It’s time to review the best games of Nintendo 3DS of 2014! I’ll be honest: The system had a relatively weak year, and while every entrant on this list is worthy and interesting, 2014 simply didn’t reach the heights the system did in 2013, which saw everything from Fire Emblem: Awakening to Luigi’s Dark Moon and the tour de force Link Between Worlds. But guess what—you can still buy those games too. I think only this year’s #1 and #2 games really stand on that same level, but your mileage may vary. Anyway, enough disclaimers: All of these games are lots of fun. Here goes:
9. Fantasy Life
Fantasy Life really needs to be played to understand it properly, but think of it as a cross between Harvest Moon and Final Fantasy Tactics and Animal Crossing and you’ll be on the right track. This is the kind of game you really need a lot of time to sink your teeth into, but it’s worth it.
8. Moon Chronicles Episode 1
A first-person shooter for the 3DS! The only downside to Moon Chronicles is that Episode 2 isn’t out yet, but this indie game, from the team behind the excellent Mutant Mudds, pushes the 3DS in a new direction.
7. Kirby: Triple Deluxe
Kirby Triple Deluxe is a classic 2.5D Kirby sidescroller, and it’s a formula that works. As always, Kirby plays a little young and you know what you’re getting, but this is a very polished game from one of Nintendo’s core series. It’s just too easy for us older gamers, but for kids, it’s absolutely perfect.
6. Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth
Persona RPGs aren’t for everyone, but if they’re for you, there’s nothing better. This one’s more of a dungeon crawler than an RPG, and it brings in characters from both Persona 3 and Persona 4, so it’s a bit of a weird egg, but it’s still a great and challenging dungeon dive.
5. Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy
It’s the last Professor Layton game, and one of the best. If you like the puzzle-driven nature of these games, this is the culmination of the whole series. It’s a bit harder of a sell if you’ve never played a Professor Layton before, but it’s a very solid entry in the series.
4. Shovel Knight
Shovel Knight is the best Super Nintendo game in 20 years. ‘Nuff said. Buy it with money and play it with your hands. Like, right now.
3. Pokémon Omega Ruby / Alpha Sapphire
It’s Pokémon X & Y’s engine transplanted onto Generation III, when the Pokémon games really hit their stride. Oh, and with tons of new Megas and other new features. Gen III was never my favorite, but I can’t help it. I really like Pokémon ORAS.
2. Bravely Default
An actual, first-class—nay, world-class—RPG from Square Enix, of all people? What is it, 1995 all over again? With Bravely Default, it may as well be. This is a classic Super Nintendo-era RPG with all the modern trappings, and a depth of character, plot, and gameplay we don't see very often anymore. If you missed this one, fix that. Fix it right now.
1. Super Smash Bros 3DS
And our game of the year for Nintendo 3DS is also our game of the year for Nintendo Wii U: Super Smash Bros. The 3DS version, the first one to grace our doorstep, is the portable version we never knew we wanted, or needed. We’ll be playing it for years. This one shouldn't come as a surprise, and really, how much is there to say? It's Super Smash Bros on Nintendo 3DS. It's fantastic.
