Best games
Best Action games on Nintendo 3DS
The 81 best Action games on Nintendo 3DS, ranked from 24,583 critic and player ratings.
The best Action game on Nintendo 3DS right now is The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, with a critic score of 100/100 — updated September 2026.
How this ranking is built
- Games are ranked on the aggregated critic score out of 100 imported from IGDB and Metacritic, never on Tier's own grades.
- A game only enters the ranking with at least 80 external ratings, so a single enthusiastic review never outranks a proven classic.
- Community grades from F to S are shown next to every game, and only stated as a fact above 5 Tier ratings.
- Release window covered: 1970 to 2026.
- 50 games are listed on this page, carrying 24,583 ratings between them.
- Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 29 September 2026.
Top 50
01
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Venture back to Hyrule and an age of magic and heroes. The predecessors of Link and Zelda face monsters on the march when a menacing magician takes over the kingdom. Only you can prevent his evil plot from shattering the land of Hyrule. In your quest, you'll venture into twisting mazes, dungeons, palaces and shadowy forests. Test your mettle with mighty swords and magical weapons. Or heft a boulder and hurl it at your enemies. If the going gets tough, dive into a river - you can swim to escape! Learn powerful spells, locate magical artifacts and solve the mysteries of the evil magician and the hidden realm of Hyrule.
100
/100
02
Super Metroid
The Space Pirates, merciless agents of the evil Mother Brain, have stolen the last Metroid from a research station, and once again Mother Brain threatens the safety of the galaxy! Samus Aran must don her awesome array of high-tech weaponry to retrieve the deadly Metroid hidden deep within the cave-riddled planet Zebes. Super Metroid features excellent graphics, with a huge variety of enemies and worlds to explore. The side-view action will be familiar to many players, only now there are new weapons and items, including the Grappling Beam, which allows Samus to swing across large chasms, and the X-Ray Scope, which reveals secret passages.
100
/100
03
Super Castlevania IV
A century of Transylvanian tranquility is about to come to a shocking end. Once again the mortifying screams of helpless villagers shake the ground as they huddle against new nightmarish horrors unleashed by the Duke of Darkness, Count Dracula. And this time he has a tombstone with your name on it, Simon Belmont. You must descend into Castle of the Undead and its gruesome ground, accompanied by the most chilling sound effects to ever tingle your spine. Inside, a freshly dug 11 levels maze features the treacherous Terrace of Terror, the dangerous Rotating Dungeon, the Sunken Ruins of Lost Spirits, torture chambers and creature filled caves. Use your whip like a grappling hook and swing past hundreds of traps and a host of ghost freaks, living corpses and hidden goblins. All while dodging or destroying the unpredictable spitting lizards, carnivorous coffins, and more. Find the concealed weapons needed to defeat everything from eerie phantoms to haunted furniture. Then prepare to find yourself face-to-thing with hideous torments like the Tongue Lasher, the Darkest Knight, the Bone-Afide Horseman and the Granite Crusher. When your nerves get shot, use your password and take a breather. But forge on, Simon Belmont, because if you though Dracula was down for the count, he's only just begun to fright!
100
/100
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Venture back to Hyrule and an age of magic and heroes. The predecessors of Link and Zelda face monsters on the march when a menacing magician takes over the kingdom. Only you can prevent his evil plot from shattering the land of Hyrule. In your quest, you'll venture into twisting mazes, dungeons, palaces and shadowy forests. Test your mettle with mighty swords and magical weapons. Or heft a boulder and hurl it at your enemies. If the going gets tough, dive into a river - you can swim to escape! Learn powerful spells, locate magical artifacts and solve the mysteries of the evil magician and the hidden realm of Hyrule.
100
/100
02
Super Metroid
The Space Pirates, merciless agents of the evil Mother Brain, have stolen the last Metroid from a research station, and once again Mother Brain threatens the safety of the galaxy! Samus Aran must don her awesome array of high-tech weaponry to retrieve the deadly Metroid hidden deep within the cave-riddled planet Zebes. Super Metroid features excellent graphics, with a huge variety of enemies and worlds to explore. The side-view action will be familiar to many players, only now there are new weapons and items, including the Grappling Beam, which allows Samus to swing across large chasms, and the X-Ray Scope, which reveals secret passages.
100
/100
03
Super Castlevania IV
A century of Transylvanian tranquility is about to come to a shocking end. Once again the mortifying screams of helpless villagers shake the ground as they huddle against new nightmarish horrors unleashed by the Duke of Darkness, Count Dracula. And this time he has a tombstone with your name on it, Simon Belmont. You must descend into Castle of the Undead and its gruesome ground, accompanied by the most chilling sound effects to ever tingle your spine. Inside, a freshly dug 11 levels maze features the treacherous Terrace of Terror, the dangerous Rotating Dungeon, the Sunken Ruins of Lost Spirits, torture chambers and creature filled caves. Use your whip like a grappling hook and swing past hundreds of traps and a host of ghost freaks, living corpses and hidden goblins. All while dodging or destroying the unpredictable spitting lizards, carnivorous coffins, and more. Find the concealed weapons needed to defeat everything from eerie phantoms to haunted furniture. Then prepare to find yourself face-to-thing with hideous torments like the Tongue Lasher, the Darkest Knight, the Bone-Afide Horseman and the Granite Crusher. When your nerves get shot, use your password and take a breather. But forge on, Simon Belmont, because if you though Dracula was down for the count, he's only just begun to fright!
100
/100
04
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages is one of two Zelda titles released for the Game Boy Color, the other being Oracle of Seasons. The game retain many gameplay elements from Link's Awakening such as the graphics, audio and top-view perspective. It also features eight dungeons and a large overworld to explore like in the previous games. Oracle of Ages is said to be more puzzle-oriented than its counterpart being more action-oriented. After completing one of the two games, both can be linked to form a single linear plot with an alternate ending. Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons were often credited as being two of the top games for the Game Boy Color.
95
/100
05
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons is one of two Zelda titles released for the Game Boy Color, the other being Oracle of Ages. The game retain many gameplay elements from Link's Awakening such as the graphics, audio and top-view perspective. It also features eight dungeons and a large overworld to explore like in the previous games. Oracle of Seasons is said to be more action-oriented than its counterpart being more puzzle-oriented. After completing one of the two games, both can be linked to form a single linear plot with an alternate ending. Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages were often credited as being two of the top games for the Game Boy Color.
93
/100
06
Metroid Fusion
Metroid Fusion is a side-scrolling action-adventure game that combines exploration, combat, and progression within a structured environment. Players navigate distinct sectors, acquire new abilities, and unlock access to previously restricted areas as they advance. The game emphasizes guided objectives alongside ability-based traversal, with a focus on atmospheric tension, evolving threats, and progression through upgrades.
92
/100
07
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove
91
/100
08
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Dr. Eggman (aka Dr. Robotnik) has returned, turning helpless animals into robots and forcing them to build his ultimate weapon, the Death Egg! But this time, Sonic has a friend that can help him: Tails! Find the 7 Chaos Emeralds and stop Dr. Robotnik’s evil scheme!
90
/100
09
S
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap is a top-down action adventure game that tells the origins of the evil Vaati from Four Swords. Like most other titles in the series, The Minish Cap features the fully explorable land of Hyrule, although it can be viewed from the eyes of a human or the eyes of a Minish, a race of tiny people and an alternate form that Link can transform into. Unlike the multiplayer focus of the other games in the series, The Minish Cap retains the original form of exploration and dungeons as seen in A Link to the Past, Oracle of Seasons, and Oracle of Ages, as well as returning characters and game mechanics such as Malon and the Spin Attack. New features include fusing Kinstones and shrinking to the size of a Minish.
90
/100
10
Rayman Origins
Bubble Dreamer, Rayman, his best friend Globox, and some Teensy friends are chilling out at the Bubble Dreamer's resting grounds, the Snoring Tree. However, their snoring disturbs an old granny from the Land of the Livid Dead, who retaliates by sending an evil army of horrendous creatures and the Darktoons across the world, capturing the Electoons that inhabit the world, imprisoning Betilla the Nymph and her sisters, and plunging the Glade into chaos. As a result, the ensuing disaster causes the Bubble Dreamer to go crazy and have nightmares. Although they are captured, Rayman and his friends are able to escape the Darktoons. They are then tasked by the Magician to gather enough Electoons to cure the Bubble Dreamer and restore the Glade of Dreams. Their efforts to locate the Electoons allow them to gain access to the various lands of the Glade, rescuing the Nymphs along the way.
89
/100
11
Super Mario Bros. 3
89
/100
12
SteamWorld Dig 2
89
/100
13
Xenoblade Chronicles
89
/100
14
Shovel Knight
89
/100
15
Metroid: Samus Returns
88
/100
16
SteamWorld Heist
88
/100
17
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth
86
/100
18
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
86
/100
19
Mega Man 2
85
/100
20
Mega Man Legacy Collection / ロックマン クラシックス コレクション
85
/100
21
Severed
84
/100
22
Super Mario Bros.
84
/100
23
Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment
83
/100
24
S
Minecraft
83
/100
25
Cave Story
83
/100
26
Shantae and the Pirate's Curse
82
/100
27
Prince of Persia (1989)
81
/100
28
Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon
81
/100
29
SteamWorld Dig
81
/100
30
A
Terraria
81
/100
31
VVVVVV
81
/100
32
Puyo Puyo Tetris
81
/100
33
The Legend of Zelda
81
/100
34
LEGO The Lord of the Rings
80
/100
35
BIT.TRIP RUNNER
80
/100
36
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
80
/100
37
Streets of Rage 2
80
/100
38
Resident Evil: Revelations
80
/100
39
BIT.TRIP BEAT
80
/100
40
Xeodrifter
79
/100
41
Castlevania
79
/100
42
Mega Man 3 (1990)
79
/100
43
Mega Man X3
78
/100
44
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes
78
/100
45
Luigi's Mansion
78
/100
46
Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon
78
/100
47
Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney
78
/100
48
Battle City
78
/100
49
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory
78
/100
50
Sonic Generations
77
/100
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages is one of two Zelda titles released for the Game Boy Color, the other being Oracle of Seasons. The game retain many gameplay elements from Link's Awakening such as the graphics, audio and top-view perspective. It also features eight dungeons and a large overworld to explore like in the previous games. Oracle of Ages is said to be more puzzle-oriented than its counterpart being more action-oriented. After completing one of the two games, both can be linked to form a single linear plot with an alternate ending. Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons were often credited as being two of the top games for the Game Boy Color.
95
/100
05
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons is one of two Zelda titles released for the Game Boy Color, the other being Oracle of Ages. The game retain many gameplay elements from Link's Awakening such as the graphics, audio and top-view perspective. It also features eight dungeons and a large overworld to explore like in the previous games. Oracle of Seasons is said to be more action-oriented than its counterpart being more puzzle-oriented. After completing one of the two games, both can be linked to form a single linear plot with an alternate ending. Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages were often credited as being two of the top games for the Game Boy Color.
93
/100
06
Metroid Fusion
Metroid Fusion is a side-scrolling action-adventure game that combines exploration, combat, and progression within a structured environment. Players navigate distinct sectors, acquire new abilities, and unlock access to previously restricted areas as they advance. The game emphasizes guided objectives alongside ability-based traversal, with a focus on atmospheric tension, evolving threats, and progression through upgrades.
92
/100
07
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove
91
/100
08
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Dr. Eggman (aka Dr. Robotnik) has returned, turning helpless animals into robots and forcing them to build his ultimate weapon, the Death Egg! But this time, Sonic has a friend that can help him: Tails! Find the 7 Chaos Emeralds and stop Dr. Robotnik’s evil scheme!
90
/100
09
S
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap is a top-down action adventure game that tells the origins of the evil Vaati from Four Swords. Like most other titles in the series, The Minish Cap features the fully explorable land of Hyrule, although it can be viewed from the eyes of a human or the eyes of a Minish, a race of tiny people and an alternate form that Link can transform into. Unlike the multiplayer focus of the other games in the series, The Minish Cap retains the original form of exploration and dungeons as seen in A Link to the Past, Oracle of Seasons, and Oracle of Ages, as well as returning characters and game mechanics such as Malon and the Spin Attack. New features include fusing Kinstones and shrinking to the size of a Minish.
90
/100
10
Rayman Origins
Bubble Dreamer, Rayman, his best friend Globox, and some Teensy friends are chilling out at the Bubble Dreamer's resting grounds, the Snoring Tree. However, their snoring disturbs an old granny from the Land of the Livid Dead, who retaliates by sending an evil army of horrendous creatures and the Darktoons across the world, capturing the Electoons that inhabit the world, imprisoning Betilla the Nymph and her sisters, and plunging the Glade into chaos. As a result, the ensuing disaster causes the Bubble Dreamer to go crazy and have nightmares. Although they are captured, Rayman and his friends are able to escape the Darktoons. They are then tasked by the Magician to gather enough Electoons to cure the Bubble Dreamer and restore the Glade of Dreams. Their efforts to locate the Electoons allow them to gain access to the various lands of the Glade, rescuing the Nymphs along the way.
89
/100
11
Super Mario Bros. 3
89
/100
12
SteamWorld Dig 2
89
/100
13
Xenoblade Chronicles
89
/100
14
Shovel Knight
89
/100
15
Metroid: Samus Returns
88
/100
16
SteamWorld Heist
88
/100
17
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth
86
/100
18
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
86
/100
19
Mega Man 2
85
/100
20
Mega Man Legacy Collection / ロックマン クラシックス コレクション
85
/100
21
Severed
84
/100
22
Super Mario Bros.
84
/100
23
Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment
83
/100
24
S
Minecraft
83
/100
25
Cave Story
83
/100
26
Shantae and the Pirate's Curse
82
/100
27
Prince of Persia (1989)
81
/100
28
Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon
81
/100
29
SteamWorld Dig
81
/100
30
A
Terraria
81
/100
31
VVVVVV
81
/100
32
Puyo Puyo Tetris
81
/100
33
The Legend of Zelda
81
/100
34
LEGO The Lord of the Rings
80
/100
35
BIT.TRIP RUNNER
80
/100
36
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
80
/100
37
Streets of Rage 2
80
/100
38
Resident Evil: Revelations
80
/100
39
BIT.TRIP BEAT
80
/100
40
Xeodrifter
79
/100
41
Castlevania
79
/100
42
Mega Man 3 (1990)
79
/100
43
Mega Man X3
78
/100
44
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes
78
/100
45
Luigi's Mansion
78
/100
46
Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon
78
/100
47
Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney
78
/100
48
Battle City
78
/100
49
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory
78
/100
50
Sonic Generations
77
/100
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Action game on Nintendo 3DS?
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past currently tops the ranking with a score of 100/100 across 1,667 ratings. Ranking updated September 2026.
How is this ranking built?
Games are ranked on their aggregated critic score out of 100, with a minimum vote threshold so a single glowing review never outranks a proven classic; the Tier community's own F-to-S grades are shown alongside each game.