3DS eShop News

February2013

  • News ATV Wild Ride 3D Skidding Into 3DS eShop March 7th

    $7.99 price point confirmed

    Renegade Kid has confirmed that ATV Wild Ride 3D will be released on the North American 3DS eShop on March 7th. The game will carry a price of $7.99. You can check out our first impressions here. ATV Wild Ride 3D To Deliver Extreme On-line Racing in Nintendo eShop Austin, Texas – February 28, 2013 – Today,...

  • News Vblank Entertainment: Nintendo is "Great To Work With"

    Retro City Rampage developer says Nintendo is welcoming to small developers

    Retro City Rampage will most likely be WiiWare's swansong when it finally becomes available for download on 28th February, and its developer Vblank Entertainment seems to have enjoyed working with Nintendo while making it. Speaking on Twitter Brian Provinciano, the game's...

  • Review Viking Invasion 2 - Tower Defense (3DS eShop)

    A-Viking we will go

    Just like its DSiWare predecessor, Viking Invasion 2 - Tower Defense is a, yep, tower defense game that has you taking on the role of protector. As hordes of enemies draw near the castle that you’ve been gracious enough to defend, you must build towers to attack the oncoming assault. It’s a pretty standard affair for the...

  • Review Picdun 2: Witch's Curse (3DS eShop)

    Dungeons & Drawings

    As a part of INTENSE CO's GO series, the original Picdun brought a unique take on first-person dungeon crawling to DSiWare. A portmanteau of the words "Picture" and "Dungeon", the game turned the genre's traditional map into a pixel art canvas, where players would fill in a picture as they explored their environment. Picdun 2:...

  • Nintendo Download 28th February 2013 (Europe)

    Splashing and crashing, new and old retro and fishing

    Nintendo's well and truly on the ball this week, Europe, bringing us our download news nice and early. This week sees the Wii and DSi rejoin the party with 3DS, while Wii U drops out for a bit of a rest. The offerings include a recently unveiled game from 3DS Direct, as well as a long awaited...

  • News WayForward Confirms Mighty Switch Force 2 For 3DS

    Forcing its way into the 3DS eShop

    Mighty Switch Force has been a successful title for WayForward Technologies. The 2D platformer has been in the 3DS eShop since 2011, and recently an updated HD version came out on the Wii U eShop in the form of Mighty Switch Force: Hyper Drive Edition. In an interview with Destructoid, director at WayForward

  • Review Yoshi (3DS eShop / NES)

    Soft boiled

    Mario's loyal dinosaur companion Yoshi may have made his debut in the Super Nintendo classic Super Mario World, but one year later Nintendo gave him his own title on the rapidly fading NES. That game was Yoshi, and it's now come to non-Ambassadors on the 3DS eShop. It's a falling block puzzler, which is a genre every video game...

  • News Capcom's Arcade Cabinet Games Could Be Hitting The 3DS

    We're gonna party like it's 1943

    A while back, we reported on Capcom Arcade Cabinet — a venture by the esteemed industry veteran to resurrect some of its coin-op classics. So far, the package has only been released on PS3 and Xbox 360, but a recent ESRB listing for vertically-scrolling shooter 1943 seems to suggest that the individual titles will...

  • Nintendo Download 21st February 2013 (North America)

    F-Zero, demos to hunt, adventures, vikings and a famous green dinosaur

    It's Thursday, and it's time for Nintendo Download news in North America. Continuing the recent trend also seen in Europe there are only offerings for Wii U and 3DS, with a variety of demos, download-only games and a retail release to test your resolve. Let's see what's on offer...

  • News Guild02 Coming To Japan As Three Separate eShop Downloads

    Trio of treats

    It has been confirmed during today's Japanese Nintendo Direct that Guild01 is being followed up by Guild02 - a trio of 3DS eShop titles developed by some of Japan's leading designers. Mega Man creator Keiji Inafune is contributing a tank shooter with insect-sized enemies. Mini Kitchen's Kazu Ayabe is working on The Friday When The...

  • News The Legend of Zelda Oracle Titles Coming to Japanese 3DS Virtual Console

    We'd be amazed if the same doesn't happen in the West

    Nintendo has hosted a Japanese 3DS Direct, focused on titles on the way in the big N's homeland. While a number of games on show may never make it to the West, two upcoming Virtual Console titles seem inevitable for worldwide appearances. It was confirmed that The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages...

  • Nintendo Download 21st February 2013 (Europe)

    NightSky brings delight, F-Zero in 60 Hz, price cuts and monstrous demos

    Nintendo's been keeping its download details for Europe under-wraps for a little longer this week, but now we know what delights are due to arrive. Both DSi and Wii are resting their weary circuits, with 3DS and Wii U stepping up with some enticing offers and big-time freebies;...

  • News Coaster Creator 3D Ride Starts on 28th February in North America

    No height restrictions, thankfully

    After its confirmation at the start of the year, Coaster Creator 3D now has a confirmed release date for the North American 3DS eShop; gamers can join the queue — candy floss in hand — ahead of its arrival on 28th February for $9.99. Rather than being a full-blown theme park simulation, this is exactly as the...

  • Review Castlevania (3DS eShop / NES)

    Drac attack

    A while back we were "graced" with the arrival of Castlevania: The Adventure on 3DS Virtual Console, an overly simplistic attempt to bring the series to handhelds. Now the NES original has arrived on the service as well, but is it still worth going batty over? If you've played almost any other "classic-style" Castlevania game, you'll be...

  • News 3DS eShop Version Of Gunman Clive Outsells Android Edition

    Quick on the draw

    Gunman Clive developer Bertil Hörberg has confirmed via his Twitter account that the 3DS eShop version of the game has now passed the Android edition in terms of units sold. We reported last month that the 3DS eShop version had outsold its iOS sibling, but the Android version was the clear leader. It's amazing that the Nintendo...

  • News Picdun 2: Witch’s Curse Heading For Europe

    Buxom ladies ahoy

    Back in August 2012, dungeon crawler Dungeon RPG Picdun 2 was released in Japan on DSiWare. It appears the game is heading to Europe under the guise of Picdun 2: Witch’s Curse, as it has received a PEGI rating, the European age rating system. Picdun 2: Witch's Curse has three main characters: a magical girl, a whip-welding woman...

  • Review Dig Dug (3DS eShop / NES)

    Slightly soiled

    In 1982, Namco released Dig Dug. By that point in time the company had already cemented its place in the gaming history books with enduring classics like Pac-Man and Galaga. Their younger brother Dig Dug never quite reached their heights of popularity, but it's still quite fun in its own right. As with many early arcade games, your...

  • News Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate Demo Whipping Into The 3DS eShop Before The End of February

    A little taste test

    Back in January, Konami producer Dave Cox revealed the upcoming 3DS title Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate would be getting a demo before the game hits stores. It turns out he's true to his word, as Konami has announced a demo will be in the 3DS eShop in both North America and Europe on 28th February — a week...

  • News 3DS eShop Sale is Underway in North America and Europe

    Retail and download-only goodies included

    As the eagle-eyed among you will have spotted, during its recent Nintendo Direct broadcast Nintendo of America launched a 3DS eShop promotion that will see one game discounted per week for the next six weeks. Some of the best downloadable offerings on the platform are included, with the first on sale now...

  • News Splash or Crash Dropping Into 3DS eShop Soon

    A stone's throw away

    2013 might be the Year of Luigi, but that doesn't mean that the lanky plumber has a monopoly over the upcoming release schedule. Tucked among the bigger titles of today's Nintendo Direct was Poisoft's Splash or Crash (known as Kersploosh! in North America), a brand new 3DS eShop title that has you dropping stones down a well...

  • News Dillon's Rolling Western: The Last Ranger Arriving In North America This April

    He's on a roll

    Armadillo ranger Dillon made his 3DS eShop debut in 2012 with Dillon's Rolling Western, and it's been confirmed that he'll back for some more action this year. During today's North American Nintendo Direct presentation, Dillon's Rolling Western: The Last Ranger was shown off. It appears to follow the same gameplay as its predecessor:...

  • News Code of Princess Fighting Its Way to the European 3DS eShop "This Spring"

    The wait should be over soon

    Code of Princess ushered in a brave new world of download only "retail" games for 3DS, arriving packed full of content and a price point that would be expected of a boxed game in stores. Its October arrival in North America excited hack n' slash gaming fans — as well as those with some retro sensibilities and a love of...

  • News Mario And Donkey Kong: Minis On The Move Winding Up For 3DS eShop

    Too cute

    It's been confirmed during today's Nintendo Direct presentations that the Mario and Donkey Kong series is getting a new instalment in the shape of Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move. The game is part of the same series which gave us Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem! and Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!, and focuse

  • News Retro Classics Harvest Moon And Legend Of The River King Coming To 3DS Virtual Console

    Farming and fishing

    Nintendo has confirmed that two beloved Game Boy Color classics are heading to the 3DS Virtual Console. Harvest Moon and The Legend of the River King — both from Natsume — will be available on the 3DS eShop in the near future. Highly-regarded titles from yesteryear, the games focus on farming and fishing respectively, with...

  • News NightSky to Arrive in Europe on 21st February

    We can stop asking now

    So, remember NightSky, Europe? Yeah, it was that rather attractive, serene puzzle title that we awarded a perfect 10 in our NightSky review way back in October 2012, when lucky North Americans were downloading it with big smiles across their faces. Yep, that one. The good news is that its publisher, Nicalis, has now confirmed...

  • News Renegade Kid "Certain The Wii U Will Have an Excellent Future"

    Mutant Mudds 2 looks like it "will be a 2014 release"

    Renegade Kid may be a developer best known for Mutant Mudds on the 3DS eShop, but it's a studio with a lot of experience in the industry, with team members working in game development long before the company was formed. As its increasing output on Nintendo's download platforms is also showing —...

  • Nintendo Download 14th February 2013 (Europe)

    Tank! Tank! Tank! goes free to play, Wii U discounts, Dracula slaying and more

    Nintendo seems to revel in surprising us, and details of this week's download update in Europe have struck to keep us on our toes. We have a Wii U launch title going free-to-play on the Wii U eShop — with paid DLC, of course — as well as permanent price reductions and...

  • Review Mega Man 2 (3DS eShop / NES)

    Get Equipped With an All-Time Classic

    In 1987, Capcom released the original Mega Man. It was well-received by both gamers and critics, but it was not much of a financial success. Over the course of the next year, however, Mega Man 2 was developed as a labour of love by Keiji Inafune and his team, alongside other projects that were expected to be...

  • Review Bloody Vampire (3DS eShop)

    Bloody fun

    Joining Witch's Cat in Agetec's recent duo of playfully spooky eShop releases, Bloody Vampire is a stylish, side-scrolling adventure in the Metroidvania vein. It tells the story of Latis, an exquisitely pigtailed half-vampire / half-human, who sets off to investigate the coming conflict between her two bloodlines with Cereza, her loyal...

  • Nintendo Download 7th February 2013 (North America)

    Ken is raging, the Blue Bomber returns, concentration testing and more

    Nintendo has confirmed what download delights are coming to North America this week, and it's certainly a diverse range. We have a download-only retail game on Wii U — if you can tolerate the term — some retro goodness and a long-awaited demo joining a major retail release on...

  • Review Super C (3DS eShop / NES)

    I think you’re a Contra

    Originally released as an arcade game titled Super Contra, Super C — or Probotector II — is the NES-ported sequel to the now infamously difficult action game Contra. With the continuing story of alien invaders, and most of the same gameplay elements, Super C shares many similarities with its predecessor, but that...

  • News More Jett Rocket II Details Hover Into View

    Full 3D at 60 fps

    Shin'en has divulged a few more details regarding its forthcoming 3DS eShop title, Jett Rocket II: The Wrath of Taikai. The game is set to feature both 2D and 3D gameplay, and will support 60 fps visuals - even with the 3DS' autostereoscopic effect switched on. Like the WiiWare prequel, the game will centre around "jump and run"...

  • Review Ice Climber (3DS eShop / NES)

    Cold Mountain

    What makes a video game a classic? Is it enjoyable gameplay that never feels old? Is it an engaging storyline that draws players into its universe? Or is it simply the inclusion of some characters and stages in the latest Super Smash Bros. title? Ice Climber is the latest “classic” NES game to hit the 3DS Virtual Console, but if it...

  • Review Witch's Cat (3DS eShop)

    Tabby Laby

    Not many puzzle games are lucky enough to boast spin-offs, let alone side-stories - and though you wouldn't guess it from the title, that's exactly what Agetec has conjured up in Witch's Cat: a side-story in the ongoing Rabi Laby series. This eShop entry picks up where Rabi Laby 2 left off on DSiWare, but where the previous games' puzzles...

  • News Castlevania Is Stalking Onto The 3DS Virtual Console Soon

    Just in time for Lords of Shadow: Mirror of Fate

    Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate is due to hit 3DS consoles this March, but it won't be the only chance for fans to get their fill of Dracula-slaying action - the original NES classic has recently been given an ESRB rating for the Nintendo 3DS, which means a Virtual Console download is in...

  • Nintendo Download 7th February 2013 (Europe)

    North Star action, fire fighting, Sonic transforming, something a bit Mega and more

    Update: Fist of the North Star: Ken’s Rage 2 on the Wii U eShop has now been officially added to this week's set of downloadable delights. It's a dreary Monday morning, but we at least have some Nintendo Download news to keep Europeans happy. There's a range of...

January2013

  • Review 35 Junior Games (3DS eShop)

    Why buy one when you can have 35?

    When it comes to games that put Nintendo enthusiasts on alert, compilations of mini-games are probably up there with movie licensed cash-ins. If a bold claim is made that a game offers dozens of games for the price of one download, eyebrows are raised and the final package will either be the greatest value ever...

  • Nintendo Download 31st January 2013 (North America)

    An awakening, a puddle, underwater exploration and more

    While this week's Nintendo download update for Europe is rather modest, albeit with a long-awaited Wii U release, you lucky North Americans have a broad range of content across every platform. There are demos, retail downloads and some interesting new and retro options, so let's get right to...

  • Review Picross e2 (3DS eShop)

    More picture crossword goodness

    A few months ago, Nintendo released Picross e on the eShop, the first new Picross game in a while and quite an enjoyable - if rather short - package. Thankfully, if you felt a little short-changed you can delve straight back into puzzle-solving with the sequel, Picross e2. Is it anywhere near as good as its...

  • News Double Dragon Is Brawling Onto The Japanese 3DS eShop Next Week

    Billy and Jimmy are taking no prisoners

    Nintendo of Japan has confirmed that the Famicom (NES to you and me) version of Double Dragon is coming to the 3DS eShop next week - February 6th, to be exact. It's set to retail for 500 Yen (approximately £3.50 / $5.50). The 8-bit classic is one of the seminal side-scrolling fighters of all time, and is...

  • News Space Harrier 3D Flying To The West Soon

    Fantasy Zone, here we come

    Space Harrier 3D has been given a "G" rating by the Australian Classification Board, which means it won't be long before we see the game flying to the 3DS eShop in North America, Europe and Australia. The game is a faithful replication of Sega's seminal arcade blaster. It features 3D visuals and other enhanc

  • News Gunman Clive Update Now Available For Download In North America

    Ironing out some glitches

    Over the weekend one man developer Bertil Hörberg confirmed that an update for Gunman Clive was available to download in from the European 3DS eShop. North America fans were told the update would be on its way to them soon. Well, the North American 3DS eShop didn't have to wait very long for the update to grace it with...

  • News Pinball Games Contribute to a Revival of Real Tables

    A new generation is getting interested

    While it's often easy for veteran gamers — some of which are part of the Nintendo Life team — to bemoan the loss of some video game traditions, there are occasions where modern trends are good for those with old-fashioned sensibilities. We see old titles given new life on download platforms, for example,...

  • Developer Interview Bertil Hörberg On Being a One Man eShop Developer

    "I've always had a thing for Nintendo's portables"

    The 3DS eShop — along with its online store predecessors on Wii and DSi — has attracted a number of small developers that would have likely remained anonymous in previous generations. The evolution of download gaming has transformed our consoles to include smaller, more diverse experiences at...

  • News Gunman Clive Developer - Core Gameplay "Heavily Based on Mega Man"

    Other big names also mentioned

    Gunman Clive arrived at a budget price on the 3DS eShop just before Christmas and early in the New Year, depending on your region, and served up a slice of enjoyable retro-infused action. It's popped up in our news category courtesy of an update to resolve a few issues, but most notably for developer Bertil Hörberg's...

  • Review Cocoto Alien Brick Breaker (3DS eShop)

    Devil vs Alien

    In 2008 and 2009, Neko entertainment's would-be mascot Cocoto made two appearances on the WiiWare service. Cocoto Fishing Master and Cocoto Platform Jumper weren't total write-offs, but neither were they particularly impressive. They were competent but unmemorable dips into genres revealed by their titles. Cocoto Alien Brick Breaker...

  • Nintendo Download 31st January 2013 (Europe)

    Pinball at last, downloadable Batman and a video

    While there's a common saying — at least in the rainy old UK — that "when it rains, it pours", we're not sure that can be applied to the Nintendo Download this week. There's an eagerly anticipated release on the Wii U eShop — making it the second download-only release on the console in as many...

  • Impressions Brain Age: Concentration Training Demo

    Fiendishly focused

    Inspired by the work of famed neuroscientist Dr. Ryuta Kawashima, Nintendo's Brain Age games aim to keep players' minds sharp through daily mental exercises, and have proven popular since the DS original, Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day!. The first 3DS entry in the series, Brain Age: Concentration Training focuses its...

  • Review Ikachan (3DS eShop)

    Squids today...

    While most people know Pixel's work from the excellent Cave Story, that's not the only game he's ever made, and exploring his lesser known titles can be a lot of fun in itself. Ikachan is one such title, released as freeware for the PC in 2000. That's four years before Cave Story, and you'll definitely see some overlap in terms of...

  • News Gunman Clive Update Now Available In Europe

    Fixes crashes in stage 10 and other minor problems

    Gunman Clive has been available on the 3DS eShop for a little over a month in Europe and it has already outsold its iOS counterpart. The game does have a few small glitches, however, and its creator Bertil Hörberg promised they would all be fixed in the new year. Well it seems Hörberg is coming...

  • Review Mahjong Mysteries - Ancient Athena (3DS eShop)

    Mah-tch two

    We'll be honest, while some members of the Nintendo Life team are clever and cultured enough to know all about the intricacies of Mahjong, some of us have to consult Wikipedia to learn the rules. It shouldn't have surprised us, however, that when we opened Mahjong Mysteries - Ancient Athena the variation on offer was basically a single...

  • Nintendo Download 24th January 2013 (North America)

    Fighting with balloons and guns, cave exploration, getting funky and more

    It's Nintendo download time, North America, and this week brings you various goodies for your latest systems. The Wii U eShop features a new downloadable title that you probably spotted two days ago, the first Virtual Console release — sort of — on the system, and 3DS has...

  • News CIRCLE Entertainment Details Its Upcoming Releases

    DSiWare and a 3D WiiWare remake included

    CIRCLE Entertainment has been one of the most active publishers on Nintendo download services, particularly DSiWare. Today the company has sent us details on its substantial list of upcoming releases, including some that are new announcements. First up is a new title on the way to the 3DS eShop, Witch &...

  • News Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan Demo On The Way

    Progress will be transferable to retail copy

    The gorgeous looking Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan will be unleashed in North America on 26th February in both physical and downloadable formats. Atlus, the game's developer, has now revealed a demo will be heading into the 3DS eShop on 7th February - a good few weeks before the game launches...

  • News Australian 3DS eShop Gets New Region Specific Section

    Great news for homegrown indie developers

    Australian gamers have a new way to find and support indie developers from their home country, as the 3DS eShop Down Under — and throughout Europe as the "Developed in Australia" shelf — has been given a region-specific section listing all aussie-made games. There are currently 14 titles available in...

  • News Ikachan Swimming Into The 3DS eShop in North America Before February

    Guxt also on the way

    Daisuke "Pixel" Amaya, the developer behind the much-loved Cave Story, will have two new games in the 3DS eShop this quarter: Ikachan and Guxt. As with Cave Story, both games will be published by Nicalis - the same company behind VVVVVV. Ikachan sees you take on the role of a squid who swims through an underwater realm, looking...

  • Reaction Gunman Clive Provides a Positive Example of eShop Success

    A boost for controlled licensing

    The video game industry is in the middle of, arguably, its most unstable period — the landscape is evolving almost too quickly to track. Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft are currently sticking to the course as constants, in general maintaining well-worn business practices while attempting to adjust to new challenges...

  • News Gunman Clive Developer: 3DS eShop Is "Healthier" Than iOS

    3DS version of Gunman Clive has outsold Its iOS counterpart

    Gunman Clive recently made quite an impact on the 3DS eShop, earning a positive review from us and bagging some decent sales. You might assume however that the Nintendo version of the game trails its iOS and Android siblings quite badly - after all, the smartphone editions came out in...

  • Nintendo Download 24th January 2013 (Europe)

    Update: The Cave arrives on 23rd January

    It's time for news of this week's download updates in Europe and, at long last, it's time for Wii U owners to rejoice. There's a shiny new download-only game available on the Wii U eShop, along with a discount and retail release. A welcome and puzzling sequel arrives on 3DS, while DSi and Wii also receive new...

  • Rumour eShop Developers No Longer Required To Have A Physical Office

    Dan Adelman drops a hint on Twitter

    One of the early rules put in place by Nintendo for developers on its digital platforms was the need for a physical office - a move which was no doubt intended to ensure a certain "quality" of developer. However, since the days of WiiWare the playing field has shifted - the number of professional coders migrating...

  • Review Wild Adventures: Ultimate Deer Hunt 3D (3DS eShop)

    Familiar Hunting Grounds

    Do you remember last year when Outdoors Unleashed: Africa 3D was released on the 3DS eShop and it got people talking about the ethics of video games? Many were up in arms and offended by the idea of a game featuring the hunting of wildlife on an African safari, but that didn’t stop it from being a fun arcade shooter. Now...

  • News Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate Getting A Demo In February

    Monster Hunter Try

    Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate will be released on Wii U and 3DS in North America and Europe on 19th March and 22nd March respectively. The full game is expected to be available in the eShop at around the same time. Capcom has also revealed that a demo for the game will also be available to download for both the 3DS and Wii U versions...

  • Review Blaster Master (3DS eShop / NES)

    Master of blasters

    When it was originally released in Japan as Meta Fight, Blaster Master failed to make much of an impact. In the west, however, it was retooled slightly and given a new story about a boy and his pet frog, and became a cult classic that spawned multiple sequels - several of which ended up not even being released in Japan. On the...

  • News Zen Pinball 3D DLC Still In The Works

    Wii U version will get a release date soon

    Zen Pinball 3D has been out for over a year in both North America and Europe, and the game's developer, Zen Studios, has been working on some additional DLC for it - however it hasn't been mentioned in a number of months. Those worried that the DLC has been cancelled can now breathe a large sigh of relief,...

  • Nintendo Download 17th January 2013 (North America)

    Tokyo mobs, stacking stars and a free awakening

    It's download time again, which means more downloadable goodies for your Nintendo systems — well, two of them. In what feels like a rare occurrence, there's no DSiWare to be found, with five options on the 3DS eShop and a video app for Wii. Nintendo's latest console misses out, but then again we know...

  • News Nintendo of America Outlines Upcoming Q1 eShop Releases

    There are even dated Wii U eShop titles

    Nintendo of America has issued details on a number of upcoming games on the way to North America in the next few months. While there aren't necessarily any real surprises, we have a few solid dates. The headline news for the Wii U eShop is the confirmed release date of Ron Gilbert's The Cave, a platform...

  • Interview Curve Studios' Jonathan "Bidds" Biddle

    We speak to the developer who’s making quite a splash

    One development studio that has made a valiant contribution to Nintendo’s digital download services is undoubtedly Curve Studios. Having first released Hydroventure for WiiWare to much critical acclaim back in 2010, the development team has recently returned to its original idea and expanded...

  • News Capcom Bringing Retail 3DS Games to the eShop

    The collection grows

    The 3DS eShop has evolved a fair bit in a little over a year and a half, with a fresh layout, demos, and retail downloads all arriving since its humble launch. It's the latter that's arguably the most intriguing, as it clashes with Nintendo's traditional support for high street retail partners, while prompting ire among some due...

  • News Price Revealed For ATV Wild Ride 3D On 3DS eShop

    $7.99, by the way

    Renegade Kid has been on your news feed a lot lately, and for good reason. From revealing Mutant Mudds Deluxe for the Wii U eShop at the start of this month, to announcing that it is working on a new FPS title for the eShop in the first issue of Nintendo Force magazine — this year looks like a busy one for the developer...

  • News Shin'en Confirms Jett Rocket II - The Wrath of Taikai

    Going a bit Star Trek

    Yesterday we brought you the news that the 3DS sequel to WiiWare title Jett Rocket was confirmed to be nearly finished and on the way "early this year", good news for those who'd wondered about its fate for much of 2012. With that happy news confirmed, developer and publisher Shin'en Multimedia has now clarified the title for...

  • Review Tokyo Crash Mobs (3DS eShop)

    Almost at the front of the queue

    Although many people assume that Zuma was the first game to feature match-three marble shooting, the honour actually goes to Puzz Loop, a 1998 arcade release by Pang creator Mitchell Corporation. Sequels on the DS and WiiWare have since followed, and now there’s a fresh entry in the series on the 3DS eShop - not...

  • News Fire Emblem: Awakening Download Takes Up Almost 8,600 Blocks

    It's set to be a blockbuster

    Strategic RPG Fire Emblem: Awakening will be unleashed on the 3DS in North America from 4th February, and will be available in both physical and downloadable form. If you're looking to download a copy from the 3DS eShop you'll need 8,579 available blocks on an SD card - that's slightly over 1GB. This figure is quite...

  • Review Reel Fishing 3D Paradise Mini (3DS eShop)

    A bassing fancy

    Natsume might be most famous as the house that Harvest Moon built, but fishing fans will know the name from its Legend of the River King and Reel Fishing series. Reel Fishing takes a more realistic approach to the angling action, and saw several installments on WiiWare with decidedly mixed results. Reel Fishing 3D Paradise Mini...

  • News Gunman Clive Soundtrack Goes On Sale

    Yours for $1

    Gunman Clive is a recent budget-priced arrival on the 3DS eShop, and despite some reported bugs — which we didn't experience ourselves — it's earned a fairly positive response so far. With a development team of two and previous releases on smartphones, PC and Mac, it's a title that's earned some success from modest beginnings. Not...

  • News Jett Rocket 3DS Surfing Onto The eShop "Early This Year"

    Shin'en keeps the pace

    Remember Jett Rocket on WiiWare? It arrived a good while ago — summer 2010 — and brought a short but sweet 3D platforming adventure to the platform, which despite the odd flaw earned an impressive 8/10 in our Jett Rocket review. After various rumours we then learned of a new entry coming to the 3DS eShop, Jett Rocket Super...

  • Nintendo Download 17th January 2013 (Europe)

    Crashing mobs, mysterious mahjong, more zombies and basketball

    It's another week of download news for Europe, this time arriving just in time to brighten up our Mondays. This week covers every platform; the 3DS receives a wacky match-three puzzle game as well as something a little more conventional, zombies infest DSiWare and the home consoles bring...

  • News ATV Wild Ride Trailer and Details Race Onto The Scene

    Details of tracks, modes and online multiplayer tweeted

    Renegade Kid may be the darling developer for some Nintendo download enthusiasts that like a bit of retro action-platforming — yep, Mutant Mudds — but it's easy to forget that it's an experienced studio that releases games in a variety of genres. One such example is ATV Wild Ride 3D —...

  • Review 101 DinoPets 3D (3DS eShop)

    Di-no-thanks

    When you first boot up 101 DinoPets 3D you're greeted with an introduction that sees you finding an abandoned dinosaur hatchling on your front porch. If you're anything like us, this will fill you with excitement about how much potential for fun this concept has. Then again if you're anything like us that excitement will soon disappear...

  • Nintendo Download 10th January 2013 (North America)

    Deer hunting, dino pets, biorhythms and world heroes

    It's Nintendo Download update time, and this week's arrivals possibly represent the quirkiest collection of offerings in quite a while. Every platform gets something new — if Wii U demos count — while the handheld platforms have a strong focus on catching, hunting, caring for and picnicking...

  • Talking Point The Emergence of Download-Only Retail Games

    A subtle but important evolution

    The past couple of weeks have brought a notable landmark for the 3DS eShop, even if it hasn't necessarily caused internet-shaking headlines or attracted a great deal of attention. Unchained Blades, an RPG that would typically be found in specialist gaming stores or online retailers, if you're lucky, was released by...

  • Nintendo Download 10th January 2013 (Europe)

    A fractured soul, kung fu, blasting ninja masters and a Zombi demo

    It's that time again, Europe, with Nintendo confirming details for this week's download update on its online platforms. 3DS, DSi and Wii are all catered for with a mixture of long awaited releases and some unexpected arrivals, while all is quiet — apart from a demo — on the Wii U...

  • News Enhanced Version Of Professor Layton And The Miracle Mask Releasing In Japan

    With added extra content

    Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask launched almost 2 years ago in Japan, and will finally be making its way to the 3DS eShop over there, which comes with a plus. We literally mean 'plus', as the game will be released on the eShop as Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask+ to distinguish between it and the original...

  • Review Unchained Blades (3DS eShop)

    Do the wyrm

    If you could wish for anything, what would it be? If you're anything like Fang, the immediately off-putting Dragon King protagonist in the opening moments of Unchained Blades, you'd ask for the name of the strongest being alive, start a fight with a goddess and get thrown out of heaven for your insolence. Thankfully, XSEED's latest 3DS...

  • News Coaster Creator 3D Promises Thrills and Spills for the 3DS eShop

    Are you tall enough to get on?

    Now that the Holiday season has passed many would be forgiven for fantasizing about warmer days of summer — unless you're reading this from the southern hemisphere, in which case we hope you're enjoying the warm season. A popular pastime in the hot months of the year is heading to a theme park for some roller coaster...

  • News Code of Princess Will Only Be Available On 3DS eShop In Europe

    No boxed copy for this one, unfortunately

    Action-packed RPG Code of Princess has been out in North America since October and has recently been made available for download in the 3DS eShop. It's all very nice for lucky North Americans but Europeans have been waiting for what seems like an age to get hold of a copy of the game. There's still no solid...

  • News Fractured Soul Gets a PAL Reduction in Stand Against Price Hikes

    A rebellion against high Australian prices

    Fractured Soul has been a passionate project years in the making for Endgame Studios, as they told us in our interview last year. It arrived in North America on 13th September 2012, and is due in this week's update in PAL regions now that the rating and approval processes are complete. We certainly felt...

  • News Fire Emblem: Awakening Will Be Available On 3DS eShop

    In case there was any doubt

    Nintendo has been making all of its retail titles available in their respective eShops for a few months now. You can find the likes of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D and Mario Kart 7 on the 3DS eShop while New Super Mario Bros. U and Nintendo Land both reside in the Wii U equivalent. It won't come as a surpr

  • Feature The Biggest 3DS Games of 2013

    Mostly on their way from Japan

    With a New Year comes optimism for lots of fun, exciting gaming experiences. We've already outlined what we think are ten of the biggest Wii U games of 2013 — well, those that are confirmed — so now we'll do the same for 3DS. After a rocky début year, 2012 went some way to revive the fortunes of the handheld —...

  • News Renegade Kid Confirms Mutant Mudds 2

    Even more Mudds

    3DS eShop title Mutant Mudds has proven to be extremely popular with Nintendo gamers, so much so that Renegade Kid, the game's developer, is bringing the game to the Wii U eShop in what is known as Mutant Mudds Deluxe. Yesterday we learnt that the new content in Mutant Mudds Deluxe would be exclusive to Wii U, and now even more...

  • Nintendo Download 3rd January 2013 (North America)

    Welcoming in the new year with some downloadable goodies

    It's quite a big week for the Nintendo Download, as it sees the arrival of the first "retail" download in the shape of XSEED Games' Unchained Blades. That's not the only reason to be cheerful though, as you can see from the selection of games below. 3DS download software: Unchained Blades...

  • News Mega Man Legends 3 Lives On In Fan-Made Browser Game

    The legend will never die

    Capcom broke a few hearts when it cancelled Mega Man Legends 3, but lovers of the Blue Bomber don't take setbacks like this sitting down. Fans Blyka and fAB have created a browser-based version of the Servbot mission in the Mega Man Legends 3: Prototype Version. Servbot Roundup allows you to: Ride around as Barrett, as...

  • Review Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (3DS eShop / NES)

    Lost levels = lost sanity

    It's a story so well known now that we'll just summarise it for you: what is now known as Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels was actually released in Japan as the sequel to enduring classic Super Mario Bros. Western gamers instead received the subconscious vegetable buffet that we more traditionally think of as Super Mario...

  • Nintendo Download 3rd January 2013 (Europe)

    Ghosts 'n stuff, tanks, crystals and vampires

    As 2013 slowly cranks into gear, Nintendo of Europe has released details of what Europeans can expect in this week's download update. It's another week with no additions on the Wii U eShop, but the 3DS, DSi and Wii equivalents all have some content to consider. Is any of it going to get your year started...

December2012

  • News Gunman Clive Will Have Glitches Fixed In The New Year

    Second boss crash woes to be addressed

    3DS eShop title Gunman Clive has been discovered to have a few glitches that can cause it to crash. Fortunately though, developer Bertil Hörberg has responded to it and is working on a fix. In a post on NeoGAF, the developer wrote: As I suspected, the train boss bug is a command buffer overflow, which...

  • News Swords & Soldiers Battling Its Way To 3DS eShop Next Year

    A virtual war is coming

    Originally released on WiiWare back in 2009, it has been announced that Swords & Soldiers is getting the 3D treatment and making its way to the 3DS eShop. Developed by Romino Games, the strategy title is heading to the virtual store courtesy of Circle Entertainment, which has taken responsibility of helping to bring the...

  • Nintendo Download 27th December 2012 (North America)

    Fluidity, tough old-school challenges, wizards and the impossible

    It's here, the post-festive Nintendo Download bonanza. Whether it's an actual bonanza is up to you, but there's a broad variety of new and old titles, with everything but the Wii U getting new content. That's right, North America, no shiny high-def pinball in the update today, but...

  • Review Gunman Clive (3DS eShop)

    Mega Clive

    When Gunman Clive was announced for the 3DS eShop, some smartphone gamers may have had their heads turned; one of the few complaints of the original release was controlling the gun-slinging hero with a virtual joystick and buttons. Here was an indie-game with a smart visual style and loving references to some of the classic platforming...

  • News Capcom Wants Your Help For Future Digital Releases

    Let your voice be heard

    Capcom senior vice president Christian Svensson has posted a survey on Capcom-Unity asking users what they think Capcom should be doing in terms of future potential digital games. Note that's digital only — not retail projects. Within the survey, Capcom wants to know what you're most interested in seeing, such as straight...

  • Nintendo Download 20th December 2012 (North America)

    Wario, escaping vektors, Wii U discounts and 3D goodies

    The download information arrived a little later than normal today, and no wonder — there's a lot of content available this week, along with some surprise sales on Wii U. Enough pre-amble, let's get into it. 3DS download software: escapeVektor (Nnooo, $9.99) — The original release on...

  • News Code of Princess Is Going Digital On January 3rd

    eShop release incoming for 3DS classic

    Atlus' Code of Princess is getting a North American 3DS eShop release in January, as indicated by the game's eShop page. The 2D fighter/RPG hybrid launched at North American retail in October, and met with a positive response from critics and consumers alike. The game still hasn't made its way to Europe. As...