We already published the list of best 3DS games of all time, now it’s time to discover the best 3DS sports games of all time.
With amazing titles available, the 3DS definitely has a great library of sports games.
So, if you’re a fan of both the 3DS and sports games, there’s a chance you’ll like this list.
And some of you may already know some of the games mentioned in this list.
#10. Madden NFL Football
- Release Data: EA Tiburon/Electronic Arts, 2011
- Genre: Sports » Team » Football » Sim
The core gameplay is fundamentally solid and filled with potential, but it seems like the developers gave up at halftime instead of pushing through to the end.
The end result is a featureless title that feels like a demo of things to come instead of a full price release, and the lack of multiplayer is a glaring oversight.
#9. Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games
- Release Data: Sega Sports R&D/Nintendo, 2016
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Athletics
Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympics for the 3DS is not exactly a bad game—especially if you liked previous entries in the franchise—but it could be so much more.
Sadly this effort just doesn’t come together in the way it should do, and feels just like another sloppy effort to cash-in on a lucrative license.
#8. DualPenSports
- Release Data: Indies Zero/Bandai Namco Games, 2011
- Genre: Sports » General
DualPenSports uses an ineffective gimmick as its foundation and includes far too simple takes on seven sports, featuring some cumbersome controls and tedious pacing to boot.
Things become more entertaining in the slightly complex Score Match mode including a quite fun take on boxing, but overall the content is too thin to flesh out an entire game.
#7. Mario Sports Superstars
- Release Data: Camelot Software Planning/Nintendo, 2017
- Genre: Sports » General
Mario Sports Superstars straddles that unfortunate line of mediocrity that makes it difficult to actually score.
It’s certainly not a bad game, as it has plenty of variety and content to offer with a robust multiplayer mode for anyone that wants all their Mario sports in one convenient package, but it’s hard to call it a good game either.
#6. Nintendo Pocket Football Club
- Release Data: ParityBit/Nintendo, 2014
- Genre: Sports » Team » Soccer » Arcade
Like all soccer management titles, Nintendo Pocket Football Club isn’t about immediate action, but instead hides its long-term appeal behind a deeper and more involving style of gameplay.
If you’re willing to invest hours of your time in building the right team, observing the unskippable matches and training up your players, then you’ll find it an engaging experience.
#5. Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games
- Release Data: Sega Sports R&D/Sega, 2012
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Athletics
There are tons of mini-games here, and a few of them are fun for a couple of plays.
But the whole package is distinctively average, with nothing to really spark interest in players.
It’s a worthy update to the Track & Fields and Decathlons of old, but in this day and age; there is simply not enough depth here.
#4. Mario Tennis Open
- Release Data: Camelot Software Planning/Nintendo, 2012
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Tennis
There’s no doubt that Mario Tennis Open is a strong and accessible entry in the beloved series, and a group of friends gathered round can lose themselves in it for a long time.
Solo players can still have a good time perfecting their skills, but the missing RPG mode leaves a pretty big hole.
#3. Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 3D
- Release Data: Konami, 2011
- Genre: Sports » Team » Soccer » Sim
Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 3D is a good soccer game. If you’re a fan of the sport, it’s worth picking up, especially if you’re familiar with the series.
It just disappointing that Konami didn’t put enough effort in to fix the issues that keep the game from being great.
#2. Inazuma Eleven
- Release Data: Level 5, 2014
- Genre: Sports » Team » Soccer » Arcade
If the phrase “soccer RPG” has you the least bit intrigued, grab your stylus — Inazuma Eleven is fun, fresh, and surprisingly deep.
But perhaps its greatest trick is that you don’t need to love the sport to enjoy the experience; for RPG fans, Inazuma‘s soccer-based battles and schoolyard setting are a breath of fresh air unlike anything else.
#1. Mario Golf: World Tour
- Release Data: Camelot Software Planning/Nintendo, 2014
- Genre: Sports » Individual » Golf » Arcade
Mario Golf: World Tour delivers, most notably right out of the box, a lengthy and involving experience.
There is impressive depth not just in the level of content and diversity of options, but in the golf mechanics themselves; the catered options for beginners and stronger players are impeccably implemented.
This is a truly excellent addition to the 3DS library.
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See also: Best Wii Games & Best Wii U Games
Are your favorite games on the list?
Deciding which 3DS sports game is the best is no doubt a never ending topic, but it’s fun to do!
