10 best strategy games on the Nintendo 3DS

If you're looking for great games for your favorite handheld device, you'll be delighted to know that there is a wide variety of excellent strategy games to choose from. Nintendo handhelds have always been the go-to place for some of the most underrated games, and that holds true for the Nintendo 3DS as well.

You could have chosen any other type of game, but you're someone who seeks a deeper experience where you have to carefully consider every move you make. With many different possibilities to employ strategy, you will have a lot of fun if you select one of these games for your 3DS.

10 Fire Emblem Fates

If you've been wondering where Corrin in Super Smash Bros Ultimate comes from, you have Fire Emblem Fates to thank for the existence of this unique character. The physical release took the form of two games, with the different versions significantly differing in terms of gameplay difficulty.

The game plays exactly as one would expect if they know anything about the Fire Emblem series, with an entertaining and somewhat unique story that one can experience. Depending on the version, you can choose the family or have already chosen the one with whom you will ally in a massive war.

9 Code Name S.T.E.A.M.

Code Name S.T.E.A.M. could be one of the most unique games on the list. The entire game functions as a distinct turn-based strategy game where your forces must confront hordes of aliens, and the unique comic book-steampunk graphics make it a delight to experience every time.

It's not among the most challenging games, but it's something refreshing. Instead of the usual top-down view common in strategy games, this game requires you to control and move your characters from a third-person perspective.

8 Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked

At first, Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked and its sequel may seem like standard RPGs, but they are much more than that. More than many other games in the Shin Megami Tensei series, this tactical RPG requires you to develop a strategy for every battle.

How successful you will ultimately be depends entirely on how much effort you invest in learning the game mechanics. The strategic elements of this game should not be underestimated because if you lack a strategy or are unwilling to revise it, you will often fail.

7 Culdcept Revolt

It's really difficult to explain the concept of Culdcept Revolt simply without it sounding strange. Basically, the gameplay boils down to controlling your character and navigating your way through a board-like map using a card system.

That may sound somewhat complex, and it could be challenging for some people to get the hang of while playing, but it is an absolute delight. This unique approach to familiar gameplay ideas ensures that the entire experience remains fresh from the beginning to the exciting conclusion.

6 Steamworld Heist

You will find that many tactical games, especially on handheld devices, are from a top-down perspective, but not Steamworld Heist. In this strategy game, you must carefully consider each move to eliminate your robotic enemies.

You will find yourself in battles aboard various spaceships, but the idea never gets boring. The gameplay is straightforward, and you won't have trouble getting familiar with the mechanics. However, don't forget to think through your moves to avoid getting annihilated.

5 Project X Zone

If you're someone who prefers the spectacle of pure difficulty, Project X Zone is likely the right choice for you. In this game, a variety of beloved characters from different franchises come together to engage in strategic battles.

You will encounter a variety of surprising characters such as Mega Man, Chris Redfield, Dante, Ryu, and even Heihachi Mishima. The gameplay may not be as thrilling as some other games, but you will love witnessing how each battle unfolds as you navigate through the game with all these different incredible characters.

4 Project X Zone 2

Similar to the first game, Project X Zone 2 is much more exciting due to the novelty of bringing together your favorite characters to clean up nicely, rather than anything else. You'll get a fairly basic strategic experience, but it is unique.

The story is much more enjoyable than in the first game, and overall, it seems like the game acknowledges the sheer bizarreness of its concept. It is precisely that recognition that allows you to have much more fun while battling enemies with characters like Jill Valentine and Yuri Lowell.

3 Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars

There are many ways to describe Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars, but perhaps the easiest is to label it as a less complex version of XCOM 2 on a handheld device, which should give you an idea of the strategy required to succeed in the game.

You get the kind of action you would expect from the Ghost Recon series, but from a different perspective. If you want a bit more strategy in all your Ghost Recon games, this is by no means a bad choice.

2 Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows Of Valentia

Whether you knew it or not, Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia is a remake of a classic game from the series, Fire Emblem Gaiden. The game strives to stay true to the original while introducing modern improvements. It can be deceptively challenging for newcomers to the series.

This game doesn't throw too many twists and turns, as it is mostly played like the rest of the series. It succeeds in keeping your attention divided for a while between two groups of forces and further investing you in an underrated story of the series.

1 Fire Emblem Awakening

There's a reason why Fire Emblem Awakening is one of the most popular games in the series. While it may be fairly straightforward and play like any other Fire Emblem game, it also introduced a variety of new fan-favorite characters.

Without this game, there would be no Chrom and no Lucina. Despite its slight difficulty, the game is still loved because of the variety of characters, interesting level designs, and unique mechanics found within it.