Publisher: Nintendo Developer: Jupiter
Release Date: July 30, 2007 Read the Review
Nintendo's DS became a huge success on the strengths of innovative original games and strong sequels to long-running series, but perhaps even more important were its audience-expanding casual titles. Games like Art Academy, Personal Trainer: Cooking and Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day all sought to appeal to your parents or grandparents and introduce gaming in unorthodox and easily accessible ways, and for the most part they succeeded – but Picross DS was, undoubtedly, the best of all the 'Touch Generations' titles. Filling in boxes on a grid to make tiny pixel pictures became an unbreakable addiction for thousands of DS owners, and the cartridge packed in so much content that we're still solving puzzles to this day. (See it on Amazon)
~ Lucas M. Thomas
Publisher: Aksys Games Developer: Chunsoft
Release Date: November 16, 2010 Read the Review
One of the most unexpected success stories on the DS came in late 2010, when Aksys Games took a chance on localizing a game in a genre rarely seen in the States – the visual novel. These games often feature more text than actual gameplay, playing out like interactive Choose Your Own Adventure books – the sheer volume of words to translate almost always keeps them locked away overseas. 999's mind-bending and murderous story of nine kidnap victims trying to make their way out of a trap-filled sinking cruise ship was beautifully brought into English, though, giving DS-owning adults one of the most satisfying M-rated experiences available on the system. It sold through multiple print runs and gave rise to an all-new franchise. (See it on Amazon)
~ Lucas M. Thomas
Publisher: Capcom Developer: Capcom
Release Date: October 11, 2005 Read the Review
'Objection!' Perhaps no one-word catchphrase has ever been as popular as that one, cried out alongside the iconic pointing finger, swept-back hairstyle and signature blue suit of gaming's most famous lawyer, Phoenix Wright. Capcom first introduced the Ace Attorney to Japanese audiences in the GBA era, but the DS is where he found global recognition in a series of cartoony courtroom dramas. Investigating crime scenes, interrogating suspects and catching witnesses in lies all combine with an incredible supporting cast of unforgettable characters across this game and its many sequels and spin-offs. (Phoenix has proven so popular, in fact, that he's even made the cut for Capcom's cross-over fighting games.) (See it on Amazon)
~ Lucas M. Thomas
Publisher: Nintendo Developer: Nintendo
Kode nsp labaik allahuma labaik. Release Date: December 7, 2009 Read the Review
Nintendo first brought the Zelda franchise to the DS with The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, a sequel to the GameCube's Wind Waker that kept the Toon Link style alive while innovating a new, all-touch control scheme. Phantom Hourglass had a few odd design ideas, though, like a central temple you had to replay over and over again throughout the adventure – so our Top 25 Zelda pick goes to the more recent Spirit Tracks. This game kept the unique touch controls of Hourglass, fixed the issues of that predecessor and introduced us to both train travel across Hyrule and a version of Princess Zelda who actually accompanies Link on his quest – in ghostly 'Spirit' form, allowing her to possess and take control of various armored enemies along the way. Spirit Tracks was a great ride. (See it on Amazon)
~ Lucas M. Thomas
Publisher: Nintendo Developer: Nintendo
Release Date: March 20, 2006 Read the Review
Nintendo handhelds and this classic Russian puzzler of falling blocks have been inseparably connected ever since the brilliant move to make Tetris into the pack-in game for the original Game Boy, but Tetris DS did more than just pay homage to a long-running legacy – this version of the venerable design embraced its new home with fresh touch-based modes, remixed classic ways to play and wrapped the whole thing up in a presentation packed with vintage Nintendo sprites and theme songs. It's one of the best editions of one of the best games ever made. (See it on Amazon)
~ Lucas M. Thomas
Best Nintendo 3DS games
While Nintendo's Switch console has taken the world by storm over the last year, there's still a lot of love for the company's golden oldie, the Nintendo 3DS.
We don't care that it's more than six years old, making it something of a geriatric in the current gaming generation. Age brings wisdom, after all. And by wisdom we mean a stellar library of games that, while slowing, hasn't stopped yet.
While the 3DS is older than most, it's not actually that surprising that Nintendo is insisting on supporting the platform, even with the undeniable success of the Switch. The 3DS has managed to amass an install base of more than 67 million – that's a lot of people you can still sell games to. And given the only portable competition on the market is Nintendo itself, the company is really only strengthening its safety net.
Nintendo may be taking some of its most iconic IPs to mobile, but the full experiences remain on console.
No matter what kind of game you like to play, you'll find something to suit your tastes on the 3DS XL or 2DS XL, and you won't be able to find many of the titles anywhere else.
From slow and easygoing life simulators like Animal Crossing, to fast-paced platformers like Super Mario 3D land you're not short of options on this console.
So read on for the 20 best 3DS games, or if you're looking to dip your toe into the more retro DS library, then check out our list of the best Nintendo DS games.
- No 3DS? Check out our guide to the best New 3DS and New 3DS XL deals