Welcome to my opinion piece on how the 3DS might have the strongest library of all current gen consoles.
And notice how I say current generation! I do not consider the console to be gone from the current landscape and despite the lack of announced games, I do not consider it obsolete just yet. And, we all know that slow shipping company is still going to do a 3DS physical release, but in the grand scheme of things, they do not matter one bit because 1 title more or less will not make a difference.
Let us start with some statistics. According to my own personal research, the console has the following impressive amount of physical games.
For the PAL region, we are currently at 502 games, with Persona 2 as the last added title, which is worth every second of your time, be sure to check out the review here. For the US region, I have gathered a total of 410 titles, Yokai Watch Blasters closing the list. For Japan, we got 660 games as we speak, with many typical anime games and some oddball titles to boot.
Add in the filter and going out for the unique titles, we got a grand total of 954 titles right now.
The official news on console sales is 75+ million consoles. Included is a screenshot from the Nintendo Japan website for full details.
If I wanted to cheat, I could even add up the impressive catalog of the DS on top of those numbers, resulting in nearly 5000 unique titles, but I will not go that far, this is pure 3DS we are talking here.
So why do I feel the 3DS has the best library out there?
It is really easy, the console literally has some of the very best titles out there and very few “shovelware” titles, unlike its predecessor. Sure, they do exist, as a collector myself, I dread those every time I go out to buy more games, but for 3DS I rarely buy titles that make me cringe.
I am currently half way my full set for the PAL region and let me give you an idea of titles I currently own: Cave Story 3D, Luigi’s Mansion, Shin Megami Tensei, Persona 2, Captain Toad, Sushi Striker, Dragon Quest 7 and 8, both Bravely games and so many more.
The console has a little bit of every genre for any gamer. Whether you love Zelda or Dragon Quest, Mario or Sonic, raising cats or dogs or even both, the 3DS got you covered! It does not even stop there, there are a ton of franchise games, Tintin, Green Lantern, Gummy Bears, Hello Kitty, Inazuma Eleven, … The 3DS may be on its way out, but its library is here to stay!
And I have not even mentioned my Game of the Year when I called BoxBoy to be the best game I had played! It even led me to buy the Japanese game and its amiibo is in my collection twice.
Also important, its portability is even better than the Switch, lighter and easier to take with you. Have you ever weighed the new 2DS? That console is light! Not to forget its price, for 100 bucks, you got a console that usually comes with one of the Mario games.
Did you know that the Louvre, the famous museum in Paris even has its own software? An interactive tour guide for the museum that I own and reviewed for GamingBoulevard as well! The variety is just so appealing that you can only say the 3DS has the best library.
Sadly the chance of getting more top titles for the console is pretty much non-existent. I wish it was not so, but I will use this chance to sincerely thank Nintendo. Thank you for bringing us the 3DS and giving us so many great games on this little gem of a console.
As a collector, as a gamer, and as a fan, thanks from the bottom of my heart for the 3DS and its amazing library.
