Come on in my friend, and let’s have a nice cup of coffee while we look at this weeks Handheld Gaming News. What can I get you, a coffee with some whipped cream on top, or will you go for some tea?
As you might have seen, we are featuring a new service here on the site. On Thursdays we will give you the rundown of the new game releases in the Nintendo eShop. Added to that, we will mention new releases to the Vita (which are few and far in between, unfortunately). Also, when a major mobile title is released, we will include this as well. The first one, published yesterday, is here.
So, now back to the Handheld Gaming News that stood out to me this week.
Okami HD has a release date
Capcom announced this week that Okami HD is headed to Nintendo Switch in the West on August 9. Okami HD has been released before on Playstation and XBox but I’m eager to have it on the Switch. It will be my first experience of the game after loving Okamiden on the DS!
Sony is ending production of physical Vita games
I guess we all knew it was coming: Sony has now announced that they will stop producing physical games for the PS Vita in America and Europe. Japan will probably have them in stores a little longer, but for us, there will only be the occasional digital title.
It’s been a long time that I have seen physical Vita games in stores over here in the Netherlands, so it doesn’t come as a shock to me. Still, it’s another milestone going downhill for a sadly underrated device.
Little Dragon’s Café has a Japanese release date
The action adventure game by Harvest Moon (and Story of Seasons) creator Yasuhiro Wada will be released in Japan on August 30 for the Switch and PS4. In the West we had a tentative date in August, but I guess it will be a bit later for us.
A special edition has been announced by Aksys for $79.99. You get a plush dragon as well as 18 collectible cards with characters from the game and also a 17 track soundtrack CD.
Layton’s Mystery Journey coming to Switch in Japan
A surprising news snippet. Layton’s Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaires’ Conspiracy is coming to the Switch in Japan. It has a releasedate of August 9, and it will be the third device to be released on.
There was the mobile version and the 3DS version before, so the reason to bring it to the Switch as well frankly escapes me. Unless it’s a step towards a brand-new game on the Switch!
Changes for Elnea Kingdom
WorldNeverland – Elnea Kingdom was a mobile game first. Now it’s playable on the Switch as well. Recently the game was updated: you can now upload the safe file from your mobile game!
These are the upload notes:
- adds option to transfer save data from the mobile version to the Nintendo Switch version (check out this post for more details)
- adds support for the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
- improves loading times as startup
- adds new dialogue lines
- makes improvements to the UI
- makes improvements to improve gameplay
Awesome Breath of the Wild Art Book coming
Go Vacation announced for the Switch
“The game is set in a resort island known as Kawawii Island, where you’ll partake in activities such as volleyball, tennis, or even take on snowball fights. The game can be played solo or with up to four players via a single Nintendo Switch system. The option to play local wireless is also there.
As for the activities there are several that use motion controls like swinging your tennis racket or throwing snowballs. You can explore Kawawii Island on foot, on horseback, on a snowmobile, and more, with plenty of challenges and collectibles to discover as well as opportunities to level up and customize your character.
Other activities include decorating your own villa, enjoying a meal at one fo the food trucks, and snap in-game photos of various animals hiding in each resort. You’ll also find regular challenges and presents, like special costumes and different dog breeds.”
Well, that’s it for this week. Thanks for dropping by, I enjoyed our gaming chat! I downloaded Yonder the Cloud Catcher Chronicles that was released digital on May 17, and it’s shaping up to be a good one! So I know what I’ll be playing this weekend!
Have a happy gaming weekend!
I really love Go Vacation on the Wii, even if the only person who will play it with me is my little sister.
You are lucky that you can always play the party games with your little sister. And she is getting all these awesome memories for when she is grown up of playing with her big sister!
That’s so sad about the Vita, Sony seen to have basically abandoned it ever since they stopped making the consoles for us in the UK, maybe Europe and the U.S too? Thank God for Switch!
Yeah, I feel they have never given it much of a chance. I heard Japan will still get some physical games, but that might not be for long either
To be honest, I’ve only turned mine on a couple of times since getting my Switch last Christmas, and PS4 too.. Vita is a great console though and one day I’ll play through my extensive backlog of rpg’s and other games ☺
Also, as of next March, Vita and PS3 games will not be included in the monthly PS+ games, it’s certainly being phased out, I wonder if Sony will release another handheld console.. PSP2 maybe!?!
Personally I don’t think they will go for another handheld device. They seem to have been sorely disappointed that they couldn’t take on the 3DS with the Vita. And I think they’ll just focus on the consoles from now.
I think you’re probably right Yvo!