The beginning of the 3DS was not brilliant because the system had a pretty small lineup, and although the 3D screen was impressive, it was more of a disadvantage for a portable console that moves in your hands, often making the picture blurry. However, over time and especially with the release of the New 3DS hardware. This platform became a must-have. It is one of the rare consoles that cannot truly be emulated due to its unique features: vertically stacked dual screens and stereoscopic 3D with eye tracking.
This page may be updated from time to time.
Last edited on : 25.02.2026
Meaning of the columns :
- Port : tells if the game is a port from another plateform
- New 3DS : tells whether the game makes use of additionnal new 3DS power and/or controls
- Hack : tells whether a hack exist to make better use of the new 3DS hardware
| Name | Type | Port | New 3DS | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy | Flight/Action | No | C-Stick / ZL-ZR | Plus" version adds amiibo support and handling improvements via New 3DS buttons. |
| Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D | Platformer | Wii | No | Adds a new "New Mode" (easier difficulty) and an exclusive 9th world (Cloud). |
| Hyrule Warriors: Legends | Hack 'n Slash | Wii U | CPU / C-Stick | Runs significantly better on New 3DS with higher framerate and more enemies on screen. |
| Kid Icarus: Uprising | Action | No | CPP / C-Stick (hack) | Originally used Circle Pad Pro; C-Stick support can be enabled via specific patches/hacks. |
| Kirby: Planet Robobot | Platformer | No | No | Uses 3D depth for plane-switching puzzles. Solid 60FPS performance. |
| Kirby: Triple Deluxe | Platformer | No | No | Features "Kirby Fighters" and "Dedede's Drum Dash" sub-games. |
| Layton's Mystery Journey | Puzzle | Mobile | No | First Layton game to feature Katrielle. Port is identical to mobile but with physical controls. |
| Luigi's Mansion | Action/Adv | GameCube | C-Stick | Adds a Boss Rush mode and local co-op. C-Stick controls the vacuum direction. |
| Luigi's Mansion 2 | Action/Adv | No | No | Known as Dark Moon in US. Polished visuals optimized for original 3DS hardware. |
| Mario Kart 7 | Racing | No | No | First in series to introduce hang-gliding, underwater driving, and kart customization. |
| Mario Tennis Open | Sports | No | No | Features gyroscope aiming for specific shots and QR code character unlocks. |
| New Super Mario Bros. 2 | Platformer | No | No | Focused on gold coin collection with "Coin Rush" mode. |
| Pilotwings Resort | Flight | No | No | Set on Wuhu Island (same as Wii Sports Resort). Early 3DS technical showcase. |
| Poochy & Yoshi's Woolly World | Platformer | Wii U | No | Adds exclusive Poochy levels and "Poochy-Dash" stages not found on Wii U. |
| Professor Layton & Azran Legacy | Puzzle | No | No | The final chapter of the prequel trilogy. Extensive post-game DLC puzzles. |
| Professor Layton & Miracle Mask | Puzzle | No | No | First 3D Layton game. Features a top-down ruins exploration segment. |
| Shinobi | Action | No | No | Developed by Griptonite. High difficulty; rewards precise parrying and timing. |
| Star Fox 64 3D | Flight | N64 | No | Remastered graphics, gyro-controls, and a "3DS Mode" with adjusted difficulty. |
| Super Mario 3D Land | Platformer | No | No | The definitive 3D effect showcase; some puzzles require 3D to judge distance. |
| Super Smash Bros. for 3DS | Fighting | No | C-Stick / ZL-ZR | New 3DS allows for faster loading and C-Stick for smash attacks. |
| Legend of Zelda: A link netween world | Adventure | No | No | Spiritual successor to A Link to the Past. Runs at a flawless 60FPS. |
| Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D | Adventure | N64 | C-Stick | Features a streamlined quest log and fishing. C-Stick controls the camera freely. |
| Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of time | Adventure | N64 | C-Stick (hack) | this game has no native camera control. There is a community Rom Hack that adds full 360-degree camera control via the C-Stick, mimicking the Majora's Mask 3D experience |
| Earthbound | RPG | SNES | N3DS Only | Virtual Console release exclusive to New 3DS hardware. Perfect pixel mode. |
| HarmoKnight | Rhythm | No | No | Developed by Game Freak. Mixes platforming with rhythm-based combat. |
| Nano Assault | Shmup | No | CPP / C-Stick | Visual powerhouse using microscopic themes. Supports C-Stick for twin-stick firing. |
| Shakedown Hawaii | Action | Multi | No | Retro open-world parody. One of the last physical releases for the system. |
| Metroid: Samus Returns | Adventure | Game Boy | No | Remake of Metroid II. Adds 360-degree aiming and melee counters. |
| Air Race Xeno | Racing | No | No | Budget futuristic flight racer. Simple but effective 3D depth. |
| Nascar Unleashed | Racing | Multi | No | Arcade-style racing. Port of the console versions with simplified lighting. |
| Need for Speed: The Run | Racing | Multi | No | Very different from console versions; uses a "story-board" style for cutscenes. |
| Skylanders Superchargers | Racing | Multi | No | The 3DS version is a standalone racing game rather than an adventure. |
| Driver Renegade 3D | Racing/Action | No | No | Standalone story set between Driver 1 and 2. Features a gritty tone. |
| Asphalt 3D | Racing | No | No | Launch title. Arcade racer with licensed cars; suffers from some lag. |
| Ridge Racer 3D | Racing | No | No | Classic drift-heavy gameplay. One of the best launch-window racers. 3D gives a nice feeling regarding other versions |
| Hot Wheels | Racing | Multi | No | World's Best Driver. Port of the console version with downgraded textures. |
| Yoshi's New Island | Platformer | No | No | Produced by the original Yoshi's Island director. Features giant egg throws. |
| Sonic Lost World | Platformer | Wii U | No | Fully 3D levels. Unlike previous handheld Sonics, this is a full 3D port. |
| Rayman 3D | Platformer | Dreamcast | 60FPS (hack "Clock + L2") | Direct port of Rayman 2. One of the most ported games in history. |
| Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal | Platformer | No | No | Focused on exploration and speed. Better received than the Wii U counterpart. |
| Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion | Platformer | No | No | Spiritual successor to Castle of Illusion. Uses hand-drawn sprite art. |
| Skylanders Spyro's Adventure | Action | Multi | No | The 3DS version is a unique side-scrolling platformer compared to console. |
| Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam | RPG | No | No | Crossover between the two RPG series. Fast-paced combat using three heroes. |
| Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker | Puzzle | Wii U | C-Stick | Impressive port. Includes exclusive levels based on Super Mario Odyssey. |
| SW: The Force Unleashed | Action | Multi | No | Based on the PS2/Wii version code. Features exclusive "Historic Missions." |
| Star Wars III: Clone Wars | Action | Multi | No | LEGO game. Handheld version features shorter levels and simplified hubs. |
| Monster Hunter Generations | Action RPG | No | C-Stick / ZL-ZR | Significantly better camera control on New 3DS; ZL/ZR used for Arts. |
| Wind-up Knight 2 | Platformer | Mobile | No | High-quality mobile port. Physical buttons make the high difficulty manageable. |
| Futuridium EP Deluxe | Shmup | Multi | No | Psychadelic retro-style shooter. Great use of 3D depth for obstacles. |
| Code of Princess | Beat 'em up | No | Performance (hack "Clock + L2") | Spiritual successor to Guardian Heroes. Features multi-plane combat. |
| Dragon Ball Z: Extreme Butoden | Fighting | No | No | 2D fighter by Arc System Works. High-quality sprite work. |
| Gunstar Heroes | Action | Genesis | No | 3D Classics version. Adds "Gunslinger" mode and impressive 3D layering. |
| Gunvolt Striker Pack | Action | No | No | Includes both Azure Striker Gunvolt 1 and 2. High-speed Megaman-style play. |
| LifeSpeed | Racing | No | N3DS Only | Futuristic tube-racer exclusive to the New 3DS eShop. |
| Mad Dog McCree | Shooter | Arcade | No | FMV light-gun game. Uses the stylus for aiming. |
| Metroid Prime: Fed. Force | Shooter | No | C-Stick / ZL-ZR | Co-op focused. New 3DS offers traditional dual-analog controls. |
| Samurai Warriors Chron. 3 | Musou | Vita | C-Stick | Tactical Musou where you swap between four characters on the fly. |
| Fire Emblem Warriors | Musou | Switch | N3DS Only | Exclusive to New 3DS hardware. Large scale battles not possible on O3DS. |
| One Piece Unlimited Cruise SP 2 | Action | Wii | No | Includes the "Marineford" mode which covers the major manga arc. |
| Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate | Action RPG | No | C-Stick / ZL-ZR | Features higher resolution textures and better FPS when played on New 3DS. |
| Metal Gear Solid 3D | Stealth | PS2 | C-Stick / ZL-ZR | Adds crouch-walking and photo-camo. Essential to play with C-Stick/CPP. |
| TMNT | Action | Multi | No | Based on the 2014 film. Simple brawler with character swapping. |
| Mysterious Cities of Gold | Puzzle/Adv | Multi | No | Strategy-lite game based on the anime revival. Uses touch controls. |
| Tales of the Abyss | RPG | PS2 | No | Excellent port with significantly reduced loading times compared to PS2. |
| Rune Factory 4 | Sim/RPG | No | No | Perfect blend of farming and dungeon crawling. Massively deep content. |
| Mario & Luigi: Dream Team | RPG | No | No | Set inside Luigi's dreams. Features "Luiginary" attacks with dozens of Luigis. |
| Dragon Ball Fusions | RPG | No | No | Unique fusion-based RPG. Features a massive "What-if" roster. |
| Xenoblade Chronicles 3D | RPG | Wii | N3DS Only | Full open-world Wii port. Impossible to run on original 3DS hardware. |
| Zelda: Triforce Heroes | Action | No | No | 3-player co-op focus. Includes a "Colosseum" mode and various costumes. |
| Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga | RPG | GBA | No | Complete remake with updated graphics and the "Bowser's Minions" side story. |
| Bravely Default | RPG | No | No | Modern take on classic Final Fantasy. Features a unique "Brave/Default" system. |
| Rodea the Sky Soldier | Action | Wii/Wii U | No | The 3DS version is quite different and suffers from lower technical specs. |
| Excave II | Dungeon Crawler | No | No | Retro-style eShop dungeon crawler with a focus on loot. |
| Fantasy Life | Life Sim/RPG | No | No | Combines Animal Crossing style living with Final Fantasy combat. |
| Marvel Pinball | Board Game | Multi | No | Excellent 3D effects. The depth helps in tracking the ball's movement. |
| Mario Sports Superstars | Sports | No | No | Includes Baseball, Soccer, Horse Racing, Tennis, and Golf. |
| Mario vs DK: Tipping Stars | Puzzle | Wii U | No | Cross-buy title. Level editor allows for infinite replayability. |
| Pullblox | Puzzle | No | No | Known as Pushmo in US. One of the best eShop puzzle series. |
| Minis on the Move | Puzzle | No | No | Spin-off of Mario vs DK. Uses a tiling-path mechanic on the touch screen. |
| Picross 3D Round 2 | Puzzle | No | No | Successor to the DS classic. Adds dual-color marking (Blue/Orange). |
| Puzzle & Dragons Z | Puzzle/RPG | Mobile | No | Packaged with a Super Mario Edition. Deep RPG mechanics for a match-3. |
| Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. | Strategy | No | C-Stick | Strategy game by Intelligent Systems. C-Stick allows for free camera control. |
| Cave Story 3D | Platformer | PC | No | Full 3D remake of the sprites. Features exclusive NIS America crossover items. |
| WarioWare Gold | Party | Multi | No | The "Best of" WarioWare. Features full voice acting for the first time. |
| Puzzle Bobble Universe | Puzzle | No | No | Classic bubble-popping. The 3D effect gives a nice sense of "well" depth. |
| Detective Pikachu | Adventure | No | No | Cinematic adventure. Very different tone from standard Pokémon games. |