We already published the list of best 3DS games of all time, now it’s time to discover the best 3DS action-adventure games of all time.
With amazing titles like the Zelda series, Metroid: Samus Returns, and Kid Icarus: Uprising, the 3DS surely have a great collection of action-adventure games.
If you’re a fan of both 3DS and action-adventure games, I know that you want to know the best 3DS action-adventure games of all time.
Most of you will know (or even still playing) some of the games mentioned in this list.
See also: Best Wii Games & Best Wii U Games
#10. LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean: The Video Game
LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean: The Video Game will be based in the world of the globally successful film franchise, incorporating storylines, locations and characters from the first three films (“Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” and “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End”) as well as the upcoming fourth film, “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.”
#9. Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D
October 16, 1962.
The President of the United States received word that the Soviet Union had deployed nuclear missiles in Cuba.
The world trembled in fear as the prospect of nuclear war loomed ever closer.
After days of tense negotiations, the Soviets finally agreed on the 28th to withdraw their missiles from Cuban soil.
With the resolution of this incident, later to be known as the Cuban Missile Crisis, it seemed that humanity had survived yet another threat to its existence.
However, there was a secret condition in the deal that put an end to the crisis.
Nikolai Stepanovich Sokolov, a Soviet scientist who had defected to the West, was to be sent back to the Soviet Union.
The U.S. government agreed to this stipulation, and returned Sokolov back to his native land.
Little did they know that Sokolov was to be the designer of a nightmarish weapon.
Now, with Sokolov back in their hands, the Soviets are ready to resume its development.
If this weapon is completed, it will mark the beginning of a new age of fear.
August 1964.
Realizing at last the urgency of the situation, the CIA forms a plan to recapture Sokolov.
They dispatch the covert FOX unit to Sokolov’s research facility, located to the south of the great Soviet fortress of Groznyj Grad.
Led by former SAS member Major Zero, FOX is a next-generation special-forces unit that operates both as a specialized combat group and as a covert intelligence outfit.
The FOX unit’s modus operandi is to send a single agent, backed by radio support from afar, into enemy territory to carry out solo sneaking missions.
August 24.
A lone soldier swoops down from out of the blue. The man’s code name is Naked Snake.
#8. Corpse Party
Corpse Party is an adventure game that uses hand-drawn 2D sprite and tile art to tell the story of a group of Kisaragi Academy High School students who are trapped in a haunted elementary school filled with the decaying corpses and tormented souls of countless children who’d mysteriously vanished from the Japanese countryside years, months or sometimes only days prior.
Desperately trying to escape and survive, players will experience unnatural, unnerving and decidedly uncensored horrors through the eyes and ears — of these frightened teenaged victims.
Detailed 2D sprite animations and art stills show the bloody and unsettling fates that await those who enter, and full Japanese-language voice-acting combines with 3D audio support to create a simulated surround sound experience when playing with headphones, offering players a delightfully uncomfortable level of immersion.
#7. Resident Evil: Revelations
Revealing a brand new storyline for the Resident Evil series, Resident Evil: Revelations sees the return to survival horror, offering a tense and intriguing gameplay experience.
Built from the ground up to take advantage of the Nintendo 3DS features, Resident Evil: Revelations delivers outstanding visuals that bring the fear to life.
Taking place in 2005, between the events of Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil 5, the action centers on BSAA (Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance) member Jill Valentine and introduces her new partner, Parker Luciani.
The story is set principally on board a supposedly abandoned cruise ship in the Mediterranean, where Jill and Parker have been sent to search for Chris Redfield, based on his last known GPS coordinates.
Far from being empty, the ship hides danger around every corner as Jill and Parker explore the confined space of the ship and must face a menacing new horror that emerges from the darkness.
Adding a new unique horror setting to the series, Resident Evil: Revelations gives players the chance to venture underwater as they try to escape the terrifying creatures that are roaming the ship.
But even the water does not provide safety as the creatures continue to attack from the depths while Jill and Parker make a desperate bid to make it off the ship alive.
#6. Kid Icarus: Uprising
One of the most beloved franchises in Nintendo’s long history makes its glorious return in spectacular 3D!
Pit of Kid Icarus fame is back in a new game designed specifically for the Nintendo 3DS system, by Masahiro Sakurai, creator of the Kirby and Super Smash Bros. franchises, and his development team at Project Sora.
Kid Icarus: Uprising is a fast-paced and action-packed blend of aerial and ground-based shooting built on elegantly intuitive and streamlined play control.
This follow-up to the original Kid Icarus released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987 has been at the top of gamers wish lists for years.
Boasting gameplay that is easy to pick up but incredibly deep, the game is sure to satisfy novice gamers as well as fans who have been clamouring for a new installment in the franchise.
The hero, Pit, teams up with Palutena, the goddess of light, who bestows on him the miracle of flight for limited stretches.
With this gift, Pit soars through the skies, shooting down swarms of enemies, then alights and engages in frantic ground-based battles against Medusas underworld army.
Find and collect numerous weapons and items that offer bonuses and ability boosts.
Players can choose weapons before they send Pit into battle, giving them countless layers of strategies in each level.
Players can choose between a basic Blade, basic Claws and a basic Orbitar weapon.
Blades are well-balanced, Claws have limited reach but increase running speed and the Orbitars can shoot two shots that grow in power over distance.
#5. Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon
Luigi is back on a mission to remove a bunch of stubborn ghosts from some spooky mansions.
Armed with his trusty Poltergust ghost-sucking vacuum cleaner, Mario’s brother takes center stage to capture these pesky phantoms.
#4. Metroid: Samus Returns
A classic Metroid adventure returns, rebuilt from the ground up!
Brave the hostile terrain of an alien planet teeming with vicious life forms as legendary bounty hunter Samus Aran.
Her mission?
Terminate the Metroid menace in this masterful reimagining of her 1991 Game Boy adventure.
Samus Arans arsenal has been enhanced with new moves and abilities that are sure to help her face the deadly surprises that await.
This intense, side-scrolling action platformer is a great entry point into the Metroid franchise and perfect for returning fans as well, and its available only on the Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
- This intense, side-scrolling action platformer has been completely remade with engaging and immersive 3D visuals and a rich, atmospheric color palette.
- Classic Metroid II: Return of Samus gameplay is joined by a wealth of new content, including a set of brand new abilities that utilizes a mysterious energy resource called Aeion, a powerful melee counterattack, and 360-degree Free Aim Mode.
- There are plenty of secrets to findand if you uncover enough of them, you may even start to unravel the mystery of Planet SR388s past.
- Two new amiibo figures. Samus Aran and Metroidwill be released as a set alongside the game. This game is also compatible with the Zero Suit Samus and Samus amiibo from the Super Smash Bros. series. Functionality details will be revealed at a later date.
- While supplies last, fans will be able to purchase a special edition of the game, which includes a physical copy of the game, a sound-selection CD featuring 25 tracks from across the Metroid franchise, and a reversible title-sheet insert for the game case.
#3. The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D
The world will end in three days. Can you stop the apocalypse in time?
A twisted Skull Kid will destroy the world in three days by sending the moon crashing down.
To stop him, Link must collect powerful masks and relive those final days in many unexpected ways.
- Wear special masks to transform.
- Help and befriend Termina’s intriguing residents.
- Swim with ease as a graceful Zora.
- Roll over enemies as a mighty Goron.
- Track progress in the Bombers’ Notebook.
#2. The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
Two worlds collide in an all-new adventure set in the world of Super NES classic The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.
In this newly spun tale, Link transforms into a living painting to cross into a dark, parallel dimension mirroring Hyrule.
Conquer the puzzles, traps, and hidden rooms of deadly dungeons to save both worlds from certain doom!
Brought to life in 3D, this beloved, top-down world is the perfect backdrop for a sweeping new tale.
Dungeons sink deep below the screen as Link and his attacks pop out, highlighting the nonstop action.
The pace is faster than ever, especially since you can swap items on the Nintendo 3DS touch screen.
Shoot an arrow, toss a boomerang, bomb a wall, then merge into a painting to slide between two worlds – all in a matter of seconds.
With gameplay, visuals, and controls this smooth and consistent, no Zelda adventure has ever been so action-packed.
- An all-new adventure in the deadly, beautiful world of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.
- Become a living painting to slide within walls and between two dimensions at war.
- Sink into the classic, top-down world of Zelda like never before with 3D visuals at 60 FPS.
- Easily swap inventory items on the Nintendo 3DS touch screen to keep the action coming.
- StreetPass Features: Battle other players to win Rupees and unlock achievements.
#1. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D brings a completely re-mastered version of an epic entry in the beloved The Legend of Zelda game series to Nintendo’s newest hand-held system, Nintendo 3DS.
The game couples phenomenally enhanced graphics with stunning, glasses-free 3D visuals to bring to life the daring adventures of its hero, Link.
A streamlined touch-screen interface and newly implemented motion controls provide a fresh and intuitive feel as players immerse themselves in the tale of the creation of Hyrule and the struggle for control of its all-powerful ancient relic.
The game will also feature new challenges not included in the original game.
The Legend of Zelda veterans can look forward to the Master Quest a second quest with revamped puzzles and redesigned dungeons that feature the same graphical and interface upgrades as the main game.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D is a masterful improvement on one of the landmark releases in video game history.
Are your favorite games on the list? Leave a comment below!
If you think there are games that should OR shouldn’t be on this list, let us know by leaving a comment below.
Determining the best 3DS action-adventure game is no doubt a never ending topic (mostly because new games are still being released), but it’s worth the time!
