The Rarest 3DS Games (& How Much They’re Worth)

Even though the Nintendo 3DS stopped being made in 2020, it’s still a fairly new console, which means its games aren’t as common. Compared to older systems like the N64, 3DS games are pricey, but generally not outrageously so. Most games shouldn’t cost you more than $50, even some of the best ones. Like with any console that’s no longer made, a few rare 3DS games can be very expensive online, and it’s likely that prices will continue to go up over time.

Let’s take a look at the rarest 3DS games released in North America, based on data from Pricecharting. We’re focusing on NTSC versions and won’t include games from Europe (PAL region) or Japan, to keep things simple. Do you happen to own a particularly valuable 3DS game?

11. Zelda Majora’s Mask 3D – Limited Edition

CIB Price: $163.83

Loose Price $139.45
CIB Price $163.83
New Price $210

There’s good news for fans of The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D – a complete copy of the game can be found for around $30. While other versions are pricier, like the limited edition NTSC version at $150, that’s not a terrible price for a collector’s item. It might just be too early for the game to become significantly more expensive.

Like many special editions, this game includes a Skull Kid figurine. It’s a neat collectible, but not particularly remarkable – the type of item someone might glance at before placing it on a shelf and forgetting about it. If you’re looking for a truly valuable collectible from this time, the New Nintendo 3DS XL is where the real expense – and collectibility – lies.

10. Scribblenauts Unlimited Special Edition

CIB Price: $176.66

Loose Price $175
CIB Price $176.66
New Price $265

The Scribblenauts series began on the Nintendo DS and arrived on the 3DS with Scribblenauts Unlimited in 2012. However, it first appeared as a launch title for the Wii U, meaning 3DS owners might have overlooked this great game. That’s unfortunate, because the Special Edition is now worth over $300 and includes some neat bonus items.

These accessories – a 3DS case designed like the main character, Maxwell’s, head, and a stylus shaped like a chunky number two pencil – really help players feel immersed in the world of Scribblenauts. It’s worth noting, however, that a better version of the game is available on PC and iOS.

9. Alien Chaos 3D

CIB Price: $180

Loose Price $79.71
CIB Price $180
New Price $430.01

Alien Chaos 3D is an action-packed platformer where you run and jump through levels, and it surprisingly features a really great soundtrack. The intense metal music really gets you into the fast-paced battles as you defeat enemies. It’s a shame this game, released on the 3DS, didn’t get the recognition it deserved.

The gameplay feels similar to classic side-scrolling games like Mega Man and Contra. However, this game adds a unique twist: players have to actually clean up the aliens they defeat in each level. This makes it stand out as one of the most original and sought-after games for the Nintendo 3DS.

8. Pokemon Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon Dual Pack

CIB Price: $239.98

Loose Price $190.40
CIB Price $239.98
New Price $275.58

Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon are part of the seventh generation of Pokémon games and return players to the Alola region. This time around, you can catch and train even more Pokémon, battle other trainers, and discover the secrets surrounding the powerful Necrozma.

These games are improved versions of the original Pokémon Sun and Moon, and buying both together is a convenient option. Fans love these Ultra versions because they have a bigger story and lots of new things to do.

7. Yo-Kai Watch Blasters: White Dog Squad & Red Cat Corps

CIB Prices: $235.93 & 247.85

White Dog Squad Red Cat Corps
Loose Price $185 $209.95
CIB Price $235.93 $247.85
New Price $254.92 $319.99

The Yo-Kai Watch series is quite rare to find for the 3DS, with most games costing a lot of money in North America, except for the first game and its immediate sequel. Yo-Kai Watch Blasters, a spin-off title, took a long time to be released outside of Japan—it didn’t arrive in Europe and America until September 2018, well after the Nintendo Switch had launched. By that point, interest in the 3DS was fading, and the height of Yo-Kai Watch‘s popularity had passed, meaning many fans of the main games likely never knew about this action RPG.

Yo-Kai Watch Blasters isn’t groundbreaking, but it’s a well-made spin-off with the familiar Level-5 appeal. It doesn’t feel rushed or carelessly put together. While it’s not essential for all 3DS owners, dedicated Yo-Kai Watch fans will likely enjoy it – just be prepared for a potentially costly investment to play it on the console.

6. Yo-Kai Watch 2: Psychic Specters

CIB Price: $255.33

Loose Price $210.56
CIB Price $255.33
New Price $299

Like Pokémon, Yo-Kai Watch followed a similar strategy by releasing an enhanced version of its original games. Yo-Kai Watch 2 launched in two versions, Bony Spirits and Fleshy Souls, which are now reasonably priced. However, the subsequent updated version, Psychic Specters, is much more expensive, mirroring the pricing of Pokémon games such as Platinum and Emerald.

This update brought several new features to the game, like new Yo-Kai and the ability to befriend members of the Wicked tribe. While these are great additions, making Psychic Specters the best version of Yo-Kai 2, the improvements don’t quite justify the significant price difference. You can find the original two games for under $50, while this version costs around $200 more.

5. Guide Louvre

CIB Price: $263.33

Loose Price $232.35
CIB Price $263.33
New Price $395

Guide Louvre isn’t much of a game at all. It was created by the Louvre museum and Nintendo as a way to update their audio tours. Unless you’re actually visiting the Louvre in Paris, there’s no real reason to play it on your 3DS.

As a collector, I always found Guide Louvre fascinating. It came out in a bunch of different languages and let you take virtual tours while actually at the Louvre museum – how cool is that? They even had a reward system where you could collect medals as you explored the exhibits, which really encouraged you to see everything. What makes it so special, though, is that it was designed for just one thing, making it a really unique and rare find, even if you can’t actually play a game with it.

4. Pokemon Omega Ruby And Alpha Sapphire Dual Pack

CIB Price: $450

Loose Price $70
CIB Price $450
New Price $1,581.50

As a long-time Pokémon fan, I was so excited for Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, and they really delivered! They took the classic third-generation games I already loved and made them even better. A lot of fans, myself included, think they’re one of the best Pokémon remakes ever made, especially because they added cool new features like Mega Evolution. It felt like a perfect blend of nostalgia and fresh gameplay!

These games offer a familiar Pokemon experience with improved online play. The dual pack let players get both games and start a new adventure in the Hoenn region. It’s a little disappointing, though, that Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl on the Nintendo Switch didn’t significantly improve upon the original games.

3. Fire Emblem Fates: Special Edition

CIB Price: $496.02

Loose Price $411.03
CIB Price $496.02
New Price $640.96

The 2015 game Fire Emblem Fates was released in two versions, similar to Pokemon, each determining which side of the in-game conflict the player would join. For players who couldn’t decide, a Fire Emblem Fates: Special Edition was available, offering both versions on a single game cartridge.

The Special Edition of Fire Emblem Fates included a third story path that was originally only available as downloadable content. Now that the 3DS eShop is closed, this version of the game is highly sought after by new fans, which is why it’s selling for over $500.

2. Yo-Kai Watch 3

CIB Price: $530.80

Loose Price $439.99
CIB Price $530.80
New Price $611.50

As a big Yo-Kai Watch fan, I remember when the third game came out – it was definitely the priciest one! It launched almost two years after the Nintendo Switch came out, and honestly, a lot of people had already moved on from the 3DS by then, even though Nintendo was still supporting it. It’s a shame, because the 3DS was discontinued by 2020, so it was one of the last games for the system.

Yo-Kai Watch 3 is a surprisingly good Japanese role-playing game. Fans of the earlier games will likely enjoy it, especially since it features a slightly more strategic battle system. While it’s not worth paying a huge amount for, it’s definitely worth playing if you can find it at a good price.

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2026-05-05 20:40