NA: Natsume announces Yumi's Odd Odyssey for Nintendo 3DS

Natsume has officially announced they are bringing the latest title in the Yumi's Odd Odyssey series (known in Japan as Umihara Kawase) to their North American fans in early 2014. Featuring a girl armed with only her backpack and trusty fishing hook, this traveling sushi chef departs on a journey in a dream-like world filled with fish and other wildlife gone awry.

Using her fishing hook, Yumi must make her way through a variety of levels by running, jumping, and throwing her coveted fishing line. When thrown, this line will hook onto nearly all surfaces within each level. When the line is firmly hooked onto a surface or enemy, the line is able to take her weight. Yumi can use this traction to swing between platforms, lower herself down to other ledges, and even catapult herself great distances by stretching the line to its breaking point. Its unique mechanics are sure to excite even veteran gamers of the platforming genre.

"We have been interested in releasing this unique title for a while now," said Hiro Maekawa, President and CEO at Natsume.  "We are working very closely with Agatsuma Entertainment to bring this game to our fans, who we know appreciate games that are a little different, and also have lovable characters."

Originally released on the Super Famicom and later re-released for the PlayStation and DS, this will be the first time Yumi's tale is told outside of Japan. Created by the series' original developers, such as the original programmer, Kiyoshi Sakai, as well as the character designer, Toshinobu Kondo, Japanese fans have been raving about the game since it was released on the 3DS in June 2013.