The 3DS is one of Nintendo’s best handhelds, and it had no shortage of RPGs. The best 3DS RPGs are ultimately decided by personal preference due to their massive variety, but that also means the 3DS has something for every RPG fan. While talking about every RPG is impossible, here are a few that are still great in 2024.

Fire Emblem Awakening is a Great Tactics Game

The story of Prince Chrom and his tactician Robin left an unmistakable impact on the 3DS’s library and the entire Fire Emblem series. Awakening was intended to be the final Fire Emblem game, but its worldwide success transformed the series into one of Nintendo’s biggest franchises. Its sleek, fast-paced tactical combat makes it easy to pick up and play, and fans quickly fell in love with its eccentric cast of characters. While Awakening did not introduce romance to the series, it certainly popularized the idea by allowing players to pair their units together and increase their bonds, resulting in romance between many of them.

There are some criticisms of Awakening, many of which come from fans of earlier Fire Emblem titles. The game is among the easier Fire Emblem titles, which is great for people who are new to Strategy RPGs but may bore those who are deeply invested in the genre. The game is also slightly dated in terms of its romance mechanics- Unlike more recent Fire Emblem titles, there is no option for gay romance. While a fan-made mod exists to fix this problem, the vanilla game’s lack of options may seem egregious nowadays, especially given that the player can customize their main character. The game’s plot is also fairly simplistic compared to other games in the genre.

Despite these common criticisms, Awakening’s massive success speaks for itself. Few RPGs are as accessible as this one, and it is very easy to be absorbed into Awakening’s world and characters. Its weapon triangle system (in which swords beat axes, axes beat lances, and lances beat swords) is simple to understand and familiar to fans of Fire Emblem, while adding strategic depth to the game’s systems. The units are also incredibly customizable, allowing the player to reclass them as they like.  It is undeniably one of the best 3DS RPGs.

A PS2 Game is Among the Best 3DS RPGs

Tales of the Abyss originally launched on the PlayStation 2, but received a port to the Nintendo 3DS, and it is both one of the best 3DS RPGs and PS2 RPGs. The game stars Luke Fon Fabre, a spoiled teenager who is part of the royal family. When he interrupts an assassination attempt on his sword master, he and the assassin are accidentally warped far away and must work together to return him to his home. Tales of the Abyss features an excellent combo-heavy action battle system, in which the player can play as any of the several party members they want.

If any sticking point prevents people from investing in Tales of the Abyss, it is Luke himself. For around the first ten hours of the game, Luke is an insufferable spoiled brat. This is intentional and the player is not meant to like him during this time, but many players find him so grating that they drop the game within their first few hours. Those who stick with the game, however, generally find that Luke has an incredibly compelling character arc that few games can match.

Shin Megami Tensei IV is Hardcore

For those who want a tough-as-nails turn-based experience, Shin Megami Tensei IV is one of the best 3DS RPGs. It stars Flynn, a samurai from a kingdom that uses Smartphone-like gauntlets to command demons. While it appears to have a fantasy setting at first, Flynn soon descends into the post-apocalyptic remains of Tokyo beneath their kingdom. Like other games in the Shin Megami Tensei series, the story is ultimately about siding with the forces of Law or Chaos (or denying both of them for Neutrality) to create a new world and the morality of doing so.

Those who dislike hard games may not enjoy Shin Megami Tensei, but its punishing combat is a strength for those seeking a challenge. The Press Turn system enables players to target enemy weaknesses to gain additional turns. However, the enemy can do the same to the player. This means that playing well will allow you to destroy enemies quickly and efficiently, but a single error could result in the enemy wiping out your entire team. The high-risk-high-reward gameplay of Shin Megami Tensei may not be for everyone, but those who enjoy it are guaranteed a great time.

Honorable Mentions

Xenoblade Chronicles is a game that deserves mention for its ambitious, huge, world design and incredible storytelling. This port of the classic Wii RPG is fantastic, and its world atop a giant, dead, god is breathtaking. Its protagonist, Shulk, can see the future which ties into the game’s overarching themes of manifesting one’s destiny. While it is one of the best 3DS RPGs, the 3DS version is difficult to recommend because a full remake of the game is playable on Switch with far better graphics and more content.

Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summonor: Soul Hackers is an incredibly interesting cyberpunk RPG. Fans of this game hold unparalleled reverence towards it, and its unique setting and characters make it stand out. It may come off as dated to some, though, as it is a port of a Japan-only Sega Saturn game. If you can get past its outdated elements, though, this game is an excellent one to try.

What Makes the Best 3DS RPGs

The 3DS was not a great handheld platform for RPGs because it had the best RPGs of all time. Instead, it was great because it had a great variety of awesome RPGs. The games recommended here comprise a Strategy RPG, an Action RPG, and a monster-collecting Turn-Based RPG- And all three are among the best 3DS RPGs. Whatever type of game you want, the 3DS probably has something for you.

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