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The Nintendo 3DS was one of Nintendo’s most iconic handheld systems for a variety of reasons. For one, it introduced the StreetPass feature that allowed for you to make social connections wherever you brought the console. We have so many memories of going to conventions and pulling out our 3DS at the end of the day to see what seemed like an eternal green light. Since its heyday, fans have been collecting both what are their favorite games and the rarest ones available. Let’s dive into the 10 rarest 3DS games of all time that are worth their weight in gold.
10. Kirby’s Extra Epic Yarn Demo Unit (2011) – $100
Demo units are always expected to be returned to Nintendo after they are done being displayed in stores. Because this is the job of those who work at the stores where the demos were displayed, sometimes individuals would break the rules. As a result, loose copies of Kirby’s Extra Epic Yarn’s demo are available in the wild. This isn’t the full game by any means, but that’s what makes it even rarer than most other 3DS games. When it comes to Nintendo’s handhelds, it isn’t uncommon to find demos as major parts of collections.
9. Guide Louvre (2013) – $130
Yes, this is an actual game that existed during the lifetime of the 3DS. While it wasn’t available to purchase in regular stores, you could purchase and use it if you were touring the Louvre in France. We had the privilege of being able to use the game during a visit to the prestigious museum. To answer your burning question: they expected guests to wear the 3DS XL around their necks with headphones inserted so that they could listen to the tour while walking through the museum. While it wasn’t the most user-friendly way to conduct a museum tour, it made for some great stories of fans stealing from the Louvre just to add a 3DS cartridge to their collection. It’s also a direct look into the museum’s collection, giving voiced details and information about just about all of the pieces.
8. Rhythm Thief & The Emperor’s Treasure (2012)- $130
The 3Ds is home to some of the greatest rhythm games of all time, including Rhythm Thied & The Emperor’s Treasure. SEGA surprised fans with a music game that had many elements that weren’t common for the genre, such as an extended adventure mode that includes puzzle-solving and exploration. It was incredibly sought after when it first came out in 2012 and has since become a staple in collections. Funny enough, it was considered to be shovelware for a while at stores like GameStop where it could have been found for $20. When fans found out, that price didn’t stay the same for very long.
7. Yo-Kai Watch 3 (2016) – $140
While Yokai Watch 3 is the first game from the franchise on our list, it certainly isn’t the last. The third installment was one that players were sure would trump the Pokemon franchise at the time. Similar to the former, Yo-Kai Watch focuses on Yo-Kai, supernatural creatures that can’t be seen by normal humans. Unfortunately, this installment made it to the States just a bit too late and fans were already excited about Nintendo’s next console, the Switch. While it wasn’t good news for the developer Level-5, it was great news for those ready to top off their collections.
6. Yo-Kai Watch 2: Psychic Specters (2014) – $150
Another Yo-Kai addition to our list is Yo-Kai Watch 2: Psychic Specters. This is the second main installment in the series and the one that is somewhat of a collection of two other games, Bony Spirits and Fleshy Souls. The latter was Yo-Kai’s way of creating two installments per release, but it just didn’t hit the same way that Pokemon did. As a result, Psychic Specters was created to include all of the same Yo-Kai from both installments as well as a wealth of other content.
5. Yo-Kai Watch Blasters: Red Cat Corps (2018) – $180
The second Yo-Kai Watch game was popular for several reasons. One was for its Blasters mini-game that turned into two complete games that players could buy. Those games are Yo-Kai Watch Blasters: Red Cat Corps and White Dog Squad. Both of them were positively received, with White Dog Squad only being slightly higher in price. What makes both of these installments incredibly fun is that they were meant to be homages to the Ghostbusters franchise. Unfortunately, that didn’t slide in the US due to copyright issues, so the name and several marketing aspects were changed.
4. Yo-Kai Watch Blasters: White Dog Squad (2018) – $190
Similar to Red Cat Corps above, White Dog Squad is a spin-off to the acclaimed Yo-Kai Watch series. Another reason why these two games are so sought after is their release window. In 2018, not only was the demand for the Nintendo 3DS beginning to decline with the release of the Nintendo Switch but so was the demand for Yo-Kai Watch in general. The limited release of this final game essentially marked the end of the series in the United States.
3. Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (2014) – $190
This is the first game in which both Phoenix Wright and Professor Layton teamed up. These two characters are staples of Nintendo’s handheld consoles and have captured the hearts of fans around the world. The original developers of both series, Level-5 and Capcom, collaborated on development to ensure that both IPs got the love that they deserved. The fanbase alone is what made this game so difficult to find even after its release. Fortunately, those who did keep their copies kept them intact, making it so that anyone who wants to have it in their collection can find at least a mint one if not a cheap one.
2. Barbie: Groom and Glam Pups (2010) – $400
Barbie games have long been important in the world of gaming. Some even remember that when Barbie Fashion Designer launched, it blew Doom out of the water. Both launched in the same week, and the latter just couldn’t keep up with the popularity already brought on by the widely famous doll. While some would consider Barbie games to be shovelware, this one had a bit of a twist. The publisher behind the game, Little Orbit, decided to exclusively publish the title in Canada. Once fans got wind of this, they started to pay incredible prices just for a chance at completing their North American 3DS collection.
1. Fire Emblem Fates Special Edition – $400
The special edition of Fire Emblem Fates includes both games and the DLC on a single cartridge and is one of the rarest 3DS games of all time. The games in question were Fire Emblem Fates Conquest and Fire Emblem Fates Birthright. Similar to Pokemon games, players could choose between the two games which featured completely different stories within the same universe. This edition was only available for those who reserved it in advance and did not become available for purchase again. The complete edition can go for several thousand dollars as it includes a special edition box and packaging.
