Just keep firing

Nintendo is on the ball this week Europe, sending sweet download news our way as we awake from our slumber. The list this week is a rather small one, but the mix of new, old and revamped old franchises arguably represents quality over quantity. The goodies for 3DS and Wii are below; sorry Wii U and DSi fans...

3DS eShop

Nano Assault EX (Shin'en Multimedia, €14.99 / £12.49) — Every week a number of the Nintendo Life community responds to the download update with "where's Nano Assault EX?", in increasingly anguished tones. Well it arrives this week (while still leaving North Americans to keep asking), and perhaps reflects its status as an expanded version of a retail title with one of the eShop's highest prices. We expect a lot of action packed virus blasting in pretty 3D, and while we get to grips with this new entry you can check out our strong recommendation of the retail original in our Nano Assault review.

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3DS Virtual Console

Legend of the River King (Natsume, €4.99 / £4.49) — Long before Natsume gave us virtual fishing on the Wii with plenty of old-fashioned Wii Remote waggling, it was mastering the combination of fishing and RPG adventure on much more modest technology, such as the Game Boy Color. In the quest to catch a rare fish to save your sister's life, you'll take on tough fishing spots, trade your wares and raise some fish in quiet moments. It sounds as heavy as a full-grown bass to us, but we'll dig out our waders for a review soon.

3DS Retail Download

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate (Konami, €44.99 / £39.99) — Available alongside the physical retail release on 8th March, the first portable Castlevania title of this generation finally lands on 3DS, bringing with it a stronger focus on combat and attractive 3D visuals, alongside the usual dose of exploration. We're working on a review right now, and until this one arrives you can try out the free demo on the eShop or check out our interview with the game's producer, Dave Cox. If you're in the UK, meanwhile, you're running out of time to win a copy of the game in our competition, so don't delay.

Wii Virtual Console

Metal Slug 4 (D4 Enterprise, 900 Nintendo Points) — The fifth in the iconic run and gun series — despite the title — this, like its predecessors, is unlikely to ever be described as the Citizen Kane of gaming. You run, you shoot stuff, and it explodes. That's not a bad thing, however, as this franchise is renowned for colourful graphics and excellent music; it may not innovate the series, but this entry earned a solid recommendation in our Metal Slug 4 review.

So there you have it, a varied mix of goodies on offer for both 3DS and Wii. Let us know which will deprive you of funds in the poll and comments below.

What will you be downloading first this week? (171 votes)

  1. Nano Assault EX (3DS eShop)27%
  2. Legend of the River King (3DS Virtual Console)12%
  3. Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate (3DS Retail Download)11%
  4. Metal Slug 4 (Wii Virtual Console)4%
  5. Nothing for me this week46%

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