It's a weird situation that the Nintendo DS has more FPS games in its vast library that the 3DS. Still, there are great first-person shooters on the dedicated portable gaming console. Here are seven of the best FPS games on the platform.
Best nintendo 3DS FPS games
7. Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D
Technically, this is a third-person shooter game, but the main shooting mechanic is in first-person, so Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D is considered for this list due to that very reason. Also, as mentioned earlier, there are too few FPS on the 3DS.
This game brings the popular arcade mode from Resident Evil 4 and 5 to portable consoles as a stand-alone game. The focus is on survival and high scores, with players facing waves of enemies within strict time limits. Time bonuses, melee attacks, and combo bonuses enhance the gameplay experience, rewarding skilled play and strategic decision-making.
The game offers a variety of missions across six tiers of increasing difficulty, each requiring players to complete specific objectives such as defeating a set number of enemies or surviving multiple waves of foes. High scores unlock in-game content like new characters, costumes, and skills, adding depth and replay value to the experience. Online co-op mode allows players to team up for additional challenges, enhancing the game's longevity and enjoyment.
Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D faces criticism for its inability to delete game progress and its relatively high price point. However, its impressive graphics, smooth controls, and immersive sound design contribute to a visually stunning and immersive experience. With its blend of action-packed gameplay and strategic depth, the game offers hours of entertainment for fans of the franchise and arcade-style gaming alike.
6. Face Raiders
This is one unique game on the 3DS that may not capture the hearts of “core” gamers, whatever that means. Face Raiders showcases motion controls as well as its stereoscopic 3D capabilities. Unlike AR Games, which can hinder the 3D effect due to excessive movement, Face Raiders provides an immersive experience without compromising the 3D visuals. This pack-in game, included with the 3DS system at no additional cost, offers simple yet captivating gameplay that captivates players and provides more than ample entertainment.
In Face Raiders, players use the 3DS camera to capture their own faces, which then become enemies in the game. These flying enemies, adorned with colorful helmets, swarm from various directions, requiring players to physically move and aim their 3DS to defeat them. The game leverages motion controls effectively, allowing players to engage with the gameplay without sacrificing the 3D effect or losing the optimal viewing angle.
Face Raiders boasts high replay value and entertainment. Players can collect new faces by taking pictures of themselves and others, expanding the game's roster of enemies. The game's quirky sound effects and charming music complement its simple yet engaging visuals. While Face Raiders may not be a sole reason to purchase a 3DS, it serves as a delightful diversion and effectively demonstrates the system's capabilities.
5. Van Helsing Sniper Zx100
Van Helsing Sniper Zx100 by EnjoyUp Games showcases the potential of the 3DS with its immersive audiovisual experience. The game's synth-heavy soundtrack and cheesy voiceovers add to its retro charm, reminiscent of classic arcade shooters like The House of the Dead. Moreover, the effective use of the 3DS's stereoscopic 3D effect and motion controls enhances the gameplay.
The controls in Van Helsing Sniper Zx100 are intuitive, allowing players to seamlessly navigate the game world and take aim at their targets. The incorporation of motion sensor aiming, coupled with the ability to adjust the camera's position with a simple button tap, ensures smooth gameplay without compromising the 3D effect. Additionally, the game's futuristic London setting and neon art style create an immersive atmosphere reminiscent of iconic titles like Killer7.
Van Helsing Sniper Zx100 excels in audiovisual presentation and controls. The game offers various objectives and challenges across its Adventure Mode levels. The game's charming aesthetic and engaging presentation make it a worthwhile addition to the 3DS library, especially for fans of arcade-style shooters.
4. Metroid Prime: Blast Ball
Metroid Prime: Blast Ball may not be the traditional Metroid experience that fans were anticipating, but it offers a unique and surprisingly enjoyable take on the series. As a free early access demo on the 3DS eShop, it was worth giving it a try to see if it's your cup of tea. Unfortunately, the eShop for 3DS is dead. While it may not have the depth of a full-fledged title, there are moments of genuine fun to be had in this mech-based soccer shooter.
The gameplay mechanics of Blast Ball, while initially frustrating due to the weight of the ball, become more enjoyable with time and practice. Once players adapt to the slower pace and master the timing of their shots, predicting the ball's trajectory and strategically using power-ups adds depth to the matches. Additionally, the inclusion of character progression through unlockable skins and a competitive rating system adds incentive for replayability and personalization.
Blast Ball has a polished art style and smooth frame rate, a rarity for an FPS with amazing graphics. This game serves as an entertaining distraction and a promising glimpse into the potential of the Metroid Prime universe in new gameplay formats.
3. Moon Chronicles: Episode 1
Moon Chronicles Episode 1 marks the beginning of an ambitious project to bring the classic DS game, which also ranked in our best DS FPS games, MOON to the 3DS in episodic form. Set on the, obviously, moon, the game follows a team investigating the discovery of a mysterious hatch, setting the stage for a sci-fi adventure with potential.
While the storytelling in this first episode is basic and the plot ends on a cliffhanger, there are glimpses of a compelling narrative waiting to unfold. And there are more episodes that followed this first one, again, obviously. Players can uncover bits of backstory through consoles scattered across the game, hinting at a deeper lore yet to be explored in future episodes.
As the first FPS for the 3DS, Moon Chronicles delivers a nostalgic experience reminiscent of shareware games from the early '90s. Despite its short length, clocking in at around an hour, the game offers solid old-school gameplay with challenging combat and exploration. The absence of regenerating health and auto-saving adds to the game's retro charm, offering a refreshing change of pace from modern shooters.
2. Dementium Remastered
Dementium Remastered offers a haunting experience with its eerie atmosphere and lack of answers to the mysteries it presents. Renegade Kid has done an impressive job rebuilding the world, with the hospital's bleak halls and grotesque enemies brought to life in 3D.
Combat in Dementium Remastered is tense and challenging, with clever enemy AI and limited visibility adding to the suspense. The need to choose between having a weapon or a flashlight adds strategic depth to encounters, while distinct enemy sounds help players anticipate attacks. The game's soundtrack is also commendable with its melancholy piano melodies, complementing the eerie atmosphere perfectly.
While the control scheme is generally smooth, the positioning of the D-Pad for weapon switching can be cumbersome, especially during intense combat situations. The game compensates for this with generous health and ammo pickups, as well as the addition of save points to ease frustration. Despite these improvements, boss battles remain a significant challenge, often requiring more luck than skill to overcome. Dementium Remastered offers a compelling horror shooter experience on the 3DS, with its flaws balanced by its strengths in atmosphere and gameplay.
1. Metroid Prime: Federation Force
Metroid Prime Federation Force faced its fair share of skepticism upon announcement, as it is not the Metroid game that every hardcore fan of the franchise was anticipating. Nevertheless, it is still the best FPS game on the 3DS no matter how the vocal minority cries about it.
Fair warning though since the online infrastructure of the 3DS has been shattered, Multiplayer is where Federation Force actually shines the brightest, allowing for cooperative play online. But there is always local play.
While the story may not be groundbreaking, it offers a glimpse into the post-Metroid Prime 3 Corruption era, introducing new elements to the Galactic Federation's lore. Controls are responsive and intuitive, providing a smooth gameplay experience. Replayability is encouraged through optional objectives and higher difficulty modes.
Federation Force offers a worthwhile experience, especially for fans of the Metroid series craving a shooter on the 3DS.It delivers enough engaging gameplay and cooperative fun to warrant consideration, particularly for those eager to explore the Metroid universe in a new light.