15 Handheld Games To Look Forward To In 2015

2015 has started off strong for handheld games. This week Code Name S.T.E.A.M. and Tokyo Twilight Ghost Hunters hit the 3DS and Vita respectively, and earlier in February the New 3DS launched alongside Majora’s Mask 3D and Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate. What’s really exciting is that the year is just getting started because there are a ton of fantastic handheld games on the horizon and many of them will likely be some of the best games of the year.

Here are 15 3DS and Vita games to look forward to in 2015 that highlight the variety and quality of this year’s releases.

Axiom Verge
Platforms: Cross Buy PS4/Vita, PC
Release Date: PS4 version March 31, Vita and PC versions to follow

If you are a fan of Metroid-inspired titles, you need to have Axiom Verge on your radar as it looks like it could compete with the best of the genre. I got the chance to play the game myself at The PlayStation Experience and came away impressed by the slick aesthetics, strong level design, and empowering controls. A large arsenal of weapons offers a satisfying amount of variety and the best part is it’s easy to swap between them in real time.

If you’re curious to learn more about Axiom Verge take a look at our feature delving into the history of its development here.

Box Boy!
Platforms: 3DS eShop
Release Date: Spring

If you have any nostalgia for the TI-86 Calculator classic Box Guy, you may be instantly smitten with Box Boy! by Hal Laboratories, the creators of Kirby. Box Boy! is a puzzle game where you control a sentient box and must navigate perilous monochrome environments to reach the exit. Box Boy expands, sort’ve like a snake, to create boxes he can either throw to use as platforms, use as a shield to evade lasers, or as a bridge to navigate tight, winding corridors.

BlazBlue Chronophantasma Extend
Platforms: Vita, PS3, PS4, Xbox One
Release Date: Summer

The BlazBlue releases on Vita are some of the best fighting games on the platform and Chronphantasma Extend should be no different. Chronophantasma Extend boasts 28 unique characters, excellent fighting mechanics, and tons of story scenarios new and old for fans to dig into. BlazBlue controls well with the d-pad and four face buttons, and the graphics look especially sharp on the OLED screen which allows an uncompromised BlazBlue experienceon the Vita.

Cosmic Star Heroine
Platforms: Vita, PS4, Xbox One, PC, Mac
Release Date: 2015

Zeboyd Games, best known for RPGs like Cthulhu Saves The World and the third and fourth episodes of the Penny Arcade Adventures, is tackling science fiction in their next RPG. Not only does it look like Chrono Trigger, the controls are almost exactly like the classic RPG right down to the diagonal strafing. While I appreciated that familiarity when I played a demo, the unique battle system based on managing and restoring many single-use moves, as well as the sharp writing, should be the real highlights.

Danganronpa Another Episode
Platforms: Vita
Release Date: Fall

Danganronpa Another Episode tells a dark story of children leading a revolution against adults. Despite being a side story, you will want to have finished both of the main Danganronpa games to avoid being spoiled when characters from those two games weave in and out of the story. Another Episode controls like a third-person shooter and the emphasis is on conquering different puzzle rooms, but text that you would expect from a core entry is present.

Keep reading for Persona, Hatsune Miku, and more…

Dengeki Bunko Fighting Climax
Platforms: Vita, PS3
Release Date: Summer

Fighting Climax is a crossover fighting game featuring characters from Dengeki Bunko light novels, including series like Durarara!!, Sword Art Online, and Toradora as well as characters from Valkyria Chronicles and Virtua Fighter. You’ll pair up a playable character with an assist character to take on your opponents. French Bread, the makers of Melty Blood and Under Night In-Birth, developed the game, so the fighting action should be solid and approachable.

Hatsune Miku Project Mirai DX
Platforms: 3DS
Release Date: May 26

Project Mirai Deluxe is the first time we are getting the Mirai series in North America and it was worth the wait because we are getting a superior version that boasts 48 full-length songs including fan favorites like “The World Is Mine,” “Senbonzakura,” and “Romeo and Cinderella.” The game boasts button and touch controls, multiple difficulty options, and challenge and support items to make the rhythm game experience just right. Included are plenty of bonus features such as a Puyo Puyo minigame and over 100 modules/costumes to unlock.

Hyper Light Drifter
Platforms: Vita, PS4, Wii U, Xbox One, PC/Mac/Linux, Steam, Ouya
Release Date: 2015

Hyper Light Drifter is a 2D action RPG that aims to be a cross between The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Diablo. Like A Link to the Past, your primary weapon is a sword, but you can also pick up other items including a variety of laser guns and equipment that can upgrade your abilities like a dash module. The focus is on the action with overwhelming swarms of enemies to overcome, but the slick aesthetic is also enticing.

Mighty No. 9
Platforms: 3DS, Vita, Wii U, PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC/Mac/Linux
Release Date: April

Mighty No. 9 is essentially a Mega Man game in all but name – it’s even created by Keiji Inafune, the father of Mega Man. Eight robots are causing trouble and it’s up to Beck, The Mighty No. 9 himself, and his companion Call to defeat them. Thanks to the massive success of its Kickstarter campaign, you can also look forward to a second quest mode, boss rush mode, a challenge mode, and an online race mode.

You can check out our impressions of Mighty No. 9 from PAX here.

Persona 4 Dancing All Night
Platforms: Vita
Release Date: 2015

Similar to Persona 4 Arena, Persona 4 Dancing All Night is another spin-off for Persona that changes the genre of the series, but is also a canonical follow up to the story. One of Rise Kujikawa’s junior idols is kidnapped and it is up to the Investigation Team to rescue her and dance the night away in a rhythm game. The disco-infused soundtrack in the base game appears solid and any holes in the selection look like they’ll be filled in as DLC.

Trails in the Sky, Xenoblade and more ahead…

Puzzles and Dragons Z and Super Mario Edition
Platforms: 3DS
Release Date: May

This bundle of Puzzle and Dragons Z and the Super Mario Edition should offer tremendous value to puzzle fans when it launches in May. For those unfamiliar, Puzzle and Dragons is a match three puzzle game where your success leads to defeating and recruiting enemy monsters roaming in the dungeons you explore. It’s great to have two flavors for the franchise to choose from with the classic fantasy monsters of Puzzle and Dragons Z to the beloved Mario characters in the Super Mario Edition.

If you want to learn more about Puzzle and Dragons, check out our impressions of the Mario Edition from PAX East.

Steins;Gate
Platforms: Vita, PS3, PC
Release Date: Vita/PS3 2015, Released on PC

The time-travelling visual novel adventure starring a self-proclaimed mad scientist who creates a time machine to send text messages back in time is arriving this year on the Vita and PS3.The story diverges in Steins;Gate depending on how you respond to others on your cell phone and keeping track of how the timeline changes based on your actions is the key to reaching the true resolution. You’ll grow attached to the strong cast of characters pushing you to keep trying to set things right.

Titan Souls
Platforms: Vita, PS4, PC/Mac/Linux
Release Date: April 14

Titan Souls pits a young hero armed with only a single arrow against over twenty giant, unique monsters that he fights exclusively in boss fights in a setup similar to Shadow of the Colossus. Even though you only have a single arrow, you can summon it back to your hand to fire again so the trick with the combat is knowing when and where to strike at the monsters. Unlike Shadow of the Colossus, secret boss fights are scattered around the world so it will pay to explore every nook and cranny.

The Legend of Heroes Trails in the Sky Second Chapter
Platforms: PSP/Vita, PC, Steam
Release Date: Summer

The long awaited Second Chapter for Trails in the Sky will conclude Estelle Bright’s story in epic fashion as the scope of the adventure greatly expands. The characters and the massive amount of well-written dialog and text that fleshes out the world once again should be a delight to experience. The satisfying battle system from the first game returns which sort of plays as a cross between Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy X.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3D
Platforms: New 3DS XL
Release Date: April 10

Xenoblade Chronicles 3D is the New 3DS port of one of the last generation’s greatest RPGs and features a new soundtrack gallery, (which is great since the soundtrack is absolutely top-notch), street pass functionality, and amiibo support. Xenoblade is sort of an offline MMO in a similar vein to Final Fantasy XII and has expansive, fantastic environments begging to be explored. The story is solid and the combat, which is based on careful positioning and managing cooldown timers and enemy aggro, remains interesting throughout the 80 hour adventure.

Many more handheld games are still to come in 2015 beyond the ones I listed here, hopefully including the new Fire Emblem game. Others, like Ys 8, Bravely Second, and The Great Ace Attorney haven’t yet been announced for localization, but will hopefully arrive this year or next.

What handheld games are you looking forward to in 2015?