Video Games Plus Restocks Atlus Playstation Portable and Nintendo DS Games

A few days ago we’ve reported that the Nintendo DS RPG Infinite Space will be restocked at the Canadian video game retailer Video Games Plus, and turns out various Atlus Playstation Portable games as well as both Trauma Center games for the Nintendo DS will be restocked as well! Video Games Plus explained in a tweet that these recent restocks are in fact new reprints of the DS games, and that almost any new DS game sold on the market today has been reprinted, unless the game underperformed in sales.

The following games will be restocked on May 2nd. The store is based in Canada but will ship internationally. You can change the currency listing above the site’s header for an accurate price in your region. Here a list of the PSP and 3DS games that are expected to be in stock on May 2, followed by an overview of each game:

Class of Heroes

Class of Heroes is a dungeon crawler RPG, developed by Acquire. Players create a party of students from the Particus Academy, a school that teaches students how to survive and take on tasks within the labyrinths. Atlus have only localized the first entry of the series. Gaijinworks localized Class of Heroes 2 for PSP and PS3 (as Class of Heroes 2G) and currently working on Class of Heroes 3 on PSP.

Official website: http://www.atlus.com/classofheroes/home.html

Crimson Gem Saga

Crimson Gem Saga is a Korean-developed RPG by SK Telecom and was published in Japan by SEGA. It is also the sequel to Astonishia Story on the PSP which was localized by Ubisoft (though from my experience, the localization was poor).

The game features turn-based gameplay where players are expected to master the use of critical combos and combination skills with party members.

Official website: http://www.atlus.com/cgs/home.html

Growlanser: Wayfarer of Time

Growlanser: Wayfarer of Time is the forth installment of Atlus’ Growlanser series. Originally released in 2003 on Playstation 2 in Japan, this PSP port features new characters, scenarios and gameplay improvements.

Wayfarer of Time features an active-time battle system with free-range movement around the battle field. Dubbed “Real-Time Mission Clear”, objectives during battle are integrated with the story, giving the gameplay a dramatic touch. For more Growlanser, Atlus have released Heritage of War on North American PSN as a PS2 classic playable on Playstation 3. It is the fifth entry of the series.

Official website: http://www.atlus.com/growlanserpsp/

Hexyz Force

Hexyz Force is a RPG developed by Sting. The games features two main characters: Cecelia, a cleric from the Great Temple of Palfina, and Levant, a Cerulean Knight of Rosenbaum Empire. Players choose whose story to follow, and while each character has their own goals, they do cross paths from time to time.

The gameplay is turn-based. Players can build up damage by using the Hexyz Charge mechanic. The catch is, enemies have access to this feature as well!

Official website: http://www.atlus.com/hexyzforce/

Riviera: The Promised Land

Riviera: The Promised Land is a RPG developed by Sting. It is the first installment of the Dept. Heaven series, originally released on the Wonderswan Color in 2002 and Game Boy Advance in 2004. Riviera features unorthodox gameplay mechanics for navigating the game world and battle. The story also features dating sim elements.

Official website: http://www.atlus.com/rivierapsp/

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona is a remake of the first installment of Atlus’s popular Persona series which was originally released on Playstation in 1996. Unlike the original Playstation localization, the PSP version retains the original Japanese story content.

This includes keeping the Japanese setting and names, unaltered character art, Persona names which were translated properly, and the missing Snow Queen Quest story route. The PSP version of the game comes with new animated FMV cutscenes and 16:9 aspect ratio.

Official website: http://www.atlus.com/persona/

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 2 Innocent Sin

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 2 Innocent Sin is the first half of the Persona 2 saga. Originally released on Playstation in 1999, the PSP version marks the first time that this entry was localized for the West. The PSP version features new character portraits by Shigenori Soejima and the choice of the original soundtrack or the new arrangement soundtrack by Shoji Meguro. Also new is a game mode called “Climax Theater” which features new side-stories.

The PSP version of the second half of Persona 2, Persona 2 Eternal Punishment, unfortunately was not localized. Atlus did put the original Playstation version up for sale on North American PSN as a PS Classic for PS3 and PSP/Vita. The localization is more faithful than the original Persona, however, it does still feature name changes. You can study the name changes in this handy Playstation Blog guide.

Official website: http://www.atlus.com/persona2/

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 Portable

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 Portable is the PSP port of the Playstation 2 RPG. This version features many unique traits not found in other versions of the game. Players can now choose a new female protagonist option, with her own love interests and new social links. The 3D town movement is replaced with streamlined menus and 2D spritework. The protagonist can now take on part-time jobs around town. Players can now also fully control their party during battles, to prevent any “Marin Karin” mishaps. You can also dress your party with new costumes.

Official website: http://www.atlus.com/p3p/

Trauma Center: Under the Knife

Trauma Center: Under the Knife is among Atlus’s first Nintendo DS games. The game stars Dr. Derek Stiles and his nurse assistant Angie Thompson as they perform surgeries and combat a man-made disease called GUILT. Gameplay is a mix of visual novel style cutscenes and surgery simulation events. Using the touch screen, players must make use of various tools such as a scalpel, ultrasound and sutures to get rid of any anomalies and heal wounds on each patient. Players are expected to keep track of the patient’s vitals and the time limit of the operation, as well as learn and recall the steps of removing certain anomalies with precision.

In 2006 a Nintendo Wii remake of the game was made, titled Trauma Center: Second Opinion. This version of the game is controlled with the Wii remote controller and offers new difficulty settings, new story missions starring Nozomi Weaver (fun fact: She reappears playable in Trauma Team under her true name Naomi Kimishima), and new artwork by Masayuki Doi who serves as the lead artist for the series. Although Second Opinion essentially replaces Under the Knife by retelling the story, there are plenty of changes that make the original still worth playing.

Official website: http://www.atlus.com/tcut

Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2

Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2 is the direct sequel to Under the Knife and the finale to Dr. Derek Stiles’ story arc. The story begins with Derek and Angie traveling to Africa where they meet fellow doctor Adel Tulba and help cure a new disease found in his region.

This entry brings over the various interface and design improvements found in the Wii entries, but retains the touch controls of the original DS game.

Official website: http://www.atlus.com/tcutk2

The images included for each game originate from their official website.