10 First-Party 3DS Games You Need To Play Before The NX Releases

Ever since the Nintendo 3DS launched in early 2011, the company's latest handheld gaming console has had a solid library bolstered by fantastic first-party software. That's not to say that third-parties stayed away from the system (this certainly wasn't a Wii U situation), but the reason why most people buy a Nintendo system is to play games starring a mustachioed plumber and a heroic elf with a penchant for wearing green. Thankfully, Nintendo has delivered in the past five years and have put out dozens of titles for their dual-screened device. All good things must come to an end though and with the Nintendo NX coming next year (and being officially revealed sooner rather than later), that means that the Nintendo 3DS' days are numbered. Some will view this as a sad thing, but as someone who has spent hundreds of hours playing great games on the 3DS, I think it should be celebrated. The fact that a system that pretty much launched dead was able to be resuscitated into such a success story is incredible. To help celebrate the handheld's lifespan, I've curated a list of 10 of the best first-party games released on the system. These titles range from some of Nintendo's biggest franchises to smaller digital-only titles that many gamers may have overlooked. Either way, if you play any of these Nintendo-published games, you're in for a great time. So, on that note, read on to see my picks for the 10 best first-party Nintendo 3DS games that you should play before the NX hits, and as always, leave a comment below with your thoughts. The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time 3D The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is largely considered to be one of the greatest games of all time, so it's not surprising that one of the Nintendo 3DS' earliest success stories was a remake of the classic adventure title. Developer Grezzo worked with Nintendo to not only replicate Ocarina of Time on the 3DS' smaller screen, but to make it better. Not only were the graphics overhauled with added detail, but certain dungeons (including the notorious Water Temple) were made easier to navigate. The touchscreen also fixed all of the inventory issues that the original game was plagued by. No longer did we have to fumble through menu after menu to equip an item we would want to take off a few seconds later. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D allows gamers to experience a classic without its age getting in the way. It was an incredible accomplishment, and it has replaced the N64 original as the version to play, in my eyes at least. It's also worth noting that Nintendo did a similar treatment for its sequel, so those that enjoy Ocarina of Time 3D should check out The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D. Fire Emblem: Awakening Fire Emblem has always been a beloved series by diehard Nintendo fans, but it's also one that hasn't typically seen a ton of sales success. In fact, if it wasn't for the popularity of its characters appearing in Super Smash Bros. Melee, the series probably wouldn't be getting localized at all. Its popularity took a positive turn with Fire Emblem: Awakening, which made the turn-based strategy title more accessible to a wider range of players. Death was no longer permanent if that didn't suit your tastes, and the addition of an easier difficulty helped make it the most popular game in the franchise to that point. Awakening is the perfect entry point into the series and well worth checking out. The Legend Of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds While a lot of Zelda's impact on the 3DS has come in the form of enhanced ports, there have also been two original titles as well. The best of the two is The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds. The follow-up to A Link to the Past is phenomenal, and it's the best Zelda game (2D or 3D) in well over a decade. The blend of action and puzzle solving is superb, and it's one of the few games that is actually enhanced by the stereoscopic 3D that the handheld is capable of producing. The other original Zelda title is The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes, a multiplayer-centric title in the vein of Four Sword Adventures. It's not quite as good, but if you have two friends to play with, it's still a fun time! Super Mario 3D Land Super Mario 3D Land signalled a brand new type of 3D adventure for Mario. It's not the traditional Super Mario 64-style adventure, but instead one that was more reminiscent of the 2D platformers that made the character the icon that he is today. It featured shorter levels (perfect for a handheld) filled with variety and a ton of great art. It's easily one of the 3DS' best titles and its sequel on Wii U, Super Mario 3D World, helps build upon an amazing base with fantastic local multiplayer. Pushmo Developed by Intelligent Systems (who are also responsible for Fire Emblem: Awakening), Pushmo was one of the first titles to shine on the Nintendo eShop. Its tricky puzzle solving, which had players pulling blocks out in order to make it to the top of an object, was an instant hit, and players were able to interact with pixel art in a fun, new way. It was also successful enough to garner sequels on both the 3DS and Wii U, including the also-excellent Crashmo. The puzzles, while difficult, are typically short enough that Pushmo feels like a great fit for a commute. Pokémon X And Y If you're tired of playing Pokémon Go and want a meatier experience, then I can heartily recommend picking up either Pokémon X or Y. Featuring new mechanics such as Mega Evolutions, Game Freak really did a great job of making a game that felt familiar yet also fresh at the same time. Unlike Black and White, players get to see a wide array of new pocket monsters as well as returning favorites, giving them a recognizable cast of characters in their party. Animal Crossing: New Leaf Basically the Seinfeld of video games, Animal Crossing: New Leaf is a game about nothing. That's not a negative, though, as you get to play mayor in a fun town filled with animal townsfolk. There are fish to catch, fossils to collect and a nightclub to party at. New Leaf is a fantastic way to relax after a long day at work, and is one of the most relaxing experiences on the 3DS. Rhythm Heaven Megamix Since Nintendo has refused to make a new WarioWare game for Nintendo 3DS, we'll have to settle for the next best thing — Rhythm Heaven. Megamix is a celebration of the series and includes rhythmic mini-games from all three past titles. It's not just a best-of collection, though, as new games and remixes make it feel fresh for even the most diehard fans. Few games are this addictive, wacky, or fun. It's truly a wondrous title, and a must-have for every collection. Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon The Nintendo GameCube launch title Luigi's Mansion didn't set the world on fire (as many were disappointed that Super Mario Sunshine wasn't in its place), but those who did play it were treated to a fresh experience. It would take over ten years for the game to get a sequel, but Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon was well worth the wait. Developer Next Level Games did an incredible job of making the game work on a handheld, and it had plenty of variety thanks to there being multiple haunted houses to explore. Let's just hope that it won't take another ten years for another adventure starring the green plumber. Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS Super Smash Bros. is an awesome party game no matter what system it's on, but it was surprising to see how well it worked on a handheld. The 3DS version of Smash loses a little something from not having the easily accessible local multiplayer, but it also allows players to take the game on the go with them. It's been supported fantastically by Nintendo since its initial release, and DLC characters like Ryu and Bayonetta have added a ton to the game. This is a great version to play, even if you'll want to bring out the Wii U when wanting to game with friends.