3DS Strategy Games

Fire Emblem: Awakening 1.

Fire Emblem: Awakening

Platform: 3DS
February 4, 2013
Lead an army of soldiers in a series of scaled turn-based strategy battles. In the process, develop relationships with your team, utilizing their special abilities on the battlefield to gain victory and advance the story, which features a wide array of characters from a variety of nations and backgrounds. They can be joined by a character of your making, with a unique appearance crafted as you see fit.
Metascore:
92
User Score:
9.0
Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia 2.

Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia

Platform: 3DS
May 19, 2017
In 1992, the second game in the Fire Emblem series, Fire Emblem Gaiden, launched exclusively in Japan. Now, for the first time, fans outside of Japan will get a taste of this classic game on the Nintendo 3DS family of systems. Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia is inspired by the 1992 original, reimagined on a grander scale. Every aspect of the Fire Emblem Gaiden game's presentation has been updated, along with the game being fully voiced. Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia recreates classic Fire Emblem gameplay with a modern twist, mixing in exploration of dungeons crawling with enemies.
Metascore:
81
User Score:
8.6
Stella Glow 3.

Stella Glow

Platform: 3DS
November 17, 2015
The witch Hilda attempts to crystallize the world using her cursed song.
Metascore:
79
User Score:
8.4
Rune Factory 4 4.

Rune Factory 4

Platform: 3DS
October 1, 2013
Rune Factory 4 marks the return of the popular Harvest Moon spinoff that combines farming with dungeon adventuring. For the first time in the series, the player can select to play as a male or female hero, and potential suitors of either gender are also available in order to pursue love, marriage, and possibly a child. As the newly-appointed prince or princess, you can fulfill your royal duties of protecting the town from invaders, or take a more rural approach to governing by raising your own fruits and vegetables and helping townsfolk. Should some dungeon adventuring be on the days itinerary, you can select from the castles vast armament of swords, spears, and staffs along with magic for battle against dangerous foes, or even bring along a companion or friendly monster to aid you during your travels.
Metascore:
78
User Score:
8.1
Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest 5.

Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest

Platform: 3DS
February 19, 2016
Two kingdoms at war – the peace-loving Hoshido and the glory-seeking Nohr. It is up to the player to decide which side to fight for. As the prince/princess of Hoshido, who was raised by Nohr royal family, you will be torn between two families you love. Whichever path you take, you will face different types of challenges.
Metascore:
87
User Score:
8.0
SteamWorld Heist 6.

SteamWorld Heist

Platform: 3DS
December 10, 2015
A game featuring space adventures and strategic shoot-outs. Assume the role of Captain Piper and recruit a team of rag-tag robots to explore and scavenge the remains of a destroyed world. Board enemy spaceships and command your crew in a unique variety of turn-based combat, where the outcome is determined purely by your own skills.
Metascore:
86
User Score:
8.0
Story of Seasons 7.

Story of Seasons

Platform: 3DS
March 31, 2015
Story of Seasons is the start of a new chapter in the ‘Bokujo Monogatari’ series, a long-standing farming/life simulation franchise. Though the series is reborn with a new name, it continues the traditions of customizable farms, animal care, marriage and child-rearing. After creating a customized character, players can live out a new life by cultivating their favorite fruits and vegetables while expanding and filling their farm with their choice of animals.
Metascore:
76
User Score:
8.0
Gotta Protectors 8.

Gotta Protectors

Platform: 3DS
July 28, 2016
An awesome 8-bit spin on tower defense straight from Japan! Team up with friends and mow down hordes of foes! The bad guys are after Princess Lola. You gotta protect her! Choose from a diverse and memorable cast of six classes, each with unique weapons and customizable, upgradeable skills. Strategically place barricades and turrets, hire hirelings, move Lola (the source of your power) around the map, and get ready to hack, slash, and magically mash wave after wave of enemies. LEVEL UP and DESTROY THEM ALL! Fight through 100 story maps, or create your own using the Map Editor and share them with friends via QR Code patterns. Supports Local Play and Download Play with up to four players. With just one copy of the software, you can gotta-protect with up to three friendsas long as they all have their own Nintendo 3DS family system! Features a heart-pumping soundtrack by a cadre of legendary 80s game composers including Yuzo Koshiro (ActRaiser), Hiroshi Kawaguchi (Space Harrier), Shinji Hosoe (Dragon Spirit), Hisayoshi Ogura (Ninja Warriors), and Motoaki Furukawa (Vulcan Venture).
Metascore:
87
User Score:
8.0
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars 9.

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars

Platform: 3DS
March 22, 2011
Lead the Ghosts, the most elite special forces unit in the US Army, across multiple tactical missions to prevent a war from breaking out.
Metascore:
77
User Score:
7.9
Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright 10.

Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright

Platform: 3DS
February 19, 2016
Two kingdoms at war – the peace-loving Hoshido and the glory-seeking Nohr. It is up to the player to decide which side to fight for. As the prince/princess of Hoshido, who was raised by Nohr royal family, you will be torn between two families you love. Whichever path you take, you will face different types of challenges.
Metascore:
86
User Score:
7.8
Fire Emblem Fates: Special Edition 11.

Fire Emblem Fates: Special Edition

Platform: 3DS
February 19, 2016
Fire Emblem Fates Special Edition Includes: All 3 Versions of Fire Emblem: Fates (Birthright, Conquest, Revelation*) on a Single Cartrige. *Allows purchasers to play Revelations three weeks prior to launch on eshop. It's the only way to get all Three Versions on a Single Cartridge. Also includes a Hardcover Art Book and Nintendo 3DS XL Carrying Pouch featuring Game Art. Two kingdoms are on the brink of war. Whose side will you choose? Torn between two families, you’re an heir of Hoshido, raised by Nohrian royals. If you walk the path of Conquest, you must fight to change your misguided kingdom from within. Command warriors with expert precision and forge deep relationships to master this turn-based strategy game.
Metascore:
88
User Score:
7.8
Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. 12.

Code Name: S.T.E.A.M.

Platform: 3DS
March 13, 2015
Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. is a new take on strategy games inspired by third-person shooters. Like the Fire Emblem and Advance Wars games before it, Code Name S.T.E.A.M. tasks players with planning out strategic moves using a team of soldiers to do battle with enemy forces. But this game throws a wrench into many of the conventions familiar to the genre.
Metascore:
69
User Score:
7.8
Harvest Moon 3D: A New Beginning 13.

Harvest Moon 3D: A New Beginning

Platform: 3DS
November 6, 2012
Harvest Moon 3D: A New Beginning gives players a chance to rebuild the town of Echo Village to be the best community in the land.
Metascore:
74
User Score:
7.8
Story of Seasons: Trio of Towns 14.

Story of Seasons: Trio of Towns

Platform: 3DS
February 28, 2017
What will you do today? Take charge of an expansive farm near three unique and exciting towns and choose what kind of life to lead. The original and best-selling farming/life sim returns for its 20th anniversary with a brand new adventure! Take on the role of a young city slicker who has always wished for a life on the farm. Your dream leads you to a huge plot of open land just ready to be filled with crops, livestock, decorations, and more. Your new farm is at the crossroads of three different towns. Westown, with its cows and corrals, has everything the classic frontier settler needs. Right next door is Lulukoko Town, a warm, friendly paradise to rival any tropical island. Rounding out the neighborhood is Tsuyukusa, a traditional Far Eastern village. Become friends with the residents and help them improve their towns, then connect to other farmers like you, locally or via internet, to chat and trade useful items. Grow crops, raise adorable pets, become a renowned chef or fashionista, and even discover romance with the locals. It's all up to you in STORY OF SEASONS: Trio of Towns.
Metascore:
74
User Score:
7.8
Culdcept Revolt 15.

Culdcept Revolt

Platform: 3DS
October 3, 2017
As the series celebrates its 20th Anniversary, the addictive card game-meets-board game is back, bigger and better than ever with hundreds of new cards, inventive boards, and exciting multiplayer. Follow Allen, a new recruit for the rebel Free Bat forces as you fight for freedom from the tyranny of Count. Build your deck, create new strategies, and dominate the board in Culdcept Revolt! With all the classic elements veterans love yet a gentle learning curve for newcomers, Culdcept Revolt is the best Culdcept yet.
Metascore:
74
User Score:
7.6
Mercenaries Saga 2: Order Of The Silver Eagle 16.

Mercenaries Saga 2: Order Of The Silver Eagle

Platform: 3DS
July 2, 2015
Mercenaries Saga 2 is a Tactical RPG based on a fantasy world's stage. Claude is the captain of the Kingdom's Order of the Silver Eagle. One day while he guarded Prince Laz's hunting session, an assassin appeared. Claude covers the prince's escape and stops the assassin, but it was just a trap and the prince has been poisoned by a blade. To aid the prince, Claude has to lead the Silver Eagle north so that they can find the only antidote an Erni Herb... -Mercenaries Saga 2 is a Tactical Strategy RPG based on a fantasy world's stage. -Battles engage in quarter view map and tactics vary from different terrain. Characters can take advantage from standing position to assist each other and attacking enemies' back. -Use acquired points to learn new skill and change class, level up by free battle, full repeatable gameplay is possible.
Metascore:
70
User Score:
7.6
Project X Zone 2 17.

Project X Zone 2

Platform: 3DS
February 16, 2016
In the sequel to the original world crossing adventure, legendary characters from Japan's most prolific video game publishers come together to create the biggest mashup strategy game ever! Developed by MONOLITH SOFTWARE INC., Project X Zone 2 gives gamers the opportunity to play as their favorite characters from a multitude of franchises and form teams of characters hailing from classic and current franchises and engage enemies through strategic turn-based battles. Featuring characters from YAKUZA: Dead Souls, the Sakura Wars series and Virtua Fighter series and more from SEGA Interactive Co., Ltd / SEGA Games Co., Ltd, characters from Capcom's franchises including the Resident Evil series, Devil May Cry series and Megaman X series, and characters from the TEKKEN series, Tales of Vesperia, and .hack// series from BANDAI NAMCO!
Metascore:
73
User Score:
7.5
Lord of Magna: Maiden Heaven 18.

Lord of Magna: Maiden Heaven

Platform: 3DS
June 2, 2015
Residing on the outskirts of town as the proprietor of a quiet, rustic inn, Luchs has lived through much of his life proudly clinging to a code of honour passed down from father to son for generations: "When our cherished guests finally arrive, think of them as nothing less than family." Unfortunately, the inn has not yet had even a single guest since its foundation, leaving Luchs no choice but to excavate and sell crystals - the islands most valuable fuel source - in order to make ends meet. It is during one such routine excavation that he happens upon a beautiful maiden encased inside a massive crystal, and her abrupt awakening triggers a series of unexpected events that include foul fiends, astonishing abilities, and miraculous mysteries... Features: -Seven heroines, seven stories - each of the seven heroines who come to inhabit the inn have their own stories to tell, and building relationships with them will unlock new, specialised attacks to aid in combat when they join the battle party. -Strategic combat makes every turn count - "Bowl" over as many enemies with a single strike as possible, challenging players to line up melee, ranged and magical attacks so frontline enemies are knocked into others for maximum collateral damage. -Craft your way to new skills in addition to unlocking new abilities, participating in Free Battles and registering for Street Pass can provide rare crafting items for use in creating new skills to help turn the tides of battle. -Adjustable difficulty levels and more - players can toggle among Easy, Normal and Hard difficulties, use the Fast Forward feature to speed up combat as desired, or relive fond memories via in-game movie and art galleries.
Metascore:
68
User Score:
7.5
Project X Zone 19.

Project X Zone

Platform: 3DS
June 25, 2013
Developed by Banpresto and Monolith Soft, Project X Zone features over 50 characters from 29 historic game franchises by three of Japan's most prolific video game companies. In Project X Zone players use a team of two characters known as a Pair Unit to explore the world within the game. An additional character known as a Solo Unit can be combined with the Pair Unit to assist in battles with Solo Attacks as well as augment the attacks available for players to execute. Throughout the game, epic battles are waiting to erupt at a moment's notice. Players will have to master an array of screen-busting moves including Solo Attacks, Support Attacks, Cross Hits, and Finishing Moves in order to defeat a multitude of foes.
Metascore:
70
User Score:
7.4
Gardening Mama 2: Forest Friends 20.

Gardening Mama 2: Forest Friends

Platform: 3DS
April 29, 2014
Plant the Seeds of Friendship! Mama is back in her gardening gloves planting the seeds of friendship! Make your animal friends happy by growing flowers, fruits and vegetables they can sell in their forest shops. With intuitive, stylus based-activities, customization and tons of fun rewards, Garden Mama 2: Forest Friends will get you growing in no time!
Metascore:
43
User Score:
7.4
Fire Emblem Fates: Revelation 21.

Fire Emblem Fates: Revelation

Platform: 3DS
March 10, 2016
Requires full version of Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest or Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright.
Metascore:
88
User Score:
7.2
Return to PoPoLoCrois: A Story of Seasons Fairytale 22.

Return to PoPoLoCrois: A Story of Seasons Fairytale

Platform: 3DS
March 1, 2016
Dive into the soil of a land corrupted by darkness. Restore life, fight evil, save the day, and return to PopoloCrois! Its Prince Pietro's 13th birthday, and all the people of PopoloCrois have come out to celebrate! But among them is a very special guest: Marmela, a representative from an otherworldly kingdom called Galariland. Her country has been ravaged by shadowy creatures who corrupt the soil, preventing crops from growing -- and since this same phenomenon has been occurring in PopoloCrois as well, the king now seeks her counsel. Her expert opinion? Prince Pietro should visit Galariland personally as an ambassador for PopoloCrois, to see the damage first-hand and learn all the ways the Galari people are fighting back. But once he's there, he finds there's no way home, and his princely name holds little sway over the long-suffering people of this new world. It is up to you, as Prince Pietro, to make a life for yourself in Galariland while seeking a way home, doing everything you can in the meantime to cultivate the earth and new friendships alike. A fantastical fairytale adventure awaits!
Metascore:
72
User Score:
6.8
Harvest Moon 3D: The Tale of Two Towns 23.

Harvest Moon 3D: The Tale of Two Towns

Platform: 3DS
November 1, 2011
Harvest Moon: The Tale of Two Towns has players farming for food in hopes of one day reuniting the two rival towns.
Metascore:
63
User Score:
6.3
Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal: World Duel Carnival 24.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal: World Duel Carnival

Platform: 3DS
September 25, 2014
Play as yourself or one of eleven playable characters from the series, like Yuma, Astral, Tori, Shark and more, each with their own storyline and earn an invite to the World Duel Carnival where you can battle with more than 40 Duelists from the TV show! Players can enjoy a Story Mode and a Free Duel Mode where they can play with more than 5,700 cards. -The very first Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL video game and the first Yu-Gi-Oh! video game available for the Nintendo 3DS handheld system. -Twelve playable characters, each with a unique storyline that can be experienced through Story Mode. -Battle with more than 40 colorful Duelists. -Customize your Deck with more than 5,700 cards from the official Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME. -In-game animated cinematics, and exciting Monster summon effects bring Duels to life. -Explore all the options in Free Duel Mode and customize card sleeves, game mats, and even Deck Lists to Duel for hours.
Metascore:
52
User Score:
5.9
Harvest Moon: Skytree Village 25.

Harvest Moon: Skytree Village

Platform: 3DS
November 8, 2016
Revive the Land, Save a Village. Many people used to live in Skytree Village, and the land was lush and green. However, the power of the Harvest Goddess gradually began to wane, and the land became parched and dry. It's up to you revive the seven Skytrees to bring life back to this desolate land. With user-friendly tutorials, you will immediately be able to jump into the thick of things, customizing your farm by raising and lowering the land, creating rivers, ponds, and more. Upgraded tools will assist you shaping the land more efficiently, and afterwards you can kick back and relax in your boat to do a spot of fishing. Play as a boy or a girl, woo bachelors and bachelorettes, and start a family.
Metascore:
59
User Score:
5.9
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked 26.

Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked

Platform: 3DS
August 23, 2011
Expanded and enhanced, Devil Survivor Overclocked for Nintendo 3DS builds upon the game's original release with the addition of voice acting for the entirety of the game's lengthy, unconventional narrative. Moreover, that very story, already boasting multiple endings based on critical decisions by the player, now concludes with a special eighth chapter, a rousing epilogue for Shin Megami Tensei fans. The game's beautifully remastered hand drawn artwork and character portraits benefit from the new system's higher resolution screens, offering players a crisper, higher fidelity experience.
Metascore:
78
User Score:
5.5
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 Record Breaker 27.

Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 Record Breaker

Platform: 3DS
May 5, 2015
Your days are numbered. Your character in Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 Record Breaker is stuck in a world that has been invaded and is on the brink of non-existence. At the same time, you and your friends have gained the ability to summon demons via your cell phone, and with it, a power to fight against fate. The countdown begins; will you be able to save the future of mankind?
Metascore:
84
User Score:
5.4
Battleship 28.

Battleship

Platform: 3DS
May 15, 2012
Combining naval strategy simulation with first-person shooter gameplay, players fend off the enemy beachside while ordering attacks against their marine counterparts. Seamlessly switching between battlefield and overview "Battle Command" map, the Hasbro game is brought to life as carriers, frigates, cruisers, destroyers, submarines and the legendary USS Missouri Battleship pummel the enemy in a race to strategic points that turn the tide of battle. The Battleship videogame is a next-gen marvel perfectly suited to turn nostalgic game junkies into battle-hardened admirals.
Metascore:
55
User Score:
4.8
Langrisser Re:Incarnation -TENSEI- 29.

Langrisser Re:Incarnation -TENSEI-

Platform: 3DS
April 19, 2016
Langrisser Re:Incarnation -TENSEI- is a strategic simulation RPG experience for the Nintendo 3DS
Metascore:
35
User Score:
4.2
Harvest Moon 3D: The Lost Valley 30.

Harvest Moon 3D: The Lost Valley

Platform: 3DS
November 4, 2014
In Harvest Moon: The Lost Valley, players will experience the role-playing farm simulation in a three-dimensional setting for the first time. The game has a fully customizable world, and players can customize their field in any way they see fit: from a field full of tulips like you might see in Holland, to a valley filled with water like Venice, the choice is up to you. You've never played a Harvest Moon game quite like this!
Metascore:
46
User Score:
4.1
RollerCoaster Tycoon 3D 31.

RollerCoaster Tycoon 3D

Platform: 3DS
October 16, 2012
The next installment of the hit RollerCoaster Tycoon franchise is hereand this time, its in 3D! Meet the Rocket Coaster Company, an energetic and small group of coaster fanatics. Run by your father, a world-renowned roller coaster genius, the RCC is poised to change the world with its incredible designs and style. Unfortunately your father is a bit of a scatterbrain and is far too busy dreaming up new rides and roller coasters to get the company off the ground. This is where you, the player comes in as your father has decided that spending your time helping him out is more important than your summer vacation! Aided by a friend of the family and an old retired theme park industry veteran, the player is tasked to take the reins to get a foothold in the theme park world. Take on jobs, help design coasters, and even manage your own theme parks as you push the RCC to the top!
Metascore:
39
User Score:
2.6
Most Talked About Trailers