3 D Space Harrier

It's Nintendo Download time again, North America, and this week brings a fairly diverse range of options. We have plenty of retro goodies on the Wii U eShop, reduced retro Mario on both Wii U and 3DS, revived SEGA classics on the 3DS as well as a tour of the iconic Louvre museum. Throw in some Pokémon shows alongside other downloads and there's plenty to choose from, so let's get to it.

Wii U Virtual Console

Contra III: The Alien Wars (Konami, $7.99) — A slightly odd arrival due to the fact that this title's NES predecessor is yet to blast onto the Wii U Virtual Console, but a welcome one nonetheless for those that enjoy some fast-paced bullet hell shooter action. We'll reassess this soon, but until then you can go all retro and read our Wii Virtual Console Contra III: The Alien Wars review.

Wii U Retail DLC

Pikmin 3 Mission Pack 3 (Nintendo, $4.99) — This wasn't in Nintendo's download list — and therefore missed our poll — but was nevertheless confirmed for a 2nd December release. It'll incorporate four ‘Collect Treasure’ stages and four ‘Battle Enemies’ levels, which will take in all-new environments. A software update will be required to access the DLC.

Wii U eShop Temporary Discounts

Mario Bros. (Nintendo, $3.49 until 5th December, normally $4.99)

Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo, $3.49 until 5th December, normally $4.99)

Super Mario Bros. 2 (Nintendo, $3.49 until 5th December, normally $4.99)

Super Mario World (Nintendo, $5.59 until 5th December, normally $7.99)

3DS eShop

3D Super Hang-On (SEGA, $4.99) — SEGA's 3D series of classic games finally kicks off, and this version looks set to take its lead from the excellent arcade original. This promises some classic racing action, and we'll see how it revs up — alongside that 3D effect — in our upcoming review.

3D Space Harrier (SEGA, $4.99) — This third-person on-rails shooter was an arcade classic that appeared on many consoles originally, blending intense action with some lovely sprite work. This certainly has the potential to look terrific in 3D, yet we'll see whether it lives up to rose-tinted reminiscences in our review, soon.

Nintendo 3DS Guide: Louvre (Nintendo, $19.99) — Announced in a Nintendo Direct video, this is an expanded version of the software that's served as the official Louvre museum guide in Paris since Spring 2012. We'll bring our impressions to you very soon. Available from 2nd December.

Race to the Line (Enjoy Gaming, $3.99) — This car racing game promises four types of competitions and challenges as well as unlockables, with Challenge, Time Attack and Two Player race modes included. It could be tempting at a budget price, but we'll see whether it gets off the starting line in our upcoming review.

Young Justice: Legacy (Little Orbit, $29.99) — This much-delayed title was in danger due to the cancellation of the related TV show (the Wii and Wii U versions bit the dust) and now eventually arrives as a download-only release. With the TV show off the air it's questionable how much demand there will be for this title, but we'll soon find out.

Pokémon: BW Rival Destinies (Nintendo, $TBC) — We're speculating slightly here, as we think these animated shows will be on the 3DS eShop, and they may be free. What we do know is that ten episodes will be available from today, with five more following every week up to 26th December. They will be available to watch until 4th January 2014.

3DS Virtual Console

Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom (Tecmo, $4.99) — Here's one to test your patience and endanger the safety of your 3DS, as the third super-hard Ninja Gaiden NES title kicks its way to the handheld. We'll see how strong our ninja gaming skills remain for a review, but until then you can learn more in our Wii Virtual Console Ninja Gaiden III review.

3DS Retail Download

My Exotic Farm (Bigben Interactive, $24.99)

3DS eShop Temporary Discounts

Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo, $3.49 until 5th December, normally $4.99)

Super Mario Bros. 2 (Nintendo, $3.49 until 5th December, normally $4.99)

Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins (Nintendo, $2.79 until 5th December, normally $3.99)

Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move (Nintendo, $6.99 until 5th December, normally $9.99)

3DS Retail Download Temporary Discount

Shin Megami Tensei IV (Atlus, $29.99 until 2nd December, normally $49.99)

DSiWare

Heathcliff: Spot On (Enjoy Gaming, 500 Nintendo Points) — This is a spot the difference game that rewards success with access to comic pages, boasting of 120 levels and mini-games after every block of ten. We'll see whether it is, indeed, spot on in our upcoming review.


That's everything for North America this week. Let us know what you plan to download in the poll and comments below.

What will you be downloading first this week? (251 votes)

  1. Contra III: The Alien Wars (Wii U Virtual Console)13%
  2. Mario Bros. (Wii U Virtual Console temporary discount)1%
  3. Super Mario Bros. (Wii U Virtual Console temporary discount)2%
  4. Super Mario Bros. 2 (Wii U Virtual Console temporary discount)1%
  5. Super Mario World (Wii U Virtual Console temporary discount)6%
  6. 3D Super Hang-On (3DS eShop)5%
  7. 3D Space Harrier (3DS eShop)16%
  8. Nintendo 3DS Guide: Louvre (3DS eShop)3%
  9. My Exotic Farm (3DS retail download)  0%
  10. Young Justice: Legacy (3DS eShop)  0%
  11. Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom (3DS Virtual Console)1%
  12. Super Mario Bros. (3DS Virtual Console temporary discount)1%
  13. Super Mario Bros. 2 (3DS Virtual Console temporary discount)2%
  14. Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins (3DS Virtual Console temporary discount)3%
  15. Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move (3DS Virtual Console temporary discount)5%
  16. Shin Megami Tensei IV (3DS retail download temporary discount)1%
  17. Heathcliff: Spot On (DSiWare)  0%
  18. Just the Pokemon shows for me8%
  19. Nothing for me this week33%

Please login to vote in this poll.