Incoming! The most exciting 3DS and PS Vita games for November 2013

The heat is really on now.

As we rush towards the Christmas period, both 3DS and Vita gamers have some cracking games heading their way.

It's all about the massive franchises in the world of 3DS this month. In Vita-land, meanwhile, the focus is on new, gorgeous IP and indie titles.

Essentially, what we're trying to say is this: if you own either a 3DS or Vita (or both!), November is your lucky month.

Here, then, are the most exciting releases for November for both 3DS and Vita.

Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy
By Level-5 - heading to 3DS on November 8th in Europe

Another staple of the Nintendo DS / 3DS experience is back once again... and we're mightily excited about it. Given how good the last Professor Layton was, we're expecting great things in Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy.

I've already dug into the first few hours of this brain scratcher, and I'm impressed. We'll have a review up on the site before the game is launched.

Adventure Time: Explore the Dungeon Because I DON'T KNOW!
By WayForward - heading to 3DS on November 12th in the US, and 15th in Europe

I'm going to level with you - I haven't watched that much of the Adventure Time TV show. I'm very much aware of its cult following, however, and the fact that plenty of people are waiting anxiously for this game.

Given that WayForward, the team behind games like Mighty Switch Force and Shantae, is responsible for this game, I guess I'm looking forward to it, too!

Mario Party: Island Tour
By Nd Cube - heading to 3DS on November 22nd in the US

I'm a massive Mario Party fan, but the handheld versions have never really captured my attention. Mario Party is all about sitting around, blasting one another other to pieces on the TV.

Perhaps Mario Party: Island Tour will be the one to change my mind. It's from Nd Cube, the team behind Mario Party 9 and the Wii Party series, so hopefully it'll impress.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
By Nintendo - heading to 3DS on November 22nd

Well, well, the new Legend of Zelda is almost upon us. And as you'd expect, we're all rather excited here at Pocket Gamer Towers.

This new game takes place in the same world as the original SNES title A Link to the Past, meaning that nostalgia levels will go through the roof. We. Cannot. Wait.

And the rest...

November 5th - Power Rangers Megaforce
November 5th - Ben 10 Omniverse 2
November 5th - Moshi Monsters: Katsuma Unleashed
November 12th - Disney Frozen: Olaf's Quest
November 19th - Young Justice: Legacy
November26th - Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures
November 30th - Lego Friends

CastleStorm
By Zen Studios - heading to PS Vita on November 5th

Released on Xbox 360 earlier this year, CastleStorm will soon be available on Vita. It's a cross between Angry Birds (or Crush the Castle, if you're so inclined) and a tower defence game.

It's all about destroying your opponent's castle... or capturing its flag and running off with it. Expect a review of this up on PG very soon.

Injustice: Gods Among Us - Ultimate Edition
By Armature Studio - heading to PS Vita on November 12th in the US, and 29th in Europe

Here's a handheld version of the DC Comics console game that debuted earlier this year. It's being handled by Armature Studio, the people behind Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate and Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection.

It's a fighting game in which you can take control of all sorts of DC Comics characters, like Superman, the Joker, Batman, and Nightwing. All of the previous DLC will be available in this version for free.

The Amazing Spider-Man
By Mercenary Technology - heading to PS Vita on November 19th in the US

Better to be late than never, huh? It might be more than a year since The Amazing Spider-Man touched down on consoles, but the Vita version is finally surfacing this month.

The console game picked up average reviews last year, so we're not expecting massive things here.

Tearaway
By Media Molecule - heading to PS Vita on November 22nd

This is the big one for the PS Vita this month. Tearaway is the next new IP from LittleBigPlanet studio Media Molecule, and it's looking absolutely gorgeous.

The game centres on papercraft. Here, you have to put your finger directly into the game's world (not literally, of course, but pretty close). Check out our preview to see why we're excited about this one.

Ys: Memories of Celceta
By Nihon Falcom - heading to PS Vita on November 26th in the US

It wouldn't be a normal PS Vita month without a new tasty Japanese RPG around which to wrap your teeth. Ys: Memories of Celceta is the latest in the Ys franchise, and stars series hero Adol Christin.

The poor chap has got a touch of amnesia, meaning that you have to guide him through the forests of Celceta and help him work out what the heck is going on.

OlliOlli
By Roll7 - heading to PS Vita in November

If you haven't been following the progress of this 2D skateboarding game, you really need to brush up on your Vita knowledge. That's because I reckon it's rather essential.

It's all about stringing together ollies, flips, tricks and grinds... without falling flat on your face. Think a 2D Tony Hawk's, and you're part of the way there.