392 million 3DS games sold – and one title stands above all others

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(Image source: IMAGO / Dreamstime)

The Nintendo 3DS is one of the most successful consoles of all time. One popular gaming series in particular has dominated on the handheld.

The last pure Nintendo handheld was a huge success. This is reflected in the sales figures for the games. In total, more than 392 million games were sold on the folding console. We’ll show you the 20 most successful gaming hits and answer the question of which Nintendo franchise was particularly successful. Mario? Zelda? Pokémon? Who will take the 3DS crown?

15th place: Monster Hunter Generations

In Monster Hunter, players can compete against giant monsters alone or with friends. Hunters can choose from a large number of weapons and equipment.

  • Release: November 28, 2015
  • Sold: 4.30 million copies

14th place: Nintendogs + Cats

Anyone who wanted a pet had a new opportunity here. With the 3DS, fans could take care of dogs and cats and play with the digital animals.

  • Release: February 26, 2011
  • Sold: 4.69 million copies

13th place: Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D

The remake of the legendary N64 classic is considered by many to be the best version of one of the most influential games of all time. The graphics were completely overhauled and fans could experience Link’s adventures on the go and with 3D effects.

  • Release: June 16, 2011
  • Sold: 6.44 million copies

12th place: Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon

In Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon, Mario’s brother was able to be scared again. Previously, over 10 years had passed since the original on the GameCube.

  • Release: March 20, 2013
  • Sold: 6.48 million copies

11th place: Tomodachi Life

In Tomodachi Life, players create Miis from friends, relatives or complete strangers who then live together on an island and have crazy adventures.

  • Release: April 18, 2013
  • Sold: 6.73 million copies

10th place: Yo-kai Watch 2

Yo-kai Watch 2 was a big hit, especially in Japan. In Germany the game was released much later, in March 2017, on the Nintendo 3DS.

  • Release: December 13, 2014
  • Sold: 7.30 million copies

9th place: Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon

The expanded version of Pokémon Sun and Moon features a changed story, new areas and more. The original will also appear in this list.

  • Release: November 17, 2017
  • Sold: 9.26 million copies

8th place: Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS

For the first time, Smash Bros. was also available on the go: In the handheld debut of the fighting game series, numerous gaming heroes were once again able to compete against each other and knock each other out of the screen.

  • Release: September 13, 2014
  • Sold: 9.65 million copies

7th place: Super Mario 3D Land

Super Mario 3D Land combines the freedom of 3D Mario games with the clear structure of classic 2D parts. The platformer also relied fully on the 3D effects of the handheld.

  • Release: November 3, 2011
  • Sold: 12.89 million copies

6th place: Animal Crossing: New Leaf

Of course, the relaxed life simulation Animal Crossing also deserves a place in the top 10. Players were able to make friends with the animal residents and decorate to their hearts and contents.

  • Release: November 8, 2012
  • Sold: 13.07 million copies

5th place: New Super Mario Bros. 2

New Super Mario Bros. 2 had a clear goal: collect as many coins as possible. The classic 2D platformer showered every level with gold, the raccoon suit was back and a two-player co-op mode ensured shared coin madness for two.

  • Release: December 1, 2011
  • Sold: 18.99 million copies

4th place: Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire

Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire are new editions of the Ruby and Sapphire editions of the Game Boy Advanced. Once again, several million fans jumped in to go hunting for pocket monsters again.

  • Release: November 21, 2014
  • Sold: 14.68 million copies

3rd place: Pokémon Sun and Moon

In Pokémon Sun and Moon, Game Freak replaced the classic orders with island challenges and gave old Pokémon special Alola forms. At the same time, it was the last big Pokémon adventure before the series moved to the Switch.

  • Release: November 18, 2016
  • Sold: 16.34 million copies

2nd place: Pokémon X and Y

Pokémon X and Y rounds out Pokémon dominance on the 3DS. The game ushered in a new era: for the first time, battles and the game world were completely three-dimensional. The Kalos region was again based on France, with the city of Illumina City recently appearing again in Pokémon Legends: ZA.

  • Release: October 12, 2013
  • Sold: 16.80 million copies

1st place: Mario Kart 7

But Mario is in first place. The best-selling 3DS game of all time is Mario Kart 7. Many 3DS consoles were sold as a bundle with the game. Almost 19 million copies are still extremely impressive.

  • Release: December 1, 2011
  • Sold: 18.99 million copies

What about the other 3DS games?

(Image source: Imago / Depositphotos / Editing: GIGA)

Are you missing your favorite game? Maybe it’s in one of the 16th to 20th places?

  • 16th place: The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (4.26 million)
  • 17th place: Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate (4.2 million)
  • 18th place: Monster Hunter 4 (4.1 million)
  • 19th place: Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS (3.79 million)
  • 20th place: Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer (3.51 million)