Best Strategy games on Nintendo 3DS
The 22 best Strategy games on Nintendo 3DS, ranked from 9,407 critic and player ratings.
The best Strategy game on Nintendo 3DS right now is EarthBound, with a critic score of 93/100 — updated augustus 2026.
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
92
/100
03
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
Fire Emblem Fates: Revelation
88
/100
05
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
06
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
07
Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest
87
/100
08
Pokémon Blue Version
Pokémon Blue is the third core series Pokémon game released as a minor revision of Pokémon Red and Green, which were released earlier that year. It was thus the first solitary version in the core series of Pokémon games. Various fixes in the game include a graphics and sound upgrade, as well as the removal of several known glitches that had been found in the original pair. Outside of Japan, its graphics, game engine and script formed the basis of Pokémon Red and Blue, while the wild Pokémon and game-exclusive Pokémon lists were changed to match Red and Green.
86
/100
09
Pokémon Sun
Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon trademarks were registered thus leaking the next Pokémon game titles to the public. Pokémon.com confirmed the games would be for the Nintendo 3DS and released in holiday 2016, with a new world, new Pokémon, and new adventures. Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon will be the first games in the Pokémon series to allow players to choose from nine languages to play in. In addition to English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish, players will now be able to play in both Traditional and Simplified Chinese.
86
/100
10
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater is the prequel to the entire Metal Gear series. Most of the series' defining gameplay elements have been carried over and as before, Snake must use stealth and wits rather than brute force to infiltrate enemy zones and eliminate his major adversaries. Unlike the previous games, this installment takes place in a large outdoor jungle. Snake is able to use camouflage, climb trees, hide in tall grass or wear clothes that make him less noticeable.
86
/100
11
Pokémon Silver Version
85
/100
12
The Sims 3
83
/100
13
Terraria
81
/100
14
Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia
81
/100
15
Mario & Luigi: Dream Team
80
/100
16
Pokémon Yellow Version: Special Pikachu Edition
80
/100
17
The Sims 3 Pets
79
/100
18
Pokémon Red Version
75
/100
19
Scribblenauts Unlimited
75
/100
20
Punch Club
73
/100
21
Dr. Mario
72
/100
22
Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure
68
/100
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 augustus 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.