make it a point to grab up the Ace Attorney series while they still can.

Alien on the Run – This oddball game has players trying to escape (or alternately thrust themselves into) spotlights as a bizarre-looking alien. No, the gameplay doesn’t really make sense, but that’s okay, because it’s still a lot of fun.

Bike Rider Dx2: Galaxy – Both of the Bike Rider DX games are solid Auto-Runners, but Bike Rider Dx2 edges out the first game with its more imaginative imagery and the addition of a randomly-generated endless mode. All of this on top of strong Platformer gameplay and an excellent soundtrack. For only $3, this one is a steal for anyone who enjoys simple Platformers

The BoxBoy Series – Out of the three BoxBoy games on Nintendo 3DS, BoxBoy!, BoxBoxBoy!, and Bye-Bye BoxBoy!, only the latter two got grades of B or higher on eShopperReviews thanks to the first game’s slow opening hour or two. However, all three games are charming, delightful Puzzle-Platformers that manage to be compelling and original while also highly minimalist in design.

Chibi-Robo! Photo Finder – It’s sad that Chibi-Robo fans’ last run with the series was the terrible Chibi-Robo! Zip-Lash, but at least earlier they were able to get one last good game in the series, Photo Finder. This game isn’t without its flaws, but its silly, unique charm more than makes up for that. Unlike Zip-Lash.

Colors! 3D – Colors! 3D is an excellent Art Application that lets players turn their Nintendo 3DS into an art tablet of sorts to create 3D masterpieces, with the game still supporting an online community in 2023. Beyond the 3D, this release does offer one major advantage over its Nintendo Switch successor – price. At only $7, the Nintendo 3DS entry in the series may be lacking some of the features of Colors Life on Nintendo Switch, but it is far, far more affordable.

Crimson Shroud – A difficult RPG from Yasumi Matsuno, the creator of Final Fantasy Tactics, Vagrant Story, and Final Fantasy XII, with the game taking on the motif of a tabletop RPG. If that sentence didn’t make you squeal with glee, then… well, then you’re probably not an RPG fan, I suppose. But RPG fans should definitely get ahold of this game. It’s on the short side, but it’s brilliant while it lasts.

Dr. Mario: Miracle Cure – I think every Nintendo game system has had some version of Nintendo’s Dr. Mario Puzzle game series. Yet this may well be the best this series has ever been. At $9, you’re getting a good selection of different game modes that build on the classic gameplay of the series. This one’s a must for Puzzle fans.

Edge – This game is simple and unassuming, yet for $2 it has some really excellent gameplay that sees you guiding a cube through a maze. The combination of well-crafted gameplay and teenie-tiny price is what makes this one truly worthwhile.

Fractured Soul – This Action-Platformer is similar to Chronos Twins in that the premise is that your character must content with Platforming and enemies on both screens, although in this game you only need to contend with one at any given time. While I think I slightly prefer Chronos Twins because it goes a more interesting direction with this premise, Fractured Soul is still well worth consideration for fans of Action-Platformers that require good coordination.

Gotta Protectors – I don’t know how I can fully describe Gotta Protectors, but I suppose I’ll try. This game combines elements of Action-RPGs and Tower Defense, having players venture out to collect resources, fend off invading enemies, and destroying enemy generators, but also being careful not to get too far away from the princess, who not only needs to be protected, but who can heal your heroes. This is an odd game with a retro presentation, but it’s a delight to play, and I feel like it’s far better than its Nintendo Switch sequel, which just does not play the same, sadly.

Kung Fu Rabbit – This is a well-made Platformer with some great core gameplay that plays almost like a slower-paced Super Meat Boy. A great choice for Platformer fans!

Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move – Mario and Donkey Kong is different from all of the other games in the Mario Vs Donkey Kong series. This game is played from the top-down perspective, and has you shifting blocks to make pathways for the mechanized “Mini” characters. This inspired change of perspective makes for a fun Puzzle game that’s more like the classic game Pipe Dream than the Lemmings-esque formula modern Mario Vs. Donkey Kong games have tended to stick to. In any case, it’s lots of fun, even if you don’t normally enjoy this series.

Mario Vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars – If you do like the Mario Vs. Donkey Kong series, this is an excellent entry that follows the more traditional formula of the series, using the touchscreen to draw links between platforms to get the Minis to safety. I should note that this game’s signature feature, trading levels with others and “tipping” levels you like the most… that’s no longer available. Also, this game was a rare example of cross-buy, allowing players who bought the Nintendo 3DS version of the game also get the Wii U version for free, or vice versa. I’m not sure if that offer is still valid, but even if it isn’t, this is still an excellent Puzzle-Platformer.

My Nintendo Picross: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess – This game is technically free if you spend 1000 “Platinum Points” on the My Nintendo website. In fact, that’s the only way to get this game. It’s kinda’ an odd distribution model for an odd pairing of topic matter and gameplay. Twilight Princess, a Zelda game that never came to Nintendo 3DS, adorns a largely standard Picross game… who asked for this? Well, we may not have asked for it, but I’m glad we got it all the same, because this is an excellent version of Picross, regardless of whether or not you’re a fan of the Zelda franchise.

NightSky – This physics-based Platformer is visually-striking, with solid gameplay. I don’t know what else to say here. You roll a ball around? Anyway, it’s very good.

Nintendo 3DS Guide: Louvre – While physical copies of this software do exist, they are so hard to come by that this may as well be a download-only title – the physical versions were exclusively sold in the gift shop of the actual Louvre museum in Paris, France. While the full layout and contents of the actual museum have undoubtedly changed somewhat since this title’s release in 2013, this software nevertheless remains an excellent inexpensive alternative to buying a plane ticket and seeing the Louvre in person, though of course something like this could never hope to recreate the real-life experience. However, this software nevertheless provides some wonderful insight into both the museum and its exhibits, with audio guides providing fantastic context for everything, and interactive maps and searchable databases giving players a variety of ways to explore. This software won’t be for everyone, but if the topic matter interests you, this is well worth trying out.

Noitu Love: Devolution – This Action-Platformer has players tapping the screen to make your character jump directly to them to attack. It’s fast-paced and frenetic, and while the difficulty spikes at times during the game, it’s still an immensely satisfying entry in the genre.

Picross e7 and Picross e8 – More Picross Puzzle games! The Picross e series had some good qualities, but for the longest time it lacked some very basic functionality. Picross e7 and Picross e8 address that oversight, and the result is a solid game well worth getting for those who enjoy this style of Puzzle.

Picross 3D: Round 2 – Continuing on with the Picross games, Picross 3D Round 2 reinterprets the classic puzzle in full 3D, and the result is brilliant. This is a must-have for Puzzle game fans.

Pocket Card Jockey – Leave it to the makers of the Pokemon franchise to come up with the bizarre concept of combining a solitaire card game with horse racing. Yet oddly enough, somehow it works, with both gameplay elements being enjoyable and working in sync with each other. This game recently got a sequel (or a remake? Not sure) on Apple Arcade, but the original is still only on Nintendo 3DS.

Pokemon Picross – Hey, look, what can I say? The Nintendo 3DS had some excellent Picross games. What sets Pokemon Picross apart, aside from its use of the Pokemon license, is the way this game incorporates elements of the Pokemon franchise into the gameplay. Players who are curious might as well go ahead and download this game now while they can – it’s free-to-play.

The Pushmo Series – This series, (Pushmo, Crashmo, and Stretchmo) are all superb, accessible, and compelling Puzzle-Platformers, where players must try to push and pull blocks so they can make a path to the top of the structure. These games all feature a wonderful presentation, and some truly great puzzle design.

Rage of the Gladiator – This game about gladiatorial combat actually plays pretty much like Nintendo’s boxing series Punch-Out!!, but with swords and sandals instead of boxing gloves. However, rather than just leaving it at that, this game adds RPG-style progression that allows you to upgrade your character the way you prefer, and this is all on top of a game with tons of personality and excellent core gameplay.

Rhythm Heaven Megamix – The Rhythm Heaven series has long been a delightful take on the Music-Rhythm formula, approaching the genre from a direction of simplicity with some surprisingly memorable music. This game plays like a Greatest Hits of the series, packing in some of the most memorable levels from throughout the franchise. If you’re a Music-Rhythm fan, this is definitely a game you’ll want to get.

Runny Egg – This unassuming little Platformer packs a lot of excellent gameplay into its tiny $3 package, with some egg-cellent (okay, okay, I’ll stop) speedy gameplay that reminded me a bit of the Sonic franchise. In any case, this is definitely a Platformer well worth picking up.

Sanrio Characters Picross – Hey, look, this is the last Picross game on this list, I swear. This is perhaps the best game I’ve seen to introduce newer players to Picross Puzzle games, with a pleasant presentation and gameplay to ease players into learning how to play Picross puzzles. If you’re looking for a great Puzzle game for youngsters, this one is well worth getting.

Siesta Fiesta – This Arcade-style Brick Breaker about bouncing a sleeping man on his bed in the midst of a massive island-wide celebration is absolutely bursting with personality, with visuals and music that really sell this game as a celebration. The gameplay is quite good too, with multiple gameplay elements that take the Arcade Brick Breaker genre to new and interesting places.

Street Pass Mii Plaza – The good news is, if you have a Nintendo 3DS, you already have this, as it comes pre-installed on the Nintendo 3DS. The bad news is, to unlock all of this game’s different included minigames, you’ll need to fork over extra cash. Also, as time passes, the viability of this software will shrink only more and more, since much of what makes this special is the way this game uses the StreetPass feature, and… well, you’re increasingly less likely to pass by someone with a Nintendo 3DS, aren’t you? Still, if you can get the chance to check this collection of games out, it’s worth doing so, with tons of variety and unique gameplay concepts all centered on Mii characters and the StreetPass feature.

Sudoku Party – Hey, now wait. I didn’t lie to you a moment ago. I told you there wouldn’t be any more Picross games on this list, and this isn’t Picross, it’s Sudoku. Totally different. Anyway, this version of Sudoku doesn’t have a great presentation, and it’s lacking in features, but this game has it where it counts – the gameplay in this version of Sudoku is excellent, and if you enjoy Sudoku puzzles, I’m sure you’ll forgive this game’s flaws due to everything it does right.

Tank Troopers – This is a solid Action game where players control tanks fighting other tanks. What really makes this game a solid choice is the inclusion of download play with six player local wireless multiplayer, meaning that if you have friends with Nintendo 3DS game systems, they can play with you.

The Legend of the Dark Witch 3: Wisdom and Lunacy – The first Dark Witch game is on modern platforms, and both the first and second games are far too simple and too easy. The third game fixes these problems, delivering an Action-Platformer experience that plays like a Mega Man game infused with elements of Gradius. This was where this series finally got good, and thus far it is only on Nintendo 3DS.

Worcle Worlds – Take the ball-shooting gameplay of the game Zuma and replace the color-matching with spelling out words. What you get is an original Puzzle game with some truly compelling gameplay.

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Games With an Overpriced Physical Version

These games are available in cartridge form, but if you want to get a physical copy of the game, you’ll be paying through the nose. Far better to get these games on the eShop, while they’re still reasonably-priced. I should note that the prices I found for the physical copies of these games come from January 2023 on eBay, looking to just get the game itself in any playable condition via Buy It Now (or recently sold copies).

Okay, on to the games!

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7th Dragon III Code: VFD – This JRPG has an unusual plot with sci-fi and fantasy elements, but the real star here is the character creation, combat, and overall presentation. Players buying this game on the eShop should expect to pay $30, but when I checked physical cartridges were selling for $76.

Bomb Monkey – Developer Atooi technically brought a version of this Puzzle game to Nintendo Switch re-skinned as Mudd Blocks in the Mutant Mudds Collection, but the original Bomb Monkey is still well worth seeking out, not just because it’s a great Puzzle game, not just because it’s only $3 (compared to the $53 price tag to get the compilation cartridge, Atooi Collection), but because its unique approach to multiplayer using a single game console is inspired. Oh, and speaking of the Atooi Collection…

Chicken Wiggle – This charming Platformer features great gameplay, a wonderful presentation, and an outstanding level builder with an online sharing function that still works great even in 2023! I should note that a Nintendo Switch remake called Hatch Tales is technically in the works, but that game seems to have been in development hell for years now, so it’s anyone’s guess if or when it will finally be released. This game is also available in the compilation cartridge, Atooi Collection, but that will set you back $53 compared to this game’s $15 on the eShop (though it does come with 4 other games, so I’ll leave it to you to decide which offer seems more enticing).

Culdcept Revolt – I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the Culdcept games over the years, with this series being an odd mix of Monopoly and Magic: The Gathering. This game currently sells for $30 on the eShop, but getting a physical copy will set you back $71

Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King – I was not a fan of Dragon Quest VII on Nintendo 3DS, but Dragon Quest VIII is a completely different story, with a beautiful presentation, great old-school JRPG gameplay, and loads of personality. Buying this game on the eShop will cost you $40, but getting a physical copy will set you back $90

The Etrian Odyssey series – There are 5 Etrian Odyssey games on Nintendo Switch (not counting Etrian Mystery Dungeon, which is nowhere near as good as the others). All of the Etrian Odyssey games combine First-Person Dungeon-Crawler gameplay with mechanics that have you using the touchscreen to chart out the dungeons, and each entry in the series has its own strengths and weaknesses (except perhaps Etrian Odyssey Nexus, which I think is the weakest of the bunch, but still great). And nearly every one of these games more than doubles in price when you try to get a physical copy instead of buying on the eShop: Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan goes from $20 to $45, Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl goes from $20 to $50, Etrian Odyssey Untold 2: The Fafnir Knight goes from $20 to $65, Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond the Myth goes from $30 to $55, and Etrian Odyssey Nexus goes from $40 to $106.

Harvest Moon 3D: A Tale of Two Towns – While not as ambitious as some other Harvest Moon games on Nintendo 3DS, A Tale of Two Towns also doesn’t have the nasty flaws and lacking content of those other games. Instead, you get great Farming RPG gameplay and a decent story about two rival towns. This one goes up from $20 to $31 when you get a physical copy instead of the digital version.

Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai DX – The Hatsune Miku franchise is well known for being a great Music-Rhythm game series, but Project Mirai DX goes a step further by including plenty of extra content, including various minigames and a “Virtual Pet”-style simulation where you take care of your digital waifu. Whether or not that part appeals to you, the game overall is fantastic, and it only costs $20 on the eShop as opposed to $59 for a physical copy.

Kid Icarus: Uprising – The long-awaited return of the Kid Icarus franchise… plays nothing like the original Kid Icarus games. However, what it does play like is an outstanding mix of On-Rails Shooter sequences and ground-based Action sections, all within an outstanding presentation. On the eShop, the game sells for $35, but if you want a physical copy, you’ll be looking to spend $55.

Kirby’s Extra Epic Yarn – This port of Kirby’s adorable Wii platformer features scaled down graphics and a few gameplay additions, but in general it’s overall the same adorable gameplay experience packed into the handheld. The $40 price tag may seem a tad pricey for a Wii port, but not when you compare it to the physical cartridges currently selling for $100.

Monster Hunter Stories – The original Monster Hunter Stories game presents a more colorful, family-friendly version of the Monster Hunter world with Turn-Based Monster Collecting-style gameplay instead of Monster Hunter’s usual Action-RPG gameplay. It’s a nice change of pace for the series, and if you want to get the physical cartridge, you’re looking to bump up the price from $40 to $50.

Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy – The Professor Layton series is always a delightful choice for fans of Graphic Adventure and Puzzle games, but while the first Layton game on Nintendo 3DS, Professor Layton and the Mystery Mask, remains mostly affordable, and the latest game in the series, Layton’s Mystery Journey, got a port to Nintendo Switch, Azran Legacy is currently stuck on Nintendo 3DS, and its $40 price on the eShop is nowhere near the absurdly high $110 that cartridges cost. And speaking of Layton games with an absurdly inflated price…

Professor Layton Vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Against all odds, this crossover game starring these two popular Graphic Adventure franchises manages to get both franchises right, alternating between Layton’s puzzles and Wright’s courtroom scenes. The $30 price tag on the eShop isn’t too bad either, especially when you compare it to the absurd $120 you’ll be paying for a cartridge.

Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology – This remake of a Nintendo DS JRPG may not look like much graphically, but its wonderful story and characters, creative combat system, excellent music, and Groundhog Day loop elements all make it a must-have, with this release improving over the DS version with tons of new content and voice acting. This game’s $40 price tag on the eShop is far preferable to the $72 the physical version costs.

Rhythm Thief & The Emperor’s Treasure – Rhythm Thief is a stylish, varied Music-Rhythm game, and if that was all it had going for it, I’d still tell you to get it. However, there’s another reason. While the eShop release only costs $20, the physical version of the game may well have the most inflated price on this list. To give you an idea, when I wrote this review in October, physical copies were selling at $120. Going back to check on it again in January, that price has ballooned to $287. Yikes! Needless to say, if you have even the slightest inclination to play this game, you should absolutely get it now on the eShop while you can still afford it.

Shin Megami Tensei series – If we include the Persona Q games, there are eight Shin Megami Tensei games on the Nintendo 3DS. Of those games, seven are less expensive in digital form, and those same seven are also games I would strongly recommend. Sorry, Shin Megami Tensei Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers, you’re the odd man out here, it seems. However, for all the rest of these games, you are looking at some truly excellent JRPGs, with some also being Monster-Collecting JRPGs, some being First-Person Dungeon-Crawlers… and there’s also a First-Person Dungeon-Crawler Monster-Collecting JRPG, just for good measure. Anyway, going down the list here, Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux is $40 on the eShop and costs $74 for a physical copy, Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked is $20 on the eShop and $56 for physical, Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 Record Breaker is $20 on the eShop and $45 for physical, Shin Megami Tensei IV is $20 on the eShop and $40 for physical, Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse is $30 on the eShop and $40 for physical, Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth is $20 on the eShop and $36 for physical, and finally Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth is $40 on the eShop and $80 for physical. For those doing the math, that means that buying all seven games in digital form will set you back $190, but getting physical copies will cost you $371.

Stella Glow – This Strategy-RPG with a witchy theme is a solid entry in the genre despite some pacing issues early into the game. But if you’re a Strategy-RPG fan, it’s worth checking out. The eShop price of $20 is pretty reasonable too, though you’ll have to spend over two and a half times as much to get the physical version, at $51.

Story of Seasons: Trio of Towns – After the Harvest Moon developers at Marvelous split from publisher Natsume, they went on to continue publishing their farming RPG games under the Story of Seasons name, while Natsume continued on with the Harvest Moon series. The main thing this game brings to the genre is its three culturally-diverse towns, which players will trade with and perform tasks for. It’s nothing truly revolutionary, but it’s a solid entry in the genre all the same. This game is $30 on the eShop, but will cost $41 for a physical copy.

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Virtual Console

All right, we’re almost done with this list. Finally, we’re going to have a look at the best games on the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console, and specifically games that cannot be played on more modern platforms. Also not included here are games you can play a version of on the Nintendo 3DS using a physical cartridge, such as playing Pokemon Heart Gold and Soul Silver.

Anyway, here are the games:

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Donkey Kong (Game Boy) – Still to this day the best version of the original Donkey Kong arcade game, though here it has transformed into a Puzzle-Platformer, and one with some absolutely phenomenal level design. Sadly, like all Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console versions of the original Game Boy games, there’s no Super Game Boy or Game Boy Color support here, which means that this release doesn’t take advantage of the enhancements of those devices. Only black and white… though I suppose we can be grateful it’s not pea soup green, at least.

Gargoyle’s Quest II – Gargoyle’s Quest II on the NES was a sequel that was in many ways more of the same as what we saw in the first Gargoyle’s Quest, but now in color on a bigger screen. But since the first Gargoyle’s Quest was an excellent game that had a great combination of Action-Platforming and RPG elements, this could only be a good thing.

Kirby’s Pinball Land – The first of many, many, many spin-offs that Kirby would star in, yet I feel like it was one of his best, not only doing a stellar job reimagining the characters and world of the Kirby franchise, but also being an excellent game of Pinball.

Mario Golf (Game Boy Color) – The original Mario Golf (if you don’t count golf games that just happened to have Mario in them) is also possibly still its best, with great gameplay, and some really excellent RPG-style mechanics that would later become the basis of the beloved indie game Golf Story. If you enjoyed that excellent game, this one should be considered a must-have.

Mega Man 2 (Game Boy) – The Game Boy version of Mega Man 2 is a combination of elements from the Nintendo Entertainment System games Mega Man 2 and Mega Man 3, two of the best games in the Mega Man franchise. And while this game isn’t anywhere as good as those two games are, it is still excellent and worth playing, derivative or not.

Mega Man Xtreme 2 – In a similar manner to Mega Man 2, Mega Man Xtreme 2 is an amalgamation of various elements from the first three Mega Man X games. And once again, while this means it’s derivative of those three games and ultimately inferior to all of them, it’s still a fun game that’s worth playing.

Mole Mania – This Top-Down game combines Arcade and Puzzle elements with some excellent level design. This has to be one of the biggest sleeper games of the original Game Boy lineup, and absolutely one worth playing.

Qix – This game presents players with a simple goal – draw lines across the game’s screen to fill in the majority of that screen. However, while you’re away from the walls, you’ll have to contend with a wildly unpredictable… line monster… thing… that will kill you if it touches you or the line you’re drawing. The result is a great Arcade-style game that’s still a blast to play to this day.

Quarth – Quarth is a fun mash-up of the Shmup and Falling Block Puzzle genres, challenging players to create complete rectangles by shooting squares at falling shapes. It’s a fairly unique idea, and one I found to be really compelling.

Super Mario Land – The second Super Mario Land game just got dropped on Nintendo Switch Online’s new Game Boy app, but the first game is still as of this writing MIA. This is a comparatively simple, bite-size game as Mario games go, but it’s still fun while it lasts.

The Legend of the Mystical Ninja – Konami’s strange and very Japanese-influenced Goemon franchise got its first US release in Legend of the Mystical Ninja on Super Nintendo, which combines elements of Zelda, Arcade Brawlers, and Action-Platformers into a really fun and unique game (though one that’s extremely tough). Be aware that as this is a Super Nintendo game, it requires a New Nintendo 3DS to play. Also, be aware that the Game Boy version of Legend of the Mystical Ninja is a completely different game, and it’s awful. Don’t get that one.

Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 – Unlike the prior two Super Mario Land games, the third game in the series isn’t even a Mario game at all, but the first game in the Wario Land series. This was a brilliant re-imagining of Mario-style gameplay that reflected Wario’s somewhat different sensibilities, and ensured that this would be one of Nintendo’s great characters in his own right.

Wario Land II – The second Wario Land game dropped Mario’s name from the title completely, and features some truly creative gameplay that has Wario getting all kinds of abuse that forces him to transform and change shape instead of simply dying. It’s a really different take on the Platformer genre, and one well worth playing.

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And that just about does it! Hopefully, you found some games on this list that interested you, and if so, I hope you’re able to snatch them up on the Nintendo 3DS eShop quickly before it’s closed down for good.

Over the course of the next month, I’m going to continue posting reviews (including reviews of some of the games noted above), and if I find any games to add to this list I will do so. Thank you all again for your patience as I work on completing this project!

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