Incoming! The most exciting 3DS and PS Vita games for February 2015

Love is in the air. And we're staying in to play handheld games.

Whether a New 3DS is on the cards for your partner or from your partner, or you're going solo that Saturday, everyone's going to be all over the New 3DS.

The two big releases might still not be enough to sway some people, but no-one can deny how lovely the new units look.

Meanwhile, the PS Vita sits back and does its thing, casually releasing a couple of hefty PSone RPGs on the PlayStation Store alongside the more indies and a pinch of Japanese flavour.

Without further ado...

You're a kid in your pajamas with a big ol' gun. Looks like you'll have to jump around using your gun recoil on an adventure in order to find your new robo pal a new battery. A fixed 2D perspective platformer in a 3D world.

Suikoden (PSone Classic)
Konami - 4th (EU)

Just as we Europeans received PSone RPGs later than other regions back in the old days, the same applies here. Suikoden is often best summed up as Game of Thrones meets Pokémon, as there are 111 recruitable characters.

Suikoden II (PSone Classic)
Konami - 4th (EU)

Considered the best in the series, but by no means the ideal starting point. Improves just about everything that was already great in Suikoden.

It's a shame we've only received the PSone ports rather than a translated version of the Suikoden I & II remastered compilation on PSP, but beggars can't be choosers.

Criminal Girls: Invite Only
Image Epoch / NIS America - 3rd (NA), 6th (EU)

I er... oh dear. Fulfil "special requests" for seven girls, each representing sins, using the touchscreen and rear touchpad. Rated M in the US and 18+ in the UK. Blimey.

Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth2: Sisters Generation
Felistella / Idea Factory - 6th (EU)

Just rolls off the tongue, doesn't it? Arriving a little later in Euro-land, this remastering of the PS3 original uses the Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory battle system.

Includes a bunch of improvements and new playable characters. Be ready for lots of oddness aping the games industry.

Minutes
Red Phantom Games - 10th (NA)

We gave this shooter a Silver Award for the European release, and now you lovely Stateside folks will also be able to pick it up. Check out our Minutes review.

htoL#NiQ: The Firefly Diary
NIS America - 24th (NA), 25th (EU)

A bloomin' gorgeous adventure game where you use the touchscreen to control a firefly, in turn guiding a girl named Mion.

You'll also use the rear touchpad to control another firefly in the shadow world that can move objects to clear pathways and knock out baddies.

Hyperdevotion Noire: Goddess Black Heart
Sting / Idea Factory - 24th (NA), 27th (EU)

In this Hyperdimension Neptunia tactical RPG spinoff you'll send chibi characters off to battle foes. The hook lies in 18 new characters that parody various game franchises.

Tokyo Twilight Ghost Hunters
Arc System Works / Aksys Games - 28th (NA)

An intriguing visual novel where you choose between emotions or senses for your responses. Oh, and there's first-person ghost hunting too innit.

Flame Over
Laughing Jackal - some time in February

No confirmed release date yet. A twin-stick pyro-roguelike shooter (or should that be extinguisher?) where you'll be spraying flames and saving folks through 16 randomised levels à la Spelunky.

The game took the third place prize at the Apps World 2014 Big Indie Pitch.

Shantae and the Pirate's Curse
WayForward - 5th (EU)

The Gold Award-winning third Shantae game finally hits European shores, completing the trilogy. Flick that hair at scurvy-ridden pirates and big ol' bosses in this polished platformer.

Moon Chronicles: Episodes 2-4
Renegade Kid - 5th (NA)

Rejoice as the DS cult classic FPS Moon receives three all-new chapters that continue the story. We're assured PAL regions will receive all four episodes at some point. Grumble.

KAMI
KAMI Flyhigh Works / CIRCLE Entertainment - 5th (NA)

We called this Silver Award-winner a "smooth and soothing puzzler" in the iOS and Android KAMI review. Ooh, I'm getting all tingly.

New 3DS / New 3DS XL
Nintendo - 13th

So... which are you getting? Standard? XL? Special Edition? The new 3DS features two new shoulder buttons, a right analogue nubbin, NFC chip-reading capabilities, and more RAM so you can play Xenoblade Chronicles later this year.

The standard units come with SNES buttons and changeable faceplates, but it's all about the big screen and better battery life if you ask us. Oh, you didn't? Alright then.

Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy+
Project Aces / Bandai Namco Games - 10th (NA), 13th (EU)

Now you can justify your New 3DS and Amiibo purchases by unlocking skins for planes! No, we don't believe ourselves either.

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D
GREZZO / Nintendo - 13th

The Zelda too many folk missed out on. It's dark and mature, with more sidequests and minigames than you could shake a deku stick at. IT HAS FISHING!

Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate
Capcom - 13th

Not just for Monster Hunter fans any more. This is the best entry point for newbies looking to battle monsters and upgrade armour sets for hundreds of hours. Just make sure you're ready for that much of a time investment.

You can also dress up as Link and have a mini-Dante assist you. Sold!

Kirby Fighters Deluxe
HAL Labs / Nintendo - 13th (EU)

These next two titles are a tad late to the party for Europe. Look familiar? It's a souped-up version of one of Kirby Triple Deluxe's subgames.

This has new arenas, the ability to play as a team, and two bonus copy abilities for owners of the original game. Super Smash Bros. Lite.

Dedede's Drum Dash Deluxe
HAL Labs / Nintendo - 13th (EU)

The other subgame from Kirby Triple Deluxe has also been upgraded. This jaunty rhythm-action spinoff comes with new stages, new songs, new obstacles, and an all-new hard mode.

Excave
Mechanic Arms / Teyon - 19th (NA)

A non-turn-based mystery dungeon roguelike where you can play as a male or female character, each with their own skills. You can hold up to 21 pieces of kit and items, but you'll have to shed some should you perish.

3D Fantasy Zone
M2 / SEGA - some time in February

The second in season 2 of SEGA's 3DS Classics series. Fantasy Zone is a Defender-esque horizontal cute-'em-up shmup with coins and upgrades you can buy in a shop. Tough as nails too.

Pokémon Shuffle
Nintendo - some time in February

Nintendo's free-to-play match-3 puzzler. Because there aren't enough of those about, no siree. Uses the energy systems we're all so used to in mobile games.

By all means download it, but please don't buy energy. Please.