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Incoming! The most exciting 3DS games for August 2015

Sorry Europe

Incoming! The most exciting 3DS games for August 2015
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3DS

Don't you just hate it when you see one region getting all the fab releases while your own misses out?

Thankfully, these days most releases do eventually make their way to all western territories, but dang if the wait still doesn't sting a wee bit.

Yes, it's an alright month if you're in North America, but European 3DS owners may be a little bummed out to find only a couple of options on the table this month.

At least we can all cosy up to the new Smash Bros. costume DLC and free Pokémon Rumble World update. I really should go back and collect those last few legendaries I'm missing...

If you're in the UK and looking for something to pop on your 3DS, consider tracking down the AR app Photos with Animal Crossing that's only being distributed in a few spots over the next month.

Etrian Odyssey 2 Untold: The Fafnir Knight
Atlus - 4th (North America)

Here's a remixed remake of the original Etrian Odyssey 2, with a new abilities, a new labyrinth, and even a new story mode featuring all-new voice acting and a preset party.

You can still choose to make your own party if you're a true Etrian Odyssey nut though.

Japanese Rail Sim 3D: Journey to Kyoto
Sonic Powered - 6th (North America)

Venture around Kyoto in Autumn by way of a Deo 900-type "Kirara" train in this quaint sim game. Looks like this is FMV-based, so I'm doubting you can force any kind of derailment. Bah.

True fact: I stayed in Kyoto just once during my five years in Japan. My favourite place was the train station.

Picross e6
Jupiter Corporation - 6th (North America)

Completed Picross e up to e5? Here are another 300 or so puzzles for you. Owning other games from the series will increase the number of puzzles available to you.

If you like puzzlers, but haven't played Picross before I recommend you pick up the Virtual Console release of Mario's Picross, or Picross 3D on the DS. I'm not picking up a single one until the West gets Club Nintendo Picross Plus though gosh darn it.

Brave Tank Hero
Natsume - 11th (North America)

This cute little eShop tank 'em up features 50 missions, three types of tank, and an upgrade system.

If the price is right it may be a spot of fun, but with no online multiplayer on the cards it seems like a missed opportunity.

3D Gunstar Heroes
M2 / Sega - 13th (Europe, North America)

This Sega gem originally came from the aptly named Treasure. In case you missed it the first time it's an action platformer-cum-shooter where you can combine different shooting styles to suit your situation.

I'm a big fan of M2's work as they work tirelessly to make their ports as complete as possible, working in as many options and versions of each game as possible. Fun fact: M2 developed the original Game Gear version of Gunstar Heroes.

LBX: Little Battlers eXperience
Level 5 / Nintendo - 21st (North America)

Based off the anime of the same name, this action RPG lets you muck about with over 100 palm-sized customisable robots.

With 4,000 different upgrades and 6-player local co-op this could be heaps of fun in the playground (...or office).

Senran Kagura 2: Deep Crimson
Tamsoft / Marvelous - 27th (Europe)

Arriving in Europe a week before North America, this 3D all-girl action brawler is just as dodgy as the original.

Expect three new characters, and a strong emphasis on wobbly bits.

Japanese highlight:

Dragon Quest VIII: Sora to Umi to Daichi to Norowareshi Himegimi
Cygames / Square Enix - 27th (Japan)

The best Dragon Quest. Quiet you in the back. Featuring new story episodes, two new party members, a new ending, and a post-game dungeon, this is set to instantly become one of the best RPGs on 3DS.

While it's not quite as high res as the original PlayStation 2 game, all the voice acting and orchestral music is included, which is more than we can say for the portrait iOS version.

Chance for localisation: 85%. I can certainly see this coming westward, but not for a year or two. We still haven't received a localised version of Dragon Quest VII, after all.

What'll you be buying this month? Let us know in the comments below!
Danny Russell
Danny Russell
After spending years in Japan collecting game developers' business cards, Danny has returned to the UK to breed Pokemon. He spends his time championing elusive region-exclusive games while shaking his fist at the whole region-locking thing.