TheNintendo 3DSmay not have met the high expectations that come with being a Nintendo handheld console, but it certainly tried, as you can see from its impressive selection of games. In fact, the 3DS has quite a diverse library of games, and for RPG fans, there is quite a fantastic selection to satiate their thirst for the genre.
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The Nintendo 3DS certainly didn’t skimp on the RPG section of their library, as there is a veritable cavalcade of amazing RPGs in there that can hook you for hours on end. These are the upper echelons of the 3DS’ impressive RPG games that every RPG fan with a 3DS should consider.
10Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux
Shin Megami Tenseiis a JRPG series that has built up its reputation and fan base thanks to its unique style, dark and mature atmosphere, and classic JRPG gameplay mechanics. Strange Journey Redux is the remake of Strange Journey that was released for the Nintendo DS.
Redux offers a handful of extra features that should entice veteran players to get back into the game while giving new SMT fans the definitive Strange Journey experience.
Unlike other entries from the Shin Megami Tensei series, Strange Journey Redux is a dungeon-crawler-type game. It is also extremely unforgiving and merciless, as the game incorporates elements of survival horror into the mix with health and item management as you try to get through the dizzying maze-like dungeons.
Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux is a must-have for SMT and dungeon-crawler fans.
9Rune Factory 4
From the hopeless and grim world of Shin Megami Tensei to something significantly more upbeat,Rune Factory 4is a relaxing JRPG with farming and life-sim elements strewn throughout. Easy to get into and hard to drop once you are invested, Rune Factory 4 is a perfect RPG for handheld consoles like the 3DS.
Rune Factory 4 lets you pick your character (male or female), and after getting involved in a couple of hijinks, you will find yourself in the town of Selphia, where you will be thrust into running the place. Something mysterious is also transpiring in the nearby dungeon, which is where the dungeon-crawling segment comes into play.
In addition, there is a relationship mechanic that will perfectly round off the wholelife simulation aspect of the game.
8Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call
A unique and quirky Final Fantasy game that fuses elements of rhythm games, fan-favorite characters from the Final Fantasy series, and a soundtrack from a bunch of popular Square Enix RPGs. The game features several game modes that allow you to pick up and play Theatrhythm at any point, an essential aspect of handheld games.
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Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call is a fun, nostalgic game that will make you reminisce and appreciate what good music can bring to a game.
7Yo-Kai Watch
If you are looking for something different fromPokémon, thenYo-Kai Watchis the perfect alternative. Developed by Level 5, Yo-Kai Watch takes the monster-collecting element of Pokémon and replaces its collection of weird beasts with ghosts from Japanese folklore.
The battles in Yo-Kai Watch have a faster pace compared to Pokémon, with the addition of mini-games that require you to tap and spin the screen to boost attacks and other actions. Yo-Kai Watch may not be able to take the throne from Pokémon, but it is charming and fun enough that it deserves a spot as one of the best RPGs on the Nintendo 3DS.
6Dragon Quest 8: Journey Of The Cursed King
Aclassic turn-based JRPGat its finest, Dragon Quest 8 is considered one of the best entries in the popular franchise. With characters designed by Akira Toriyama, Dragon Quest 8 doesn’t have a shortage of memorable characters.
Originally released for the PlayStation 2, Dragon Quest 8 gets a welcome handheld port with the Nintendo 3DS. The game isn’t just a one-to-one port, though, as Square Enix added a slew of new content to make it worth your while.
Additions to the 3DS version of Dragon Quest 8 include StreetPass functionality, two additional characters, more side quests, voiceovers, and an expanded storyline.
5Xenoblade Chronicles 3D
Surprisingly,Xenoblade Chroniclesreceived a 3DS port despite the processing power you would think this game would require to run. Well, you are half right, as Xenoblade Chronicles 3D was specifically released for the New Nintendo 3DS, which is an upgraded version of the standard 3DS.
As for the performance, Xenoblade Chronicles 3D is a stunning 3DS game and a perfect downsized port of the Wii classic. Aside from the obvious grainy visuals, Xenoblade Chronicles 3D is as good as it gets for an AAA RPG for the 3DS.
4Bravely Default
Bravely Defaulthas become synonymous with the Nintendo 3DS and is undeniably one of the best RPGs for the handheld system. Bravely Default is also from the same developers who made Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light, Silicon Studio, and incorporates thetraditional RPG mechanic of job systems. This mechanic gives you complete freedom to build a party that suits your preferred play style and strategy.
Along with memorable and charming characters, Bravely Default also nails the story aspect, which is crucial in an RPG. This game is classic turn-based goodness with some tweaks here and there to keep things fresh.
3Pokémon X and Y and Sun and Moon
There are several Pokémon games for the 3DS, with X and Y and Sun and Moon being the four major entries in the mainline series. It is hard to pick between either of these two Pokémon games, as both are equally fantastic in their own right.
X and Y added innovations to the Pokémon series, such as an updated battle mechanic, character customization, the newFairy-type Pokémon, and, of course, expanding the number of Pokémon species.
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As forSun and Moon, it further added to the Pokédex with a total of 81 new Pokémon species, giving Alolan forms to last-generation Pokémon species and a more polished battle mechanic. Oh, and you also get to see Snorlax stand up for the first time in Pokémon X and Y.
2Fire Emblem: Awakening
Fire Emblem: Awakening is a great entry point for those interested in this popular and beloved Nintendo JRPG. That said, it also offers veteranFire Emblemfans everything that made the series such a hit.
The “Awakening” subtitle is also pretty apt, as this is the entry that reinvigorated the series and started its rise back to prominence.
Fire Emblem: Awakening gets everything right, from the characters, storyline, great visuals, and customization. It is also considered the easiest Fire Emblem in the series, which is why it is perfect for beginners looking to see what the fuss is about.
For more experienced Fire Emblem fans, you need to crank the difficulty to the Lunatic setting for that authentic Fire Emblem challenge. Oh, and there are plenty of DLCs for Awakening, so lack of content won’t be an issue.
1The Legend Of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds shakes up the traditional Zelda formula with some noteworthy changes and innovations that make A Link Between Worlds not only a fantastic addition to the franchise but also the best one for the 3DS.
One of the most notablechanges made to A Link Between Worlds is the more open-ended approachto tackling the story. You can complete the dungeons in any order that you want, and items are now obtainable instead of lying around in the game world, which means you will need to manage your inventory before heading out.
Additionally, you get to venture into Lorule, a dark mirror version of Hyrule, and Link also gets the ability to jump into the murals to navigate the world, which then shifts the perspective to classic 2D. A Link Between Worlds is a fun, charming, and fresh take on the beloved franchise.
