Bravely Default is actually already out, but it’s worth mentioning. It’s a beautiful JRPG title that’s sure to make an excellent addition to your library. Darkness threatens Luxendarc, and its fate is determined by four comrades. As chaos ensues, it’s your duty to cleanse the elemental crystals that before kept the world in balance. Bravely Default’s rich job system, with 24 jobs in total, enables you to mold your team into heroes that can save the realm.  Its unique risk-reward battle system gives you two options to approaching battle: Brave or Default. Each has their advantages and disadvantages, but its up to you how you use them.

If you’re not quite sold, I really recommend you try the free demo on the eShop. It’s actually different from the actual game, and the rewards you reap can be transferred over to the real game should you purchase it.

Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy

Release Date: February 28th

Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy is also already out, and is sadly the last Layton adventure Level-5 will be releasing. This time, Layton takes you across the globe as you unravel the mystery behind the Azran Legacy by solving various puzzles and brain-teasers. Professor Laytons games are famous for their abilities to perfectly combine an amazing story with complicated puzzle-solving.  And now, Azran Legacy allows you to create and share challenges through Streetpass for even more fun. I’ve already been playing this (so look out for my upcoming review) and I love it already.

Although this is the last we get to see of Professor Layton and Luke, don’t fret! The puzzle-filled fun can last all year long because each day you can download a brand new puzzle.

Yoshi’s New Island

Release Date: March 14th

Yoshi’s New Island marks the return of our favorite green dinosaur. Once again, it’s up to Yoshi and little Mario to save Luigi. In this journey, Yoshi gets a host of new abilities. For example, new eggs are introduce like the giant, destructive eggs called Mega Eggdozers that can destroy everything in your path and uncover hidden doors. Yoshi can also turn into a jackhammer or submarine (and much more!) which are controlled by the 3DS’ gyro controls. The friendly watercolor graphics suit both the game and the 3DS well. Yoshi’s New Island looks like a great adventure for all ages.

Pokémon Battle Trozei

Release Date: March 20th

Like puzzles? Like Pokémon battles? Well, great news, everyone! Pokémon Battle Trozei is hitting the eShop for $7.99 this March. You’ll be battling and catching a wide variety of Pokémon by solving fast-paced puzzles. Your goal is to catch all 718 available Pokémon, including your favorites from the recently released Pokémon X and Y, and be the very best! Gameplay is relatively simply: match the Pokemon in the lower screen to have them battle your wild foe. When the wild Pokemon has lost all its HP, you can catch it!

Interested, but want to know a little more? Visit the Pokémon Battle Trozei page on the official Pokémon website here.

Mario Golf: World Tour

Release Date: May 2nd

Mario Golf: World Tour, from what I understand, hasn’t changed much. The game should generally be what you expect, with the same control and elements. But what has changed is sure to catch your interest. World Tour utilizes the multiplayer capabilities allowing you to hone your skills in a number of ways via the “Castle Club”. The Castle Club includes golf courses, tournaments, training areas, shops, locker rooms, and a café. Players use their Mii characters to play, and you can customize them with items sold at the shops. You can also get new gear that can affect your performance.

Kirby: Triple Deluxe

Release Date: May 2nd

Kirby: Triple Deluxe looks amazing. I haven’t really played a Kirby game since the N64, but I’ll be picking this up. Kirby is back with a host of new abilities and old, including Hypernova which allows you to inhale huge obstacles and even chunks of the levels, and Beetle which gives you a giant horn used for impaling your enemies and slamming them on the ground. Collectible keychains can be found throughout the game. Some can even be acquired through Streetpass, along with improved items. Using Download Play, you can also fight your friends in “Kirby Battle”, which allows up to four people to duke it out using their favorite abilities. And enjoy a host of new additional games like Dedede’s Drum Dash, a music/rhythm game. There’s a lot to be excited about here, so keep your eye on this one.

Also on the Way…

• Cut the Rope: Triple Threat: March 25th
• Shovel Knight: March 31st
• LEGO: Hobbit: April 11th
• Disney Magical World: April 11th
• Conception II: Children of the Seven Stars: April 15th

2014 Releases TBA

Of course, some games we’re dying to get our hands on, but we don’t know WHEN we’ll get them. Like…

Super Smash Bros.

Not only do we get Super Smash Bros. to come out for Wii U, but we also get a version for 3DS. The brawler has an extensive list of favorite characters, each with their own special moves. The game is shaping to look absolutely AMAZING in HD for Wii U, but the 3DS version definitely has a certain charm of its own. I’m sure it’ll look even better in 3D. But back to the game! We have new challengers from the Brawl roster, including the Animal Crossing Villager, Wii Fit Trainer, Little Man, Rosalina with Luma, and Mega Man. While cross-platform play has been cut, since each version has its own stages, there will be some sort of connectivity between the 3DS and Wii U. You will be able to send characters you’ve customized from the 3DS to the Wii U. They haven’t elaborated HOW you get to customize them, but I’m sure that will be revealed soon.

Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse

This spunky hair-whipping genie is back for a third title releasing on eShop. Wayforward’s previous Shantae adventures were very popular, and this may be their best yet. Shantae, a half-genie, has lost her powers and has to team up with pirate Risky Boot’s to try to get them back. Along the way, Shantae learns pirate-syled moves and abilities that eventually cause her to act more pirate-like as well. The lovely sprite style and animations make this one attractive game. I’ve heard amazing things about this platformer, so make sure to try this one when it comes out (or check out the previous games on the DSi Shop before Nintendo cut’s their support of the Shop).

Moon Chronicles

Moon Chronicles is an episodic first-person shooter meant to have its first episode debut this March on eShop. The game covers Major Kane who is sent to Earth’s Moon to investigate a mysterious hatch. Moon Chronicles is a remake of Moon, originally released on the DS, with the entire first season being the remade portion. Influenced by Metroid ( not Prime, think Super Metroid) in terms of gameplay and flow, the game also takes some really great cues like exploring from the main route to find secret pick-ups. But Moon Chronicles most importantly stresses story. Renegade Kid co-founder Jools Watsham and his team admire the way television shows keep people interested by having long and short story arcs, as well that “I gotta watch the next episode” feeling. Expect stellar story and gameplay here.

The first episode is $8.99 with about 4 hours of gameplay, while all the rest are sold at $1.99 a piece with about 2 hours of gameplay each. Renegade Kid has said they plan to do addition seasons as well.

Professor Layton vs Ace Attorney

The greatest detective meets the greatest lawyer. Both are thrown in a new and mysterious world where strange, impossible things are happening. The respective styles of each series shines through to create a fusion of the best sleuthing games on the market. You’ll be putting your courtroom skills to the test as Pheonix Wright, while other times you’ll be roaming the city and solving puzzles a lá Professor Layton style. Together you can save a young woman accused of being a witch, catch the Story Teller, a sinister man behind it all, and unravel the secrets of Labyrinthia.  Because of my love for mysteries, puzzle-solving, and pointing my finger accusingly, I’m dying to get my hands on this one.

Mighty No. 9

Famed Mega Man creator, Keiji Inafune, has branched out on his own to make Mighty No. 9. In a world heavily relying on robotic advancements, a mysterious virus plagues the world, causing mechanical beings to go berserk. Only the lone “Beck”, 9th of the “Mighty Numbers” and considered the weakest member, is unaffected. It’s up to Beck to defeat his robo-brethren, and take their weapons and abilities to improve himself and save the world. This kickstarter had insane support, and passed it’s initial goal in just 40 hours. The side-scrolling action game looks simply amazing, and it’s no wonder people are excited to get their hands on it.

Also On the Way…

• Tomodachi Collection: New Life
• Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth
• Treasurenauts
• Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate
• 1001 Spikes

Other 3DS News

The 3DS has had a few new updates, as well as some new items coming out like a special 3DS XL.

First off, Nintendo recently announced it would be stopping Wi-Fi support to both the Wii and DS/DSi. However, this means numerous games will have their online functionalities cut, like online play. You can check out a full list of which titles will be affected here. Despite this, both the Wii Shop Channel and the DSi Shop will still be functional, so you can still purchase games. While this doesn’t seem like 3DS news a lot of us here have DS titles we still play, and I don’t want you to be surprised when you try using online features on your old games.

Pokémon Bank is now available on eShop, with a free 30-day trial available (as well as a free Celebi!). I’ve checked it out and honestly it seems worth the annual charge of $4.99. It’s able to store up to 10,000 Pokémon from multiple copies of Pokémon X and Y. You can also use the available free Poké Transporter from eShop to either transfer Pokémon from previous games into Bank, and from there to your copy of Pokémon X or Y.

I didn’t realize the need for Pokémon Bank, until I actually used it and decided I really needed to hang onto my shiny Vulpix for life. It sounds like a joke, but I’m serious. I have Pokémon spanning quite a few games, and having one place for them all sounds great and a lot less work when I want them in any future game that comes out. I put so much work into catching and training them, that I don’t want to consider losing them forever.

The Yoshi 3DS XL as seen above will be available to purchase the same day as the new Yoshi game releases on March 14th. The system will not include the game. Retail price will be $199.

Lastly, the 3DS Action Replay PowerSaves Pro is available to preorder and will be available March 7th. If you’ve been itching to mess with your saves and cheat a little, your wait is almost over. The great thing about this, is it is a separate machine that has nothing to do with your actual 3DS. The device is plugged into your computer with the 3DS cartridge inside, so there’s no worrying if your 3DS will be compromised or damaged in the process. Unfortunately, this also means it cannot work with downloaded games. It also doesn’t work with games from other regions. But it still sounds promising.  It comes packaged with it’s adapter and includes codes for recent games like Pokémon X and Y, The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, and Animal Crossing: New Leaf.

There you have it! Lot’s to look forward to this year! If you have something to say, games you’ve got your eye on, etc, please drop me a line in the comments! Stay tuned for more news from Nerd Bacon!