The 10 best 3DS and Vita games from E3 2013
Super Smash Bros! Zelda! Contrast! Batman!
This year's E3 event in Los Angeles has been a rather poor show, as far as handheld games are concerned.
Sony has been more interested in securing a future for its upcoming PlayStation 4 than bolstering its PS Vita lineup, and Nintendo wants everyone to know that the Wii U is doing just great - at the expense of the 3DS.
But that's not to say that nothing handheld-wise has been shown at E3. There's still plenty to look forward to over the next year on both gizmos.
We've collected together the ten best Nintendo 3DS and PS Vita games that have made an appearance at E3 this week, and now provide them in list form for your reading pleasure.
Nintendo 3DSThe Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
By Nintendo - coming late 2013
Originally known by many as The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past 2, this is a semi-sequel to the original SNES adventure game that defined a genre.
It's set in the same world as the original classic, but with a completely new adventure and gorgeouly revamped visuals.
It's due for release later this year. Make sure you read our preview for all the details on how it plays.
Pokemon X and Pokemon Y
By Game Freak - coming October 12
I'll be honest: I haven't exactly been the biggest Pokemon fan for quite a while now. The franchise has just become a bit too samey for me.
But Pokemon X and Y are where things could change, as we're finally getting that proper 3D Pokemon adventure we've been clamouring for for years.
There's also a lot more interaction and freedom involved this time around. Will this be the Pokemon game to bring me back into the fray? Time will tell.
Super Smash Bros
By Sora and Namco Bandai - coming in 2014
We finally caught a glimpse of the next Super Smash Bros this week, and heard the awesome news that there are two separate versions on the way - one for Wii U and one for 3DS.
The 3DS version is different in that the visuals are cel-shaded, compared to the Wii U's cleaner visual angle (no doubt in part down to the 3DS's processing limitations.)
We'll also be getting more levels based on handheld Nintendo games and there will be connectivity between the two versions, by which you can import characters between the two.
Mario & Luigi: Dream Team
By AlphaDream - coming July 12
This is personally the game I am most looking forward to in this entire list. The Mario & Luigi RPGs are all excellent, and Dream Team will no doubt be more of the same.
This time around, the brothers have to save Peach from within Luigi's dreams. This involves merging "Dreamy Luigi" with parts of the environment to help Mario push forward.
Sounds crazy and wonderful, and everything the 3DS needs right now - and the best thing is that it's out next month.
Yoshi's New Island
By Arzest - coming late 2013
There's a new Yoshi's Island on the way, and visually it's rather intriguing, thanks to what appears to be clay animation.
If you've played a Yoshi's Island game before, you'll know what to expect - egg collecting, egg tossing, egg rolling... just lots of eggs, essentially.
The game is from development studio Arzest, which previously created the StreetPass Mii Plaza minigames. So we're hoping for great things.
PS VitaContrast
By Compulsion Games - coming late 2013
This one was buried away beneath the hordes of PS4 announcements, which is sad given that it looks pretty darn lovely.
You play a women who is able to shift in and out of the shadows, essentially using them as platforms to navigate otherwise impossible to reach spaces.
The film noir style is rather gorgeous too. No doubt this is one puzzle-platformer to watch out for later this year.
God of War HD 1 & 2
By SCE - coming late 2013
The fact that HD versions of the original two God of War games were one of the big announcements for the Vita at E3 this time around shows that there weren't exactly many big Vita announcements.
Still, if you haven't played God of War before, then this is the perfect reason to play the games that helped define the 3D hack 'n' slash genre.
I played these HD ports on PlayStation 3 recently, and they still hold up well today. This definitely worth checking out if you're interested.
The Walking Dead and 400 Days
By Telltale Games - coming August
If you haven't already played my personal favourite game of 2012, you really need to rectify that - it's insanely brilliant.
The series is already available on multiple platforms, including iOS, PC, PS3 and Xbox 360, and now the PS Vita is getting its own version in August.
Notably, it will launch as a bundle with a brand new chapter called 400 Days, which aims to tide players over until the full second season is released.
Batman Arkham Origins Blackgate
By Armature Studio - coming October 25
This is a handheld version of the upcoming blockbuster console game, and it's being developed by the team that created the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection.
The game acts as a follow-up to the console version, continuing the story from a 2.5D angle. Many of the features from the console version are being carried over, which should please Batman fans.
The most intriguing part is that Blackgate apparently has a Metroid Prime feel to it. That can only be a good thing.
This one's coming to 3DS, too.
Destiny of Spirits
By Q Entertainment - coming late 2013
Now for something a bit different: Destiny of Spirits is a free-to-play social strategy game, that uses your real-world location to unlock "spirits".
As you unlock these spirits, you can then battle them against other players, or swap them with players around the world. Each location in the real world gets an entirely different set of spirits to catch.
You're going to get more out of this game if you have lots of friends on PSN, so it's worth bumping your numbers up now in preparation.
