I still believe the 3DS is relevant today, even if it’s considered a “retro” system now. Some games on it still hold up as the best in their series, while others I keep coming back to purely for nostalgia. Either way, here are the ones I still play — and why!

Harvest Moon: The Tale of Two Towns

This Harvest Moon is one of my all-time favorites! I love the characters and the cozy world design that pulls you right in. No matter how hard I try, I always end up back in Bluebell Village — it perfectly captures that small-town English farming vibe. Even popping over to Konohana feels special, with its crop-focused design and quirky personalities. The little details, from the setting to the relationships between characters, make it such a charming game. I honestly can’t praise it enough.
And speaking of praise, I also have to shout out the mods for the next two games:

Modded Mario Kart 7

Okay, this might sound a bit unusual, but I’ve modded Mario Kart 7! The mod adds loads of new tracks and characters, and it’s been so much fun to explore. My favorite has to be a dragon-themed track — it looks amazing and is a blast to race on. And yes, my go-to character is the eShop gift bag (it always makes me laugh).
This mod really freshens the game up, and if you’ve got a modded 3DS, I’d definitely recommend giving it a try. Just… don’t tell Nintendo.

Animal Crossing: Welcome Luxury

Another unusual pick, but it deserves a spot here! The Welcome Luxury mod adds a bunch of quality-of-life improvements that make playing Animal Crossing: New Leaf so much easier. Shops are open 24/7, your mayor rating is always 100%, and flowers never wilt or die.
For me, the always-open shops are a lifesaver — I play at different hours because of work, so having everything available whenever I log in is brilliant.
Speaking of work… as “Mr. Inconsistent,” I often forget to talk to villagers or pull weeds. Having a game that doesn’t punish me for forgetting is a blessing.
And before you think I don’t like Nintendo games as they were originally made, here are some unmodded ones I adore:

Sushi Strikers: The Way of Sushido

Sushi Strikers is such a unique little Nintendo game. The idea is simple — match sushi plates to attack your opponent — but it works brilliantly. I bought it at 16 from CEX and instantly loved it. It starts off easy so you can get the hang of things, but the challenge ramps up fast in a really fun way. The gameplay is quirky, frustrating at times, but always addictive. The bright visuals and silly sound design just add to the charm. It’s one of those games that sticks with you.

Tomodachi Life

Tomodachi Life is one of my favorite life sims of all time — yes, even including Sims 3! While it’s stripped down compared to the Sims series, it makes up for it with pure charm. Miis fight with each other on their own, develop random likes and dislikes, and even follow schedules. So much of the game is unpredictable in the best way.
My favorite feature is the relationship panel, where you can see how each Mii feels about the others. The fun twist? It’s different for everyone! I’ve had my Mii-self and my partner be on completely opposite sides of the love spectrum at the same time. Compared to Sims, Tomodachi Life brings a level of unpredictability and dynamics I wish existed in every life sim.

These are the games I still play in 2025. Do you play any of these too? Or are there other 3DS games you find yourself returning to? Let me know in the comments — I’d love to chat about them! love to chat about them!