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Hugo Smits gives insight into a developer's life

While we'd suggest that he doesn't necessarily get the attention he deserves, Hugo Smit — through his studio Goodbye Galaxy Games — delivered four notable DSiWare experiences. These have all been published by third-parties, but have each had merits and plenty of areas worthy of praise. Of...

In this third and final developer guide, Nnooo's Nic Watt explains the finer details behind successful spirit hunting

In the previous feature Nnooo's Nic Watt took us through some of the more complex aspects of the player abilities in Spirit Hunters Inc., including some of the abilities which are unique to each element. In this third and final...

In our second exclusive developer guide, Nic Watt explains the ability system in this spook-catching DSiWare release

In the previous feature Nnooo's Creative Director Nic Watt detailed some of the basics to Spirit Hunters Inc. In this second feature he will explain some of the more complex aspects of the player abilities, including some of the...

A guide to catching spooks, straight from the developer

In this, the first of three articles, Creative Director at Nnooo Nic Watt will detail some of the components of Spirit Hunters Inc. to illustrate all the different aspects of the game. Spirit Hunters Inc. launches globally on DSiWare next week, so make sure you brush up on these tips to get...

A sense of speed, nasty viruses and some soon-to-be-endangered animals

If you're a fan of high speed action, cute birds or shooting innocent animals, then you're in luck - this week's North American Nintendo Download is sure to satisfy your desires. eShop: SpeedX 3D (Gamelion, $3.99) — After speeding into the European eShop a while back,...

Racing, metal slugging and the abyss

We've seen some pretty busy line-ups for the Nintendo Download update in recent times, but it's rather quiet this time around: will it be quality over quantity? Each platform gets one game, and the heady days of discounted downloads are forgotten. Still, let's get to it. eShop: VectorRacing (Arc System Works,...

Doing a lot with BASIC

Petit Computer arrived on North American DSiWare in mid-July, and since that time a number of enthusiastic programmers have no doubt been getting accustomed to the BASIC coding language. The app has already had a positive impact in Japan, with an enthusiastic community that has been producing and sharing innovative games on...

A lost town, solitaire and reduced Mario

This week's North American update has relatively slim pickings, with Wii missing out entirely. There's one title each for eShop and DSiWare, a reduced Mario classic and a couple of videos, so let's look at what we have. eShop: 3D Solitaire (Zen Studios, $2.99) — The title tells you almost everything you...

Kung fu, Toki Tori, edutainment and retro fighting

Once again we have news of this week's download delights in Europe, with something on offer for every system you own. Let's get started. 3DS Download Software: Jonny Kung Fu (UFO Interactive, £5.40/€6) — On paper this sounds full of promise, being an old-school side-scrolling action game with...

Planet crashing, Wario, moles and more

This week we have all three Nintendo consoles catered for, including a long awaited platformer on the 3DS Virtual Console, the latest from Renegade Kid and much more. Let's get right to it. 3DS Virtual Console: Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 (Game Boy, Nintendo, $3.99) — This has no doubt been on a number...

Crashing, pinball, candles and athletics

It's another Monday, so let's cheer ourselves up in Europe with news of what downloads are coming this week. This week almost every platform is catered for, so let's get to it. 3DS Download Software: Planet Crashers (Ignition, £9/€10) — Planet Crashers is the latest title developed by Renegade Kid, of...

Rayman, 99seconds and more

Wait, what? Another 3DS Virtual Console game? And this one's a Game Boy Color release? Well, if that don't just beat all. Here's what's up and at 'em in this week's bunch. 3DS Virtual Console: Rayman (Game Boy Color, Ubisoft, $4.99, 70 blocks) — The limbless hero lands in Europe today too, so it's a big helping of...

Galleries and snakes

North America gets its third Game Boy Color game today, which is nice. There's some DSiWare too and an update for an eShop favourite. 3DS Virtual Console: Game & Watch Gallery 2 (Game Boy Color, Nintendo, $3.99) — No, your eyes do not deceive you: this is two consecutive weeks of 3DS Virtual Console games in North America...

VC and vampires

After a pretty long nap 3DS Virtual Console wakes up today, and DSiWare swells with a hidden object adventure too. This is much more like it. 3DS Virtual Console: Kirby's Block Ball (Game Boy, Nintendo, $2.99, 40 blocks) — At long last, 3DS gets another Virtual Console game in the rotund form of Kirby. Check out our Kirby's Block...

Very early edition

Believe your eyes: the Nintendo Download for North America is out, several hours ahead of usual. There's two Virtual Console treats and more to get stuck into, so here's what's up this week. Virtual Console: Wonder Boy in Monster Land (Virtual Console Arcade, SEGA, 900pts) — Just like Europe, North America gets a double dose of...

It's a Virtual Console explosion

As if any further proof were needed that SEGA is the greatest video game company in the whole world, this week it's bringing no fewer than three games to lucky European fans this week. Elsewhere there's a long awaited piece of 3DS download software and an out-of-nowhere DSiWare game too. To the list! 3DS Virtual...

Germs and birds

The eShop gets its cheapest game yet, a $1.99 'infinite challenge' title, and real-time strategy fans can rejoice that Intrinsic Games' molecular head-scratcher is finally out, plus the return of VC Arcade. Here's what's up and competing for your money today. 3DS eShop: Bird Mania 3D (Teyon, $1.99, 227 blocks) — Fly as far as you...

Virtual Console Arcade returns

In an unexpected (to say the least) twist, SEGA is bringing back Virtual Console Arcade this week with a truly classic racer. Elsewhere there's brand new DSiWare and a Game Boy Color game on 3DS too. Here's what's up this week. Wii Virtual Console: Super Hang-On (Virtual Console Arcade, SEGA, 900pts) — The legendary...

Blocks, fighting and Chuck E. Cheese

Virtual Console returns to Wii this week with a fighting classic, plus there's some original 3DS Download Software and DSiWare too. Here's what you can look forward to downloading later today. Wii Virtual Console: Super Street Fighter II (Genesis, SEGA, 800pts) — The 16-bit scrapper reaches North America,...

Blocks, worms and Gnomz

There's a definite creative slant to this week's Nintendo Download, with 3DS and DSi owners able to make something for themselves. Here's what's available to download from 2pm this Thursday. 3DS Download Software: Block Factory (Enjoy Gaming, £3.60/€4) — A puzzle game in which you get to make your own variations on the...

Running wild with Pit

A very quiet week this week, with just two titles, one of which has been available through GameStop for a while. Here's what awaits. 3DS Download Software: 3D Classics: Kid Icarus (Nintendo, $5.99) — Pit's reimagined debut has been available exclusively through GameStop for a month now, but is finally opened up to everyone...

Colors!, Rush Rush, paid video and more

Europe gets its first taste of paid-for 3D video this week, alongside an art application and a WiiWare racer. Here's what's under starter's orders for this week. 3DS Download Software: Colors! 3D (Collecting Smiles, 231 blocks, £5.40/€6) — An excellent addition to the 3DS suite of creative tools, find out...

How a stray cat, a passion for classic gaming and a dream coalesced into a DSiWare delight

A little while back, a little gem appeared as if from a cloud of smoke onto the DSiWare service – Go! Go! Kokopolo, from young indie developer Tanukii Studios. In speaking with Keith Webb, the company's founder, we discovered that he was also its only member. Indeed, he occupied just about every imaginable..

Is continuing in Four Swords' footsteps the answer to the $0.99 download mentality?

As of last week, every DSiWare gamer can download The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition for free. This was originally a full retail title, now with added wireless connectivity, a new single-player mode and bonus levels. Compare that to Super Mario...