Handheld game systems are great on long summer car trips or on the beach, so grab a quality arsenal before you head out the door for warmer weather fun.
Recently released exclusive Nintendo 3DS games generating some heat include LEGO City Undercover: The Chase Begins, Rayman Origins, Heroes of Ruin, Angry Birds Trilogy and Art Academy: Lessons for Everyone!
Keep connectivity in mind when playing great mainstays like Mario Kart 7, New Super Mario Bros. 2, and Skylanders. More recommendations include Super Mario 3D Land, Paper Mario Sticker Star, Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate and Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon – an action-adventure game was developed by Next Level Games and the sequel to the 2001 GameCube game Luigi’s Mansion.
Little Orbit has a rated E monster game from the Monster High franchise called Monster High Skultimate Roller Maze. Older player recommendations include Kingdom Hearts 3D Dream Drop Distance, Professor Layton and The Miracle Mask and Resident Evil: Revelations, which was such a big hit on the 3DS that it’s releasing to consoles now.
Nintendo has a triple threat for 3DS players this summer with Animal Crossing: New Leaf (June 9), Mario Golf: World Tour, and Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D (May 24). AC: New Leaf will also be included with a special 3DS XL bundle while MG: World Tour will offer a community play option as well as worldwide, competitive, real-time multiplayer matches. DK Country Returns 3D, originally released on the Wii, comes to the 3DS handheld system with upgraded 3-D effects and extra advantages.
Majesco will release Crash City Mayhem (May 14) with 15 different vehicles ranging from Monster Trucks to F1 racers all in highly destructible environments. Racing fans can also try Fast & Furious: Showdown (May 21) where players can experience the main plot from multiple characters’ points of view.
June 25 is a big release date. Shin Megami Tensei IV from Atlus will place players in the role of a samurai who must defend his kingdom from rival factions in this Japanese RPG. The action-strategy RPG Project X Zone, Limited Edition by Namco will feature 50 familiar character from Namco Bandai, SEGA, and Capcom games. LEGO Legends of Chima: Laval’s Journey (June 25) will feature over 60 characters with unique abilities. Build-A-Bear Adventures (June 30) from 505 Games lets players experience these furry friends any time.
July 16 features two notable releases. The role-playing game Rune Factory 4 (XSeed) will hit the 3DS as players follows the tale of a hero who has lost his memory manages a town and makes many mysterious discoveries. Nintendo DS players can enjoy Turbo: Super Stunt Squad, based on the upcoming DreamWorks animated film, from D3 Publisher (also on 3DS). Players can earn several customization pieces and gain advantages with special stunts from a “snail’s point-of-view.”
Hakuoki: Memories of the Shinsengumi (August 3) from Aksys will feature a very unique action/story experience based on the highly popular Japanese animated television and games series.
Disney’s Planes, based on the upcoming movie, will release on August 6 on multiple Nintendo consoles including the Nintendo 3DS and DS. Nintendo also has Mario and Luigi: Dream Team coming on the Nintendo 3DS on August 11. Phineas and Ferb: Quest for Cool Stuff (Aug 13) by Majesco Sales Inc. will let player switch between these two comical characters on a treasure adventure.
The Nintendo eShop always has great offerings like 101 Dino Pets 3D, Crazy Construction, and SpeedX 3D Hyper Edition. Be sure to keep online connectivity/availability in mind be for head out for summer fun and check out the eclectic Game & Wario releasing on June 25.
The PlayStation Vita library continues to grow and features some great holiday holdovers starting to come down in price like racer Need for Speed: Most Wanted and the extensive action-adventure Assassins Creed III Liberation. Mortal Kombat, Lumines: Electronic Symphony, Uncharted: Golden Abyss and Rayman Origins are more great PS Vita experiences.
The PS Vita will have several exclusive releases including Muramasa Rebirth (June 25) from Aksys, which will also be available in a Blessing of Amitabha edition. The Jax and Daxter Collection (June 11) from Sony Computer Entertainment will include Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy®, Jak II, and Jak 3. Atlus will release Dragon’s Crown (also available on PlayStation 3) on August 6. This 2-D action multiplayer beat-’em-up will not have a crossplay feature, but will feature cross-saving.
What are your favorite summer handheld games on the go in summertime? Enjoy a great gaming summer!