Summary
- 3DS game prices are soaring, with some titles reaching over $1,000 due to rarity and demand.
- Standout games like Kirby’s Extra Epic Yarn and Pokemon Sun & Moon Dual Pack draw high values.
- Niche games like Tomodachi Life and Barbie: Groom And Glam Pups also fetch hefty sums of money.
The Nintendo 3DS had a great run which lasted almost ten years, but like all good things, that run came to an end. The system was discontinued in late 2020, meaning that there will not be any new titles released for the popular handheld console. In the years since then, many people have begun to collect rare and valuable 3DS games.
The Best Nintendo 3DS Games Ever Made, Ranked
These Nintendo 3DS games stood out from the rest thanks to their amazing visuals, fun gameplay, and rich stories.
The rarest 3DS games can sell for surprisingly high prices, forcing collectors to reach deep into their pockets to add them to their shelves. Some are highly coveted due to the excellent gameplay that they offer, while the rarity of others is derived from how poorly they sold and, thus, how few copies of them there are out in the wild.
Updated April 5, 2025 by Blaise Santi: It seems like all anyone can talk about the past week has been the Nintendo Switch 2. After Nintendo presented the console and its early releases, people were excited and, admittedly, worried about the pricing of both the system and its games. However, the Nintendo Switch 2 isn't the only thing increasing in price as of late.
As the Nintendo 3DS becomes more and more a relic of the past, its rarest games have been increasing in value, and in a few years, your forgotten games might be worth a pretty penny, according to PriceCharting.com. Take a look at these additional 3DS titles you may not know are much more valuable than they were upon their initial release.
24 Fragrant Story [Collector's Edition]
Est. Value: $149
|
Platform(s) |
Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Switch |
|---|---|
|
Release |
April 21, 2022 |
|
Developer |
Squire Games |
|
Genre |
Role-playing game |
Fragrant Story never saw a release outside of America, making it a pretty hard-to-come-by physical copy as it is. However, although its regular release isn't so highly valued, there was a Collector's Edition that could fetch a pretty good sum in alternative markets. The Collector's Edition comes with a lot of merch in addition to the game, including a keychain, music CD, poster, and even an art book.
Unfortunately, Fragrant Story didn't become much of a franchise after its sole release, likely due to the fact that it came out in 2022, two years after the 3DS had been discontinued. If fans are desperate to play it, Fragrant Story is also available on the Nintendo Switch, packaged with its 2023 update for the low, low price of $7.99, which is far less expensive than its Collector's Edition package.
23 Dragon Quest 8: Journey Of The Cursed King
Est. Value: $119
Dragon Quest VIII
- Released
- November 27, 2004
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- JRPG, Adventure, Strategy
- Platform(s)
- PS2, Android, iOS, Nintendo 3DS
Dragon Quest 8 initially debuted in 2004 on the PlayStation 2, but has seen many ports since, including for the 3DS in 2015. Released under Dragon Quest 8: Journey of the Cursed King, the 3DS version is for the most part pretty faithful to the game's original release, all the way down to the UI menus. However, there are also some quality of life changes that make it an overall improvement.
There's obviously extra content as a result of the 3DS's capabilities, such as taking pictures, but dungeons are also more gimmick-y. There are even two new playable characters that players can add to their parties, Red and Morrie. Its physical copy has been valued at over $100 since 2021, and is pretty consistent in its secondhand pricing.
22 Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai DX
Est. Value: $105
Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai DX
- Released
- November 28, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
Virtual pop star Hatsune Miku has been the star of many video games, but none rarer than the 3DS title Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai DX. This rhythm game utilizes touch screen controls as players virtually control Hatsune Miku's voice via Vocaloid technology. As a result, players can perform nearly 50 of Hatsune Miku's songs in this 2015 release.
Given that it took two years for the game to release outside of Japan, where it was titled Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai 2, it's not surprising that the North American and European releases are a little hard to come by in 3DS markets. It's only recently that the game's value has started to spike, and likely will continue to as the 3DS becomes more and more obsolete.
21 Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn [Demo Unit]
Est. Value: $299
Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn
- Released
- March 8, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Good-Feel
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo 3DS
- Genre(s)
- Platformer, 2D
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Kirby's Epic Yarn was originally released on the Wii in 2010, but was ported to the 3DS towards the end of the console's lifespan in 2019 as Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn. This handheld port is notable for being Nintendo's last game published on the console before it was discontinued, adding amiibo support, new sub-games, and a brand-new difficult gameplay mode.
The game itself is valuable as it is, going for $108 on resale sites, but there's an even rarer version out there for Nintendo collectors: an in-store demo cartridge that sells online for an average of $118, sometimes way higher. Though it's marked "Not for Resale," Nintendo probably won't pay much mind to buyers, considering the console is discontinued.
20 Style Savvy: Fashion Forward
Est. Value: $128
|
Platform(s) |
Nintendo 3DS |
|---|---|
|
Release |
April 16, 2015 |
|
Developer |
syn Sophia |
|
Genre |
Simulation |
The Style Savvy series began on the Nintendo DS in 2008. The third installment of the series, Style Savvy: Fashion Forward, was its first appearance on the 3DS in 2015, and it sold over 1 million copies when it was first released. However, this hasn't stopped the game from rising in value over the past few years, as it's currently valued at over $100 on resale sites.
Style Savvy: Fashion Forward only recently began to spike in price in mid-2023, finally accruing over $100 in value this past year. All things considered, there's nothing particularly special about this entry in the series to warrant such a high value, but perhaps owners of the entire package can get a quick buck off it.
19 Gravity Falls: Legend Of The Gnome Gemulets
Est. Value: $248
|
Platform(s) |
Nintendo 3DS |
|---|---|
|
Release |
October 20, 2015 |
|
Developer |
Ubisoft |
|
Genre |
Platformer |
Gravity Falls is one of the most beloved cult animated series out there, but even diehard fans of the franchise may have never played its 3DS game from 2015. Legend of the Gnome Gemulets is probably the closest fans will come to controlling an episode of Gravity Falls as a side-scrolling platformer with some charming "Metroidvania" qualities.
15 Best Metroid Clone Games, Ranked
These are some of the strongest clones of the iconic Metroid franchise that fans have seen.
Sadly, reviews weren't positive for the game upon its release, given how short it is, but it will still likely appeal to fans of the series. Good luck tracking down an available copy, considering it's currently valued at over $130.
18 Metal Gear Solid 3D: Snake Eater (Premium Package)
Est. Value: $208
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004)
- Released
- November 17, 2004
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Konami
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 2
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater was originally released in 2004 for the PlayStation 2, but the only other console it's been ported to thus far is the 3DS. Snake Eater 3D was an early release for the handheld system in 2012, which was originally made as a hardware demo and eventually turned into a full-fledged release, taking advantage of the 3DS's features.
However, the 3DS port was also released with a premium package in Japan that's valued at over $1,000. This limited edition came with a 3DS console packaged with Metal Gear Solid 3D: Snake Eater, and was only available in Japan, which explains why western collectors are willing to pay top dollar for it.
17 Professor Layton And The Azran Legacy ($159)
Est. Value: $122
|
Platform(s) |
Nintendo 3DS |
|---|---|
|
Release |
February 28, 2013 |
|
Developer |
Level-5 |
|
Genre |
Puzzle |
Professor Layton games for the 3DS generally carry a hefty price tag these days. This is a pity because these games are amusing and, at times, challenging puzzle games. In this installment, the Professor and his assistant travel the world looking to uncover the secrets surrounding an ancient civilization called the Azran.
With its engaging and fun narrative, charming characters, and numerous puzzles, Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy offers its players a satisfactory adventure experience of the beloved series on the Nintendo 3DS platform. Picking up a copy can be expensive, but it is worthwhile.
16 Pokemon Sun & Moon Dual Pack ($114)
Est. Value: $219
Pokemon Sun and Moon
- Released
- November 18, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Game Freak
- Platform(s)
- 3DS
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
The dual pack for Pokemon Sun and Moon lets players explore the Alola region from two different perspectives. These titles were a part of the seventh generation of Pokemon games and were released for 3DS in 2016. They're two of the highest-rated Pokemon games thanks to a few new innovative features.
The games introduced a new set of regional Pokemon species as well as a new Island Challenge feature that took the place of GYM Battles. The dual pack provided an opportunity for players who wanted to obtain two widely beloved Pokemon titles and did their job quite nicely in terms of sales and popularity.
15 Tomodachi Life
Est. Value: $221
Tomodachi Life
- Released
- April 18, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform(s)
- 3DS
- Genre(s)
- Simulation
- OpenCritic Rating
- Fair
It's surprising to see a first-party release from Nintendo valued so highly by collectors. Tomodachi Life was certainly a unique release from the company, allowing 3DS users to observe the day-to-day lives of their system's Mii characters, building relationships with one another, performing concerts, having jobs, and so on.
The game certainly has a lot of charm and niche appeal and was even one of the best-selling games for the console. That doesn't necessarily explain the surprising estimated value of over $200, but given the recent spike in 2024, it wouldn't be surprising if many collectors feel it's worth more now that the 3DS' online services have been shut down.