FEATURE | The Twilight Days of the 3DS - Geeks Republika | Brunei's daily source of video game news, reviews, features and insights.

IN LIGHT of Nintendo announcement that production for the 3DS is coming to a stop, the future seems bleak for many fans of Nintendo's exclusively handheld system who transitioned from heydays of Game & Watch to Game Boy and then the DS family of the system before its final evolution the 3DS/2DS.

Nintendo and third-party games for the Nintendo 3DS family of system will continue to be available in Nintendo eShop, on Nintendo.com and at retail... The existing library of more than 1,000 Nintendo 3DS games contains many critically acclaimed titles and can provide years of content to explore and enjoy.

The successor to the Nintendo DS family of systems, the original Nintendo 3DS was launched in March 2011. Over the years, the system saw multiple redesigns and hardware revisions. As of this past June, the 3DS family has sold 75.9 million units worldwide. Nintendo discontinuing the system to give its undivided attention to the Switch marks the first time it has been a one-system company since the Game Boy launched in 1989.

Much like the recent swath of DSiWare game being delisted on the 3DS, 42 countries are already facing limited access to the eShop and it's just a matter of time when Nintendo ends the service altogether. While the 3DS is dead in the waters, now would be the best the time to update your games, download some DLCs and finally see what the eShop has to offer.

As some games did make the transition to the Switch, while other excellent titles remained exclusively to the 3DS, we decided to take a deep dive through the eShop catalogue and list some of our favourite exclusive digital-only games are worth getting before it de-listed forevermore.

POKEMON GEN 1 & GEN 2

You can never go wrong with these Pokemon games. Red, Blue and Yellow are classics while Gold, Silver and Crystal expanded and improved the first game leaps and bound. At USD$9.99 apiece, it is the only way for Generation 1 and Generation 2 Pokemons can be transferred over to current-gen as these games are compatible with the Pokemon Bank.

GOTCHA RACING

If matchbox racing is your thing, then this game has it all.

POCKET JOCKEY

From the makers of Pokemon comes and addictive solitaire horse breeding/racing hybrid of a game that doesn't, at first, mesh well but it works so phenomenally well once you get into the mechanics. My bet is on Forest Jump for the win.

IRONFALL INVASION

There's not a lot of third-person shooters out there for the 3DS, but Ironfall Invasion fits the bill if you are hankering from some portable shooter.

MOON CHRONICLES REMAKE

If you missed this on the DS version, Moon Chronicles Remake is a sci-fi first-person game where you shoot, explore and solve puzzles in a seemingly abandoned Moon station.

STEEL EMPIRE

A remake of a 1992 Sega Genesis game, Steel Empire is a side-scrolling shmup that puts you in a steampunk setting. You have a choice between a plane and a blimp to fight your way across various levels. Arcade action at its best.

GUILD01 & GUILD02 SERIES

Games under the Guild01 & Guild02 series developer by renowned Japanese game designers such as Goichi Suda, Kenji Inafune and many more are a pedigree of their own. Though bite-size games in nature, the games push creative boundaries when it comes to gameplay variety and it's indie nature. Don't miss out titles like Weapon de Omasse, Crimson Shroud and many more.

ACE ATTORNEY DUAL DESTINIES, SPIRIT OF JUSTICE & TRILOGY

There are other visual novels available on the eShop. As of this writing, with the exception to Ace Attorney Trilogy (which appeared on multiple systems), Dual Destinies and Spirit of Justice are still exclusive to the 3DS eShop and are solid titles that further expand the Phoenix Wright narrative to new heights.

POKEMON BATTLE TORZEI

Trozei made its first appearance on the NDS with its own standalone game. This version pumped up the fun factor to 11 with more mechanics, catching abilities and more.

VIRTUAL CONSOLE GAMES

If you have the New 3DS, the Virtual Console is a godsend for anyone who loves to play their classic games on the go. Whichever games you pick, it's worth every penny and without the subscription fees (looking at you Nintendo Switch)!