Best Platformer Games On Nintendo 3DS

Nintendo 3DS was Nintendo’s last dedicated handheld console. While the system had to struggle with fierce competition from the then-rising smartphone market, many hardcore and casual gamers still chose 3DS as their go-to system to play on the go. This is not surprising, considering the console was home to a huge selection of great titles, which make the system a must-have for every true Nintendo fan even to this day.

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Platformers have some good representation of the system, as there are more than a few classics to be found in its catalog. Many of them come from evergreen Nintendo franchises, which will surely make every fan of the company happy.

5 Rayman Origins

For the longest time, fans believed that they would never see a new Rayman game, as Ubisoft had seemingly forgotten about its once-mascot in favor of the much more commercially successful Rabbids. However, the company decided to bring the series back with Rayman Origins, which was the first 2D entry in the main series after the very first game, and also one of the best games in the franchise.

Rayman Origins is still a fun 2D platformer more than 10 years after its original release, with some craftily designed levels that are among the very best in the series. The Nintendo 3DS version might not the best available, mostly because of some minor technical issues and the lack of multiplayer, but the game still runs smoothly enough to warrant a great experience for all those who don’t have access to the main console versions.

4 Yoshi’s New Island

Yoshi’s New Island is the third game in the Yoshi’s Island subseries, and for some, it’s the best one after the original. The game feels almost identical to the very first entry: players take control of Yoshi as he must traverse levels riddles with enemies and obstacles, all while keeping Baby Mario safe. While the game may lack in originality, this is still an interesting take on the series formula, with some very good level design, although not always consistent throughout the game.

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Yoshi’s New Island also introduces a few new features, such as new transformations for Yoshi and the ability for Yoshi to drop giant eggs in specific instances. While these gimmicks are not a game-changer, they still provide some good variation throughout the adventure. All in all, the game might not be one of the best platformers ever, but it’s still a must-play for every Yoshi fan.

3 New Super Mario Bros. 2

New Super Mario Bros. 2 is the third entry in the New Super Mario Bros. subseries, and much like every other game in this subseries, it feels identical to the others. The main gimmick in this entry is coins, meaning that the game throws an insane amount of coins to the player at every given corner. Other than that, the New Super Mario Bros. 2 is a good Mario platformer, providing some good-level design, even if lacking in originality. It may not rank as one of the series’ best entries, but that’s not completely detrimental given the series has an impressive track of high-quality games.

The game is fairly easy to complete, even for players aiming for 100% completion. Surprisingly, Nintendo saved some tougher challenges for the DLCs, which were released some months after the original game. They were some of the best challenges to be found in the game, and it’s a shame that players won’t be able to buy them anymore due to the 3DS’ Eshop closure. Despite this, New Super Mario Bros. 2 is still a great time for every platformer fan and a decent entry in the great Mario series.

2 Super Mario 3D Land

Super Mario 3D Land was a somewhat peculiar entry in the Mario franchise at the time. The game is structured like a 2D Mario game, meaning that the main objective is to traverse levels from point A to point B, but in a 3D setting. This allowed the developers to experiment with level design, building one of the best platforming experiences available on 3DS. The game also saw the return of the popular Super Leaf power-up, which turns Mario into a raccoon. Fans had been heavily requesting this return for the longest time, and Super Mario 3D Land finally delivered on that.

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While the game may seem outdated ever since its sequel Super Mario 3DS World came out on Wii U, Super Mario 3D Land is still a great time for every platforming fan, especially for fans of the Mario series. And most of all, it deserves a spot in every 3DS games collection worthy of that name, as the game will probably remain exclusive to this system.

1 Kirby: Planet Robobot

Kirby: Planet Robot came out in the late years of the 3DS, but this is easily one of the best platformers on the system and one of the best games in the Kirby series as a whole. The game introduces a new gimmick in the form of robots, which Kirby can use to traverse levels and defeat enemies. Robots can also be upgraded by absorbing enemy abilities, giving this mechanic even more depth.

Other than that, Kirby: Planet Robobot is simply a solid experience all around. Every level is craftily designed, and the game is filled with content, with many side modes that have become fan favorites since the release of the game. We hope Nintendo will decide to revisit this concept in the future, as the robot and its upgrades are some of the best abilities Kirby has ever had, but for the moment Kirby: Planet Robobot remains a great choice for every 3DS fan, and it will probably become a cult classic over time.

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