Incoming! The most exciting 3DS and PS Vita games for March 2014

After the post-Christmas lull on both the 3DS eShop and the Vita Store, things are back in full swing on these two digital distribution channels.

If you've been sustaining yourself recently on Virtual Console re-releases, the PS Plus back catalogue you've amassed, or some familiar favourites, then get ready for plenty of new meaty gaming goodness in March.

Let's take a look ahead at what's on the horizon for 3DS and Vita, then, shall we?

Yoshi's New Island
By Nintendo - out on March 14th in Europe and the US

We were impressed if slightly underwhelmed by Yoshi's New Island when we went hands-on with the game back in June 2013.

Hopefully, Nintendo has spent the last eight months of development injecting some much-needed ingenuity into the game's standard but pretty platforming.

Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
By Level-5 and Capcom - out on March 28th in Europe

It's one of the least likely crossovers of all time. Come March, though, it'll finally be available for English speakers.

When we reviewed the Japanese version of this unique adventure game way back in February 2013, we called it a "winning mix of puzzles and courtroom craziness" and handed it a mighty Silver Award.

Pokemon Link Battle / Pokemon Battle Trozei
By Nintendo - out on March 20th in Europe and the US

Do you like match-three puzzlers? Do you not have a mobile telephone? Do you prefer to play puzzle games featuring Gengars, rather than Gems?

Then Pokemon Link Battle has you covered. Sarcasm aside, it does look like it'll mix in a few gameplay elements from the main franchise, too, rather than just be another Bejeweled clone.

Squids: Odyssey
By The Game Bakers - out in "March" in Europe and the US

This 3DS compilation collects up the content from the two Squids mobile games, adds a new character, modifies the controls, plonks in some 3D graphics, and includes a whole new campaign of turn-based physics-puzzle battling.

Cut the Rope: Triple Treat
By Activision - out on March 28th in Europe

Again, if you don't have access to a mobile phone and fancy playing some Cut the Rope (to find our what all your friends were talking about a couple of years ago), then you're now in luck.

Triple Treat includes the original game, Experiments, and Time Travel. At full price. Hmm.

Pac-Man and The Ghostly Adventures
By Bandai Namco Games - out on March 7th in Europe

This one's already available in US, and apparently isn't all that good.

It's based on a children's animation that I've never seen, and is by all accounts a slightly soulless 3D platformer that does a disservice to the legendary game character.

Shovel Knight
By Yacht Club Games - out on March 31st in Europe and the US

Do you remember being able to use a stick to pogo about levels in DuckTales for the NES?

If you do, then this game might be for you.

It not only includes that gameplay mechanic, but has also been made to resemble the games of yesteryear in both structure and look. Watch out for this, for it could easily be a cult hit when it goes live right at the end of March.

Final Fantasy X / X-2 HD Remaster
By Square Enix - out on March 18th in the US; out on March 21st in Europe

It's been a long time in the works, but we will finally witness the release of these visually updated PlayStation 2 JRPG classics in March.

Expect spiky hair, chocobos, and a WHOLE lot of emo.

Deception IV: Blood Ties
By Tecmo Koei - out on March 25th in the US; out on March 28th in Europe

Here's the deal: you have a hero you need to protect, and you have a set amount of enemies approaching your position.

You don't directly interact with the bad guys. Instead, you lay traps for them and try to kill them that way. It's a cool concept, for sure.

Hatsune Miku: Project Diva f
By Sega - out on March 4th in the US; out on March 12th in Europe

If you don't know what a "Vocaloid artist" is, then you can probably skip this one.

But if you do, then, well, you've probably put your pre-order in for this already.

This is a fairly traditional rhythm-action game featuring a single pop star. Just remember that all the songs are in Japanese, and the pop star doesn't technically exist.

Dynasty Warriors 8: Complete Edition
By Tecmo Koei - out on March 25th in the US

Had enough of Dynasty Warriors yet? We haven't, either.

This is a good thing, though, for Dynasty Warriors 8: Complete Edition is just around the corner.

We've spent approximately zero time with the game so far, but it's fairly safe to assume you'll play as Liu Bei at some point. Oh, and I imagine you'll thwart the Yellow Turban Rebellion during the game, too.

Just a hunch.

MXGP: The Official Motocross Videogame
By Milestone - out on March 28th in Europe

I wasn't a huge fan of Milestone's previous bike game MUD - FIM Motocross World Championship when it wheelied into view in 2012. Mainly because of the game's lack of focus.

But MXGP is fully centred on the professional sport of thrashing around mud on two wheels, and looks to be all the better for it.

SteamWorld Dig
By Image & Form - out in "March" in Europe and the US

Of the Nintendo version of this game, Mike Rose said: "Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you SteamWorld Dig: Your new favourite Nintendo 3DS game."

He then handed this hardcore explore-'em-up an astonishing Platinum Award.

For this game, it's safe to imagine us saying roughly the same thing. Except replacing "Nintendo 3DS" with the word 'Vita'.