New Game Releases: February 18th-24th, 2016

NEKOPARA Vol 2
From a coquettish witch who defeats foes via an elegant ballet of brutal batterings to Ryu Hayabusa’s ever-agile navigational abilities, nimble protagonists prove plentiful this week. But beyond the single-disk addition of Bayonetta 2 and a pair of Ninja Gaiden sequels, there’s plenty of other notable new game releases, with Fire Emblem Fates and the PC port of Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc certain to draw the attention of gamers.

Header image: NEKOPARA Vol. 2, PC

PlayStation 4
Agatha Christie — The ABC Murders (PSN, $TBA)
Arcade Archives: Double Dragon II (PSN, $TBA)
BIT.TRIP Presents: Runner2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien (PSN, $TBA, Cross Buy)
Far Cry Primal (also on PSN, $59.99)
Hitman GO: Definitive Edition (PSN, $7.99, Cross-buy)
Ninja Senki DX (PSN, $TBA, Cross Buy)
Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 (also on PSN, $59.99)
Replay: VHS is Not Dead (PSN, $TBA)
Toki Tori 2+ (PSN, $TBA)
Wondershot (PSN, $TBA)

Wii U
Bayonetta 2 (retail, single-disk version, $29.99)
Double Dragon III: The Sacred Stones (eShop, Virtual Console, $4.99)
Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos (eShop, Virtual Console, $4.99)
Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom (eShop, Virtual Console, $4.99)

Xbox One
Far Cry Primal (also on XGS, $59.99)
Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 (also on XGS, $59.99)

3DS
Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright (also on eShop, $39.99)
Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest (also on eShop, $39.99)
Fire Emblem Fates: Special Edition
Mega Man Legacy Collection (also on eShop, $29.99)
Musicverse: Electronic Keyboard (eShop, $7.99)
Tap Tap Arcade (eShop, $1.99)

PS Vita
Hitman GO: Definitive Edition (PSN, $7.99, Cross Buy)
Knock Knock (PSN, $TBA, Cross Buy)
Ninja Senki DX (PSN, $TBA, Cross Buy)
SwapQuest (PSN, $TBA)

PC
Bonsai ($0.99)
Codename: Panzers, Phase One ($8.99)
Codename: Panzers, Phase Two ($8.99)
CosmoLands | Space-Adventure ($1.19)
Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc ($23.99)
Devil Daggers ($4.99)
Devil Sealing Stone ($TBA)
Dungelot: Shattered Lands ($8.99)
Emerald Maiden: Symphony of Dreams ($8.99)
Governor of Poker 3 (free to play)
Hero and Daughter+ ($8.99)
Herolike ($TBA)
Hitman GO: Definitive Edition ($7.99)
Mazement  ($TBA)
Mindless Running ($0.89)
NEKOPARA Vol. 2 ($TBA)
No Pineapple Left Behind ($8.99)
Pixel Puzzles 2: Space ($TBA)
Plague Inc: Evolved ($13.49)
Planet 1138 ($9.99)
Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 (Origin, $59.99)
Pro Basketball Manager 2016 – US Edition ($9.99)
Prospekt ($9.99)
Red Comrades Save the Galaxy: Reloaded ($3.39)
Risky Rescue ($TBA)
Small Town Terrors: Galdor’s Bluff Collector’s Edition ($11.99)
Super Flippin’ Phones ($2.69)
Super Night Riders ($TBA)
Talisman: The Horus Heresy ($19.99)
The Solus Project ($13.49)
The Walking Dead: Michonne – A Telltale Miniseries ($13.49)
Valens ($7.99)
Wanderjahr ($8.99)

Robert’s Pick: I’ve consistently thought that complex release schemes weren’t good for the industry. Consumers should be able to buy a product impulsively as possible- with a minimum of consideration. While the hardcore might be willing to decipher each intricacy, those with slightly less interest could easily become perplexed by the whole set-up. This week, the release of Fire Emblem Fates mirrors the thorniness of the its gameplay, asking potential buyers to make a few careful decisions.

Given Nintendo’s history, it might seem like Birthquest and Conquest would take a Pokémon-approach, offering near-homogenous approaches. In reality, they offer two distinctive approaches, with the latter offering a smaller amount of character progression, but more play styles, as players tackle duties like defending bases. To complicate matters further, Nintendo offered a limited edition, which included the third piece of Fire Emblem’s puzzle. If you weren’t able to grab it, then you’ll have to wait until next month for the DLC release to see the game’s “true” ending.

Yes, it’s convoluted (and disappointing considering Nintendo still lacks account-based DRM), but it’s also Fire Emblem– the game that popularized permadeath in strategy role-playing games. It’s been a consistently solid blend of plot and play, and I’d be surprised if developer Intelligent Systems didn’t deliver one of the year’s better 3DS titles. Now, not even NOA’s removal of Japanese voice-acting and needless touchscreen mini-game censorship has cooled my enthusiasm.

Fire Emblem Fates

Gonçalo’s Pick: To say the release of Fire Emblem Fates is confusing would be an understatement. I still don’t understand what the upside is for gamers when we’re given such a convoluted release line as more often than not it only serves to daze all but the fiercest of followers. Regardless, Fire Emblem has always been a series known for its quality tactical gameplay and 3DS owners owe it to themselves to pick this one up.

Fire Emblem Fates (1)

About Robert Allen

Since being a toddler, Robert Allen has been immersed in video games, anime, and tokusatsu. Currently, his days are spent teaching at two southern California colleges. But his evenings and weekends are filled with STGs, RPGs, and action titles and well at writing for Tech-Gaming since 2007.

26 comments

  1. Basically, you wrote 3x as much to defend Fire Emblem, but ending up point out all of its weaknesses.

    You’re right I am confused.

    • My interpretation is “Nintendo screwed this up and NOA screwed things up even more. Even though that sucks, it’s still worth a buy because it’s a SRPG with waifus in it”.

      I might have taken some liberties, but the point stands.

  2. The Walking Dead: Michonne is based on the comic or the TV series?

  3. You’re right about complicated game releases Deagle. All these special editions, Limited editions, and stuff require people to read and sort through speculation. Even though embargo has broke of FEF, I still am hearing conflicting reports about the face touching thing.

    I could have bought the LE, but I just thought it was going to be like Pokemon and I didn’t need to get both. Now, that the only way to get the end on a cart. Unless Nintendo has a second run, I won’t be buying it.

  4. You forgot to factor in what the FE amiibos do for even more confusion.

    Video games, ladies and gentleman! Could you image if seeing a movie was this fucked up?

  5. People on this site sound like entitled little brats, especially the writer.

    Don’t like it, don’t buy it. No one cares about your complaints, feelings, and first world problems, dude. Especially in a “new releases” article.

  6. Bonsai review Robert!!!!

  7. So how can Wii U owners play the original Bayonetta without paying sky-high prices?

    • I have no idea what Nintendo is doing anymore. They seem so out of touch. I really worry about their new system.

  8. I wish they bundled all the Ninja Gaiden games on a single disk. There’s got to be an anniversary coming up.

  9. Got an email telling me that Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright is ready for pickup. Woohoo!

  10. Is Hitman Go any fun? Looks like more of a puzzle game.

  11. I’m getting Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest tomorrow. Not happy about not seeing the true ending without spending an additional $20. That’s how DLC should NOT be done.

  12. Cute pic this week.

    I’ll be saving my money.

  13. Kawaii cat girls are likely to get my money.

  14. BB is now shipping my Fire Emblem Fates: Special Edition in March. WTF is up with that?

  15. I get the feeling Nintendo is making it up as they go along. And they’re not so good at it.

    They release multiple versions of the 3DS, some with software that’s exclusive to “The New 3DS” but their archaic account system only allows for purchases to be enjoyed on one system. They are the only publisher to have this limit. Sony, Microsoft, Apple, Google all allow single users to enjoy content on multiple systems. If you lose your system, it’s stolen, or even if it breaks, there’s a good chance you’ll lose everything. Now why encourage buying new systems if you don’t have a decent account system?

    Then, with that limit in place, they announce a Limited Edition for Fire Emblem Fates. It sells out without an hour. Otherwise, to see the entire game you either have to buy:

    2 different $40 games, and $20 DLC (see above point), or you can buy the other game for $20 digitally (but again you have to use Nintendo’s crappy account system). Obviously, they should have produced more carts.

    Of course, you can look at the Wii U’s touchpad (remember when they promoted standalone games for it, multiple ones for multiplayer games), Amiibos, and Wii Fit for things they half-assed. I wonder what the hell their executives are thinking sometimes. I love Nintendo’s games but the fact that I have to work by their outdated rules makes me less inclined to support them.

    • Microsoft with the whole flip flopping on the Xbox One isn’t any better, really.

      And did everyone forget the whole RROD issue?

    • We’re all slaves to the big 3 console makers. Complain all you want, but you won’t stop buying games and they know it.

    • This is why I fell out of love with Nintendo and hopped on the PS4 bandwagon.

  16. Amiibos not available for purchase. Bayonetta 1 not available for purchase. Fire Emblem Fates LE not available for purchase.

    NINTENDO MUST WANT OUT OF THE PROFIT GAME.

  17. I’m waiting on FEF. Hopefully, Nintendo will offer more of the Special Editions.

  18. btw:

    When you get one version, you can get the other version as dlc for cheaper than a physical or eShop copy, and it gives you access to extra features. When you buy two separate copies, you lose out on that stuff. So it’s better to buy Birthright with Conquest dlc or Conquest with Birthright dlc than it is to buy separate copies of Birthright and Conquest.

    • Why is everything about this game so fucking confusing. I’m afraid I bought the map back thing it was Revelations. Since it’s Gamestop, they’re not offering me a refund.

      FUCK FUCK FUCK!

  19. Wheres the Mega Man collection?