Fire Emblem Awakening 2012
Why it still holds upGrid tactics in which unit relationships change combat results, with permadeath as an option, are why it still plays well.
Nintendo 3DS RPGs that still hold up
First released on the Nintendo 3DS
Games
Fire Emblem Awakening 2012
Why it still holds upGrid tactics in which unit relationships change combat results, with permadeath as an option, are why it still plays well.
Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth 2014
Why it still holds upEach floor is a puzzle of routes and timing today, as roaming FOEs have to be dodged and a Boost comes from hitting weaknesses.
Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth 2018
Why it still holds upDrawing your own map and steering around visible Shadows make each floor a small puzzle of routes, worth working through today.
Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia 2017
Why it still holds upA Turnwheel that rewinds a mistake and a Casual Mode that revives units let you choose how forgiving the game is, even now.
Pokémon Omega Ruby 2014
Why it still holds upThe map gets a second reason to explore today: a flight over Hoenn opens places you could not reach before.
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked 2011
Why it still holds upA clock, and events that exclude each other, still make each choice cost something.
Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate 2017
Why it still holds upBecause all your strength comes from what you hunt, each fight feeds the next, and that loop still draws you in.
Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright 2015
Why it still holds upChoosing how much a loss costs lets a player find a difficulty that suits them, and that is still a good idea.
Shin Megami Tensei IV 2013
Why it still holds upPlayers who plan carefully are still rewarded by turn-based tactics built around exploiting weaknesses.
Pokémon Alpha Sapphire 2014
Why it still holds upA region reworked with modern features is still a pleasant trip to take.
Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest 2015
Why it still holds upIts locked experience still cannot be ground into submission, and the map has to be out thought.
Mario & Luigi: Dream Team 2013
Why it still holds upMario and Luigi acting as one pair, over and over, still keeps every fight and puzzle varied.
Pokémon Y 2013
Why it still holds upThe touch screen still lets you pet a Pokémon, and it fights harder for it.
Pokémon X 2013
Why it still holds upMega Evolution still lets a Pokémon go one step further for the length of a fight.
Bravely Default 2012
Why it still holds upChoosing when to risk a turn still makes each fight a small gamble.
Pokémon Ultra Sun 2017
Why it still holds upA familiar island adventure with new twists still gives a returning trainer a reason to go back.
Pokémon Moon 2016
Why it still holds upThe trials still replace the gym badge.