Top 10 3DS Games You Should Download Before They're Gone Forever From The Nintendo eShop

Bad news, (old) kids: the digital present is garbage. Nintendo has announced that both the 3DS and Wii U eShops are on the way out. Though the company preempts the news by saying that downloads will still work "for the foreseeable future," that message also implies that your games will disappear at some point. We've enabled consumption at our fingertips, which companies have gladly used to erode the terms of game ownership. As always, convenience comes at a much higher cost down the road and, well, that time has come.

Now just a little over a decade old, the Nintendo 3DS released in early 201, to a slow start. After having to apologize and offer early adopters an "Ambassador Program," the handheld ended up gaining momentum and eventually sold over 75 million units, through a slew of iterations. Some of those new versions removed the one unique thing about the console, the simulated 3D depth; while others added a second analog stick, which led to a select few titles that were exclusive to those newer handhelds.

As with anything Nintendo, there are some games on the digital storefront that are either exclusive or, rather, elusive to obtain anywhere else. So, before Nintendo continues to make it increasingly more impossible to legally enjoy their products, we're going to point you in the direction of some of the greatest hits that you might want to pick. You might have even forgotten some were a thing. In this article, we'll stick to just 3DS games. Why? Well, for one, the two consoles are very different, but the Wii U also just has one game that isn't on the Nintendo Switch by this point. It's Xenoblade Chronicles X; that's the only game.

And while we've got you here, or at least those of you who aren't just skipping to the list picks: You might not want to wait for the deadline to get the games you really want. Prior to this announcement even happening, games have been disappearing left and right from the storefront. We can't guarantee that these products will wait for you until the last day. For added convenience, we'll highlight how much storage space the games take up on a micro SD card. Every 1Gb on a card is 8192 blocks, so plan accordingly.

Here are the top 10 3DS games you should download before they're gone forever from the Nintendo eShop:
 

HarmoKnight (€14.99 - 2111 Blocks)

The makers of the Pokémon games also make other stuff! It's true; no one ever remembers it, but they do. HarmoKnight is a straightforward rhythm game, mashed up as a platformer. The art is cute as a button and the musical tracks are captivating. Best of all, the gameplay segments, while technically the same, get spun into different showpieces, depending on the level. There are neat boss fights and some comic panels between stages; it's just a good time. If you enjoyed the cult classic Gitaroo Man, then this will be right up your alley. HarmoKnight never got a chance to live, but it deserves a shot. Get it, before it's too late.
 

Attack of the Friday Monsters! A Tokyo Tale (€7.99 - 1427 Blocks)

This is the best game on Nintendo 3DS. It's not Samus Returns. It's not, I don't know; A Link Between Worlds? People like that game, but no! Attack of the Friday Monsters is hands down the best experience on the handheld. Part of the ambitious Guild series, which also has the wonderful Weapon Shop de Omasse, the game is essentially a Studio Ghibli movie. Except, in this case, you can play through this heartwarming little story yourself. The game is only about two hours long, like a feature film would be, but it is worth every second. You don't need to know anything else. In fact, you'd do yourself a disservice, ruining the magic for yourself. Go enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience now.
 

Pocket Card Jockey (€6.99 - 848 Blocks)

Coincidentally, this is another Game Freak joint. Pocket Card Jockey is one of those games where everyone goes: "Oh yeah, I remember that one," but then never actually picked up the game. I know, because I've personally had it on my wishlist since release and have only managed to play the demo. The game is an absolute whirlwind. Technically, you're just playing a "solitaire" version that's linked to a horse race. This system gets tied to a few other mechanisms so that you can feel the same adrenaline as in a derby, but while playing cards. Together with some growth elements and a quirky story, this is one eclectic choice to pick up, which is bound to be memorable.
 

Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked (€34.99 - 9176 Blocks)

More like Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overlooked, am I right? Technically, the entire suite of SMT games fit the bill for this list, as their prices on the physical aftermarket are ridiculous. Resellers are a disease. While Overclocked is the priciest, coming in at 120 bones, our inclusion is due to its originality. Most people will be familiar with the normal structure of the franchise, but Overclocked throws in another Japanese staple: a tactics strategy system. Yes, you're paying almost full price for a game that was originally released as a Nintendo DS title a decade ago, but it's a blend that will keep you going for hours. Additionally, the game might be a little easier for beginners to grasp than others in the series.
 

Dragon Crystal (€2.99 - 50 Blocks)

The Virtual Console on 3DS is surprisingly deep. It's the perfect place to not pay outrageous prices for classics like Metroid II or shell out 800 Euro for the super mediocre Trip World. That's a real price. In general, you should just browse the tab on the shop. Our pick goes to a forgotten wonder, Dragon Crystal. Though this is the Game Gear version, this simple roguelike is quite enchanting, with some of those vibrant Sega colors and adventurous tunes like no other. It was, inexplicably, never released on anything else, not even a compilation. This might be your last ever chance to play one of the most underrated Sega titles and that for only some spare change.
 

Senran Kagura 2: Deep Crimson (€29.99 - 17303 Blocks)

This list includes several games that have expensive boxes and, boy howdy, this is the top dog. The lewd marketing of this series made it nearly impossible to ever find a copy in a store, which leads us to the current day, where a physical version goes upwards of 200 big ones. It doesn't help that the game itself leaned into the sexy aspects much heavier than its predecessor as well. Still, the game is still serviceable in its own right. With heavy tongue-in-cheek dialogue and some snappy brawling, these first Senran Kagura releases are also some of the best ones, before the franchise went off a really slimy cliff. No one will ever admit to owning this, so you might as well buy it discreetly online.
 

Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology (€29.99 - 8028 Blocks)

Once again, a physical copy might be hard to track down, for both the DS and 3DS versions. Other than that, Radiant Historia is also one of the most unique role-playing games (RPG) out there. By employing a time travel system, the game breaks its story up into little chapters that each have a knock-on effect on the world and its characters. There are some truly cerebral moments in this adventure that you won't get from many other titles. To really cap it off, the game also has a neat strategy combat element with directional puzzles, for even more brainteasers. This is easily a top tier RPG on a platform that spawned hundreds of them.
 

The Denpa Men 3: The Rise of Digitoll (€9.99 - 1728 Blocks)

What if Pikmin and Pokémon had a baby, but it was also a dungeon crawler and had some Animal Crossing in there as well? The Denpa Men is such an innovative series that uses all the inspirational material it can find, to create its own remarkable thing. There's even an element that uses the otherwise forgotten 3DS camera. While you could buy all three releases, it might get to be a little much, as the games are pretty similar in nature. With the third and final installment, you'll get the best possible version of this truly unique series, given that the later mobile releases aren't available. Adopt a Denpa Man today!
 

Inazuma Eleven (€17.99 - 3995 Blocks)

Originally released as a Nintendo DS game, Inazuma Eleven was the start of another beautiful franchise from developer Level-5. What if, instead of always being a sports title, this football game was an RPG instead? With deep recruiting trees and some truly anime story plots, it's very easy to fall in love with the characters of this world. Attach to that an active playing field with insanely flashy skills and you get football like you've rarely played before. The second games were never ported, but if you enjoy this opener, there are several more Inazuma Eleven stories you'll be able to enjoy on the handheld. This is one of the most underrated RPGs out there.
 

Bomberman Blitz (€4.99 - 67 Blocks)

It's easy to forget that Nintendo 3DS still housed its digital predecessor, DSiWare. Maybe it's because some of those older products turned into a wasteland for calculators, but there was a selection of great games that were released for the DS. Things like WarrioWare Snapped or Dragon Quest Wars offer bite-size experiences of larger franchises. Our choice goes to Bomberman Blitz. It's the same arcade experience as the classic, but souped-up to eight players. Sadly, online functionally was shut down for DSiWare, but it's still possible to play a frantic solo game or team up locally. Who doesn't like to blow up their friends now and then? This is one of the more forgotten Bomberman games that's worth revisiting.
 

Some of these 3DS games go on sale periodically, so you could put them in your wishlist for a while and check back on them. Just make sure not to wait too long, because the Nintendo eShop will become a desert before you know it. Pour one out for a real one. We'll miss you, little handheld.
 

Daav Valentaten, NoobFeed
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