Top 30 Best Nintendo 3DS RPGs of All Time

Today we’re going to be covering 3DS RPGs, but first some backstory. Nintendo had some big shoes to fill after the Nintendo DS, and they were their own. This handheld blew past all sales records and was a perfect marriage of casual and hardcore gaming. It also had one of the best RPG libraries of all time. The follow up, the Nintendo 3DS, wasn’t as popular. This handheld pushed glasses free 3D gaming, and offered PS2 era graphics. Smart phones had already taken off though. A majority of the casual audience had already moved on to these mobile devices. The 3DS was a modest success but couldn’t match its predecessor’s numbers. It did however manage to amass a large library of role playing games. Today we’re going to talk about them. These are the best Nintendo 3DS RPGs of all time. Let’s get started.

#30. – Paper Mario: Sticker Star

Paper Mario was once Nintendo’s premier RPG series. So why isn’t this one higher on the list? Well, unfortunately Nintendo messed with the formula a bit too much this time. Gameplay was simplified from the Thousand Year Door. It still uses the same papercraft graphic style as well as a combat system that relies on timed button presses. The big difference here is the stickers. These are peeled off of various elements in the environment. One of your goals is to amass a collection of these. Why? Because these are used for just about every action in battle. That’s where the simplification comes in. Unfortunately that’s one of the game’s shortcomings. It feels like the combat system is worse because of them. Plus, these are consumable items. This was not the Paper Mario game fans had hoped for. It’s fun, but definitely a lot worse than the Thousand Year Door.

#29. – Final Fantasy Explorers

Believe it not Final Fantasy didn’t have a big presence on the Nintendo 3DS. Square-Enix seemed more focused on Dragon Quest where the 3DS is concerned. At least they released Final Fantasy Explorers for the platform. This isn’t your typical installment in this franchise though. The developers clearly wanted to cash in on the Monster Hunter craze in Japan. That’s why Final Fantasy Explorers is a multiplayer focused action RPG based around completing missions. These have you exploring (hence the title) while defeating foes and gathering loot. From here you can craft new gear to make the fights easier. In single player this game isn’t really a big deal. When you connect with friends however it is a lot of fun. Make no mistake. This is a poor man’s Monster Hunter with more RPG elements. Still, it’s a decent time if you have some willing friends.

#28. – 7th Dragon III: Code VFD

This series is pretty inconsistent if I’m being honest. The first game appeared on the Nintendo DS, the second on the PSP. Apparently with the third Sega decided to bring it home to the 3DS. 7th Dragon III isn’t for your casual RPG fan. This one is a dungeon crawler through and through just like those that preceded it. 7th Dragon III is only loosely connected to the other installments. You can play this one with no knowledge of past events. This game has an excellent battle system. This is mostly thanks to the well done job mechanics in place. The developers went all out with some really interesting classes. Some of them are extremely unique in the genre. The duelist, for example, who uses cards drawn at the start of their turn. It does however have the more typical jobs for those that want the traditional RPG experience.

#27. – Monster Hunter Stories

Capcom has never been one to shy away from spin-offs. Monster Hunter Stories is a side-release in their giant franchise, and adapted several of the concepts into a monster collecting role playing game. Here you play as a monster rider. This is in opposition to the hunters that take spotlight in this world. It’s a fairly traditional turn based RPG wherein your character (whom you can customize) battles alongside monsters they have tamed. Combat is fairly traditional with both the main character and their companion able to perform various attacks in battle. There’s a rock paper scissors mechanic running behind the scenes, and you can even combine strikes with your monster buddy. This one is particularly neat because few RPGs offer such an expansive and fun to explore overworld. Personally I like this spin-off better than the main series.

#26. – Rune Factory 4

The Rune Factory games were an institution on the original Nintendo DS. These games were a marriage of the farming sim elements from Harvest Moon and classic action RPGs. Rune Factory 4 continued this trend by giving us a new scenario, characters, and of course mechanics. Farming is as solid as it always was. Basically when you wake up in the morning you water your crops and tend to the animals. After this you can venture into dungeons and slay monsters. What’s interesting about this installment is that the only real way to upgrade your equipment is by crafting new gear. This was my favorite change made to the franchise with this installment. Unfortunately the graphics are pretty poor for a 3DS game. The developers tried to make it look like the older Rune Factory titles, and the end result isn’t great.

#25. – Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam

If I’m being perfectly honest the Mario & Luigi series has always felt a bit redundant. The plumber already had his own RPG series with Paper Mario. At this point Nintendo decided to combine the two. Paper Jam was the result, and it turned out great. This is the perfect marriage of the all things Mario RPG. In this game you control both Mario and Luigi as well as our hero’s papercraft counterpart. Gameplay uses elements from both series which is really neat. During exploration Paper Mario has a few unique abilities that the other two plumbers don’t. The same goes for combat sequences as well. While it’s not as good as a full blown Paper Mario title this is a really good Mario & Luigi game. It makes me wish Nintendo was still exploring the concept of combining the two series.

#24. – Yo-Kai Watch

This game became an instant phenomenon in Japan, but has since disappeared just as fast. Yokai Watch is a Pokemon clone with some unique gameplay elements. In it you wander a city tracking down monsters (or Yokai, more specifically) using the 3DS touch screen. Oddly enough battles are kind of on autoplay. This means that your Yokai move on their own, but only one can be active at a time. You use the touch screen to shift between active creatures. It’s a unique take on the Pokemon formula. I really like the art style in this title. The graphics are very pleasant and use soft anime art for the characters. While there were many Yokai Watch games released in a short time span on the 3DS the original is still the best in my opinion. If you have any interest in this franchise here is the best place to start.

#23. – Project X Zone 2

Monolith Soft’s big crossover game was a big surprise. It was even more shocking when a sequel was made. Project X Zone 2 is largely the same as the original, but with more of everything. It’s a mix of Sega, Capcom and Namco characters coming together in a super bizarre story rife with fan service. They’re all thrown into the mix working together to fight enemies in strategy RPG style battles that use the classic isometric perspective. It’s a retro gamers dream come true. A few Nintendo characters are even included here which is new. The combat system is extremely flashy and full of references to classic games. Even the plot, although weird, is highly enjoyable. Seeing all the characters interact is a real treat. Combat is a little shallow though. The developers focused too much on the animations instead. Regardless, Project X Zone 2 is still great fun.

#22. – Shin Megami Tensei IV

Before this release the mainline Shin Megami Tensei series always made consoles its home. That’s why it was surprising when Atlus announced that part four would be a 3DS exclusive. Here you play as a youth wishing to become a samurai. It’s not the same historical fighter figure we all know. Instead samurai in this world are warriors who battle and control demons. What’s nice about this game is how entrenched in the classic franchise standards it is. This feels like an old Shin Megami Tensei game but with modern graphics. It uses the classic turn push based battle mechanic wherein you can gain or lose turns when weaknesses are exploited. The game also has the demon recruitment and fusion systems of old. If you’re looking for a dark alternative to Pokemon, or are a fan of this franchise then Shin Megami Tensei IV is perfect.

#21. – Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire

Nintendo is very consistent with their remakes of classic Pokemon titles. It was inevitable that we would return to the world of Hoenn, and on the 3DS it finally happened. Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire use the same 3D graphic engine of the previously released X and Y. They also are compatible with the Pokemon transfer apps which is really nice. Aside from the visual changes the game was re-balanced. In some cases this is better, and others worse. Furthermore mega evolutions return from X and Y. What’s really interesting is the fact that these remakes introduced even more of them. While these remakes are a blast I actually prefer the original releases. Mega Evolutions playing such an important role in gameplay here feels out of place in my opinion. Furthermore the chibi designs from X and Y don’t do the game any favors.

#20. – Mario & Luigi: Dream Team

Another Nintendo handheld, another Mario & Luigi game. Like clockwork Nintendo gave us a brand new installment. Along with the upgrade in visuals comes some new and inventive ideas. As in previous Mario & Luigi titles you control both players with a different face button. This is true both inside and outside of battle. Fighting enemies is heavily based on timing mechanics with the plumbers being able to jump independently to avoid damage. Dream Team came out in that span of time when the company was really emphasizing the often overlooked character Luigi. A big part of the game revolves around entering his dreams as Mario. I actually thought that this was hilarious and liked this approach overall. There’s more of an emphasis on platforming while exploring Luigi’s dreams and this fits the series well. In my opinion this is one of the better Mario RPG games.

#19. – Bravely Second: End Layer

Bravely Default is somewhat of a spin-off from the Final Fantasy series. It has similar mechanics wrapped up in a retro style package. The first title was a moderate success and Square-Enix decided to follow it up with a sequel, again on the 3DS. The end result was Bravely Second: End Layer. This one a direct sequel; End Layer takes place in the same world as Bravely Default, and just a few years after its conclusion. I’ll start by saying that it doesn’t quite measure up to the original. Despite this it’s still a good time. End Layer retains the classic turn based battle system of the RPGs of yesteryear along with the vast customization options from the job system. Battles flow at a nice pace and require quite a bit of strategy to succeed. This one was panned a little too much which is a shame.

#18. – Project X Zone

We already talked about the sequel, but in my opinion, the original is better. Project X Zone was a big collaboration between Capcom, Sega and Namco. Monolith Soft was at the helm of this strategy RPG which combines characters and scenarios from all three company’s franchises. With that said the best part of this title is the nostalgia. The fan service of seeing classic characters from completely unrelated franchises working together and interacting within the story filled me with glee. The battle system is not amazing by any means but it’s fun, and flashy. You team up characters for combined strikes. These are a real treat to watch in action. Besides that the battle scenarios were interesting enough to keep my interest, and the mechanics are solid. With that said this one is clearly targeted toward retro gamers because nostalgia takes the wheel here.

#17. – Dragon Quest Monsters Joker 3

Sometimes it’s tough to be a Dragon Quest Monsters fan. This is yet another installment in the sub-series that Square-Enix left in Japan. With the help of a fan translation everyone can finally enjoy it. Dragon Quest Monsters Joker 3 features a brand new protagonist and world to explore, but with the same old creatures we all know and love. This monster collecting RPG has you battling these critters all the while taming and training them. You can even breed them together to create more powerful versions. The battle system works just as well as it always has but it’s really a sight to behold here. The world is rendered entirely in 3D, and for the first time in the series you can actually ride any monster you catch. This makes exploration a real treat. It’s a real shame Joker 3 was never localized because it’s incredible.

#16. – Bravely Default: Flying Fairy

Bravely Default is a loose continuation of what Square-Enix was doing with Final Fantasy: 4 Heroes of Light on the Nintendo DS. It’s also much better than its source material. This is basically classic Final Fantasy in everything except name. It features a large world to explore (complete with a traversable world map), turn based battles, and of course a new in depth take on the job system. The main new gimmick here is the bravely and default mechanics in battle. This allows a character to either take more turns at once at the cost of being unable to move for a while, or strike just the standard number of times and have their next turn come up sooner. What’s nice is that you can change this on the fly, and it adds lots of strategy to the battle system. Bravely Default is a cute little throwback to classic RPGs.

#15. – Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux

Strange Journey was one of my favorite installments in the series. Redux is even better. This is an expanded version of the original release with additional story segments, new characters, and even voice acting. Aside from these upgrades it’s still the same core game, but that’s not a bad thing. Despite not being a numbered entry this plays like a mainline Shin Megami Tensei title. You explore 3D dungeons and encounter enemies at random. In this case they are demons, and you don’t fight them directly. Instead you send out your own army of otherworldly beings to battle them. After defeating an enemy there’s a chance you can recruit them into your party. Strange Journey Redux is a very challenging game with excellent dungeon designs and complicated battle mechanics. Fans of the series will absolutely love it because of how closely it sticks to the series standards.

#14. – Fantasy Life

Fantasy Life is amazing because it’s so different from anything else on the market. This is an open world RPG where you begin by choosing a ‘life.’ This basically determines your role in the game’s universe, and the type of tasks you must complete to progress. The thing is these vary wildly. You can be a mercenary or paladin and focus on slaying monsters, or choose the life of a fisherman where your goal is to catch fish, or even a chef where you spend the majority of the time preparing meals. I haven’t even scratched the surface. There’s no wrong way to play this game, and the charm with this approach seeps through at every turn. What’s also unique is that you can switch your job pretty soon into the adventure. This means there’s always something to do, and these tasks can be drastically different from one another.

#13. – Dragon Quest Monsters: Terry no Wonderland

Tired of hearing about Dragon Quest Monsters yet? Well, we’re not done! Dragon Quest Monsters: Terry’s Wonderland is a 3DS remake of the original release which first came out on the Game Boy. It upgrades the graphics (it’s now fully 3D), introduces significantly more monsters to the fray, and polishes the experience to a fantastic degree. At its heart this is still the same old Dragon Quest Monsters we know and love. It’s a monster collecting and battling RPG wherein you play as Terry, one of the protagonists from Dragon Quest VI. Here you fight in turn based battles using a team of the franchise’s trademark baddies while journeying through randomly generated dungeons. You can also breed them to make even more powerful creatures, and even some classic boss characters will join your cause. This 3DS version is fantastic with more upgrades than you can shake a stick at.

#12. – Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance

For a while it looked like we would never get a proper Kingdom Hearts III. Dream Drop Distance was an excellent consolation prize, however. This was a fully featured Kingdom Hearts spin-off which pushed the main story forward while offering the same action RPG gameplay mechanics we all know and love. Oh, and there’s Disney worlds and characters. Lots of them. That’s the series big hook after all. Dream Drop Distance introduced a new gameplay mechanic to the series in the form of the drop system. Basically there are two scenarios going on simultaneously; Sora’s and Riku’s. As time passes a gauge depletes, and when it’s empty you switch between to the other character. I had some issues with this because it takes you right out of the action. Forcefully switching between two scenarios in the middle of each one was jarring. Regardless, it’s a great Kingdom Hearts game.

#11. – Tales of the Abyss

Tales of the Abyss was one of the best PS2 RPGs of all time, and it’s a similar story with this 3DS port. While there have been some mild upgrades and technical drawbacks gameplay is largely the same. Abyss uses the 3D Tales battle system which allows you to move freely in battle. There’s nothing turn based to speak of here. By default you move left and right on a 2D plane during combat, but by holding down a button can wander freely. The battle system is highly dynamic, fast paced, and has a fantastic flow and rhythm. It’s the story that’s the problem. This is one of the weakest narratives in a series well known for not having the best plots. Regardless, it was good then, and it’s still good now. There’s something magical about playing a PS2 game on a handheld with minimal concessions.

#10. – Fire Emblem: Awakening

This was the first installment in Nintendo’s storied strategy RPG franchise to be released on the Nintendo 3DS. It boasted fully 3D visuals and introduces a few new mechanics to the series. At its core this is classic Fire Emblem. Battles take place on a grid based battle system wherein you take turns moving characters about and engaging the enemies. The classic rock-paper-scissors based gameplay is still in place wherein every weapon a character uses is strong against one and weak against another. There are a few things that set Awakening apart from its predecessors. First there’s an easy mode. This does away with perma-deaths which makes the experience far less daunting for new fans to jump in. We also get a generation system wherein based on how characters fight in battle they wind up marrying other members of your force and having kids who later continue the story.

#9. – Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King

This one tends to be everyone’s favorite Dragon Quest game. Unfortunately I have the outlier’s perspective. While it’s definitely one of the best 3DS (and by extension, PS2) RPGs of all time this one is a rather weak sequel in a hugely esteemed franchise. This is an enhanced port, but unfortunately some concessions had to be made. The graphics aren’t nearly as good as they were on the PlayStation 2. The resolution is lower and the environments have less detail. The orchestral soundtrack is also gone, as are all the voice overs. On the plus side two new playable characters were included. In my opinion it’s a fair trade. Dragon Quest VIII on the 3DS is still one of the weaker installments in the series, but it’s still a fantastic RPG.

#8. – Ever Oasis

Ever Oasis is easily one of the most charming RPGs on the Nintendo 3DS. This game is part Zelda, part town management sim all mixed together with a hearty helping of role playing elements. It’s cutesy graphics are deceiving. Ever Oasis is a deep gameplay experience built around creative mechanics. You’re tasked not only with restoring a town in the middle of the desert, but also defeating monsters deep in dungeons. The way the game blends these two aspects together is downright clever. As your town grows you can recruit new people to move in. These help you both inside, and outside of battle. One person might open a shop whereas another has a unique skill to aid in solving specific puzzles. Ever Oasis is a fun, creative, and well designed game. It’s also beautiful and has great music.

#7. – Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology

Chrono Trigger is often touted as the RPG with the best time travel mechanic. Radiant Historia however has it beat. It’s not the better game, but in terms of this specific storytelling aspect it’s downright masterful. In this turn based RPG you can explore alternate timelines in the plot with surprising depth. At several points in the story you are given choices which create alternate timelines, and can choose to go back in time and explore the other decision. The plot has an insane number of branches, and this design is pulled off masterfully. The battle system itself is also unique. It takes place on a small gridded area where placement is paramount, and you can basically push foes around using specific skills. This 3DS version is an enhanced port of the DS release. It introduces new story elements, has improved graphics, and makes a few changes to gameplay.

#6. – Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story + Bowser Jr.’s Journey

Wow, that title is a mouthful. Bowser’s Inside Story is widely considered to be the best of the Mario & Luigi titles. I don’t disagree with this sentiment. It is so beloved that Nintendo saw it fit to release a remake just a few years later on the Nintendo 3DS. The story here is that through a series of mishaps Mario, Luigi, Peach and several ordinary Toads are eaten by Bowser. Now they’ve got to fight their way through his belly to escape. For the first time in the series you’ll be spending a significant amount of time playing as Bowser. Surprisingly his sequences are the most fun. The game once again uses it’s timed button press mechanics for battle with each plumber designated to a different input. It works very well with creative enemy encounters trapped behind turn based combat. The upgrades make the 3DS version the better release.

#5. – Pokemon X & Y

This game was a big deal. It was the first fully 3D mainline Pokemon game, after all. Pokemon X & Y continue the series with style. The game takes place in the Kalos region which is inspired by Paris and France in general. It brought seventy two new creatures into the mix, gave us the fairy type, and introduced mega evolutions to the franchise. Despite the jump to three dimensional graphics the battles play out largely the same. You encounter wild Pokemon in tall grass and battle them. You can also catch each one and add them to your team if you so choose. Enemy trainers will also attack you with their curated teams of critters, and toward the end of the game these fights become quite difficult. This sequel introduced a whole lot of new things to the franchise, and it’s still a blast to play today.

#4. – Dragon Quest Monsters II: Iru to Ruka no Fushigi na Fushigi na Kagi

There were several good 3DS RPGs that were never localized. It’s common practice on every platform. In this case we have a remake of Dragon Quest Monsters II. The original version came out on the Game Boy Color. That’s how old it is. Square-Enix released a remake of the first Dragon Quest Monsters, and I suppose it only made sense to give its sequel the same treatment. This is one of the strongest points in the entire series. It not only has the most compelling scenario, but also the most monsters to recruit and breed. The environments are a ton of fun to explore, and the battle system is downright amazing. Not only is this one of the best 3DS RPGs, but it’s also one of the greatest Pokemon clones of all time. This is one of the most worthwhile remakes I’ve ever played.

#3. – Xenoblade Chronicles 3D

In one of their most impressive feats on the platform Nintendo managed to port their biggest Wii RPG to the small handheld. One concession was made though; this one can only be played on the New Nintendo 3DS variant. It’s a small price to pay considering just how amazing the game is. As a young man named Shulk you go on a quest that takes you across a world that exists atop two giant mech robots frozen in eternal combat. The battle system is real-time with your party of characters (aside from Shulk) acting on their own during gameplay. This one has a really intriguing storyline with lots of twists and turns, as well as a top notch localization. The battle system is fluid and a lot of fun as well. Despite being a port this one is the most ambitious RPG released on the Nintendo 3DS.

#2. – Pokemon Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon

Pokemon Sun and Moon are some of my most favorite games in the Pokemon series. These took place in a region intended to mirror real-world Hawaii, and the tropical environments feel downright inspired. The games also introduced regional variants to the series. It was like a new makeover for classic Pokemon changing their physical appearance as well as typing. Gone are mega evolutions, but these were kind of overblown anyway. Pokemon Ultra Sun & Moon are basically a more polished version of the original releases. These feature a streamlined version of the story (so you can get to the action sooner) as well as a slight mix up to the available creatures. If you’re going to play a Pokemon title on the 3DS make sure it’s one of these. They’re incredible even today. It’s safe to say that these are some of the best Nintendo 3DS RPGs of all time.

#1. – Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past

Square-Enix has long been determined to remake every Dragon Quest game as many times as possible. It was finally part seven’s turn on the 3DS, and they took even more care than usual with this one. The graphics have been completely overhauled. This is one of the few remakes in the series that isn’t based on the engine of another. One of the most substantial changes is that you can now see enemies on the field before engaging them in battle. This version also cuts out a lot of the fluff in the storyline while keeping all of the key content in place. Dragon Quest VII has long been one of my favorite installments in the series, and this remake is absolutely incredible. It manages to to stay just close enough to the source material while upgrading literally everything. This is, in my opinion, the best 3DS RPG.