3DS eShop News

January2013

  • 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

November2012

  • News Crimson Shroud Confirmed for 13th December Release On 3DS eShop

    Third Guild01 titles gets a confirmed date

    Level-5 has confirmed that Yasumi Matsuno's Crimson Shroud will launch on the North American and European 3DS eShop on 13th December. This is the third game to be taken from the Japan-only Guild01 collection, with Liberation Maiden and Aero Porter having already made the jump to the west. The fourth game...

  • News Urban Trial Freestyle Revving Up For 3DS eShop

    Parkour on two wheels

    When the 3DS launched way back when, Nintendo made NES classic Excitebike available on the eShop to download for free; yet since then we've had little to satisfy our bike racing needs. Luckily for fans of the genre Tate Interactive has revealed it is bringing its newest game, Urban Trial Freestyle, to the 3DS eShop. The game...

  • Nintendo Download 29th November 2012 (North America)

    Should you drag yourself away from your Wii U for these downloads?

    While Europe readies itself for the Wii U and North America enjoys yet another week with the new system, the Nintendo Download roller-coaster continues. There's not a great deal to choose from this time, we're afraid - but then again, you're probably still enjoying New Super Mario...

  • News Fractured Soul Demo Blasting Onto North American 3DS eShop

    Update for the game also on the way

    Sidescrolling shoot ‘em up Fractured Soul has been available in the North American 3DS eShop since September. The game was developed by Endgame Studios, which spent eight years working on the title, and sees you blast your way through some of the hardest levels ever seen on 3DS. The Australian developer has now...

  • Review Pac-Man (3DS eShop / NES)

    Ghost gobblin' on the go

    If you were to ask one hundred people to make a list of the most classic video games of all time, you shouldn't be surprised to find Pac-Man on every one of those lists. It's an unrivaled masterpiece of gaming simplicity, an experience that involves nothing more than moving endlessly around a single maze, yet which somehow...

  • News Nano Assault EX Blasting Onto The 3DS eShop Soon

    Should be available before the new year

    Nano Assault Neo is available in the Wii U eShop right now in North America — and will be in Europe on Wii U launch day — but there's also a portable release coming to the 3DS eShop that takes its cues from retail release Nano Assault. As Shin'en man Manfred Linzner described it to us, it's really Nano...

  • Nintendo Download 29th November 2012 (Europe)

    Pokémon, Airplanes, Dots and a couple of demos

    Although the eyes of many European Nintendo fans may be fixed on this Friday - we hear that there's a big hardware launch, apparently - the crazy world of downloadable software trundles along regardless. We've got a handheld-focused selection for you this week, with games for your 3DS and DSi consoles...

  • News XSEED Struggling To Get Unchained Blades Onto The 3DS eShop

    Still hoping for a 2012 release

    Expansive dungeon crawler Unchained Blades is a glorious looking RPG filled with unique hand-drawn characters, each one from a different artist. The game has been available in Japan for well over a year now but has only arrived overseas on Sony's PSP, with news on the 3DS eShop release being thin on the ground...

  • Rumour SEGA Looking To Bring Classic Titles To 3DS eShop

    Space Harrier coming first?

    The 3DS eShop is the perfect place for old favourites from yesteryear to gain a new lease of life, and rumour has it SEGA has made plans to port some of its biggest classic titles to the service. According to gamer.ne.jp, SEGA is bringing the extremely popular arcade title Space Harrier to the 3DS in what will be known...

  • Review Ninja Gaiden (3DS eShop / NES)

    Frustratingly fun

    Gamers nowadays might be more familiar with the rebooted series, but now you've got yet another chance to experience the original NES Ninja Gaiden, the game that started it all. A classic 2D action platformer, you assume the role of Ryu Hayabusa as he seeks to kill Jaquio, who murdered his father. This original is frequently...

  • News Nicalis Blasting onto 3DS eShop with Guxt

    Shmup from Daisuke "Pixel" Amaya, creator of Cave Story

    Nicalis may have a rather questionable record of localising its download titles in all regions — mention Cave Story on DSiWare or the 3DS eShop to a European and see what happens — but it does actively seek to bring high-quality indie releases to Nintendo systems. When you consider that...

  • News Pokédex 3D Pro Tops 3DS eShop Chart in North America

    Not too high a price to pay, clearly

    Pokédex 3D Pro was a high profile release on the eShop in last week's Nintendo Download update, bringing enhancements and extra features from the original freebie, Pokédex 3D. That said, many members of the Nintendo Life community were unhappy with the price, which is $14.99 in the US, €14.99 in Europe and...