Bravely Default Leads The Charge For Nintendo Releases This Week

After weeks upon weeks of slim releases and less-than-exciting Virtual Console updates, Nintendo fans can finally enjoy a nice, solid lineup of new content on both the Wii U and 3DS. We’re not looking at a gangbuster week or anything but, after such slim pickings as of late, I suppose even a little meat on the bones looks mouthwatering at this point.

I’m not going to beat around the bush here, Bravely Default is obviously the standout title arriving on Nintendo products this week, bringing its unique mix of old school meets new school RPG mechanics to the 3DS in a package that, let’s face it, was built to look, play, sound and feel like the spiritual successor to the beloved Final Fantasy series.

I have my gripes with some of the frustrating censorship issues surrounding the game but, from what I experienced in the hefty demo, what we’re looking at here is a love letter to the classic RPG formula with enough new twists and turns to make it fresh for the current generation of gamers. Bravely Default has already garnered a lot of love in Japan and Europe and, as of Friday, we gamers in the US can finally dive headfirst into this brand new epic RPG that’s just waiting to be explored. It’ll be available exclusively for the 3DS in both physical and digital formats.

Also arriving this week in the vein of old school goodness is Retro City Rampage DX, the ultimate edition of the top-down action game that apes characters, moments and aesthetics from games of old while offering a little something new to the genre. RCR is basically what you would get if the Grand Theft Auto series was mad in the NES era, which is to say an explosive playground of bullets, careening cars and mayhem, all for just 10 bucks.

One Piece: Romance Dawn is the bizarrely named RPG fighter from the much-loved anime series, and it’ll also be available this week on the 3DS. And then there’s The Lego Movie Videogame, which will arrive on both the 3DS and the Wii U.

Speaking of the Wii U, the home console’s Virtual Console receives a deadly attack from the NES classic, Ninja Gaiden this week, alongside eShop offering Percy’s Predicament.

Finally, those of you looking for a fast-paced trick-a-thon on the 3DS need look no further than Urban Trial Frestyle. It’s a dirt-bike trials game that sees players flipping and tricking their way to the finish line across insane, contraption-filled courses, and it’s being marked down to just $3.50 through Feb. 20.