New Releases for the Week of June 15th-21st, 2013

Sure, Dungeons & Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara sounds like a brand new title, destined to callus the fingertips of curious hack-and-slash fans. Yet, further inspection reveals that the game is actually a HD remaster of coin-operated D&D favorites Tower of Doom and its sequel Shadow over Mystara. Similarly, this week offers several other ports, from Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two, Jak and Daxter, and Muramasa‘s transitions onto the Vita to Mutant Mudds Deluxe‘s leap onto the Wii U. Even the 3DS receives a handful of emulated titles such as Columns, Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine, and Sonic The Hedgehog. While playing the Genesis/Megadrive version of these classics would have been pleasing, instead gamers are offered the inferior Game Gear versions which are about as enjoyable as the Blue Blur’s underwater levels.

360
Dungeons & Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara (XBL, $15)

PS3
Castlevania: Lament of Innocence (PSN, PS2 Classic, $9.99)
Corvette Evolution GT (PSN, PS2 Classic, $9.99)
Dungeons & Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara (PSN, $14.99)
Eat Lead: The Return of Matt Hazard (PSN, $TBA)
Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams (PSN, $14.99)

Wii U
Mutant Mudds Deluxe (eShop, $9.99)
New Super Luigi U (DLC, eShop, $20)

3DS
Big Bass Arcade: No Limit (eShop, $6.99)
Columns (Virtual Console, $3.99)
Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine (Virtual Console, $2.99)
Mighty Switch Force! 2 (eShop, $5.99)
PICROSS e (eShop, $5.99)
Shining Force: Sword of Hajya (eShop, $3.99)
Sonic The Hedgehog (Virtual Console, $4.99)

DS
No releases

Vita
Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two
Jak and Daxter Collection
Muramasa Rebirth*

PC
Dracula 4: Shadow of the Dragon
Knights of Pen & Paper
Magrunner: Dark Pulse
MotoGP 13
Pro Cycling Manager Season 2013: Le Tour de France – 100th Edition

*Gamestop shows a release date of 6/21 for the standard edition, 6/25 for the Blessing of Amitabha deluxe edition.

Robert’s Pick: While Jak and Daxter Collection seems like a tempting pick, the port has a few problems, such as a sputtering framerate and the lack of any cross-save functionality with it’s PS3 brethren. A far better option for PS Vita owners would be found in Muramasa Rebirth, which offers an improved translation, customizable controls, and remastered graphics. Having played this title on the E3 show floor, I can testify that Rebirth‘s visuals look absolutely amazing on an OLED screen.

Say’s Pick: This week brings a few good titles: Sonic The Hedgehog, Knights of Pen & Paper, as well as the obvious ‘clicky’ choice- Dracula 4: Shadow of the Dragon. Despite some worthwhile entries, my heart goes for Super Luigi U this week! As Nintendo’s first ever experiment with large scale, console-based, DLC, this will only be available to New SuperMario Bros. owners who spend $20 in the eShop (until a $30 disk-based version is released later this summer). Bringing the same magic of the 2D world we all love with Mario games as well as the option to play as Nabbit – the little purple bad guy – with over 80 remixed areas to go for. Just as Nintendo announced it, I’m all in to celebrate the year of Luigi.

Eric’s Pick: It seems 2013 truly is “The Year of Luigi”. First, he got a 3DS sequel to his Gamecube launch title, Luigi’s Mansion, and now the green-clad younger brother is getting an expansion pack of his very own. With over eighty courses, a one-hundred second stage time-limit, and Nabbit as a new playable character in multiplayer, New Super Luigi U should be a worthy download for New Super Mario Bros. U owners. Those looking to get the game on-disc will have to wait until August 25th and pay $10 more than digital buyers.

Jeremy’s Pick: Coin-op gaming lives on this strange pedestal in the murky recesses of childhood memory. I was never an arcade rat, so the occasional visit to Aladdin’s Castle or the odd arcade cabinet in the supermarket foyer was a rarified experience for me. Populating the Hall of Dubious Honors in my memory are games like Willow, Golden Axe III, and Dungeons & Dragons. With the release of Chronicles of Mystara on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network, I once again defy nostalgia to do its worst. Capcom has done a really good job with their recent arcade re-releases, and Chronicles of Mystara will be receiving not only the requisite HD up-res, but also a number of additional features such as an unlockable “House Rules” system and other challenge modes. As a fan of arcade beat-em-ups, I’m always happy to see something old get a refresh. In the case of Chronicles of Mystara in particular, I may have to throw a saving roll against hype.

Sean’s Pick: I’m pretty sure I’ve spent at least $15 in quarters on Capcom’s Dungeons & Dragons arcade cabinets, so $14.99 for the collection is a no-brainer for me. I haven’t seen a Tower of Doom stand-up since I was in high school, so I’m thrilled to be able to replay one of the best brawlers ever made. I’d be remiss not to mention the Virtual Console release of Shining Force: Sword of the Hajya. The only one of the Shining Force Gaiden games to make its way to the US (although they were collected and remixed as Shining Force CD) Hajya is not the best Shining Force title, but that’s like saying the Vantage is not the best Aston Martin – you should still drive it if you get the chance, because it’s probably still better than whatever it is you’re driving.