The Nintendo 3DS overcame a rough start on its way to roughly 5 years of handheld gaming dominance, a journey that involved releasing all-time masterpieces like Fire Emblem: Awakening, Super Mario 3D Land, and The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds. Anybody who owns the console knows about those titles, but the 3DS’s library is absolutely massive, to the point that it is impossible to play all the good games (let alone all the games, period). Dozens of 3DS hidden gems have either faded with time or never made a splash to begin with, dooming them to obscurity.
The 11 Rarest 3DS Games (& How Much They’re Worth)
The Nintendo 3DS might be long gone, but its games live on. Some of them are also hard to find and expensive as heck to buy.
Well, let’s try to shine a spotlight on some games that really deserve to be more well-known nowadays. Hopefully, you will find something new that looks like something you might enjoy. We are planning to cover a diverse range of 3DS titles, so expect to see JRPGs, horror, platformers, and most other genres. Obviously, this isn’t a comprehensive list, but the goal is to cover as much ground as possible.
Updated on May 10, 2026 by Mark Sammut: We’ve updated this article with a few more games: Stella Glow and Yo-kai Watch 3.
Who’s That Character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Easy (7.5s)Medium (5.0s)Hard (2.5s)Permadeath (2.5s)
24
Stella Glow
The Swan Song For A Prolific Developer
Stella Glow
- Released
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June 4, 2015
- ESRB
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T For Teen // Blood, Drug Reference, Fantasy Violence, Language, Partial Nudity, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
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Imageepoch
Let’s kick things off with a sad one. Stella Glow was the final game by Imageepoch, a studio that crafted a lot of Nintendo DS, 3DS, and PSP games between 2005 and 2015. Although not the most well-known team, series like 7th Dragon and Luminous Arc have their fans, and Imageepoch even assisted Arzest in the development of Yoshi’s New Island.
Stella Glow is not only the developer’s final game but also one of their best, along with being pretty darn rare due to never receiving a reprint. Set in a world where song is power, players must go on a journey to unite a group of witches to stop a witch named Hilda. The premise is quite interesting, and the game does a great job of implementing “singing” as a core mechanic of the combat system. Songs have a wide range of different effects that can greatly change the flow of a battle, and they are also extensions of the characters. Stella Glow even shares some elements with Persona, including a few social sim mechanics and a story structured around entering the soul of Witches.
23
Yo-Kai Watch 3
The Forgotten Third Yo-Kai Watch Game
I know what you are thinking: wasn’t Yo-kai Watch a big deal during the 3DS era? Well, yes and no. The original two games were pretty big hits in both Japan and North America, seemingly establishing the franchise as something that can stick around indefinitely. However, Yo-kai Watch 3 came out right at the end of the 3DS’s life, launching in February 2019 in North America. The Switch had been out for nearly two years by that point, and interest in the handheld console’s releases was at its lowest. Nintendo also didn’t produce too many copies, which is why Yo-kai Watch 3 is one of the most expensive 3DS games nowadays.
The game’s commercial performance has nothing to do with its quality, as Yo-kai Watch 3 is just as good as its predecessors, while also reinventing the combat to keep things fresh. The story even has dual protagonists who both have their own storylines that players follow, and they exist in wildly different settings. The battle system uses grids and real-time movement to add a heightened element of tactics, and it is arguably better than the combat in the first two games.
22
Dementium Remastered
An M17+ Survival Horror FPS On The 3DS… Such A Thing Exists?
Dementium Remastered
- Released
-
December 3, 2015
- ESRB
-
M For Mature 17+ // Intense Violence, Blood and Gore
- Developer(s)
-
Renegade Kid
Like how the original Dementium stood out in the Nintendo DS’s library due to its mature content and genres, the remaster does the same on the 3DS. Admittedly, releasing on the same console as Resident Evil: Revelations made it feel a bit less special, but there are still barely any competent horror or FPS games on the 3DS. Dementium started life as a Silent Hill pitch, and that DNA can be seen in the final version’s psychological horror and gameplay loop.
While the original version was too flawed to really recommend, Dementium Remastered improved most of its issues, making it a far better option. It improved the checkpoint system, enemy respawns, and performance; in fact, Dementium Remastered ran really well on the 3DS. Unfortunately, Dementium Remastered was a digital-only release, so it is pretty much impossible to buy the 3DS version nowadays. The game received an HD port, so it is at least available on the Switch.
21
Adventure Bar Story
An Interesting Bar-Based Hybrid Of Final Fantasy Tactics And Harvest Moon
|
Release Date |
October 26, 2015 |
|---|---|
|
Developer(s) |
Rideon |
|
Platform(s) |
Nintendo 3DS |
While renditions of this tactical RPG from Rideon have made their way on Steam and Switch, it also saw a quiet release on 3DS’ eShop — back when it still existed. The game blends overhead exploration with isometric, strategic battles. Though it also injects interesting quasi-sim gameplay in which the player, a humble bar owner, must keep up their reputation and thrive.
This is done by managing (and growing) aspects of their bar by way of progression, cooking, and gathering goodies. The experience cleverly interweaves crafting/cooking with combat-based upgrades that allow players to gain an edge in battle. The learning curve is a bit steep, but the rewarding gameplay is worth the investment.
20
Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology
A Radiant Remake Worthy Of Its Name
There is no shortage of vibrant, enjoyable JRPGs on 3DS, and this version of Radiant Historia from 2018 is no exception. This remake draws from the already robust DS game while polishing and adding details throughout the 30-hour epic.
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Apart from offering fascinating gameplay, these exciting video games allow players to experience the Japanese culture and way of life.
The game shines with deep grid-based arena combat, a gripping tale involving branching plots of warring factions and alternate timelines, and stylistic visual detail.
19
Senran Kagura 2: Deep Crimson
Ignore The Noise, Senran Kagura 2 Is A Fun Time
Senran Kagura 2: Deep Crimson
- Released
-
August 7, 2014
- ESRB
-
M For Mature 17+ // Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
-
Tamsoft
OK, I know what you are thinking. Yes, Senran Kagura is rather infamous for its fanservice, and you should skip this if that is something that would annoy you. However, most of the main games have underappreciated hack-and-slash combat that tends to be simple but enjoyable. The 3DS received three entries in the series, but the only one I would really recommend is Senran Kagura 2: Deep Crimson. Not only is it the best one of the trilogy, but it is also a proper 3DS exclusive. Unlike Senran Kagura Burst, which was remade in 2018, the second entry has yet to be revisited.
The 3DS doesn’t really have all that many fantastic hack-and-slash games, and Senran Kagura 2 is comfortably among the console’s stronger efforts. It runs pretty darn well, often maintaining 60 FPS while delivering decent 2.5D visuals and movement. The fast-paced combat is somewhat reminiscent of musou games, albeit with fewer enemies on screen and a bit more diversity between the characters. The latter is one of the best parts of the series on the whole.
18
Crashmo
Simple Platforming Challenges Offered In A Charming Package
Crashmo
- Released
-
October 31, 2012
- ESRB
-
everyone e10+
Players who assumed that the majority of cute puzzle games on the 3DS were as easy as they come would be in for a rude awakening when they got their hands on Crashmo. The game certainly looks charming enough, but the small, well-designed platforming levels are way more challenging than anyone could’ve expected.
Perhaps this is why a lot of people don’t talk about Crashmo all that often, turning it into a 3DS hidden gem that more fans of unique platforming titles should check out. Moving blocks to set up platforms for Mallo to jump on feels great, and players who are worried about this title’s challenge can rest assured that a rewind mechanic will help them overwrite any mistake with ease.
17
Dragon Ball Z: Extreme Butoden
An Overlooked Fighting Game Featuring Everyone’s Favorite Dragon Ball Characters
Most people know Arc System Works as the developers behind the amazing Dragon Ball FighterZ, which is easily one of the best Dragon Ball games ever made. However, shades of this game’s brilliance could be seen in another Dragon Ball fighting game that was released before this title, which was a successful release in many ways despite having some issues that were ironed out in its later releases.
Dragon Ball Z: Extreme Butoden features some amazing sprite work and fun fighting gameplay that makes it a blast to play through. The story mode may be a bit too lean for most people’s tastes, but that’s a small price to pay for a game that makes the most of the 3DS hardware to let players enjoy some fun gameplay as they try to nail the best combos and show their enemies who’s boss.
16
Rhythm Heaven Megamix
An Excellent And Challenging Collection Of Rhythm-Based Minigames
Rhythm Heaven is a series that many fans of tough rhythm-based games will have a great time with. Despite what seems like a simple gameplay loop, the charming presentation of Rhythm Heaven and its vast catalog of tough games make it worth checking out for most fans.
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Rhythm games were immensely popular during much of the Nintendo DS’ lifecycle, and the following games stood out as the best available.
It can be surprisingly challenging, but players who give Rhythm Heaven Megamix a chance will be more than astounded by what’s on offer here. The challenge is more than welcome for fans who will get into the groove of things in no time at all!
15
Crimson Shroud
A Great Story With An Unwavering Focus On Tabletop RPGs
Crimson Shroud
- Released
-
November 28, 2012
- ESRB
-
Teen // Suggestive Themes, Violence, Blood
- Developer(s)
-
Level-5, NEX Entertainment Co., Ltd.
Most people know Level-5 as the developers of the Professor Layton and Ni no Kuni series. However, there are numerous titles that this talented developer has produced, and it’s a shame that the vast majority of them haven’t seen the respect and recognition they deserve. One such title is Crimson Shroud, a JRPG that relies heavily on dice rolls to decide the many outcomes in combat.
The game is designed by Yasumi Matsuno, a video game designer who played a huge role in the creation of Ivalice, a world present in Final Fantasy that has been explored time and time again. For all the big names behind this title, Crimson Shroud has become a forgotten fragment of video game history, which is a downright shame.
