Nintendo 3DS is a portable game console developed by Nintendo Research & Engineering. You can play 3D games and also take 3D pictures with this console.
The Nintendo 3DS has been a fantastic console and has offered a unique gaming experience. Sandbox games (or sandbox worlds) are a great way to gain deep insight into how the game mechanics work. However, only a few sandbox games are worth playing on the Nintendo 3DS.
To make it easier on you, we have ranked the absolute best sandbox games from the Nintendo 3DS. Let’s get right into it!
- Best Overall Game: emLEGO City Undercover: The Chase Begins/em
- Best Adventure Game: emMinecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition/em
- Best Arcade Game: emTerraria/em
- Best Single-Player Game: Shakedown Hawaii
- Best Strategy Game: emRollerCoaster Tycoon 3D/em
- Best Puzzle Game: Cube Creator 3D
- Best Simulation Game: Lionel City Builder 3D: Rise of the Rails
Best Overall: emLEGO City Undercover: The Chase Begins/em
- Take on the role of rookie officer, Chase McCain as he arrives in Lego City
- The prequel to Lego City Undercover on Wii U tells Chase McCain's origin story
- Use disguises to gain special abilities
- Engage in hand-to-hand combat with Lego City criminals
- Rated E10+ for Cartoon Violence and Crude Humor
- Genre: Action
- Game Mode: Single-player
- Developer: Traveller’s Tales studio
- Released: April 21st, 2013
emLEGO City Undercover: The Chase Begins/em is an action sandbox game. It is produced by Traveller’s Tales / TT Games and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. This game is exclusively only on Nintendo platforms.
The protagonist of this game is Chase McCain, a policeman who comes back home, and his main objective is catching his enemy, Rex Fury. In this game, you will explore LEGO city by driving different vehicles, such as boats, cars, and helicopters, as well as moving on foot. You will have to complete many main and side missions along the journey.
LEGO City: Undercover has great 3D graphics, vivid colors, and many other elements making the gaming experience incredible. This game offers action and some humorous notes to make you laugh while playing.
Check out emLEGO City Undercover: The Chase Begins/em on Amazon here.
Best Adventure: emMinecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition/em
- Only for the NEW Nintendo 3DS family of consoles.
- Use the touch screen to check your map or manage your inventory!
- Includes five skin packs and two texture packs to customize your gameplay!
- Create and explore your very own world where the only limit is what you can imagine.
- Only for New Nintendo 3DS systems, which includes New Nintendo 3DS, New Nintendo 3DS XL and New Nintendo 2DS XL
- Genre: Adventure
- Game Mode: Single/Multiplayer
- Developer: Mojang Studios
- Released: September 14th, 2017
emMinecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition/em is an adventure sandbox game with RPG elements. It was produced by Mojang Studious and later bought by Microsoft. This game is recommended to play for all ages.
This sandbox game has amazing three-dimensional graphics and a unique style. In this game, players can collect resources and create different tools, structures, buildings, or locations. The game has some other modes: fight monsters and use the weapons you made to kill them.
In Minecraft, you can choose the nature of the game, from creative, to survival or harder survival mode. For instance, if you like creating new tools and stuff without stress and pressure, the creative mode is a good fit for you. This is the ideal game where you can explore, collect, create, improve your creativity and learn how to solve problems.
You can find emMinecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition/em on Amazon right here.
©Alvaro Reyes / Unsplash – License
Best Arcade Game: emTerraria/em
- Dig!: Gather, transform, and utilize raw materials as you explore an assortment of distinct biomes and structures. Each world is unique, so you never know what you will find!
- Fight!: Wield a vast arsenal of weaponry and armor - from swords to magic spells to firearms and beyond - as you triumph over the enemy hordes that are intent on your destruction!
- Build!: Construct the world you desire! From simple dwellings to immense fortresses to intricate machinery, the choice is yours! Become the architect of your very own world!
- Genre: Arcade
- Game Mode: Single/Multiplayer
- Developer: Indie studio Re-Logic
- Released: December 10th, 2015
emTerraria/em is an arcade 2D sandbox game that allows players to modify and explore the surrounding area. This game is similar to Minecraft since you can freely change whatever you want in the environment, which is why it is referred to as “2D Minecraft.”
The game begins with an empty 2D land with some essential tools, so you can start modifying, researching, and creating stuff. You can plant, explore new areas, fight enemies, create tools, cities, and much more.
emTerraria/em is one of the best arcade games that should be on your list. You can play the game solo or with a group of friends, which might be even more exciting. Time to enjoy creating amazing stuff!
Check out emTerraria/em on Amazon here.
©Casimiro PT/Shutterstock.com
Best Single-Player Game: Shakedown Hawaii
- Genre: Action
- Game Mode: Single-player
- Developer: Vblank Entertainment
- Released: September 26th, 2019
Shakedown Hawaii 3DS is an action sandbox game developed and published by Vblank Entertainment Inc. This game is a continuation of Retro City Ramage, and everyone aged 16+ can play it.
The events take place 30 years after the Retro City Rampage. The main character of this game enjoyed the last years of retirement and the sun of Hawaii. He had to return to rebuild his empire and destroy the competition because of an unexpected event.
This is one of the best single-player games that includes many primary missions and optional missions as well. Shakedown Hawaii combines action and humor best, similar to LEGO City Undercover: The Chase Begins.
Best Strategy Game: emRollerCoaster Tycoon 3D/em
- The next installment of the hit RollerCoaster Tycoon franchise is hereand this time, its in 3D!
- Genre: Strategy
- Game Mode: Single-player
- Developer: n-Space
- Released: October 19th, 2012
emRollerCoaster Tycoon 3D/em is a strategy sandbox game developed by n-Space and published by Atari / Infogrames as the first edition of the Nintendo 3DS portable console.
In this game, you will manage a modern amusement park and build strategies to expand it, attract more visitors, and generate more profits. You can build more beautiful shops, or add more facilities to make the tourist’s journey amazing. It is also possible to build the amusement park from scratch by switching to the Park Sandbox mode.
This edition has introduced a new game mode, Coaster Story, which has included training elements with many challenges. RollerCoaster Tycoon 3D is a must-have game if you are looking for a strategy, management, and economic theme.
Grab your copy of emRollerCoaster Tycoon 3D/em on Amazon here.
Best Puzzle Game: Cube Creator 3D
- Genre: Puzzle
- Game Mode: Single-player
- Developer: Big John Games
- Released: April 23rd, 2015
Cube Creator 3D is a puzzle fantasy sandbox game inspired by Minecraft and developed by Big John Games.
In this game, you can create and modify your kingdom. Cube Creator 3D offers two gameplay modes for the players: creative mode and survival mode.
In the creative mode, you will explore an unknown fantasy world through a stereoscopic 3D view and modify it using the available materials. In survival mode, your main task is to survive by creating essential equipment to protect yourself and kill monsters.
Both of these gaming modes are must-try. You should definitely add this amazing puzzle game to your Nintendo 3DS game list. Get ready to experience an amazing gaming experience thanks to its various special effect and dynamic lighting.
Best Simulation Game: Lionel City Builder 3D: Rise of the Rails
- Genre: Simulation
- Game Mode: Single-player
- Developer: Big John Games
- Released: January 14th, 2016
Lionel City Builder 3D: Rise of the Rails is a simulation sandbox game developed by Big John Games. The game is suitable for all ages.
The main task of this game is creating a transport network. The main character is Vin, a metallurgist trying to build a new railway network to save the world from isolation and to restart the transportation of goods. The events take place about 50 years into the future when the transport network seems to be collapsed.
In this game, you can freely build various types of trains and complete multiple missions. If you are a player that is looking to think and create things from scratch, try out this sandbox game. You will absolutely love every detail of it.
Using a Nintendo 3DS: What’s It Like?
Nintendo 3DS is a great video game that allows you to experience 3D gaming without needing any glasses. You can also take and view 3D photos. By using Nintendo 3Ds, you will not only play games but also be able to access the internet, virtual console, eShop, and others by using a Wi-Fi connection.
Final Thoughts
We’ve listed our favorite 3DS sandbox games above. However, only you can decide which of these games is worth a place in your collection. So, if you’re looking for a new game to play, why not try one of these titles?
Enjoy the gaming experience!
The image featured at the top of this post is ©v74/Shutterstock.com.
