Best 3DS games ever

The Nintendo 3DS (depending on your visual preferences) is one of the most fascinating devices the gaming giant has released in years. As a direct successor to the popular Nintendo DS, it doesn't look like much has changed on the surface. This new handheld device still uses a dual-screen and clamshell design, but under the surface, the hardware performance has been greatly improved, and the top screen does an excellent job of naked-eye 3D functionality, and even supports cameras.

The best 3DS games take full advantage of these new technical features to deliver novel gaming experiences, and we've rounded up these all-time classics below – a list of what we consider to be the 20 best 3DS games, in alphabetical order. These include numerous Nintendo 3DS exclusive games, such as Pokemon X and Y, Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth, and Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate. Even better, the 3DS is backwards compatible with its predecessor, so if you've accumulated Wonderful collection of Nintendo DS gamesyou can plug them into your 3DS and continue playing.

The 3DS would continue to evolve over time, with newer models being released, such as the “new” Nintendo 3DS, which added some useful new technology features, and the 2DS handheld console, which removed the 3D screen from the system. Although not to the same level The sales peak reached by the Nintendo DS series of handheld computers during its runTotal 3DS sales did reach an impressive 75.94 million units. Sadly, its successor, the Nintendo Switch, doesn't offer any form of backwards compatibility with its library, and there's no mention of such a feature with the Switch 2.

You can still pick up a 3DS relatively cheaply on resellers these days, and there's no shortage of new boxed versions to choose from, so if you want to do that, you can browse the list below of must-have games for this charming handheld console.