3DS eShop News
July2013
Review G-LOC: Air Battle (3DS eShop / GG)
Crash and burn
Around its initial release in the early '90s, Sega launched G-LOC: Air Battle in several different forms, including an arcade cabinet, a Mega Drive port, and eventually crash-landing it on the portable Game Gear console. The series has been mostly absent since then, finally popping back up on the 3DS’s Virtual Console service. Some...
Rumour Attack of the Friday Monsters Breaching North American Shores Next Week
There goes the neighbourhood
We're not really sure where giant kaiju come from, perhaps they emerge from the depths or fly down from space, either way the North American eShop has listed Level 5’s Attack of the Friday Monsters: A Tokyo Tale for arrival on 18th July. The third and final game of the Guild 02 series is currently priced in the eShop...
Review Fishdom H2O: Hidden Odyssey (3DS eShop)
Submerged in familiarity
If you’ve never been exposed to a hidden object game before, the concept is as simple to understand as a youthful game of I spy or finding Waldo hidden within the pages of a Where’s Waldo? book. Imagine your bedroom is contained in a snow globe. Someone takes it, shakes it for a minute or two, sets it down, and at that...
Review Vampire: Master of Darkness (3DS eShop / GG)
Out for the count
Given its gothic setting, focus on melee combat and inclusion of Dracula as the final boss, it’s little wonder that Vampire: Master of Darkness was compared to the famous Castlevania series when it launched on the Master System and Game Gear back in the early ‘90s. Developed by SIMS — which at the time was a second-party Sega...
Nintendo Download 11th July (Europe)
The flippin' Force, bullet hell, a dreamy RPG and much more
It's Monday morning, but our week is brightened once again by the European download news. This week brings us plenty to consider, with new and old titles on Wii U, a mixture of retail, video and download-only goodies on 3DS and a match-3 puzzler for DSiWare. So many downloads, so little...
Your View The Issues of Collecting and Owning Download-Only Games
Downloads aren't forever
At the start of this week we posted a talking point on the questionable collectibility of download-only game libraries, an issue that's yet to come to a head on Nintendo systems. So far its debut download-only platforms, the Wii Shop and DSiWare, have been available in the company's current systems. The approaches have been...
News European Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney Release Given Some Hope
Level-5 CEO says something is in the works
One title many 3DS owners have been yearning for in the West is Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney, which has been out in Japan since November last year. The game features two characters that have a proven track record in the Western market so many believe it will one day make it to Europe and North America...
Review Crystal Warriors (3DS eShop / GG)
Curiously characterless
One of the Game Gear's earliest RPG titles, Crystal Warriors tries to cherry-pick the best elements of genre classics like Fire Emblem and Shining Force while throwing its own element-driven combat system into the mix, along with the ability to tame monsters and use them in battle. Despite these attempts to do something fresh...
News Over 200,000 Gamers Have Bought StreetPass Mii Plaza DLC
Paid for with real, not Play, coins
Not too long ago Europe and Japan enjoyed an update to the StreetPass Mii Plaza, which brought a fresh layout and a batch of four new games to choose from. The catch is that these additions come at a price — they're £4.49 / €4.99 each, or there's a Combo pack of all four available for £13.49 / €14.99...
Review Urban Trial Freestyle (3DS eShop)
Dropping in for a good time
What is Urban Trial Freestyle? The best way we can think to describe it would be a physics-based platformer – any of you familiar with the Trials series on XBLA should know what to expect here. Think of a 2D sidescroller like Mario, but instead of running around, you’re on a bike, zipping in-and-out of ramps and onto...
Challenge accepted
There is so much that can be said about the legacy that Kokuga brings with it to the 3DS. We can talk about the illustrious Hiroshi Iuchi, and how his work is seminal is shaping the modern shoot ‘em up genre, or we can talk about Ikaruga, the under-sold yet much adored bullet hell shooter that fans will remember fondly. Instead...
Nintendo Download 4th July (North America)
Retro flying and racing, plenty of discounts and more
It's that time again, North America, when fresh downloads appear on your Nintendo systems vying for your hard-earned funds. This week brings a mixture of the old, the new and the discounted on Wii U and 3DS, along with one or two relative unknowns. Let's get right to the details. Wii U Virtual...
News Football Up 3D Goes For Goal on European eShop on 11th July
Back of the net?
Soccer Up 3D arrived in North America on 11th April, and EnjoyUp Games has now confirmed that it'll arrive in Europe as Football Up 3D on 11th July, with a confirmed price of €6.99. On paper this light-hearted football title has plenty going for it, with the ability to play as Mii characters and thoughtful multiplayers options...
News Mario & Luigi: Dream Team Iwata Asks - Development, Accessibility for All Gamers and More
Sweet, sweet pixels
Mario & Luigi: Dream Team — known as Mario & Luigi: Dream Team Bros. in Europe — hits North America on 11th August, while European gamers are lucky enough to get their hands on it from 12th July. We're currently playing through this for review and will simply say that if this isn't on your radar, it should be. Ahead...
News Moving Player Bringing Tangram Style To The 3DS eShop This Summer
Oppa Tangram Style
Mobile developer Moving Games is bringing its first game to the 3DS eShop this August, and it's called Tangram Style. You'll discover the mysteries of the Mayan people and collect totems along the way in this "cult" puzzler game, which is set to feature over 600 mind-benders and four game modes, so there should be plenty to keep...
News Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers Discounted in North American eShop Until 14th July
Can you summon up the funds?
While Europeans patiently — or perhaps impatiently — wait for Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers to arrive on 13th September, North American 3DS owners have been enjoying the expanded reboot since April. Not only that, but the eShop download version is now available at a discount. Until 14th July it...
Review Aqua Moto Racing 3D (3DS eShop)
Choppy waters
When Zordix announced that it was bringing a smartphone jet-ski title to the 3DS eShop with Aqua Moto Racing 3D, we suspect that quite a few people immediately let their minds drift to certain iconic Nintendo 64 and GameCube games, and applied those expectations to this download title. That would be unfair, but this release still tries...
News Nintendo Preparing A New Chapter For eBooks On 3DS This Fall
300 titles expected at Japanese launch
According to a report by Japanese business publication Nikkei, Nintendo is getting ready to launch an eBook service on its 3DS console. The service will be limited to Japan initially, and is expected to cover around 300 titles — mainly aimed at children. There's no word on whether or not a similar approach...
News Club Nintendo Rewards Updated for July
Do a barrel throw!
A sky-climbing star, a rank-climbing boxer, barrel rollers and a barrel thrower are all up as Club Nintendo rewards this month in North America, if you have the coins. The following titles will be available until 4th August: Aura-Aura Climber — 100 Coins Donkey Kong ‘94 — 100 Coins Super Punch-Out!! — 150 Coins Star Fox...
Talking Point The Uncertain Collectible Future of Download-Only Game Libraries
Servers will surely shut down, but what about the games?
Just before the weekend, a number of Wii Channels were shut down. On 28th June most of the online enabled channels and services — such as Weather, News, Everyone Votes and Wii Connect 24 — went off air; low participation rates more than likely caused Nintendo to deem them an expense not...
Review Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (3DS eShop / GG)
Saving your Tails
A year after the runaway success of Sonic the Hedgehog in 1991, SEGA followed up with a sequel that introduced Miles 'Tails' Prower and the iconic Casino Night Zone to the gaming world. This, however, is not that sequel. Rather than leaving its Master System and Game Gear-owning fans with a simple, downsized port of Sonic the...
Nintendo Download 4th July (Europe)
Pilotwings returns, X Zone madness, Game Gear goodies and more
It's Monday morning, and it's that time again for European download gamers. This week's download goodies are confirmed, including a Super NES title that we think will be popular, a chaotic retail release on 3DS and plenty more besides. Let's get down to the details, shall we? Wii U...
Review BUGS vs. TANKS! (3DS eShop)
Repellant
The Guild01 series brought 3DS owners three completely different, off-the-wall, and well-received games. The second iteration of this series, appropriately named Guild02, is already off to another fantastic start with the recent release of The Starship Damrey, a story-heavy science fiction adventure. Now, we’re lucky enough to experience...
News Kokuga Blasting Its Way To Europe On 11th July
But Canada is still missing out
Kokuga developer G.Rev has confirmed to us that the game will be hitting the European 3DS eShop on 11th July. The game launched in North America last week. Oddly, Canadian 3DS owners have missed out on Hiroshi "Ikaruga" Iuchi's action-packed title. Here's what G.Rev had to say about the matter: Unfortunately, the...
June2013
Review Farming Simulator 3D (3DS eShop)
A field of dreams or a load of crop?
Say it with us…Farm-ing Sim-u-la-tor. How does that make you feel? Are you intrigued, or does it sound about as fun as, well, an exhausting day of work on the farm? If you’re questioning whether you’d personally find enjoyment in a game like this, then you should probably keep on truckin’. However, if the...
Review Gabrielle's Ghostly Groove Mini (3DS eShop)
A lot less gabby
We at Nintendo Life have enjoyed the various Gabrielle's Ghostly Groove games, but so far we've tended to like them more for their charm and visual appeal than for their gameplay or for anything they do particularly well. This is a trend that goes back to the WiiWare incarnation of the series, Gabrielle's Ghostly Groove: Monster...
News 3D Versions Of Shinobi III And Streets Of Rage Coming To 3DS eShop
Another dimension
Japan got 3D Ecco the Dolphin this week, but Sega isn't done with its 3D re-releases just yet. A PEGI rating has been spotted for Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master (Super Shinobi II in Japan), and the
News Boxed Copies of Mutant Mudds May Be Possible
Renegade Kid seeking information from Nintendo
Mutant Mudds on the 3DS eShop has an obvious retro charm, but you know what’s really retro? Getting your game in a good old, hold-it-in-your-hands box; not magically downloaded from invisible pieces screaming through the ether from all this newfangled alien wireless technology we have these days...
News Aqua Moto Racing 3D Developer Keen to Bring it to Wii U
"It would be a dream"
Aqua Moto Racing 3D arrived in the European 3DS eShop this week, with the North American release to arrive relatively soon. We're currently working on our review, but it's a title — and series — that's achieved notable success on smartphones, and from video footage alone may remind some of the Wave Race titles that graced...
Review Defenders of Oasis (3DS eShop / GG)
Water way to go
Given the staggering popularity of the RPG genre, it’s amazing that so few titles have broken free of the seemingly obligatory European fantasy setting. Most notable entries tend to feature swords, knights, dragons and all the usual medieval trappings, and as a result some old-school role-playing titles are genuinely difficult to...
News Corecell Turns To Crowdfunding To Bring AeternoBlade To The West
There's even the chance of a Wii U version
Corecell Technology is a relatively small developer that has been operating in Thailand for almost a decade now. It's developed a few titles for Nintendo systems in the past, including Wicked Monsters Blast, which is a shooting-based selection of mini-games for Wii. It's been developing a 3DS title for...
Nintendo Download 27th June (North America)
Sonic returns, urban style, shmup action, grooving and more
It's that time again, North America, when downloadable goodies arrive for your delight on Nintendo's systems. The 3DS shines with a variety of experiences this week, while the Wii U Virtual Console get an underwhelming retro release but a decent Virtual Console promotion; Wii and DSi are...
Review Tails Adventure (3DS eShop / GG)
Foxtales
Miles 'Tails' Prower has come a long way since his debut as a silent, second-player-controlled sidekick in Sonic the Hedgehog 2, becoming one of SEGA's most beloved mascots and appearing in dozens of games over the past twenty years. It's a bit surprising then that he's only had headlining roles in two titles, both on the Game Gear: the...
Weirdness Level-5's Favourite Character Poll Doesn't Go to Plan
And the winner is...
As part of the celebrations for its 15 year anniversary, well-known Japanese developer Level-5 recently held an online poll to allow gamers to vote for their favourite characters from the company's lineup. With franchises such as Professor Layton and Inazuma Eleven in its portfolio, some would have expected the voting to be...
News Kokuga Confirmed For North American Release on 27th June
Yes, that's this week's update
In happy news for action top-down shooter fans in North America, the intriguing Kokuga is now confirmed for this week's update, at least it's listed as such on the game's official website. This title is from Ikaruga creator Hiroshi Iuchi, and will include local multiplayer alongside options to determine how long...
Hands On StreetPass Plaza's Downloadable Content
Play Coin guzzlers
A few days ago, Nintendo launched a surprise update to the 3DS's StreetPass Plaza in Europe and Japan. Previously home to Puzzle Swap and StreetPass Quest alone, users can now purchase a further four games to play with any Miis that they encounter when out and about. As with the other Plaza games, you can use the Mii of anybody...
Nintendo Download 27th June (Europe)
Dillon returns, Mighty Switchin', Wario madness and much more
A day later than normal, we have the European download news to enjoy, and it's a packed lineup this week. We have various new and old goodies on Wii U and 3DS, even if the Wii and DSi miss out once again. Whatever your budget or favoured genre, you have decent odds of finding something...
News Game Gear Mega Man Could be Destined for the 3DS Virtual Console
Seems likely thanks to ESRB rating
We've sure had a lot of retro Mega Man on Nintendo systems recently, with both the 3DS and Wii U Virtual Consoles bringing us fresh experiences that we hadn't enjoyed since the Wii Virtual Console; sarcasm aside, they've been additional opportunities for newcomers to the series to see what fans have been banging on...
News Aqua Moto Racing 3D Hopes to Make Waves in the eShop on 27th June
Attempting to replicate smartphone success
Update: Zordix AB has confirmed that, contrary to the impression given earlier, this title is only confirmed for 27th June in Europe, with a North American date yet to be confirmed. Original Article: Zordix is a developer that's enjoyed some success in the smartphone market with its Moto games, while...
Review Big Bass Arcade: No Limit (3DS eShop)
Fish it to the limit
Two years ago, Big John Games angled two fishing simulators towards Wii and DSi owners on the then current gen gaming consoles. It's now decided to take a leap upstream, diving headfirst onto the 3DS with Big Bass Arcade: No Limit. While this third entry in the series does well to live up to those that came before i, does it...
News Kokuga Officially Confirmed for Western Release
Lingering doubts, begone!
Kokuga, the 3DS shmup from Ikaruga creator Hiroshi Iuchi, has now been officially confirmed as an eShop release in the West. It's not unexpected, with classifications in Australia and Germany suggesting that localisation of the Japanese title was already well underway. Publisher G.rev Ltd has now launched an English site
Nintendo Download 20th June (North America)
Luigi, Wario, tanks fighting bugs, X Zone craziness and much more
It's that time again, North America, when your Nintendo systems groan under the weight of new download offerings cramming up virtual servers. That's not always strictly accurate, but is this week, with plenty of new titles available on Wii U and 3DS, with a sequel even gracing...
Review Shining Force: The Sword of Hajya (3DS eShop / GG)
Shine on, you crazy portable diamond
The Shining Force series may have retreated from the west of late, but back in the early 1990s it was incredibly popular in both the US and Europe, managing to attract a large audience while Nintendo's rival Fire Emblem franchise remained Japan-exclusive. As well as scoring critically-acclaimed entries on the...
Review Mega Man 6 (3DS eShop / NES)
Mega Man's NES swan song
In 1993, the SNES was already out and Capcom was about to release Mega Man X, but they just couldn't let themselves to say goodbye to the NES and made one last 8-bit Mega Man game for the beloved system. Mega Man 6 was released so late into the system's life that Capcom decided to not even publish the game in Europe — this...
News 3D Ecco The Dolphin Splashing Onto 3DS eShop, Galaxy Force II Coming Soon
They're doing this on porpoise
Sega has confirmed that the next entry in its 3D range will be Ecco The Dolphin. A port of the Mega Drive / Genesis original, the game will feature a 3D effect, save states, international editions of the game and some custom screen filters. Ecco will splash into the Japanese 3DS eShop on June 26th, with a retail price...
News Want A Boxed Copy Of Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies? Pester Capcom
Christian Svensson makes no promises but says it's possible
Last month Capcom announced Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies was coming to the West later on this year. However, it will only be released as a digital download on the 3DS eShop, while Japan will receive a fully fledged boxed copy. This was naturally good news for fans of the...
News Capcom Reveals More on Phoenix Wright: Dual Destinies
Edgeworth ranks up, Maya remains a secret
Capcom recently divulged more details on Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies in a Q&A session hosted on TwitchTV, placing more on the title’s characters and settings into the court record. According to the video, Dual Destinies will be set a year after Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney. The theme...
Review Dr Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine (3DS eShop / GG)
Emphasis on the “mean”
Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine is somewhat of an anomaly. It's a Puyo Puyo puzzle game that takes place in the Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog - a short lived but wildly popular television series from the mid-90s - universe, but the blue blur is completely absent. Instead, the only hero here is you, a presumably...
Review Columns (3DS eShop / GG)
Supporting a good time
Way back in the days when video games in general were often referred to as 'Nintendo' games, a little gem called Tetris was packaged-in with the Game Boy, and it helped catapult the handheld to dominating heights. A couple of years later SEGA released the Game Gear, and in what can only be seen as an attempt to capitalize on...
Nintendo Download 20th June (Europe)
Luigi steps up, the Guild returns, some retro goodies and much more
So E3 is now but a fading memory, but at least we have a lot of Wii U and 3DS games on the way to keep us entertained for the rest of the year. One of those lands as Wii U DLC today, while the 3DS is pretty much overflowing with varied offerings, including the second entry from the...
News Shin'en Ponders Over HD Version of Jett Rocket II
Could it come to Wii U too?
Shin'en Multimedia is currently working on Jett Rockett II - The Wrath of Taikai, the sequel to the fun little WiiWare title that was released back in 2010. This new iteration is headed to the 3DS eShop and should be with us later on in the year. It appears the developer is contemplating the idea of releasing an HD...
Review Sonic the Hedgehog (3DS eShop / GG)
Put a ring on it
As one of gaming's most iconic mammals, Sonic the Hedgehog needs no introduction; he's graced consoles, comic books, crossovers and clothing lines in his double-decade career, and this is where it all began. Well, nearly — Sonic the Hedgehog on the Game Gear isn't a port of the Mega Drive / Genesis classic, but rather of the 8-bit...
News Pay What You Want For The Mighty Switch Force! 2 OST
Set fire to the club (then put it out)
Mighty Switch Force! is one of our top 10 third-party titles for the 3DS so far and a big factor in that decision might just be the bouncy, soaring soundtrack provided by Jake “virt” Kaufman. Now that Mighty Switch Force 2! is out in the world, Kaufman has put the full soundtrack to the sequel up online to...
Nintendo Download 13th June (North America)
Mudds, mighty switching, Game Gear goodies and more
As the E3 madness settles down to daily regular madness, we have the reliable and steady Nintendo Download news to enjoy. This week is a strong one in North America, with both the Wii U and 3DS eShop services hosting games from Renegade Kid and WayForward, while the Game Gear also returns on the...
News Shantae Virtual Console Release Pushed Back To July
Classic Game Boy Color title won't make it this month
Shantae was set to be released on 20th June on the 3DS Virtual Console but this now won't be happening as WayForward, the game's developer, has bumped it back to an unspecified date in July. Creative director at WayForward Matt Bozon announced the sad news on Twitter: [tweet 345009387896717312]...
News Nintendo to Launch First Free-To-Play Game By March 2014
What could it be?
At an analyst briefing during E3, Nintendo has confirmed that it plans to launch its first free-to-play title at some point during the current fiscal year — that's the end of March 2014. There's no confirmation of platform or title just yet, so we'll have to wait to find out if it's Wii U or 3DS that will be home to Nintendo's...
News Pac-Man Museum Announced For Wii U And 3DS eShops
Downloadable title coming this Winter
Those who can’t get enough power pellets in their gaming diets may want to keep an eye toward the end of the year. Namco Bandai Games Europe has announced that Pac-Man Museum, a collection of the iconic yellow puck’s games from the original 1980s classic to more recent titles including Pac-Man Championship...
News Mega Man 6 Up Now on the 3DS Virtual Console in Europe
Gotta run, gotta run now!
Classic NES platformer Mega Man 6 is available to download now from the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console in Europe. As is the norm for eShop releases, Rockman's 1994 adventure was originally scheduled for release this Thursday, but seems to have been released early in celebration of the 'Mega Man Special' currently featured on...
Review Mighty Switch Force! 2 (3DS eShop)
The sequel, the sequel, the sequel's on fire
In late 2011, WayForward released Mighty Switch Force!, one of the first eShop titles to make significant use of the 3DS's capabilities. You took control of Patricia Wagon, a cop in search of the ostensibly criminal Hooligan sisters, and the puzzles were all based in some way around the 3D effect, popping...
News Picross e Finally Releasing This Week In North America
It'll be in the 3DS eShop on Thursday
Picross e3, which has nothing to do with a certain expo by the way, will be released in Japan tomorrow, while North America still waits on the first two titles in the 'e' series. Europe's has Picross e for quite some time now and it looks as though North America will finally be able to join the party from...
News It's "Safe to Assume" That Mutant Mudds 2 Will Be On The Wii U eShop
It'll be on the 3DS eShop too, of course
At the start of January this year, Renegade Kid co-founder Jools Watsham confirmed that a sequel to Mutant Mudds is in the works, titled Mutant Mudds 2. In a recent interview with Cubed3, Watsham was asked if the game would appear on both the 3DS and Wii U eShop, and responded positively: Yes, I think it...
News The Hand of Panda Has Just Over a Day to Reach its Fundraising Goal
Not far to go
At the end of last month we reported that martial arts style game, The Hand of Panda, was to chop its way onto the 3DS eShop if it successfully reaches its Kickstarter goal. The campaign is coming to a close with just over a day left and an asking price of $3,000. It's been doing pretty well, having reached $2,456 at the time of...
News Capybara: Nintendo Is Making A "Big Move" For Indie Developers
“They have a really great team there"
There once was a time when Nintendo was seen to be somewhat ignorant of indie developers, but that certainly isn't the case these days, as is evidenced by comments made by Capybara's Nathan Vella. Vella — who was speaking at recent independent gaming showcase — had nothing but praise for Nintendo's recent...
Nintendo Download 13th June (Europe)
Animal Crossing arrives, along with Game Gear goodies and more
It's Monday, so it's time to see what we have lined up for this week's Nintendo Download update in Europe, minus any E3 surprises, of course. One of the year's most anticipated 3DS retail titles finally lands, along with the latest Famicom Anniversary Promotion game and a lot of Game...
News WayForward Will Consider HD Edition of Mighty Switch Force! 2
"We'll certainly look into it"
Patricia Wagon is bringing the heat to North America this week with the release of Mighty Switch Force! 2 on the 3DS eShop. It'll be available on 13th June in North America and in Europe on 27th June. The first title, Mighty Switch Force!, also made its way to the Wii U in a HD version known as Mighty Switch Force!...
Developer Interview WayForward Talks Mighty Switch Force! 2
This girl is on fire
WayForward is one of the best known developers on Nintendo's download stores, making its name most prominently on portable platforms. It's a studio with many strings to its bow, including numerous retail releases on various platforms for other publishers, but it's arguably the company's own self-published IPs that have...
News Flipnote Studio 3D Confirmed for European Release on 1st August
Hand-drawn GIFs creep closer
Not so long ago we reported that Flipnote Studio 3D is set for an early August release in North America, as an official website was launched revealing various details on the galleries and features, including the $0.99 30-day license for access to the World gallery. Nintendo UK has launched its own website and gone a step...
News Big Bass Arcade: No Limit Reeling in the 3DS eShop on 13th June
Hook, line, and sinker
Big John Games has confirmed that its next entry in its main fishing series, Big Bass Arcade: No Limit, will arrive on the North American 3DS eShop on 13th June, with a price tag of $6.99. The series has previously appeared on WiiWare and DSiWare, so makes the logical step across to Nintendo's latest handheld. There will be...
News Urban Trial Freestyle Release Date Confirmed, Track Editor to be 3DS eShop Exclusive
Lands on 27th June
Last year we reported that Urban Trial Freestyle was coming to the 3DS eShop, a title that previously arrived on the PlayStation Network on PS3 and PS Vita. As the name suggests, it draws a lot of inspiration from the Trials series by RedLynx, offering a budget download-only alternative to the Xbox 360/PC exclusive series. The...
News Animal Crossing: New Leaf Will Need Over 6000 Blocks On Your SD Card
Clear some space, right now
We've had a number of enquiries about how many SD card blocks are required for upcoming release Animal Crossing: New Leaf, which is of little surprise as the daily commitment that the game demands is perfectly suited to a download. Intriguingly, the results vary slightly depending on region. Our man in North America, Jon...
Nintendo Download 6th June (North America)
A New Leaf is turned, Wii U goes retro, discounts and Neo Geo goodness
It's Nintendo Download time once again, North America, with your goodies a little scaled back compared to the extravagances of last week. Alongside confirmation that there'll be extensive footage and coverage from the upcoming E3 Nintendo Direct on the eShop platforms, we have a...
News Mighty Switch Force! 2 Blazing Into The North American 3DS eShop Next Week
Patricia Wagon brings the heat
Back in March WayForward Technologies announced a sequel to the enchanting puzzle-based platformer Mighty Switch Force! would be making its way to the 3DS eShop. The developer has now revealed Mighty Switch Force! 2 will be available to download in North America on 13th June and in Europe on 27th June. A new trailer...
News Yacht Club Games Unveils Shovel Knight's Nemesis, the Black Knight
And a nifty papercraft
Shovel Knight is shaping up to be an intriguing release later this year for both the Wii U and 3DS eShop platforms; it's the first game release from Yacht Club Games, itself formed by former employees of WayForward Technologies. The footage and hands-on previews to date have been full of positivity, with its pixel-based...
News CIRCLE Entertainment Hopes To Release Castle Conqueror Dark Age This Year
It's taken 18 months to develop
CIRCLE Entertainment is behind the Castle Conqueror series on DSiWare and has now confirmed there is to be another iteration in the form of Castle Conqueror Dark Age. According to a tweet from the company, it's a sequel to Castle Conqueror Heroes 2, which means it could be set to feature the turn based combat found...
News Club Nintendo's June Rewards Bring Out More Retro Goodies
Including one of the greatest platformers ever made
It's that time again, North America, when you're tempted to part with your hard-earned Nintendo coins in exchange for a free download game, and for Europeans to unite as one and say "why don't we get monthly game offers?" In any case, there are four new games to consider if you have a Wii U, Wii or...
Nintendo Download 6th June (Europe)
Spelunking, questing for jewels and discounts galore
It's the start of another week, which means it's time for those of us in Europe to dive into this week's Nintendo Download update. We have the most iconic puzzle game of all, as well as some alternative puzzling and strategy titles joining in. Only the Wii misses out this week, with its successor...
News Flipnote Studio 3D to Hit North America Early August, Subscription Pricing Revealed
Details ahoy
While Flipnote Studio 3D is set to arrive in Japan on 3rd July, Nintendo of America has now launched a new official website packed with details about the free title, including a release window and details on the optional subscription service to be offered. Though there's no precise date, it's listed to arrive in early August, while...
Video This Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies Trailer is a Treat
Its eShop release can't come soon enough
While its eShop-only release will undoubtedly disappoint some, we shouldn't forget that — after a lot of doubt — Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies is coming the West in the Fall period. Quite a number of the Nintendo Life team, for example, are planning to raid the 3DS online store when it...
May2013
News Flipnote Studio 3D Sketched In for 3rd July in Japan
We doubt the Western release will be far behind
Flipnote Studio 3D is, after a fair old wait, finally coming to the 3DS eShop this summer. Like its DSi predecessor it'll be a free app that'll also include some improved features, with short animations now having up to six colours, three layers for a 3D effect and will be easy to export as AVI or GIF...
News SEGA's 3D Classics Range Gets Closer to Western Release
Sonic and Altered Beast join Space Harrier with ratings
The SEGA series of 3D classics has been gracing the Japanese 3DS eShop this year, and if you follow our Nintendo Life YouTube page you'll have seen how keen we are for these releases, as we've been filming the Japanese versions for your pleasure. While the eventual Western arrival of 3D Space...
Review Gummy Bears Mini Golf (3DS eShop)
Golfing here and there and everywhere
When Gummy Bears Magical Medallion, the game so confident it doesn't need a properly punctuated title, was released earlier this month we weren't exactly left clamoring for a sequel or a spin-off. Its controls were stiff and aggravating, its level design bland and empty, its coding sloppy and its 3D effect was...
News Tribute Games Approved As Licensed Nintendo Developer
Studio made of former Ubisoft staffers gains Wii U and 3DS approval
Tribute Games has been given approved developer status by Nintendo, which means we should be seeing some software from the studio hitting either the Wii U or 3DS eShop. [tweet It's not known what games Tribute will be bringing to Nintendo's systems, but the company's recent title...
Nintendo Download 30th May (North America)
Legendary Zelda, Mega Man X, free Project X, Denpa Men (X?) and more
It's Nintendo Download time once again, North America, and this week we've got retro goodies for your newest console, some top-notch gaming for the 3DS and a lot of discounted dancing. Let's get right to it. Wii U Virtual Console: Mega Man X (Capcom, $7.99) — The first of the...
News The Hand Of Panda Is Looking To Slap The 3DS eShop Soon
Kickstarter campaign for martial arts-inspired title opens
“If you're a fan of the bonus rounds found in most fighting games, wouldn't it be awesome if there was a game based solely on that?” That’s the concept behind The Hand of Panda, which is being developed as an eShop title for 3DS. The developers behind the game are Isaias Martinez and...
Review Groove Heaven (3DS eShop)
Some call me “The Human Metronome”
It seems as though rhythm games have really taken off in the past few years, especially on the 3DS. Retail titles have popped up, such as Theatrhythm: Final Fantasy, and more recently the eShop has been receiving musical exclusives such as the wonderfully charming Harmoknight. Now Teyon, a publisher that's no...
Review Crash City Mayhem (3DS eShop / 3DS)
Crash n’ burn
When you read the words “crash” and “mayhem” in a game's title, it’s only natural to think that it will feature action-packed, frantic gameplay and a wholesome amount of wanton destruction. However, despite being suggestively destructive, Crash City Mayhem is a game that doesn't live up to its own name. While it certainly...
First Impressions 3D Altered Beast
Wise fwom your gwave
Altered Beast occupies a strange place in Sega's library; when it was first released it garnered a lukewarm response, and its choice as a pack-in title for the freshly-launched Mega Drive / Genesis was a curious one — although its large, bold sprites were impressive for the time, it certainly wasn't strong enough in terms of...
News Rex Rocket Smashes Through Its Kickstarter Target
There are plans for a Wii U and 3DS adaptation
At the end of last month a Kickstarter campaign started for the interesting looking 2D platformer Rex Rocket, which takes a leaf out of Metroid's book and combines it with a hint of Mega Man. Developer Rob Maher - who now runs the newly named studio Castle Pixel - confirmed with us that if the project...
News Etrian Odyssey IV Reduced To 30 Bucks On The North American 3DS eShop
$29.99 until June 10th
The rather excellent Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan has had 25 percent slashed off its eShop price. The game is now available for just $29.99, and will remain at that price until June 10th. "A real sense of exploration and wonder, deeply customisable characters, engaging combat and the sublime satisfaction that comes...
News Korg M01D Music Synthesizer App Delayed in Japan
Effect on Western summer release is unclear
Not too long ago we told you about the KORG M01D Music Workstation coming to the 3DS eShop this summer, an expanded and improved sequel to a DS equivalent. KORG M01D promises to be a useful, powerful tool for music creation, including a library of 342 unique sounds, various sequencing tools and simple...
Nintendo Download 30th May (Europe)
Classic Zelda, the Denpa Men return, hyper speed and more
Due to a public Holiday in various countries, we didn't receive the Nintendo Download as early as normal. Thankfully we now have the translated line-up from Germany for your reading pleasure below. It's mostly about the Wii U and 3DS this week, with retro and new delights to enjoy, while the...
Review Bowling Bonanza 3D (3DS eShop)
This is bowling. There are rules.
Bowling as a sport has enjoyed a long and rich history, going as far back — in one form or another — to Ancient Egypt. The activity has become much more refined in recent years, and has been given similar treatment and media attention to that received by more popular sports, including several films on the...
News Crazy Taxi Wannabe Coming to the Japanese eShop
Oh, if only it would come West
While in many respects the West is better off than Japan on the eShop platforms — due to publishing rules in Nintendo's homeland — there are some releases exclusive to the region. One of these is the @Simple DL Series from D3 Publisher, which is a sequence of budget 3DS games that have followed on from an...
News EnjoyUp Games Has Some Unannounced Wii U And 3DS Titles In The Pipeline
The developer also wants to make a game on a much grander scale
EnjoyUp Games has been a big supporter of the download platform on Nintendo's systems and has many WiiWare and DSiWare titles in its catalogue including La-Mulana, Abyss and Armageddon Operation Dragon. In an interview with Spanish site Nintenderos, EnjoyUp revealed it has some unan
News Capcom USA Senior VP Responds to Ace Attorney Concerns
Future unclear, but sales could prove a factor
Ace Attorney fans outside of Japan have waited some time for the return of the series to their shores. The announcement of Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies arriving in Europe and North America this fall brought out the confetti for the faithful, but concerns arose when it was also revealed...
News Fresh Details On Treasurenauts Have Been Excavated
Interview with the developer unearths new information
Back in March, we reported that developer Renegade Kid was working on a new title called Treasurenauts, as the trademark had been spotted on the USPTO website. Very little information was given about the game at the time, so all we could do was sit and twiddle our thumbs. Two months later, the...
Review The Denpa Men 2: Beyond The Waves (3DS eShop)
Love is in the air
The Denpa Men: They Came by Wave was a wonderful 3DS eShop surprise last year, combining elements of Dragon Quest and Pokémon with AR functionality and a delightfully bonkers style all its own, so we were definitely excited to spot The Denpa Men 2: Beyond the Waves washing up onto our shores as well. This sequel pulls out all the...
Nintendo Download 23rd May (North America)
It's Kirby week, with some portable fun and reduced Denpa Men joining in
So it's Nintendo Download time once again, North America, and what this week lacks in volume it makes up for with some quality and a lot of Kirby. Wii and DSi miss out, so you'll have to be rocking Nintendo's current hardware to enjoy some downloadable goodies. All of the...
News Japanese 3DS Owners Can Download Double Dragon II Next Week
8-bit classic is punching its way to the 3DS eShop in Japan
Nintendo has confirmed that the popular side-scrolling fighter Double Dragon II: The Revenge will be coming to the Japanese 3DS eShop on 29th May, priced at 500 Yen. Once again, the heroes of the hour are Billy & Jimmy Lee, who must avenge the brutal murder of Marian at the hands of...
Review Mega Man 5 (3DS eShop / NES)
Super fighting robot
Capcom has been very fast with releasing the original Mega Man series on 3DS Virtual Console, and now we're already up to the fifth entry. As you might expect, Mega Man 5 is quite similar to the four games before it; eight new Robot Masters have appeared, and it's up to Mega Man to stop them and their leader, who appears to be...
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