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The Most Anticipated Portable Games Of 2011
Nintendo's 3DS is far and away where most of the portable excitement is building in the coming year. But that doesn't mean PSP and DS developers are holding back. Check out what you'll most likely be playing on the go in 2011.
DS
Kingdom Hearts Re:coded (January 11)
This upgraded port of a Japanese mobile phone game is the first to take place after Kingdom Hearts II in the timeline and could lead into the upcoming 3DS game.
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective (January 11)
The creator of the Ace Attorney series returns with an all-new concept in which players must possess inanimate objects to solve Rube Goldberg-style puzzles in order to solve the main character's own murder.
Plants vs. Zombies (January 18)
PopCap's PC, iPhone, and XBLA hit finally appears on DS with new modes.
Pokémon Black/White (March 6)
Speaking of Pokémon, the next all-new entry in the series is already out in Japan and is headed West soon. The games are expected to debut over 150 new monsters to the series.
Okamiden (March 15)
After nearly five years, Capcom's epic wolf god action game, Okami, is finally getting an extremely cute sequel.
Monster Tale (March)
The
creators of Henry Hatsworth and the Puzzling Adventure and Majesco are
teaming up to release this exciting cross between Metroid's exploration
and Pokémon's monster training.
Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth 2 (February 3 in Japan, late 2011 in U.S.)
The next entry in the Ace Attorney series is almost out in Japan. Hopefully, we'll see it over here before the end of next year.
Continue on for the upcoming PSP selections.
PSP
Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together (February 15)
This classic strategy RPG is going portable with updated graphics, story, and mechanics.
Patapon 3 (March)
Even though this was supposed to be out this year, we're still excited for Sony's next entry in the rhythm-strategy series. Online co-op and competitive multiplayer is the big focus this time around.
The 3rd Birthday (December 22, 2010 in Japan, Q1 2011 in U.S.)
After over a decade off, Square Enix's Parasite Eve series returns in portable form. This third-person shooter allows players to possess other soldiers on the battlefield.
Valkyria Chronicles III (January 27 in Japan, late 2011 in U.S.)
The Valkyria Chronicles strategy series returns to PSP rather then going back to PS3 like the first entry. Portability FTW!
Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy (March 3 in Japan, late 2011 in U.S.)
Fans of the original Final Fantasy fighting game can look forward to new characters like Lightning from FFXIII and Kain from FFIV. Oh, and that number is apparently pronounced "duodecim." It's Latin.
Monster Hunter Freedom 3 (December 1, 2010 Japan, 2011 in U.S.)
While the Monster Hunter games aren't as much of a smashing success in the U.S. as they are in Japan, we'd be very surprised if this didn't head West in the coming year.
Head to the next page for 3DS picks.
3DS
This highly anticipated system is scheduled to launch on February 26 in Japan and sometime thereafter in North America. However, we don't know when any of the games will come out. Here's a list of some exciting prospects that we hope will hit in 2011.
Assassin's Creed: Lost Legacy
Contra
DJ Hero 3D
Harmonix Music Project
Kid Icarus: Uprising
Kingdom Hearts 3D
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D
Mario Kart 3DS
Mega Man Legends 3
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater 3D
Nintendogs + Cats
Paper Mario 3DS
Pilotwings Resort
Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle
Resident Evil: Revelations
Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D
Saints Row: Drive-By
Star Fox 64 3D
Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition
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