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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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.

26 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.

25 Cooking Mama: Sweet Shop

Baking On A Handheld Has Never Been So Sweet

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.

24 Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology

A Radiant Remake Worthy Of Its Name

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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23 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.

22 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.

21 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.

20 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.

19 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.

18 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!

17 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.