The 37 best retro games on the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console

While Nintendo 3DS owners are not quite drowning in Virtual Console games like the Japanese eShop is, there's plenty to choose from across the four currently emulated systems and 3D Classics.

As you would expect from Nintendo, there is an absolutely stellar line-up for first party titles, alongside a few well-hidden third-party gems.

Game suspension makes all these golden oldies much easier to pick up and play on the go, so why not start filling up your home screen with some of these beauties?

By Pax Softonica

Sequel to Balloon Fight on the NES, this simple but challenging auto-scrolling platformer is an example of retro thumb twitching at its finest. Also includes a version of Balloon Fight under the guise of Balloon Trip mode.

By Asmik Ace Entertainment

An obscure puzzler that's somewhere between Sokoban and Braid. Move blocks, destroy walls and traverse each stage until you reach and knock out every ghoul to progress. Go back in time if you make a mistake. Levels created in the editor can be shared to this day via the password system. Who needs QR codes?

Donkey Kong
By Pax Softonica

Also known as Donkey Kong '94 to distinguish it from its namesake arcade parent, this is a spinoff to the original Donkey Kong, and the source material for the later Mario vs. Donkey Kong series. Expect looser, more fluid controls and a focus on collecting keys to open doors.

Nintendo R&D 1

Much like Nintendo's best complimentary NES ports, this crams the timeless classic into your palms without compromise. Like all Nintendo-developed Virtual Console emulations, the 2-player mode doesn't work here. Chill> Fever: discuss.

By HAL Laboratory

An odd evolution of the Breakout genre where you'll control up to four paddles with your D-pad. Break blocks, pop power-ups, and bash baddies to get the highest score you can.

Kirby's Pinball Land
By HAL Laboratory

The fusion of HAL's mascot and a genre they already had experience with was a no-brainer. The pink puff pings his way around three distinctly different tables, each with their own boss and mini-games. Still your best bet for pinball on 3DS.

Mario's Picross
By Jupiter Multimedia

Despite the many versions of Picross available on the European Virtual Console, the original remains the logical starting point for nonogram newcomers, while still packing a punch for veterans.

Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins
By Nintendo R&D 1

Much improved over the original Super Mario Land, the big beautiful sprites on display here made platforming much easier on the eyes as well as a joy to control. The advent of both Wario and Bunny Mario, the latter being one of Mario's most awesome, yet oft forgotten, forms.

Tetris
By Bullet Proof Software

Bullet Proof's Tetris is just that. The definitive version of the puzzler with music and motion that haunts our memories to this very day. Type-B is the best.

By Nintendo R&D 1

The big man's first misadventure. Collect treasures, money, and wreak havoc upon the mischievous pirates who've wronged Wario. The feel, power ups, enemies, level design, and music are all completely different from his famous adversary's titles.

By TOSE

Six of the most loved Game & Watch titles from Nintendo's handheld history, each in classic and modern forms. The modern interpretations give a greater sense of control, and feature familiar faces from the Mario universe. Modern Donkey Kong is the absolute stand-out title here.

By Nintendo EAD

Neither of Capcom's Oracle of Ages or Seasons double-bill can beat this. Often held up there with A Link to the Past as the best 2D Zelda. This spin-off has Link wash up on a dreamlike island ready to meet a cast of memorable characters, battle bewildering bosses with new kit, and meet the legendary Wind Fish.

Mario Golf
By Camelot Software Planning

Mario Golf just cinches it compared to Mario Tennis. With crisp, colourful courses, character cameos, and auditory allusions to the Mario series, this is an outstanding RPG that somehow makes you care about golf.

Pokémon Trading Card Game
By Hudson Soft

A faithful digital version of the once insanely popular card game, featuring the first few card sets. This RPG dishes out booster packs in place of experience, and has you challenge Club Masters rather than Pokémon Gym Leaders. One of the best Game Boy scores to boot.

Shantae
By WayForward

The prettiest platformer on the system by far. While not quite as ridiculously good as collectors make it out to be, this last hurrah for the Game Boy Color is still a gem worth picking up thanks to its now affordable price.

Toki Tori
By Two Tribes

The first version of the cute chicken's no-nonsense platform puzzler: collect eggs while avoiding obstacles and monsters. Feels like an old DOS platform puzzler. In a good way.

Wario Land II
By Nintendo R&D 1

Wario is now invincible, only losing coins when struck by enemies. However, some foes now change Wario's form, shifting the focus towards passing levels by utilising these to clear platforming puzzles. Multiple exits to many stages mean branching routes and multiple endings too.

Wario Land 3
By Nintendo R&D 1

Dynamics shift again in this entry. Wario wanders through a mysterious music box world, collecting treasures and unlocking abilities that upend previously visited stages, as does the new day / night cycle.

By Konami

A fine version of the arcade favourite. Collect power-ups and cash them in for bombs, lasers, and option orbs until you cause slowdown from the ridiculous amount of damage you're doling out.

Despite its dated visuals, the original works a treat on the go. Much like A Link Between Worlds, the overworld's dungeons can be tackled in any order, and each remains a challenge to this day. Take this.

By Nintendo R&D 3

With Little Mack back for the 3DS version of Super Smash Bros., now's a great time to experience his origin story. This is a ruthless reflex puzzler disguised as a boxing game. Go for the TKO!

By Tecmo

A fiendish action puzzler where you must use your wand to create platforms to block, climb, and reroute enemies at a moment's notice. All while racing against the clock.

By Technos Japan

More commonly known as River City Ransom. Punch and chuck scenery at hooligans until they barf, grab their coins, then spend it all on sushi. Oh, and save your girlfriend. The quintessential beat-'em-up.

By Konami

Explosions are abound in this sequel to the beloved Contra. The run and gunner returns with a serious cache of weapons up its sleeve, ready to cause all manner of carnage. The side-scrolling sections are far better than the top-down stages, but I don't have the chops to complain to Lance Bean about it.

By Nintendo R&D 4

The original's still the best way to experience the very core of Nintendo's charm, as Super Mario Bros. DX runs at a lower resolution and all its extra guff is only fun with a Game Boy Printer. Experience the real deal right here.

By Nintendo R&D 4

Pushing the boundaries of the platform alongside the genre of the platformer as we knew it, Super Mario Bros. 3 was an instant mega-hit upon its release. Looks fantastic, and plays even better. Still a pinnacle for the series.

By Nintendo R&D 1

This sharp, colourful puzzler was Nintendo's swansong for the NES. As Toad, you rearrange monsters to line up with bombs of the same colour. Match three, or more specific requirements later in the game, to clear space. Take too long and Wario will start chucking more monsters into the mix.

By SEGA / M2

Rejoice! Port whiz-kids M2 have worked their magic to get wireless local multiplayer working with SEGA's forefront match-3 gem puzzler. Now you just need to find someone else who bought it...

By Compile / M2

A slightly gimped version of blob-poppin' puzzler Puyo Puyo, but it's the best we have until Puyo Puyo Tetris heads westward (as if that'll ever happen). It has characters from the Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog series. Remember that? No? Good.

By SEGA / M2

Predecessor to Fatal Labyrinth, this is a safe bet if you're itching for a retro roguelike. Bop monsters, grab great gear, and watch your dragon chum power up alongside you.

By Ancient / M2

A different beast to the Mega Drive original. Featuring three new zones, and the three returning zones fully redesigned, this is a solid alternative take of SEGA's most beloved game.

By Camelot Software Planning / M2

A respectably meaty Game Gear version of SEGA's flagship Strategy RPG series, Shining Force. Expect the same as you would from the Mega Drive games including the signature battle style and rich storyline. Its only noticeable limitation is the lack of explorable cities, but I'm sure we can all cope.

By Arika / HAL Laboratory

An adventure so good Nintendo had it remade. Twice. The meatiest of the official 3D Classics, this is a lovingly popped version of the '90s NES platformer that brought Kirby's transformation skills to life.

By M2 / SEGA

While not up to Christian Whitehead's remastering of the iOS version, this is the next-best alternative of the blue blur's first, and perhaps best, outing. Spin Dash and level select options included.

By M2 / SEGA

Get ready to ride that ninja horse once again. While not Joe Musashi's greatest or toughest outing, an Expert Ninja Mode is included to make your throwing knives and fighting skills just a wee bit weaker. Schink!

Streets of Rage
By M2 / SEGA

King of the beat 'em ups. Plus you just can't beat that urban '80s-esque music and spritework. Show the endless hordes of bad guy clones in the Fists of Death Mode, where every hit is a OHKO.

By Arika / Konami

TwinBee is a little more friendly than Xevious, the other 3D Classic shmup. This one's cuter though, and has one of the first ever power-up systems in the genre. Juggle those bells!