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The Nintendo 3DS is still my favorite handheld of all time, and I wish more games would be ported over to the Nintendo Switch. Especially games that were released during the end of its lifespan and never got the attention it deserved.
Such as Oasis, Dillon’s Dead-Heat Breakers, and Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story, which were released after the Nintendo Switch hit the market.
Thankfully, Nintendo and other developers did port some of their games so that they would get another chance on a newer platform, and those will be my focus today.
Here are 8 Nintendo 3DS games ported to the Nintendo Switch:
8. Code of Princess
Saying that Code of Princess is weird is an understatement.
It’s a beat-’em-up where the story is ridiculous, only topped by their character’s insanity.
You can take control of several of these characters, including Princess Solange, who boasts the least functioning armor in gaming history.
But behind all of this fan service, there’s an actual game worth trying out. I remember playing it for a short while and being mesmerized by the amount of playable characters and moves you can perform.
While I haven’t tried the Switch version for myself, you can expect better frame rates, resolution, and DLC content from the Nintendo 3DS era.
7. IronFall Invasion
Iron Fall Invasion was the first multiplayer shooter I played on the Nintendo 3DS, and it was a blast. You probably remember that game that said it was F2P, but eventually you actually had to pay for it if you wanted to access the full game.
Since I was just a poor college student back then, I never got to experience the entire game, but one thing was certain: the gameplay was super solid. The controls responded accordingly, and aiming properly was never an issue.
Still, the game wasn’t super popular, so seeing a port on the Nintendo Switch eShop was a big surprise! I really want to play the full game this time around, but I think I’ll be waiting for a price drop first. While I have some great memories playing just the demo version, it definitely looks less impressive on Switch when compared to other shooters.
6. Monster Hunter Stories
Next up we have my favorite game on the entire system, Monster Hunter Stories. A mix between Monster Hunter and Pokémon.
Although it’s a bit grindier in comparison, it’s always a blast fighting alongside the monsters you hatch and train to be this perfect killing machine. The Switch version runs at a beautiful 60 fps and features all the DLC that never left Japan back in the 3DS days.
Once you reach the endgame, you’ll be able to prove your skills in two new towers that you must climb while defeating the enemies present on each floor. There’s a lot to tackle here, and it’s certainly a franchise I recommend to any Pokémon fan.
5. Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate
Every Monster Hunter game eventually gets an upgraded version, and that’s precisely what Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate is.
It’s not just a port of the 3DS version; it adds so much content that you’ll be playing for hundreds of hours. If I’m not mistaken, it’s the largest Monster Hunter game to date in terms of content, and it just so happens to be my favorite one as well.
So much so that I bought the Japanese version first, since I was certain at the time we would not be seeing a Western release. A year later I was dumping 60€ to play the same game again. But this time I managed to transfer my 3DS file to continue where I’d left off.
While Monster Hunter Rise is the most recent title with more streamlined gameplay, I still urge gamers to try this one out.
4. Yo-Kai Watch
Do you remember Yo-Kai Watch? The first real threat to Pokémon back in the 3DS era.
While its fame was short-lived, the initial craze in Japan was massive, and from it several wonderful games spawned as a result. However, only the original Yo-Kai Watch made its way to the Nintendo Switch.
However, there is a small issue, it’s only available on the Japanese eShop… Since I enjoyed the game a lot on the 3DS, I decided to purchase it either way, and the language barrier wasn’t much of an issue thanks to the existence of online guides.
Moreover, the game is a 1-1 remake with minor changes, making it easier to navigate for those who played the original.
The biggest upgrade on Switch, though, is the visuals. Seeing the world of Yo-Kai Watch in HD is a huge improvement, each Yokai’s design can finally shine as they deserve.
3. SteamWorld Dig
While SteamWorld Dig is not exclusive to the Nintendo 3DS, it was for a short while, and it was there I experienced this game first, and it was perfect.
The game is short and simple, but the core loop of digging deeper, finding loot, and upgrading your tools was super addicting.
It left me wishing for another similar game, and thankfully we got SteamWorld Dig 2 on the Switch, which is even better than the first one, expanding and improving every mechanic, and I consider it to be a perfect sequel.
However, since then, the developers shifted to different genres and haven’t come back to the Dig formula.
Hopefully, if more people buy these games, we may eventually get SteamWorld Dig 3 in the near future.
2. Sushi Striker
Sushi Striker is a weird and great puzzle game by Nintendo, where two factions fight for the right to eat sushi using the power of Sushi Sprites.
The game was conceptualized as a Nintendo 3DS game, but a late decision to port it to Switch resulted in the game releasing on the same day for both platforms. And it flopped on both for various reasons, unfortunately.
Today, I consider the game a hidden gem, and even own both copies!
You can get them for a super cheap price, and I guarantee you’ll have a great time. But, if you play it on Switch, be aware that the docked controls are bad, and you should stick to handheld mode.
Bonus Game
1. The World Ends With You
While not a Nintendo 3DS game, The World Ends With You is playable on the system and eventually found its way to the Nintendo Switch, with a mobile port in the middle.
If you’ve played this one before, you know it heavily depends on touch controls, and translating this to the Switch was not easy. It will take you some time to adjust, and there is some jank.
But if you power through it, you’ll find one of the most stylized games ever made. It’s not just the punk/graffiti aesthetic you’ll fall in love with, but also its amazing soundtrack.
It’s so good that I still listen to it while working.
And, if you end up playing and want more, you can always grab The World Ends With You: Neo, also available on the Nintendo Switch.
It didn’t sell very well, unfortunately, but we can still show there’s interest in the franchise!
The Best Nintendo 3DS Games Ported to Switch?
Were these the best hidden gem Nintendo 3DS games ported to Switch? I know there are a few more out there like Miitopia, but I feel this list includes all the games you need.
If everything goes well, I’ll be seeing you again next time with brand-new content.
Thanks for reading!
