The top 5 multiplayer games for 3DS

The 3DS has one of the best handheld libraries ever. Fire Emblem: Awakening, Pokémon XY/ORAS, and my personal favorite, The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, among plenty other great games.

But out of the wonderful 3DS library, what are the best multiplayer games? Here are what I think are the five best (in no particular order).

1. Pokémon XY/ORAS

You need to have Pokémon if you own a 3DS. There is no better feeling than combing through the Pokédex, assembling your team, and battling your friends to decide who the real Pokémon master is. Online and local wireless play are available, providing one of the best multiplayer experiences the Nintendo 3DS has to offer.

2. Animal Crossing: New Leaf

Animal Crossing: New Leaf is perhaps the most addicting game I’ve ever played. Playing as the mayor of your town, you get to build a unique town through public works projects and town ordinances.

What makes the multiplayer so great is that you can visit your friend’s town via local wireless. Plus you can check out each other’s houses, providing a very personal touch.

3. Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate

Ahhh the thrill of the hunt. The name is in the title! You get to go out with other hunters and take down incredible beasts, earning materials to forge new weapons and armor. Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate is actually the first handheld title in the series to offer online multiplayer, with previous games on PSP and 3DS only offering local multiplayer.

[Related: Check out GameSkinny’s Monster Hunter 4 Guides]

4. Super Smash Bros. for 3DS

This one is a no-brainer. It is Super Smash Bros. for 3DS, the game in which beloved Nintendo characters duke it out on classic Nintendo stages. Local and online multiplayer are available, but if I could make a recommendation, there is nothing like four grown men or women sitting in a room together screaming simultaneously while playing Smash Bros.

5. Mario Kart 7

Our fifth game is another Nintendo multiplayer classic. Mario Kart 7 offers so many ways to play, including local multiplayer if each person owns the cartridge, as well as online multiplayer.

But wait, there is more! Mario Kart 7 also offers download play, meaning that your friend does not even need to own the game to play with you locally, just so long as they own a 3DS system.

So, that wraps my list up. I know for a fact that I missed several great multiplayer experiences available on 3DS, so let me know in the comments what you think of my list, as well as what games I missed.