Beyond the Great Aether: What To Play In 2013

Yes, I know this is some three weeks late, but we've officially survived 2012 without the planet going up in flames!

So, what is there to look forward to now that we've dodged our inevitable doom? Well, Nintendo fans surely won't be bored this year. Check out the box arts below to see what's in store for the 3DS and WiiU in 2013!

What games are you looking forward to this year?

Don't Default Yet

A generous Japanese blogger received the Collector's Pack for Bravely Default: Flying Fairy just recently and shared some photos of their treasure. (More of which you can see by reading more below.) They look gorgeous, but I can't help but be disappointed that Bravely Default still isn't confirmed for a localization - the 3DS is in serious need of RPGs in the Western market.

However, Tomoya Asano of Square Enix has urged the fans to "keep talking about it on Facebook and Twitter" and what do you know, some fans have already started localization groups on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+. Maybe if we make enough of a commotion, Square Enix won't bravely default on the rest of the world.

AR Recollection

These are a couple old photos I took using the 3DS's AR Card viewer, last year when the system was still new and I didn't have many games to keep me occupied. Looking back at them now, I feel the urge to play around with it once more...

Take Some Pointers From These Guys

Impressive! The original characters in the background add a sort of ominous feeling, juxtaposed with the four protagonists we've grown to love striking some epic poses. There's no better way to get two fanbases riled up than that. Although Professor Layton VS Ace Attorney has yet to have a localization confirmed, here's hoping one will be announced soon. (Lest the fans object to Level-5's localization policy.)

Yellow!

I'm very partial to Pokemon and the colour yellow. And it seems someone on Deviant Art feels the same, too. It's a shame that this is only fan art - I'd happily give Nintendo another $170 for one. (More if it came bundled with an actual Pokemon Yellow remake. We can only dream.)

Edit: What do you know, dreams do come true. Too bad it's Europe-exclusive for now and only in XL version. (And there's still no word on Pokemon Yellow 3D.)

Why I Wish I Lived on the Bionis

Wow. From these screens it's clear that Xenoblade Chronicles was the game made to fulfil the dreams of fantasy landscape fetishists. The beautiful environments make running around with a red beamsword even more enjoyable. Were the titan real I'd certainly look into taking residence there. (Maybe if there were less Mechon attacks.)

What were your favourite areas in the game? Share them in the comments below.