Ready for action

After a few days of suspense — the release day of EU download details varies every week — we finally know what to expect in the Wii U, 3DS, DSi and Wii online stores this week. All four systems are accounted for, which should warm up any Nintendo gaming Europeans. Let's get to the details.

Wii U download software

Mighty Switch Force: Hyper Drive Edition (WayForward Technologies, €9.99 / £8.99) — This was a launch title in North America that thankfully hasn't taken too long to arrive on the European store. It features the same content as the original 3DS release, but also provides "hyper" editions for each level to double up the content. The 3DS title was already highly regarded, so this HD re-release with extra levels earned a glowing recommendation in our Mighty Switch Force: Hyper Drive Edition review.

LOVEFiLM (Free) — The Wii app arrived yesterday, and the promise of the Wii U version coming soon was certainly accurate. This will allow TV and film streaming on the system for subscribers, and a 30 day free trial is on offer at www.lovefilm.com/wiiu.

Wii U retail download

Funky Barn (Tantalus Media, €49.99 / £39.99) — It's a sandbox farming game with wacky contraptions that is, we can only assume, funky. This was a retail launch title in Europe, but will now join the ranks of downloadable retail titles on the eShop. We're currently mucking this one out ahead of a review.

3DS download software

The Denpa Men: They Came By Wave (Genius Sonority, €7.99 / £7.19) — This is a mix of RPG and AR (augmented reality) gaming, wrapped up in a rather surreal but incredibly charming package. It's a refined title with an excellent art style and music soundtrack, while the adventure itself will take even the quickest gamers around 15 hours to beat. You'll be looking for Denpa Men wherever you go, and we certainly recommend it in our The Denpa Men: They Came By Wave review.

2 Fast 4 Gnomz (QubicGames, €4.99 / £4.49) — This chaotic and whimsical runner made its début on WiiWare not too long ago, but was held back by the occasional flaw. This 3DS re-release aims to resolve those issues and, for the most part, does; this means you won't be struggling to discern background and foreground any more. It's a tough and wacky game that represents a decent download option, and you can read all about it in our 2 Fast 4 Gnomz review.

3DS Virtual Console

Wario Land 3 (Nintendo, €4.99 / £4.49) — As spotted be eagle-eyed readers and formally confirmed by Nintendo of Europe boss Satoru Shibata, Wario Land 3 has made an appearance as a surprise extra in this week's download update. This Game Boy Color title features plenty of platforming with a suitably wacky Wario twist; it's available now and we'll get cracking on a review soon.

3DS Virtual Console discount offers

Donkey Kong (Nintendo, €2.99 / £2.69 until 13th December) — While an initial impression may suggest that this Game Boy version of the arcade classic is a basic port of the arcade title. Once the initial stages are cleared, however, it expands to provide plenty of levels and fun puzzle platforming. With a 25% discount for the next week, now may be a good time to try this one out. If you need to know more, our Donkey Kong review awarded it 9/10 and may have some answers.

Donkey Kong Jr. (Nintendo, €3.49 / £3.19 until 13th December) — This NES title benefits from a 30% reduction, though still comes in at a higher price than the Game Boy title. It has its own style and can be fun in short bursts, but it's one retro title that doesn't necessarily stand up to modern standards. You can read what we thought in our Donkey Kong Jr. review.

3DS retail download

Paper Mario: Sticker Star (Nintendo, €44.99 / £39.99) — Available from 7th December, Mario's latest paper adventure finally arrives in Europe, bringing with it sticker weapons and quirky goings-on. While it may not necessarily be a memorable classic in some eyes, it's still a darn good video game — check out our Paper Mario: Sticker Star review for full details.

3DS retail DLC

New Art Academy (Nintendo, €1.99 / £1.79 per lesson) — Two new lessons are available to download from within the game this week.

  • Paint Like Van Gogh
  • Reflections

DSiWare

Christmas Wonderland 2 (Microvalue, 800 Points) — 'Tis the season for festive downloads, and Christmas Wonderland 2 looks set to follow in the footsteps of last year's Christmas Wonderland, with much of the play likely to involve hidden-objects, though some mini-games should be thrown in for good measure. We'll see whether this gives us a good time or brings out the inner Scrooge in our upcoming review.

Wii Virtual Console

The Last Blade 2 (D4 Enterprise, 900 Points) — It's Neo Geo, it's fighting, and there are 16 characters with swords and moves such as "Super Secret Slice". Wii Virtual Console veterans will have a good idea what to expect, but our The Last Blade 2 review awarded this one an impressive 9/10.

Nintendo Video

The 3D Machine Series (Ka-Ching Cartoons, €0.99 / £0.89 per episode) — Five episodes are available to download.

  • Episode 1: Attack of the Giant Lizard – In this episode a giant lizard causes chaos in a Japanese metropolis and it’s up to Igor and the professor to stop it in its tracks
  • Episode 2: Brain-Eating Aliens from Outer Space – The professor travels to the outer limits of space to try to save his trusty assistant from brain-eating aliens!
  • Episode 3: Web of Horror – The team travel deep into the jungle to thwart a terrifying tarantula
  • Episode 4: Mummy Mayhem – Take care near the Nile as a mummy runs amok in one of the ancient pyramids
  • Episode 5: Tentacles of Terror – Igor and the professor sink deep to the bottom of the ocean to terrorise the eight-tentacled sea monster that lurks beneath

The Incredible Barbazan (Living Colour Ent, €0.99 / £0.89) — These episodes have now had a small price reduction.

  • The Cabinet Of Fear
  • The Fire Juggler
  • The Human Cannonball
  • The Knife Thrower
  • Raging Bull
  • Up Your Sleeve

So there you have it, plenty of content to choose from on all Nintendo systems. Let us know which downloads will be depleting you funds in the poll and comments below.

What will you be downloading first this week? (96 votes)

  1. Mighty Switch Force: Hyper Drive Edition (Wii U eShop)16%
  2. Funky Barn (Wii U retail download)1%
  3. The Denpa Men: They Came By Wave (3DS eShop)35%
  4. 2 Fast 4 Gnomz (3DS eShop)2%
  5. Paper Mario: Sticker Star (3DS retail download)17%
  6. New Art Academy (3DS DLC)  0%
  7. Christmas Wonderland 2 (DSiWare)2%
  8. The Last Blade 2 (Wii Virtual Console)5%
  9. Nothing for me this week22%

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