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It's Monday, which isn't necessarily nice, but we have the Nintendo Download news for Europe, which is nice. Brightening up our early week blues is a fresh batch of goodies, and this week it's all about Nintendo's current generation of hardware; sorry, DSi and Wii fans. There are some big hitters arriving, and a free demo that we think quite a few will enjoy on 3DS. Let's get to the details.

Wii U Virtual Console

Kirby's Dream Course (Nintendo, €7.99 / £5.49) — This is the US version of the game. It's golf, Kirby style, with the pink one being a ball that can take out enemies and absorb abilities en-route to the cup. The crazy golf approach is also fun with a friend in multiplayer, and we felt the whole experience was worth recommending in our Wii Virtual Console Kirby's Dream Course review. We'll take to the course again for a fresh look.

Kirby Super Star (Nintendo, €7.99 / £5.49) — This is the US version of the game. Kirby's big Dream Land adventure on the Super NES, this is typical of the fun, imaginative platforming that the franchise offers. This does shake it up with a number of smaller games, as opposed to one long adventure, but the top-notch design, tight controls and colourful visuals make it work. We'll be reviewing on Wii U soon, but in the meantime you can check out our Wii Virtual Console Kirby Super Star review.

Limited Time Wii U Virtual Console Promotion

Kirby's Dream Course (Nintendo, €5.59 / £3.79 if you've bought Kirby's Adventure on the Wii U eShop — valid until 30th May)

Kirby Super Star (Nintendo, €5.59 / £3.79 if you've bought Kirby's Adventure on the Wii U eShop — valid until 30th May)

Wii U Retail Downloads

Resident Evil Revelations (Capcom, €49.99 / £39.99) — Arriving on 24th May, this is the HD re-release of the terrific 3DS title, with improved visuals and some subtle tweaks to the formula. There's a free demo to try until it lumbers around the corner, and we're currently slaying plenty of ooze to bring you a review before release.

LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes (Warner Bros., €49.99 / £39.99) — This full-fat HD version of the title — released last year on PS3 and Xbox 360 — features an open-world environment to explore, along with the usual LEGO super hero shenanigans that we've come to expect. This Wii U version will include off-TV play on the GamePad, as well as separate screen multiplayer. Available from 24th May.

3DS eShop

Swords & Soldiers 3D (CIRCLE Entertainment, €7.00 / £5.90) — After earning plenty of fans and plaudits on WiiWare, this one arrives on 3DS with the same content but ready for battle on the go, with stylus controls replacing the good-old Wii Remote pointer. It sounds like it should be a winner, but it lacks local multiplayer and faces a litany of issues. It's a disappointing result considering the original's pedigree, as our Swords & Soldiers 3D review explains.

Air Battle Hockey 3D (Agetec Inc, €4.99 / 4.49) — This is pretty much what the title suggests, a three dimensional take on Pong-style gameplay, where two players bat a ball back and forth. It's a thoroughly competent, inoffensive effort, albeit one that's more likely to be fun with a second player. Our Air Battle Hockey 3D review has all of the details.

Groove Heaven (Teyon, €3.99 / 3.59) — The 3DS has fared well with music rhythm games, and now Teyon steps into the fray. The story has a character called Rhymi delivering a letter to an angel atop a tower, but ultimately this is likely to be all about completing plenty of rhythm challenges to progress. We'll find our groove to bring you a review, soon.

3DS Retail Downloads

Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D (Nintendo, €39.99 / £34.99) — The Wii original may only be a few years old, but this port is a natural fit to make the most of the 3DS and its stereoscopic screen. While it doesn't quite match the buttery smoothness of the Wii original, this is a strong conversion of a truly exceptional platformer, so should be a serious candidate for your cash. If you want the full lowdown check out our Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D review

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars 3D (Ubisoft, €19.99 / £17.99) — This was, for our money, one of the stand-out titles on launch day for the 3DS, combining turn-based strategy with solid mechanics, a decent story and an impressive amount of content. Impeccably structured, this can happily devour many hours and is well worth consideration now that it's dropped onto the eShop at a reduced price; check out our Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars 3D review for the lowdown.

3DS eShop Discount

The Denpa Men: They Came By Wave (Genius Sonority, €6.39 / £5.69 until 30th May, normally €7.99 / £7.19)

3DS Demo

Project X Zone (Namco Bandai, free) — This wacky mash-up of Namco Bandai, Capcom and SEGA characters has certainly had us intrigued and excited for a good while, and now we can try it for ourselves in this demo. Time for some cross-universe brawling, and as it's free there's really no reason not to try it out.

Rabbids Rumble (Ubisoft, free) — Although this one arrived in stores last year, a demo of this mini-game collection now arrives for your amusement.


Plenty to choose from on 3DS and Wii U this week, mixing the old with the new. Let us know what you plan to download in the poll and comments below.

What will you be downloading first this week? (177 votes)

  1. Kirby's Dream Course (Wii U Virtual Console)6%
  2. Kirby Super Star (Wii U Virtual Console)21%
  3. Resident Evil Revelations (Wii U retail download)3%
  4. LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes (Wii U retail download)4%
  5. Swords & Soldiers 3D (3DS eShop)1%
  6. Air Battle Hockey 3D (3DS eShop)  0%
  7. Groove Heaven (3DS eShop)1%
  8. Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D (3DS retail download)10%
  9. Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars 3D (3DS retail download)2%
  10. The Denpa Men: They Came By Wave (3DS eShop temporary discount)5%
  11. Just a free demo or two for me37%
  12. Nothing for me this week11%

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