3DS Recommendations

As I mentioned on the discord recently, I am soon to be the proud owner of a New 3DS. My brother has a lot of the first-party games (plus both Bravely Default titles), so I'm looking for any third party/hidden gem/eshop recommendations you guys have for the system!

EDIT: The system comes with a copy of Pokemon Alpha Sapphire (which I *might* give a go), and I've also just splurged on:

Project X Zone
Shinobi
Ghost Recon: Shadow War
Metroid: Samus Returns

"New 3DS" as in need to break the seal on the box, or the "New 3DS" 😉

Think the latter only has a few specific titles that only it can run, along with I believe it opens up SNES and GBA virtual console titles (I only own the "New" one so don't remember where the line is drawn).

If you never played Xenoblade Chronicles on the Wii, then it's probably worth playing on the 3DS, though I believe it loses a bit of it's awe with the smaller screen.
Radiant Historia Perfect Chronology is also probably worth a look - a remasted DS title, that is also a decent time travel based jRPG. I only played the DS one, but is definitely one of my favourites.

Most of the other games that I would recommend are probably obvious first party titles. However the 3DS is a decent Virtual Console host for playing 8 and 16 bit titles :)

Etrian Odyssey games

Fire Emblem games

"New 3DS" as in need to break the seal on the box, or the "New 3DS" 😉

Think the latter only has a few specific titles that only it can run, along with I believe it opens up SNES and GBA virtual console titles (I only own the "New" one so don't remember where the line is drawn).

If you never played Xenoblade Chronicles on the Wii, then it's probably worth playing on the 3DS, though I believe it loses a bit of it's awe with the smaller screen.
Radiant Historia Perfect Chronology is also probably worth a look - a remasted DS title, that is also a decent time travel based jRPG. I only played the DS one, but is definitely one of my favourites.

Most of the other games that I would recommend are probably obvious first party titles. However the 3DS is a decent Virtual Console host for playing 8 and 16 bit titles :)

New as in the revised model with extra inputs and more powerful innards - sorry for the ambiguity!

For the recommendations so far:

Xenoblade Chronicles - I own this for Wii but I have debated picking up a 3DS copy, as I might stand a better chance of finishing it on a portable
Radiant Historia - I have a copy of the DS original, and I don't know whether the differences justify a second purchase or not.
KH: DDD - This is one of the titles I will be stealing from my brother ;)
Fire Emblem - Ditto.
Etrian Odyssey - a series I've always been curious about. What would be the best jumping-in point if I were to try the series out?

If you enjoy Etrian Odyssey and like the characters of Persona 3 & 4, you might like Persona Q.

A Link between Words is a pretty good game. At the same time, the Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask remakes are probably a save bet.

I also just recently got into that system by getting myself a 'New 2DS XL'. I'll finally be able to catch up on 14 years of handheld games (considering it's backward compatible with the DS).

Recommendations ?! Yeah sure ! Based on my personal taste...

The Legend of Zelda : Phantom Hourglass
The Legend of Zelda : Spirit Tracks
The Legend of Zelda : A Link Between Worlds
Metroid : Samus Returns
New Super Mario Bros.
New Super Mario Bros. 2
The Professor Layton series
The Zero Escape series
The Mario & Luigi series
The Shantae series
The Dragon Quest series

That should keep you busy for a while, on top of all the excellent suggestions given by other people on this forum...

New as in the revised model with extra inputs and more powerful innards - sorry for the ambiguity!

For the recommendations so far:

Xenoblade Chronicles - I own this for Wii but I have debated picking up a 3DS copy, as I might stand a better chance of finishing it on a portable
Radiant Historia - I have a copy of the DS original, and I don't know whether the differences justify a second purchase or not.
KH: DDD - This is one of the titles I will be stealing from my brother ;)
Fire Emblem - Ditto.
Etrian Odyssey - a series I've always been curious about. What would be the best jumping-in point if I were to try the series out?

Nintendo should be the ones to apologise for the ambiguity 😉

Apparently Perfect Chronology has another timeline, but likewise, not sure if's worth a repurchase if you already have the DS one.

Nintendo should be the ones to apologise for the ambiguity 😉

Apparently Perfect Chronology has another timeline, but likewise, not sure if's worth a repurchase if you already have the DS one.

Good point!

Yeah that's the thing, £40 is a lot to pay for another timeline and a questionable graphical upgrade.

That said, I am very tempted to pick up Strange Journey Redux, despite the fact that I've already beaten the original. Again though, £40 is a lot for a game I basically own already.

Professor Layton series is a must.

I agree that the Fire Emblem series would be good to pick up. I really like the newest one Echoes, so I would suggest that one as well Awakening. The Fates games felt lacking in some aspects to me so I would only recommend them after the other two. Also if you do pick them up, don't play all three routes in a row, I almost died by the time I was on the last path.

I am currently playing through Etrain Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl (its the remake of the first game and the best starting point in my opinion) and I am having a really good time with it (I really like the map drawing). I would definitely recommend it. I am also a fan that they added more of a story to the untold games, it just means that you can't customize your party's classes like in classic mode.

Stella Glow - I was surprised how much I liked this one since I had never heard anyone talk about it before.

Tales of the Abyss - I love the Tales of series and abyss would have to be one of my favorites. Some people have a hard time getting into it because of how the main character is in the beginning but he has character development so... he gets better.

Devil Survivor Overclocked and Record Breaker - they are remakes for the 3ds with extra content

Shin Megami Tensei 4 - I honestly just really like Atlus' games, this one also has a sequel called Apocalypse but I haven't played it yet so I don't know how it is.

Rune Factory 4 - I really liked it until the last bit where you needed a random event to trigger the 3rd arc of the story. Honestly, the random events are why I put the game away without beating the 3rd arc. Though while I was playing it I was having fun so...

Here are a list of games that I’ve enjoyed thus far for the 3DS:

BoxBoy - eShop title. A fun puzzle platforming game that I enjoyed a lot.
Any of the Theatrhytmn Final Fantasy games - if you love the Final Fantasy soundtracks then this a must. A fun rhythm game.
Super Mario 3D Land - Mario is always a fun time. Plus the Tanooki suit is back
Rhythm Thief and the Emperor’s Treasure. I loved the music in this game, but found the game a little repetitive. However, if you love Layton and rhythm games, then you might enjoy it.

I agree that the Fire Emblem series would be good to pick up. I really like the newest one Echoes, so I would suggest that one as well Awakening. The Fates games felt lacking in some aspects to me so I would only recommend them after the other two. Also if you do pick them up, don't play all three routes in a row, I almost died by the time I was on the last path.

I am currently playing through Etrain Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl (its the remake of the first game and the best starting point in my opinion) and I am having a really good time with it (I really like the map drawing). I would definitely recommend it. I am also a fan that they added more of a story to the untold games, it just means that you can't customize your party's classes like in classic mode.

Stella Glow - I was surprised how much I liked this one since I had never heard anyone talk about it before.

Tales of the Abyss - I love the Tales of series and abyss would have to be one of my favorites. Some people have a hard time getting into it because of how the main character is in the beginning but he has character development so... he gets better.

Devil Survivor Overclocked and Record Breaker - they are remakes for the 3ds with extra content

Shin Megami Tensei 4 - I honestly just really like Atlus' games, this one also has a sequel called Apocalypse but I haven't played it yet so I don't know how it is.

Rune Factory 4 - I really liked it until the last bit where you needed a random event to trigger the 3rd arc of the story. Honestly, the random events are why I put the game away without beating the 3rd arc. Though while I was playing it I was having fun so...

I too recommend the SMT games. Apocalypse must be played after IV, since it has returning characters, and it doesn't explain most of what IV did. Also there's SMT Deep Strange Journey REDUX coming out this month, so you may want to give it a try.

For Persona fans I'd recommend Persona Q, in which you play with P3 and P4 characters. It has Etrian Odyssey like gameplay in the dungeon crawler sections and Persona-like mechanics in battle

Not sure if you're into the series or genre, but I cannot recommend Animal Crossing: New Leaf. Probably the game on my 3ds I've dumped the most time into.

Also I think you've said you've played Picross 3D before, but Picross 3D: Round 2 is surprisingly better than the first in almost every way, and I was floored by Picross 3D

Giving this thread a little bump. The games I have available to me to date are:

Code Name S.T.E.A.M (borrowed)
Crush3D
Fire Emblem: Awakening (borrowed)
Kid Icarus: Uprising (borrowed)
LoZ: Ocarina of Time 3D (borrowed)
LoZ: Majora's Mask 3D
Metroid: Samus Returns
Picross 3D: Round 2
Project X Zone (1 and 2)
Shin Megami Tensei IV
Shovel Knight
Super Mario 3D Land (borrowed, beaten)
Tales of the Abyss
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars

And my current wishlist/shopping list is:

BOXBOY series
Detective Pikachu
Etrian Odyssey (Untold and/or IV and/or V)
Guild.01 and .02 games
Luigi's Mansion 2
Sakura Samurai
Shin Megami Tensei: Soul Hackers
Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse

Any further recommendations (particularly for 3DS-exclusive third party and eshop titles) would be greatly appreciated!

I'm pretty much an RPG guy, but my favorites on the system (that you don't already own) are:

Persona Q
7th Dragon III: Code VFD
Bravely Default 1 and 2
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call
Rune Factory 4

Bump/Update #2

I have beaten:

Attack of the Friday Monsters
Metroid: Samus Returns
MGS 3D: Snake Eater
Super Mario 3D Land
The Starship Damrey

I own (including borrowed games):

7th Dragon III: Code VFD
BOXBOY
Code Name S.T.E.A.M
Crush3D
Fire Emblem: Awakening
Go! Go! Kokopolo 3D
Hana Samurai: Art of the Sword
Kid Icarus: Uprising
Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance
LoZ: A Link Between Worlds/Ocarina of Time 3D/Majora's Mask 3D
Picross 3D: Round 2
Professor Layton 5/6
Professor Layton Vs Phoenix Wright
Project X Zone (1 and 2)
Rhythm Paradise Megamix
Shin Megami Tensei IV
Shin Megami Tensei Devil Summoners: Soul Hackers
Shinobi
Shovel Knight
Tales of the Abyss
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars

Wishlist:

BOXBOY series
Bravely Default
Crimson Shroud
Etrian Odyssey (Untold and/or IV and/or V)
Liberation Maiden
Luigi's Mansion 2
Picross e
Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse

[EDIT: I just got a copy of 7th Dragon!]

[EDIT 2: I had a splurge...]

Bump/Update #2

I have beaten:

Attack of the Friday Monsters
BOXBOY
Hana Samurai: Art of the Sword
Metroid: Samus Returns
MGS 3D: Snake Eater
Shin Megami Tensei IV
Super Mario 3D Land
The Starship Damrey

I own (including borrowed games):

7th Dragon III: Code VFD
BOXBOXBOY
Code Name S.T.E.A.M
Crush3D
Fire Emblem: Awakening
Go! Go! Kokopolo 3D
Hyrule Warriors Legends
Kid Icarus: Uprising
Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance
LoZ: A Link Between Worlds/Ocarina of Time 3D/Majora's Mask 3D
Picross 3D: Round 2
Pokemon Picross
Professor Layton 5/6
Professor Layton Vs Phoenix Wright
Project X Zone (1 and 2)
Rhythm Paradise Megamix
Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse
Shin Megami Tensei Devil Summoners: Soul Hackers
Shinobi
Shovel Knight
Tales of the Abyss
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars

Wishlist:

BYE BOXBOY
Bravely Default
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
Crimson Shroud
Etrian Odyssey (Untold and/or IV and/or V)
Kirby Triple Deluxe/Planet Robobot
Liberation Maiden
Luigi's Mansion 2
Picross e
Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux (?)

I'll recommend The Alliance Alive though it's digital only in PAL. If you have any questions about it I'll do what I can to answer.

I'll recommend The Alliance Alive though it's digital only in PAL. If you have any questions about it I'll do what I can to answer.

I have a lot of questions, but I'll keep it to a few!

What kind of game is it? What are its best and worst aspects? Why is it worth playing above other games on my 3DS and/or in my backlog?

I have a lot of questions, but I'll keep it to a few!

What kind of game is it? What are its best and worst aspects? Why is it worth playing above other games on my 3DS and/or in my backlog?

Turn based JRPG

Best
Writing (Characters and Story) - This is all opinion: It's very charming and has a good amount of humor. Also it handles the serious moments well.
Gameplay - It does take a while for it to expand but even before that I never got bored when playing it.
Quality of life - There's a quicksave function, a x2 and x4 speedup for combat and an auto battle toggle which repeats the previous commands providing you have the SP.
I'm not the best person to judge OST, though it's regarded favorably by many.

Worst
-Issue for some not me: There's no voice acting.
-The last area has a difficulty spike to the point you want to avoid battles. The final boss is alright just getting there is the issue. The quicksave and soft reset help, there's a (stackable) skill you can buy which makes enemies less likely to notice you, and fleeing from battle is an option though it'll cost a party member some of their max HP (which will return to normal if you rest).

Note: There's no exp, no traditional levels, learning new attacks as well as health and SP growth is RNG based, with HP and SP being a potential reward from battle. For the sake of explaining mechanics.

Honestly I'm not too sure how to answer that, It's not like playing it is the difference between a fulfilling life and an unfulfilling life. I just really enjoyed playing it and hope you or someone else reading this takes me up on this recommendation and feels the same joy playing it as I did. I doubt I answered the question but that's the best I've got.

If you have any follow-up questions feel free. I can get into more detail of gameplay if you wish, since I kept it bare bones.

Edit: Apparently there's a demo. So if you want to try before you buy that's an option.

Do not miss picking up Resident Evil Revelations for your 3DS. it's one of the best.

Bump/Update #2

I have beaten:

Attack of the Friday Monsters
BOXBOY
Hana Samurai: Art of the Sword
Metroid: Samus Returns
MGS 3D: Snake Eater
Shin Megami Tensei IV
Super Mario 3D Land
The Starship Damrey

I own (including borrowed games):

7th Dragon III: Code VFD
BOXBOXBOY
Code Name S.T.E.A.M
Crush3D
Fire Emblem: Awakening
Go! Go! Kokopolo 3D
Hyrule Warriors Legends
Kid Icarus: Uprising
Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance
LoZ: A Link Between Worlds/Ocarina of Time 3D/Majora's Mask 3D
Picross 3D: Round 2
Pokemon Picross
Professor Layton 5/6
Professor Layton Vs Phoenix Wright
Project X Zone (1 and 2)
Rhythm Paradise Megamix
Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse
Shin Megami Tensei Devil Summoners: Soul Hackers
Shinobi
Shovel Knight
Tales of the Abyss
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars

Wishlist:

BYE BOXBOY
Bravely Default
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
Crimson Shroud
Etrian Odyssey (Untold and/or IV and/or V)
Kirby Triple Deluxe/Planet Robobot
Liberation Maiden
Luigi's Mansion 2
Picross e
Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux (?)

If you haven't played Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney, I recommend picking it up on the e-shop (as well as the original trilogy). Also I recommend Layton's Mystery Journey, it is a bit different from the other Layton games, and the puzzles feel a bit different too, since it is other puzzle master making them, but I did have a great time playing it

@Screaming_Shadow I have downloaded the demo - once I'm finished with Kid Icarus: Uprising I will give it a whirl and see how I find it

@LeoWattZ I'm actually playing the PC port right now! It's been decent so far, but I'm only at Episode 3 so my opinion could go either way.

@pokepaw The Ace Attorney series is on my radar, and I might have a look at Layton's Mystery Journey once I've had chance to play the prequel trilogy...

Bump/Update #3

I have beaten:

Attack of the Friday Monsters
BOXBOY
Hana Samurai: Art of the Sword
Kid Icarus: Uprising
Metroid: Samus Returns
MGS 3D: Snake Eater
Rhythm Paradise Megamix
Shin Megami Tensei IV
Super Mario 3D Land
The Starship Damrey

I own (including borrowed games):

7th Dragon III: Code VFD
BOXBOXBOY
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
Code Name S.T.E.A.M
Crimson Shroud
Crush3D
Dragon Quest VII
Etrian Odyssey IV
Etrian Odyssey Untold 2
Fire Emblem: Awakening
Go! Go! Kokopolo 3D
Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance
LBX: Little Battlers Experience
LoZ: A Link Between Worlds/Ocarina of Time 3D/Majora's Mask 3D
Luigi's Mansion 2
Nano Assault EX
Picross 3D: Round 2
Pokemon Picross
Professor Layton 5/6
Professor Layton Vs Phoenix Wright
Project X Zone (1 and 2)
Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse
Shin Megami Tensei Devil Summoners: Soul Hackers
Shinobi
Shovel Knight
Tales of the Abyss
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars

Wishlist:

Alliance Alive (?)
Blaster Master Zero (?)
BYE BOXBOY
Bravely Default
Donkey Kong Country Returns
Etrian Odyssey Untold
Harmoknight (?)
Kirby Triple Deluxe/Planet Robobot
Liberation Maiden
Pocket Card Jockey (?)
Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux (?)

Bump/Update #4

I have beaten:

Attack of the Friday Monsters
BOXBOY
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
Hana Samurai: Art of the Sword
Kid Icarus: Uprising
Metroid: Samus Returns
MGS 3D: Snake Eater
Rhythm Paradise Megamix
Shin Megami Tensei IV
Super Mario 3D Land
The Starship Damrey
Warioware Gold

I own (including borrowed games):

7th Dragon III: Code VFD
BOXBOXBOY
BYE BOXBOY
Bravely Default 1/2
Code Name S.T.E.A.M
Crimson Shroud
Crush3D
Dragon Quest VII
Etrian Odyssey IV
Etrian Odyssey Untold 2
Fire Emblem: Awakening
Go! Go! Kokopolo 3D
James Noir's Hollywood Crimes
Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance
LBX: Little Battlers Experience
LoZ: A Link Between Worlds/Ocarina of Time 3D/Majora's Mask 3D
Luigi's Mansion 2
Nano Assault EX
Picross 3D: Round 2
Pilotwings Resort
Pokemon Picross
Professor Layton 5/6
Professor Layton Vs Phoenix Wright
Project X Zone (1 and 2)
Puzzle Bobble Universe
Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse
Shin Megami Tensei Devil Summoners: Soul Hackers
Shinobi
Shovel Knight
Tales of the Abyss
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars

Wishlist:

Alliance Alive (?)
Blaster Master Zero (?)
Donkey Kong Country Returns
Etrian Odyssey Untold
Harmoknight (?)
Kirby Triple Deluxe/Planet Robobot
Liberation Maiden
Pocket Card Jockey (?)
Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux (?)