The Weekly Drop for Xbox One, PS4, Wii U and 3DS (2/10/15)

Things are starting to heat up for the month of February, and I’m not just talking about the weather here in sunny South Florida. Following a relatively slow start to the month, this week sees the release of 2K and Turtle Rock Studios’ eagerly awaited 4v1 shooter Evolve. Aside from that, though, there’s not much else Xbox or Sony fans have to look forward to.

It’s a completely different story for Nintendo though. While things are quiet for the Wii U, it’s going to be a huge month for Nintendo’s handheld community. This week not only sees the release of the New Nintendo 3DS XL, but also two major games for it — The Legend of Zelda Majora’s Mask 3D and Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate.

Here’s the full rundown on game releases this week.

Evolve – Xbox One, PS4 – February 10th

After a brief delay, this week sees the release of Evolve, the highly anticipated cooperative/competitive shooter from Turtle Rock Studios and 2K Games. I know what you’re thinking — how can it be cooperative and competitive at the same time? That’s because Evolve features a unique setup in which a team of four player-controlled Hunters set out to hunt down a fifth player controlling a giant alien Monster. Evolve features 12 playable characters spread across four different classes and four playable monster creatures. While we’re waiting to publish our full review until the game fully launches (you know these multiplayer games can be a bit bumpy), Evolve is easily the the biggest multiplatform game to launch this month.

Super Stardust Ultra – PS4 – February 10

Super Stardust Ultra is a rapid-fire space shoot ‘em up that’ll be available for PlayStation 4 as a digital download. The game  has you pilot a start fighter in the depths of space, defending planets against the onslaught of enemy attacks in the midst of a deadly meteor storm. Your mission is simple: “use split-second timing and pure arcade skill to make every shot count and destroy everything in your path.” Super Stardust Ultra offers an array of new planets, visual enhancements, nine different game modes, one of which takes full advantage of the PlayStation 4’s socially connected features. The new Interactive Streaming game mode lets your viewers vote periodically to change-up your gameplay as they watch.

Breath of Fire – Wii U – February 12

Originally released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1993 (arrived in North America in ‘94), Capcom’s iconic role-playing game Breath of Fire is hitting the Wii U eShop as a downloadable title this month. Set in a fantasy world, Breath of Fire follows the journey of a boy named Ryu, one of the last surviving members of an ancient race with the ability to transfer into powerful dragons, as he searches the world for his sister. On his quest, Ryu encounters the Dark Dragon Clan, a militaristic empire who seeks to take over the world.

The New Nintendo 3DS XL – February 13, 2015

Typically, we reserve the Weekly Drop for new game releases, but two of this month's games are based on the launch of a new system from Nintendo. Or rather, it's an improvement on an already successful handheld console. Launching this month is the New Nintendo 3DS XL, an upgraded, more powerful model of the Nintendo 3DS XL.

The New Nintendo 3DS sports some new buttons and inputs, such as the C-Stick which allows for better camera control, as well as two extra shoulder buttons. A new head tracker improves the 3D viewing angle, which means the sweet spot for 3D viewing will be much larger, encouraging more people to play with the 3D function on.

The battery life is also enhanced, allowing anywhere between 3.5 to 6 hours of gameplay when using 3DS software. The lower screen will also feature a built in NFC reader, which means amiibo will now be available to be scanned into various titles like Super Smash Bros. or the upcoming Code Name: S.T.E.A.M.

Check out our in-depth FAQ here.

The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask – Nintendo 3DS – February 13, 2015

I’m pretty sure every Nintendo fan knows The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask. But just in case you need a refresher, the game revolves around Link's adventure in the land of Termina, which faces destruction from a giant moon crashing down on it. He'll have to travel through time in order to constantly change the future and save the land. Not only is it coming to the Nintendo 3DS, but it’s releasing alongside the New Nintendo 3DS XL. There’s even a special The Legend of Zelda 3D Limited Edition bundle, but it’s pretty much sold out everywhere at this point.

Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate – Nintendo 3DS – February 13, 2015

Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate's launch is also coinciding with the release of the New Nintendo 3DS XL. The game sees you take on the role of a hunter traveling with a caravan of merchants and craftsmen across the world. On your journey, you'll encounter ferocious enemies that'll require strategy and an arsenal of weaponry that features 14 different weapon classes (including two brand new classes). To help you on your journey, MH4U allows you to connect with up to three other players locally and online to team up on quests, a first for Monster Hunter on 3DS. Like The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, there’s also a bundle.

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There you have it, this week's game releases for Xbox One, PS4, Wii U, and 3DS.