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Nintendo 3DS US release schedule round-up

Luigi's Mansion 2, Monster Hunter 3, and much more

Nintendo 3DS US release schedule round-up

Nintendo has just revealed its US release schedule for Q1 2013, finally confirming dates for some of the most eagerly anticipated 3DS games of the year.

'What games?' we hear you cry.

How does the impending release of spooky sequel Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon (known as Luigi's Mansion 2 in Europe and Japan) strike you?

What about the long-awaited launch of fantastical RPG Fire Emblem: Awakening?

Or perhaps you've been rocking back and forth counting the seconds until Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate lands on your doormat?

For the release dates of all these game, and many more, just keep reading.

Fire Emblem: Awakening
By Nintendo
Release date: February 4th

The first instalment of the long-running RPG saga to hit Nintendo's latest handheld will follow the story of Prince Crom and his quest to save the Holy Kingdom of Ylisse.

Expect grid-based combat and melodrama.

Brain Age: Concentration Training
By Nintendo
Release date: February 10th

Nintendo's mission to make learning fun continues. Yes, it's the triumphant return of the Dr Kawashima's Brain Training series.

The game is actually called Demon Training in Japan. That face in the image above? It has horns. Seriously.

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed
By Sega
Release date: February 12th

The 3DS version of Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing Transformed is a cause for genuine excitement among the Pocket Gamer crew.

Why? Because it's a Sonic game that's actually fun to play. I know.

Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan
By Atlus
Release date: February 26th

The Etrian Odyssey series has carved itself a niche among die-hard dungeon-crawler fans.

Luckily for those US- and Europe-based fans, its maiden 3DS outing has sold enough units in Japan to justify a Western release.

Watch out for the bear, though.

Naruto Powerful Shippuden
By Namco Bandai
Release date: March 5th

Everyone's favourite ginger-clad ninja returns in this side-scrolling fighting game. There will be bosses, bonkers special moves, and some more bosses.

Exciting for anyone who knows what the Five Kage Summit Arc is.

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate
By Konami Digital
Release date: March 5th

Castlevania returns in all its side-scrolling glory, complete with big whips, bigger demons, and an extra visual dimension thrown in for good measure.

We've been itching to play this for a quite while now. Don't let us down, Konami.

Monster High Skultimate Roller Maze
By Little Orbit
Release date: March 13th

In this slightly spooky, completely barmy racer, you are thrown into a haunted roller rink and invited to skate against competitors with names like Clawdeen Wolf and Draculaura.

Could be fun for the kids. We'll get back to you.

Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate
By Capcom
Release date: March 19th

The third episode of the series that single-handedly resurrected the PSP in Japan is finally making its 3DS debut. And we couldn't be happier.

It's cruel, it's unforgiving, and it's got beasties the size of apartment blocks. BRING IT ON.

The Croods: Prehistoric Party!
By D3Publisher
Release date: March 19th

Movie tie-ins rarely set our pulses racing, especially when we haven't seen the movie yet.

Prehistoric Party! is based on the upcoming DreamWorks film The Croods, so we expect the game to be light and kiddy friendly. Hopefully, it won't suck.

Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon
By Nintendo
Release date: March 24th

This superb-looking follow-up to the barnstorming Luigi's Mansion is without a doubt one of our most anticipated games of 2013.

Featuring a host of new mansions to explore, a new strobe light to incapacitate spooks, and more puzzles than you can shake a vacuum cleaner nozzle at, this game promises to deliver in spades.

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity
By Nintendo
Release date: March 24th

With Pokemon X and Y not arriving until October, Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity will officially become the 3DS's first full 3D Pokemon game.

Though the spin-off series's dungeon-crawling focus has been met with a mixed reception, this entry will introduce a greater freedom of movement during combat and a disorienting Dungeon Switching feature.

Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers
By Atlus
Release date: April 16th

After the success of the Persona series in the West, the powers that be have decided that this beloved Sega Saturn classic deserves a remake.

It may be 15 years old, but we cannot wait to fire up our futuristic 3D handheld and role-play like it's 1997.

Lego City Undercover: The Chase Begins
By Nintendo
Release date: April 21st

Imagine GTA... only you're playing as a plastic cop... and you're not trying to mug old women, steal their golf carts, and then drive them into a swimming pool.

Can't picture this messed-up world?

Don't worry: Lego City Undercover's open-world adventure is heading your way to fill in the blanks.

James Gilmour
James Gilmour
James pivoted to video so hard that he permanently damaged his spine, which now doubles as a Cronenbergian mic stand. If the pictures are moving, he's the one to blame.