Best Nintendo 3DS Racing Games of 2025

James Ryan Avatar
James Ryan
Last Updated: Jan 8, 2025

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Nintendo 3DS Racing Games offer a thrilling and immersive experience for players who enjoy racing games. With a variety of titles to choose from, including Mario Kart 7, F1 2011, and Ridge Racer 3D, there is something for everyone. The 3D graphics add a new level of excitement to the gameplay, and the handheld console allows players to take their racing games on the go. Whether competing against friends or trying to beat their own personal bests, players will find endless hours of entertainment with these Nintendo 3DS Racing Games.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed - Nintendo 3DS (Renewed) Cover #TOP 1
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed - Nintendo 3DS (Renewed)
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Ridge Racer 3D - Nintendo 3DS Cover #TOP 2
Ridge Racer 3D - Nintendo 3DS
ftb score rating icon 9.8
ACTIVISION NASCAR: Unleashed Cover #TOP 3
ACTIVISION NASCAR: Unleashed
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Nintendo 3DS Racing Games

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed - Nintendo 3DS (Renewed)

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Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed - Nintendo 3DS (Renewed) Cover
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed - Nintendo 3DS (Renewed)

SEGA Sonic Racing Transformed is a thrilling racing game for the Nintendo 3DS that offers an extraordinary race experience. Each character in this game has their own unique vehicle that can transform into a car, boat, and plane, allowing you to seamlessly navigate through different terrains. With 16 dynamically changing courses inspired by SEGA's gaming history, you can race on land, sea, and air. The starting line-up features over 20 legendary All-Stars, including new iconic characters from the world of SEGA. Additionally, you can utilize a variety of devastating weapons that require skill to aim, shoot, evade, and block. Get ready for an action-packed race filled with excitement and nostalgia.

What We Like
Unique transforming vehicles
16 dynamically changing courses
Wide range of iconic characters
#TOP 2

Ridge Racer 3D - Nintendo 3DS

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One Color
One Size
Ridge Racer 3D - Nintendo 3DS Cover
Ridge Racer 3D - Nintendo 3DS (Renewed)

Ridge Racer 3D is a thrilling racing game for the Nintendo 3DS. With its stunning 3D graphics, dirt will fly through the screen and nitrous flames will burst out of tailpipes, creating a visually impressive experience. The game introduces new highly powered muscle machines to the traditional lineup, adding more excitement to the races. One of the standout features is the all-new drift mechanic, which allows players to easily drift through tight corners without losing speed and position. This feature adds an extra layer of thrill and skill to the gameplay. Additionally, Ridge Racer 3D offers breathtaking environments and courses, including canyons, snow-capped mountains, and fan-favorite tracks from the past. Lastly, players can enjoy high impact, competitive races with friends using the Nintendo 3DS Local Play feature. Choose your preferred character representation, whether it's a registered Mii, tag, or your own photo, and race against your friends. Ridge Racer 3D delivers an exhilarating racing experience with its impressive graphics, new machines, innovative drift mechanic, and exciting courses.

What We Like
Stunning 3D graphics
New highly powered muscle machines
All-new drift mechanic
#TOP 3

ACTIVISION NASCAR: Unleashed

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One Color
One Size
ACTIVISION NASCAR: Unleashed Cover
NASCAR: Unleashed (Renewed)

ACTIVISION Racing Game offers a thrilling arcade-style racing experience where you can compete against top NASCAR stars like Kyle Busch and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. You can race on various tracks, from Daytona International Speedway to Talladega Superspeedway. The game allows you to break free from traditional racing boundaries by taking the action to city streets, beaches, and off-road terrains. Enjoy the freedom to bump and grind opponents to secure the lead position. Learn NASCAR techniques like drafting and sling-shotting to gain Boost powerups for an edge in the race.

What We Like
Thrilling arcade-style racing
Compete against top NASCAR stars
Diverse tracks to race on
#TOP 4

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed for Nintendo 3DS

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Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed for Nintendo 3DS Cover
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed - Nintendo 3DS

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed is a dynamic racing game that offers 16 race courses inspired by SEGA's games. Each of the 20+ legendary characters has their own unique vehicle that transforms into a car, boat, and plane to take advantage of the various terrains. The game also offers a variety of weapons to help you take out your opponents.

What We Like
20+ legendary characters to choose from
16 dynamically changing courses inspired by SEGA's gaming history
Unique vehicles that transform into cars, boats, and planes
#TOP 5

Fast & Furious: Showdown - Nintendo 3DS (Renewed)

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Fast & Furious: Showdown - Nintendo 3DS (Renewed) Cover
Fast & Furious: Showdown - Nintendo 3DS (Renewed)

ACTIVISION Fast & Furious for Nintendo 3DS offers exciting features. You can win races, hijack vehicles, steal cargo, and more. Experience the story from different characters' perspectives. Enjoy car customization and objective-based Challenge mode. These features enhance your gameplay by providing diverse missions and allowing you to personalize your cars for a unique experience.

What We Like
Diverse missions
Multiple character perspectives
Car customization

Mario Kart 7 for Nintendo 3DS

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Original Version
One Size
Mario Kart 7 for Nintendo 3DS Cover
Mario Kart 7 - Nintendo 3DS

Mario Kart 7 for Nintendo 3DS lets you race against others via local wireless or online using broadband internet. You can customize your vehicles with accessories that provide advantages, and choose from popular Mushroom Kingdom characters or your own Mii. New kart abilities include gliding over shortcuts and cruising under water. It is compatible with 3DS, and supports SpotPass and StreetPass features.

What We Like
Customizable vehicles with accessories for a competitive edge
New kart abilities such as gliding over shortcuts and cruising under water
Supports both local wireless and online multiplayer
#TOP 7

Monster 4x4 - Nintendo 3DS

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Monster 4x4 - Nintendo 3DS Cover
Monster 4x4 - Nintendo 3DS (Renewed)

Monster 4x4 by Ubisoft for Nintendo 3DS is a thrilling game where you can unleash mayhem with your monster truck. You get to race in 20 different off-road vehicles, including unique ones like an ice cream truck or a school bus. The powerup-based combat racing will keep your adrenaline pumping. Experience real-time destruction of vehicles and environments, with each vehicle having five destructible parts. This game offers fast-paced action and excitement for those who love combat racing games.

What We Like
20 playable off-road vehicles
Powerup-based combat racing
Real-time destruction of vehicles
#TOP 8

Turbo: Super Stunt Squad - Nintendo 3DS

D3PUBLISHER
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Turbo: Super Stunt Squad - Nintendo 3DS Cover
Turbo: Super Stunt Squad - Nintendo 3DS (Renewed)

Get ready to play as Turbo snails in the "Turbo: Super Stunt Squad - Nintendo 3DS" game. Speed, jump, drift, and flip with Turbo, Whiplash, Smoove Move, and Skidmark. Utilize the environment to perform unique stunts for an edge in the race. Explore levels inspired by locations from the movie like Dos Bros Taco Stand and Starlight Plaza. Enjoy customizing and upgrading shells for your snail.

What We Like
Fan-favorite snail characters
Environment-based stunts
Unique movie-inspired levels
#TOP 9

Ben 10 Galactic Racing - Nintendo 3DS

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One Color
One Size
Ben 10 Galactic Racing - Nintendo 3DS Cover
Ben 10 Galactic Racing - Nintendo 3DS

Embark on thrilling missions with D3 Publisher Ben 10 Racing for Nintendo 3DS. Help Ben 10 in saving the universe by completing top secret Plumber missions to earn a limited edition Plumbers Badge. Race in 30 karts across 25 grand prix tracks on 5 planets. Choose from 15 characters, including Ben and his popular alien forms. Experience character-themed power moves for speed boosts and unique abilities. Enjoy drifting and mid-air stunts to amp up your attacks and defenses.

What We Like
Exciting missions
Wide character selection
Unique power moves
#TOP 10

Driver: Renegade - Nintendo 3DS

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Driver: Renegade - Nintendo 3DS Cover
Driver: Renegade - Nintendo 3DS (Renewed)

Driver: Renegade Game offers an engaging racing experience with its vibrant New York City setting and impressive 3D graphics. You can use the Nintendo 3DS's accelerometer to maneuver Tanner's car, making it easy to dodge obstacles or jump over opponents. As you drive fast and take risks, you’ll fill the Rage bar, which unleashes powerful boosts and attacks when activated. Additionally, the immersive story mode provides a thrilling narrative, while exciting challenge tracks allow you to dominate the city streets. This game combines action and strategy for an unforgettable adventure.

What We Like
Engaging 3D graphics
Intuitive accelerometer controls
Rage bar for boosts
Immersive story mode
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Are 3DS games being discontinued?

Yes, the Nintendo eShop for the 3DS and Wii U consoles closed on March 27th, 2023, which means that new purchases and downloads are no longer available for these platforms.

2. Can 3DS play GBA games?

No, the 3DS and 2DS family of consoles are not compatible with Gameboy Advance (GBA) games. They do not have the necessary hardware or emulation to support GBA games.

3. Does Nintendo have racing games?

Yes, Nintendo offers racing games for their consoles. The Nintendo 3DS has racing game options, including remastered retro racers, franchises like Need For Speed, Burnout, Grid, and the popular Mario Kart series. These games can be played on the go using the portable nature of the console.

4. Is Nintendo 3DS going away in 2023?

While the 3DS console itself will still be functional, the ability to purchase and download new games, in-game content, demos, or free-to-play software will no longer be supported on the 3DS or Wii U eShop after March 27th, 2023.

5. Why is Nintendo shutting down 3DS?

Nintendo has decided to close the 3DS and Wii U eShop due to the consoles being overshadowed by the success of their Switch console. The closure is seen as the natural end of the product's life cycle.

6. Can I play Pokemon FireRed on 3DS?

No, Pokemon FireRed and other Gameboy Advance (GBA) titles cannot be played on the Nintendo 3DS or 2DS consoles. These consoles are not compatible with GBA games.

7. Why is there no GBA on my 3DS?

The Nintendo 3DS hardware is not designed to support Gameboy Advance (GBA) games. The limited selection of GBA games available for the 3DS as part of the Ambassador program is not emulation but rather simulated to work on the console.

Editor's Notes

During our nintendo 3ds racing game research, we found 16 nintendo 3ds racing game products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 18,845 customer reviews through our big data system to write the nintendo 3ds racing games list. We found that most customers choose nintendo 3ds racing games with an average price of $31.41.

The nintendo 3ds racing games are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of nintendo 3ds racing games, including SEGA, BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment, ACTIVISION, Nintendo, Ubisoft. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 1,601 consumers with an average rating of 4.8.

Written by
James Ryan Avatar

James Ryan is a young writer with a degree in journalism. He’s well-versed in topics such as literature, video games, and gaming devices. In his free time, he enjoys editing, playing games, exercising and photography.