Best games
Best Strategy games on Nintendo 3DS
The 28 best Strategy games on Nintendo 3DS, ranked from 11,793 critic and player ratings.
The best Strategy game on Nintendo 3DS right now is EarthBound, with a critic score of 93/100 — 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.
- 28 games are listed on this page, carrying 11,793 ratings between them.
- Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 28 September 2026.
Top 28
01
S
EarthBound
A turn-based JRPG and sequel to then-Japan-only Earthbound Beginnings (1989) in which Ness, a young boy living in a land based on the USA, leaves home to go on an adventure through strange locations, get to know quirky characters and defeat an unknowable alien threat called Giygas while facing up to the realities of growing up and becoming familiar with the real world.
93
/100
02
Fire Emblem Awakening
Armies clash as the world burns. As an inevitable war draws ever closer, you must stand with Chrom and his forces--knights, mages, archers, and more--commanding them against the armies of kingdoms, empires, and the dead themselves. Plan your strategery. Move your troops on the battlefield, then choose their weapon and attack. Using the new Pair Up and Dual systems, support your attacks with the help of nearby allies and watch their skills and relationships grow.
92
/100
03
DRAGON QUEST XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age
Dragon Quest XI continues the gameplay of previous games in the series, in which players explore worlds and fight against various monsters, including the ability to explore high areas. Before entering battle, players can also toggle between the 3D and 2D graphical styles. The game features the series' traditional turn-based battle system.
91
/100
S
EarthBound
A turn-based JRPG and sequel to then-Japan-only Earthbound Beginnings (1989) in which Ness, a young boy living in a land based on the USA, leaves home to go on an adventure through strange locations, get to know quirky characters and defeat an unknowable alien threat called Giygas while facing up to the realities of growing up and becoming familiar with the real world.
93
/100
02
Fire Emblem Awakening
Armies clash as the world burns. As an inevitable war draws ever closer, you must stand with Chrom and his forces--knights, mages, archers, and more--commanding them against the armies of kingdoms, empires, and the dead themselves. Plan your strategery. Move your troops on the battlefield, then choose their weapon and attack. Using the new Pair Up and Dual systems, support your attacks with the help of nearby allies and watch their skills and relationships grow.
92
/100
03
DRAGON QUEST XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age
Dragon Quest XI continues the gameplay of previous games in the series, in which players explore worlds and fight against various monsters, including the ability to explore high areas. Before entering battle, players can also toggle between the 3D and 2D graphical styles. The game features the series' traditional turn-based battle system.
91
/100
04
Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright
Fire Emblem Fates is split into three story paths. Birthright is one of the two base stories, the other being Conquest. The other story path can be bought digitally at a discount through the in-game store. The third story path is Revelation, a DLC that was released later. You need to be have completed Chapter 6 in either game to access the other stories and DLC. Birthright is the easier path as it has the ability to use scouting missions to grind experience and money and simpler mission objectives.
90
/100
05
Pokémon Alpha Sapphire
During your adventure, you will battle Team Magma in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Team Aqua in Pokémon Alpha Sapphire. Team Magma seeks to increase the land, while Team Aqua wishes to increase the seas. In order to bring about these grand plans, each will turn to the power of a Legendary Pokémon: Groudon or Kyogre. Team Magma pursues Groudon, while Team Aqua goes after Kyogre. What could be driving them to such lengths?
88
/100
06
Pokémon X, Y
Your adventure in Pokémon X and Pokémon Y takes place in the Kalos region, home to beautiful skies and forests! The Kalos region is full of interesting places to visit and explore! Progressing with the game let you enter the central city of the Kalos region is Lumiose City, a thriving metropolis filled with customers checking out its variety of shops. Many roads extend from the iconic tower at the city's center.
88
/100
07
SteamWorld Heist
Join Captain Piper Faraday, smuggler and occasional pirate, as she recruits a rag-tag team of steam-driven robots and sets out on a daring adventure. With your hearty crew you’ll board, loot and shoot your way through enemy spaceships. Overcome the challenges of the vast frontier by upgrading your robots with unique abilities, weapons – and even stylish hats!
88
/100
08
Pokémon Gold Version
Pokémon Gold, along with Pokémon Silver, are the sequels to Pokémon Red and Blue. They offer 100 new Pokémon to capture and train, 8 more Gyms to take on and a new Pokémon League challenge. Featuring an expanded post-game, Pokémon Gold and Silver additionally offer extra content from the previous entries in the series.
88
/100
09
Pokémon X
An all-new 3D Pokemon adventure packed with never-before-seen Pokemon will launch worldwide in October 2013. Pokemon X and Pokemon Y will present a new generation of Pokemon, and introduce players to an exciting new adventure in a breathtaking 3D world.
87
/100
10
Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest
Fire Emblem Fates is split into three story paths. Conquest is one of the two base stories, the other being Birthright. The other story path can be bought digitally at a discount through the in-game store. The third story path is Revelation, a DLC that was released later. You need to be have completed Chapter 6 in either game to access the other stories and DLC. Conquest is the hardest of the three paths, having reduced ability to grind experience from maps, tougher mission objectives, and giving less money and experience for those missions.
87
/100
11
Pokémon Blue Version
86
/100
12
Pokémon Sun
86
/100
13
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
86
/100
14
Pokémon Silver Version
85
/100
15
Pokémon Moon
85
/100
16
The Sims 3
83
/100
17
Pokémon Alpha Sapphire, Omega Ruby
83
/100
18
A
Terraria
81
/100
19
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
81
/100
20
Puyo Puyo Tetris
81
/100
21
Pokémon Yellow Version: Special Pikachu Edition
80
/100
22
Toki Tori
80
/100
23
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory
78
/100
24
Pokémon Red Version
75
/100
25
Scribblenauts Unlimited
75
/100
26
Punch Club
73
/100
27
Dr. Mario
72
/100
28
Angry Birds Star Wars
59
/100
Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright
Fire Emblem Fates is split into three story paths. Birthright is one of the two base stories, the other being Conquest. The other story path can be bought digitally at a discount through the in-game store. The third story path is Revelation, a DLC that was released later. You need to be have completed Chapter 6 in either game to access the other stories and DLC. Birthright is the easier path as it has the ability to use scouting missions to grind experience and money and simpler mission objectives.
90
/100
05
Pokémon Alpha Sapphire
During your adventure, you will battle Team Magma in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Team Aqua in Pokémon Alpha Sapphire. Team Magma seeks to increase the land, while Team Aqua wishes to increase the seas. In order to bring about these grand plans, each will turn to the power of a Legendary Pokémon: Groudon or Kyogre. Team Magma pursues Groudon, while Team Aqua goes after Kyogre. What could be driving them to such lengths?
88
/100
06
Pokémon X, Y
Your adventure in Pokémon X and Pokémon Y takes place in the Kalos region, home to beautiful skies and forests! The Kalos region is full of interesting places to visit and explore! Progressing with the game let you enter the central city of the Kalos region is Lumiose City, a thriving metropolis filled with customers checking out its variety of shops. Many roads extend from the iconic tower at the city's center.
88
/100
07
SteamWorld Heist
Join Captain Piper Faraday, smuggler and occasional pirate, as she recruits a rag-tag team of steam-driven robots and sets out on a daring adventure. With your hearty crew you’ll board, loot and shoot your way through enemy spaceships. Overcome the challenges of the vast frontier by upgrading your robots with unique abilities, weapons – and even stylish hats!
88
/100
08
Pokémon Gold Version
Pokémon Gold, along with Pokémon Silver, are the sequels to Pokémon Red and Blue. They offer 100 new Pokémon to capture and train, 8 more Gyms to take on and a new Pokémon League challenge. Featuring an expanded post-game, Pokémon Gold and Silver additionally offer extra content from the previous entries in the series.
88
/100
09
Pokémon X
An all-new 3D Pokemon adventure packed with never-before-seen Pokemon will launch worldwide in October 2013. Pokemon X and Pokemon Y will present a new generation of Pokemon, and introduce players to an exciting new adventure in a breathtaking 3D world.
87
/100
10
Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest
Fire Emblem Fates is split into three story paths. Conquest is one of the two base stories, the other being Birthright. The other story path can be bought digitally at a discount through the in-game store. The third story path is Revelation, a DLC that was released later. You need to be have completed Chapter 6 in either game to access the other stories and DLC. Conquest is the hardest of the three paths, having reduced ability to grind experience from maps, tougher mission objectives, and giving less money and experience for those missions.
87
/100
11
Pokémon Blue Version
86
/100
12
Pokémon Sun
86
/100
13
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
86
/100
14
Pokémon Silver Version
85
/100
15
Pokémon Moon
85
/100
16
The Sims 3
83
/100
17
Pokémon Alpha Sapphire, Omega Ruby
83
/100
18
A
Terraria
81
/100
19
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
81
/100
20
Puyo Puyo Tetris
81
/100
21
Pokémon Yellow Version: Special Pikachu Edition
80
/100
22
Toki Tori
80
/100
23
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory
78
/100
24
Pokémon Red Version
75
/100
25
Scribblenauts Unlimited
75
/100
26
Punch Club
73
/100
27
Dr. Mario
72
/100
28
Angry Birds Star Wars
59
/100
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Strategy game on Nintendo 3DS?
EarthBound currently tops the ranking with a score of 93/100 across 557 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.