The 3DS is an amazing console, containing one of the deepest libraries of any Nintendo handheld. Players who enjoy platformers are spoiled for choice on the 3DS (especially with all the virtual console games). All of Nintendo's famous series are well-represented, and they're bolstered by amazing third-party games that diversify the library.
Thanks to the impressive 3D visuals and then-impressive technology, the 3DS had a wealth of both 2D and 3D games. Many of the 3D platformers still feature hybrid 2D/2.5D stages, but the 3D hardware allowed for some unique ideas that make 3DS platformers stand out from other consoles, and many of them are still exclusive to the hardware.
10 Poochy and Yoshi’s Wooly World
Poochy and Yoshi's Woolly World is a scaled-down port of the Wii U version. Players assume control of Yoshi - though this time there are no crying babies and Crayola backgrounds. Yoshi is made of wool, and his canine pal Poochy occasionally gets his own runner levels.
This game has all the fun egg-throwing 2D platforming elements of past Yoshi games and mixes cozy platforming that veers toward the easy side of things with a fun collectathon that vastly ramps up the challenge. One of the coolest aspects of this game is using all the stickers you collect to change Yoshi's fabric design. All in all, it is a fun experience that many players missed since it was released right before the Nintendo Switch.
9 Metroid: Samus Returns
Despite being one of the very best 3DS games, a lot of players were focused on the Nintendo Switch when Metroid: Samus Returns was released. It is technically a remake of Metroid 2 for the original Gameboy, but it feels more like a new game with some retro flair tossed in for good measure.
The environments look incredible, and the gameplay is rock solid. It features interesting new powerups such as the Morph Ball being able to cling to walls and time-based counterattacks that can be used against virtually any foe. While the more recent Metroid Dread might be a more accomplished game, Samus Returns shares many of Dread's strengths and remains the best Metroid game for the 3DS.
8 Bye-Bye Boxboy
The Boxboy games are developed by HAL Laboratory and remain exclusive to the 3DS. They are some of the most affordable hidden gems on the console, and Bye-Bye Boxboy is arguably the best of them all. It combines simple 2D platforming with fun puzzles crafted from using boxes to accomplish certain goals.
The player can use up to four boxes to solve a myriad of platforming puzzles such as jumping over pits, hitting switches, and getting around imposing walls. The puzzles tickle the brain without causing too much frustration, and there is a surprisingly large amount of content for just a few bucks.
7 Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse
Shante and the Pirate's Curse is an amazing platformer, and though available for just about every modern platform, it feels right on a handheld like the Nintendo 3DS or Switch. This game took all the core platforming and Metroidvania concepts past Shantae games played with and upped the ante tenfold.
This is a huge platformer with tons to explore. It crafts fun combat with deep environments full of charm and secrets to find. Even if it isn't exclusive to the 3DS, this is an amazing port of an amazing game that all Metroidvania fans should play.
6 Kirby Triple Deluxe
Kirby Triple Deluxe is a creative platformer that doesn't stray from the classic Kirby gameplay. It is an enchanting 2D adventure with tons of adorable and fun power-ups. This time Kirby has a Hypernova ability that lets him suck anything and everything in his path. It leads to fun puzzles and a feeling of invincibility that is equal parts adorable and satisfying.
Where Triple Deluxe really shines is with the stage design. The levels all truly feel 3D despite being stuck on 2D planes. There is a ton of interaction with objects that are launched from the background, and players will need to really explore each stage to find all the secrets. It also comes with some extra modes and unlockable stages that make it worth the price of admission.
5 Cave Story
Cave Story landing on the 3DS came as a bit of surprise. The original 2D version was completely overhauled with parallax and 3D capabilities — not to mention, this time, it wasn't free. Despite the (extra) cost, the upgrade is definitely worth it. This feels like a new game, and there is a lot of new content added to the experience.
Cave Story is a love letter to old platforming series, and it includes zany weapons that would seemingly fit in with everything from Metroid to Mario. Underneath the quirky dialogue and whacky ballistics, this is a deep platformer with giant environments to explore and a mystery to unravel. It is a game that feels tailor-made to flourish on the 3DS, and the environments couldn't look better.
4 Donkey Kong Country Returns
The Wii original was a blast, but the 3DS allows players to take Donkey Kong Country Returns on the go. This time, Nintendo wisely chose to add a casual mode for less experienced players, as well as a bunch of new stages. Other than some occasional input issues, DKC Returns lives up to the hype.
Like the original Donkey Kong Country on SNES, Donkey and Diddy team up to tackle a new adventure. There are tons of collectables, and this was one of the first games to successfully utilize the forefront and background of the stage and incorporate both planes into the gameplay. Despite the challenge — especially for those trying to collect everything — it's an absolute barrel blast to return to the world of DKC once again.
3 Shovel Knight
Shovel Knight is probably the most popular digitally-exclusive 3DS platformer. It is one of the best indie games ever made, and new content is still coming out for it to this day. Though it is found on other consoles, it was released in the middle of the 3DS's lifespan.
The magic of Shovel Knight is that it fully forms its own identity while capturing the magic of 8-bit series like Castlevania and Mega Man. It comes with a surprisingly deep story and lets you beat down everything from dragons to plague doctors with a shovel. The soundtrack is nothing short of chiptune magic, and anyone wanting to return to the roots of the platforming genre with some modern convenience should look no further.
2 Kirby Planet Robobot
For those who found Triple Deluxe to play it a little too safe, Planet Robobot injects a lot more experimentation into the Kirby formula. It does more with forefront/background interactions, and the power-ups are just as fun as ever. However, the main draw is getting to romp around in Mega Man X-Esque mech suits and destroy environments and any unfortunate foes caught in your warpath.
At the end of the day, this is still a Kirby game, but it refines the ideas in past Kirby games, especially Triple Deluxe, while taking the gameplay in a totally new direction that feels fresh. This is a must-play for all fans of platformers; don't let the cute factor deceive you.
1 Super Mario 3D Land
Considering how incredible Super Mario 3D Land is, it is surprising Nintendo's mascot never got a second 3D outing on the console. Not only is this one of the most underrated Mario games of all time, but it also stands out as the best 3DS platformer ever made.
What makes this game so special is that it seems like a celebration of everything Mario has accomplished in his lengthy career. Stage ideas from games like Super Mario Brothers 3 and Mario 64 feel right at home next to one another, and the meshing of 2D/3D stages made for some of the most original Mario stages seen in a long time. Despite being one of the first great 3DS games, it will always be remembered as one of the very best.