Secret Empires of the Ancient World 3DS (USA) CIA is a puzzle-strategy title developed by Teyon and published by SelectSoft for the Nintendo 3DS. This USA-region CIA package gives you a compact 50MB install that runs on a 3DS console equipped with custom firmware. The game blends match-and-clear puzzle mechanics with empire-building decisions, so each board you solve feeds directly into the growth of your ancient civilization. If you keep a CFW-enabled handheld around and you enjoy games that reward planning over reflexes, this release belongs in your library.

Game Overview

Secret Empires of the Ancient World takes the familiar puzzle-board format and wraps it in a strategy layer. You work through grid-based challenges, clearing tiles and hitting objectives that open up new structures for your empire. Teyon built the title around short, repeatable sessions, which suits the 3DS format well: you can clear a board during a commute or chain several stages in one sitting. SelectSoft handled publishing, and the game arrived on the North American eShop on September 18, 2014.

The appeal sits in the crossover between genres. Pure puzzle players get readable objectives and a steady difficulty curve. Strategy players get a progression system that ties board performance to empire development, so a sloppy run has consequences beyond a single stage. The CIA format means the full game installs to your SD card and launches from the home menu like any eShop purchase.

Technical Specifications

Key Features

• Puzzle-strategy hybrid gameplay — board-clearing objectives feed into a wider empire progression, so every stage counts toward the next build.
• Ancient-world theme — the presentation and stage design lean on classical civilizations rather than abstract shapes.
• Short session structure — stages are sized for handheld play, which makes the game easy to pick up between other tasks.
• CIA install format — the package installs to your SD card and runs from the home menu on custom firmware.
• Compact footprint — at 50MB, the game takes up very little space on your card.
• English USA release — menus, objectives, and text are in English for the North American region.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Combines two genres in a way that gives puzzle boards lasting purpose.
• Small 50MB download that installs quickly.
• Straightforward English text and clear objectives.
• Works well in short sessions on a handheld.

Cons

• Requires a 3DS with custom firmware; a stock console will not install it.
• USA region only, so it is not intended for other regional consoles.
• The strategy layer is lighter than a full empire-builder; expect puzzle-first pacing.
• No changelog is published for this CIA package, so version details are estimated.

Who This Release Is For

You will get the most from this download if you already run custom firmware on a North American 3DS and you want a puzzle game with a bit more structure than a pure match-three title. It also suits players who like the idea of a strategy game but prefer the pace of a puzzle board. If you are looking for a deep civilization sim with diplomacy trees and long campaigns, this is not that game — the strategy elements support the puzzle loop rather than replace it.

If you enjoy strategy with more mechanical depth, the Deity Empires (v2.0.3) release on the same site offers a heavier 4X-style experience. Players who prefer narrative-driven titles with mature themes can browse Secrets of a Porn Shop Princess (v1.2.0 & Uncensored) for a different kind of game entirely.

Installation Guidance

Installing a CIA file is a different process from running an installer on Windows. The 50MB archive downloads to your PC, where you extract it with WinRAR or 7-Zip, then copy the .cia file to the SD card in your 3DS. From there you install it with a CIA manager such as DevMenu, BigBlueMenu, or FBI. The key requirement is custom firmware — without it, the console will not accept the file.

• Extract the RAR archive on Windows using WinRAR or 7-Zip. The package contains no password.
• Place the .cia file in the correct folder on your BigSD card.
• Install the file using DevMenu, BigBlueMenu, or FBI.
• Launch the game from the home menu after installation completes.

If a RAR file reports damage or throws a CRC error, re-download it rather than trying to repair it. Older versions of WinRAR sometimes prompt for passwords on files that have none, so update your extraction tool before troubleshooting further.

Trust Signals and Version Notes

This page reflects the USA CIA release of Secret Empires of the Ancient World as published on the North American eShop on September 18, 2014. The developer credited in the download metadata is Berry, with SelectSoft listed as publisher and Teyon as the studio behind the game. No official changelog accompanies this CIA package, so the version number shown in the specifications table is an estimate based on the original eShop release rather than a confirmed build number.

The download links on this page point to MediaFire and 1Fichier. Both are standard file hosts; you should verify the archive after download and keep your own backups. No security scanning results are claimed here, so treat the file as you would any third-party download and check it with your own tools before installing.

Download Links

USA region, 50MB. Choose either host below.

MediaFire | 1Fichier

Decrypted ROMs of 3DS titles are playable on PC through the Citra 3DS emulator, so you can run the game on Windows if you prefer not to use a handheld.

Final Thoughts

Secret Empires of the Ancient World fills a specific niche: a handheld puzzle game with enough strategy to keep each board meaningful. The 50MB CIA package is small, the install path is well documented, and the English USA release keeps everything readable. If you have custom firmware on your 3DS and you want a compact puzzle-strategy title, the download above gives you a direct route to the game. If you like this one, support the developers by buying the game where it is still available.

Recommended For You: If you enjoy this game, also check out The Secret Order Return to the Buried Kingdom and Demons Rise for more top-rated gameplay.

Looking for more top-rated recommendations? Check out our complete rankings in the Best Nintendo Switch Games guide.

Frequently Asked Questions & Setup Guide