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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →For players asking what the best 3DS indie games are, a strong shortlist starts with Shovel Knight, Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse, SteamWorld Dig, and SteamWorld Heist, then branches into distinctive picks such as VVVVVV, Gunman Clive, and Cave Story 3D. This is a curated selection rather than an objective ranking: Nintendo Life’s 3DS eShop review directory helps show how entries compare in its catalog, while genre, hardware fit, and the kind of experience you want matter just as much. One practical caveat: Nintendo ended new 3DS eShop software and DLC sales on March 27, 2023, so this list is most useful for exploring games you already own or checking responsible secondhand options.
How to choose among the best 3DS indie games
The picks below cover different kinds of play rather than competing for one universal “best.” Use the table to find a starting point by genre and the platform-specific details established for each game. Nintendo Life’s Nintendo 3DS eShop review-score directory is a useful comparative editorial input, but its scores are dynamically maintained and do not provide a reliable publication or revision year here. The order below is therefore a recommendation, not a dated or objective consensus ranking.
![Animal Crossing New Leaf -Nintendo 3DS (World Edition) [video game]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51ae7NTwpoL._SL160_.jpg)
| Game | Best fit | What stands out for 3DS |
|---|---|---|
| Shovel Knight | Retro-styled 2D platforming | Nintendo Life highlights its StreetPass Arena in its 3DS review. |
| Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse | Platform-adventure | One of the higher-listed 3DS eShop titles in Nintendo Life’s directory. |
| SteamWorld Dig | Mining platform adventure | Nintendo’s page discusses stereoscopic 3D and use of the second-screen map. |
| SteamWorld Dig 2 | Another entry in the SteamWorld Dig line | Also among the higher-listed games in Nintendo Life’s directory; detailed direct comparisons are not established here. |
| SteamWorld Heist | Turn-based tactics | Nintendo’s historical Nindies announcement describes tactics, strategy, and trick shots. |
| VVVVVV | A distinctive platform-game option | Included among the higher-listed entries in Nintendo Life’s 3DS eShop directory. |
| Gunman Clive | Western-themed action-platforming | Nintendo’s Nindies announcement gives a short western premise; Nintendo Life lists its 3DS eShop entry and developer attribution. |
| Cave Story 3D | Story and exploration | Nintendo’s official page describes its premise and experience-based weapon upgrades. |
Platforming and platform-adventure picks
Shovel Knight
Start here if you want a traditional 2D platformer with a retro design sensibility. Nintendo Life’s 3DS review describes it as an “8-bit throwback” and praises how seriously it treats its inspirations rather than leaning on nostalgia alone. The 3DS release also includes a StreetPass Arena, a feature that gives this version a platform-specific distinction.
Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse
This is a natural next pick if you are looking for platform-adventure rather than a straight retro-platforming recommendation. It sits among the higher-listed 3DS eShop titles in Nintendo Life’s directory, making it one of the stronger catalog candidates for a shortlist. The available evidence supports its placement and genre framing, but not a deeper account of its story or mechanics.
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Gunman Clive
For a western-flavored action-platformer, consider Gunman Clive. Nintendo included it as a 3DS indie example in its historical Nindies Celebration Sale announcement, which gives a short western premise. That announcement documents the game’s catalog context at the time; it is not a current sale or availability listing.
Exploration and progression
SteamWorld Dig
Nintendo describes SteamWorld Dig as a mining platform adventure. Its Nintendo UK page also features an interview about the game’s stereoscopic effect and map on the 3DS second screen. Those are concrete reasons to choose this version when you want a game whose presentation was discussed in relation to the handheld’s features.
SteamWorld Dig 2
SteamWorld Dig 2 is a sequel and another higher-listed title in Nintendo Life’s directory. It belongs on the shortlist for players who want to stay with the series, but the available information here does not substantiate a detailed feature-by-feature comparison with the first game. Choose based on the entry you can access and your interest in continuing with the series rather than an unsupported claim that one is definitively better.
Cave Story and Cave Story 3D
Pay attention to the edition name when looking for this game. Cave Story and the retail-titled Cave Story 3D are not interchangeable labels in every listing. Nintendo’s Cave Story 3D page describes a protagonist who wakes in a cave without memories, encounters the Mimigas, and finds weapons that can be upgraded with experience crystals. Of the games in this list, this is the clearest verified option if a story premise and exploration appeal to you.
Rank #3
- This renewed game will not come with the original case or manual; cartridge only. It has been cleaned, tested, and is in nice condition.
A tactics change of pace
SteamWorld Heist
If you want to move away from platforming, SteamWorld Heist is the turn-based tactics choice here. Nintendo’s 2017 Nindies announcement describes leading steambots with tactics, strategy, and trick shots. The announcement is useful as historical catalog context, not evidence that the game is currently for sale through Nintendo.
A distinctive platform-game option
VVVVVV
VVVVVV earns a place because it appears among the higher-listed entries in Nintendo Life’s 3DS eShop directory, giving it a strong catalog case for readers surveying the platform’s indie games. The sources available for this article do not verify a fuller description of its mechanics, so this recommendation stays focused on its directory standing rather than adding unsupported detail.
Rank #4
- This is the world edition. It has different packaging but is fully authentic and works on US region 3DS systems.
- The Legend of Zelda veterans can look forward to the Master Quest - a second quest with revamped puzzles and redesigned dungeons.
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- “E10+”, w/Animated Blood, Fantasy Violence, Suggestive Themes
What the eShop closure means for finding these games
Nintendo Support says sales of software and DLC for the Nintendo 3DS family and Wii U via Nintendo eShop ended at 5:00 PM Pacific Time on Monday, March 27, 2023. See Nintendo’s Nintendo eShop overview for the 3DS family for the official scope. As a result, the shortlist is not a guide to current eShop purchases. Check the games and account access you already have, or investigate secondhand options carefully. The closure notice does not establish current used prices or stock, nor does it confirm a physical release for every title in every region. If you are considering used hardware or a game, verify the item’s region, condition, seller, and compatibility before buying; purchasing a console does not restore the ability to make discontinued eShop purchases.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- This renewed game will not come with the original case or manual; cartridge only. It has been cleaned, tested, and is in nice condition.
Which one should you look for first?
- Choose Shovel Knight for a traditional retro-styled platformer with a documented 3DS-specific StreetPass feature.
- Choose SteamWorld Dig for a mining platform adventure with Nintendo-documented discussion of stereoscopic 3D and a second-screen map.
- Choose SteamWorld Heist for turn-based tactics rather than platforming.
- Choose Cave Story 3D if you want the clearest source-supported story premise and experience-based weapon upgrades; check the exact edition name when searching.
- Consider Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse, SteamWorld Dig 2, VVVVVV, or Gunman Clive as strong additional catalog picks, guided by the genre you want and what you can legitimately access.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
