DKCountry

We suspect this week's Nintendo Download Update for North America will be rather popular with retro and Rare fans, making up for Nintendo of America's slight delay in issuing the details. Alongside these Rare classics are some attractive new download options on both systems, too - let's get right to the details.

Missed the European Nintendo Download Update details earlier in the week? That was daft! Don't worry, you can still see all the details right here.

Wii U eShop

GravBlocks+ (From Nothing Game Studios, $4.99) - This is a block-falling puzzle game that aims to apply a twist with gravity-based mechanics and hazards. There are five modes and a promised 150 puzzles, so this is certainly trying to distinguish itself from similar downloads; we'll keep our feet on the ground to bring you a review.

Wii U Virtual Console

Donkey Kong Country (Nintendo, $7.99) — One of the all-time classic platformers, this title from Rare made stars of DK, Diddy Kong and Cranky Kong, while using graphical technology that was mind-blowing in the 16-bit era. We argue that it's barely aged a day, as a gaming experience, in our Donkey Kong Country review.

Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (Nintendo, $7.99) — The second home console DK entry from Rare, this one puts you in charge of Diddy Kong as you seek to rescue the captured DK; it provides more of the attractive visuals and gameplay that made the first title so hugely popular. We couldn't say enough positive things about this in our Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest review.

Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble (Nintendo, $7.99) — The final game of this series on the Super NES, now the Kremlings have managed to kidnap both DK and Diddy, leaving the rescuing down to Dixie and Kiddy. Aside from expanding the cast once again, this also throws in two-player team play and contests; this didn't thrill us quite as much as previous entries but is still rather good, as explained in our Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble review.

Wii U eShop Temporary Discount

Angry Bunnies: Colossal Carrot Crusade (Cypronia, on discount until 31st March)

Cake Ninja 3: The Legend Continues (Cypronia, on discount until 31st March)

TNT Racers - Nitro Machines Edition (Keen Games, $4.99 until 5th March, normally $7.99)

Toon Tanks (Petite Games, $1.49 until 12th March, normally $1.99)

Wii U eShop Permanent Discounts

How to Train Your Dragon 2 (Little Orbit, reduced from 1st March)

Adventure Time: The Secret of the Nameless Kingdom (Little Orbit, reduced from 1st March)

3DS eShop

IronFall Invasion (VD-Dev, free, $9.99 for Campaign or Multiplayer individually, $19.98 for both) - This action-shooter was produced by a small studio of three and aims to fil a notable gap in the eShop's line-up - it utilises the c-stick on the New Nintendo 3DS (or Circle Pad Pro on older models) while it includes local and online multiplayer modes for up to six alongside a single player campaign. We gave this a reasonable recommendation in our IRONFALL Invasion review, and you can learn more about it in our interview with developers VD-Dev.

Titan Attacks! (Curve Digital, $9.99) - Previously on PSN, this is a modern spin on the classic Space Invaders formula with 100 levels, boss fights, multiple environments and the option to earn in-game credit and buy power-ups for your ship - online leaderboards are also thrown in. We've enjoyed this and its chunky, colourful pixels on other systems, but we'll see how it stacks up on 3DS in our review.

3DS Virtual Console

Donkey Kong Land (Nintendo, $3.99) — The DK theme continues as this Game Boy platformer makes its Virtual Console début; this title was also developed by Rare and followed the arrival of Donkey Kong Country, incorporating the same basic principles onto the humble 8-bit handheld. We enjoyed this a lot in our Donkey Kong Land review.

Donkey Kong Land 2 (Nintendo, $3.99) — This has the same storyline as the second Donkey Kong Country title arriving on Wii U this week, but (like its predecessor) provided all new levels in its Game Boy guise. This is very similar to its SNES equivalent, and made less of an impact on us in our Donkey Kong Land 2 review.

Donkey Kong Land III (Nintendo, $3.99) — Completing the Rare portable trilogy in this iconic series, this ia absolutely packed with content that defied its humble 8-bit origin. This is also, in our view, the best of the Donkey Kong Land Game Boy trilogy; you can see why in our Donkey Kong Land III review.

3DS Retail Download

Luv Me Buddies Wonderland (O2 Games, $24.99)

Donkey Kong eShop Promotion

Buy any of this week's Donkey Kong Country or Donkey Kong Land Virtual Console games and get 30% off Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze and Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D, valid until 3rd March.

3DS eShop Temporary Discounts

3D MahJongg (Joindot, on discount until 13th March)

Aqua Moto Racing 3D (Zordix AB, $3.99 until 5th March, normally $7.99)

3DS eShop Permanent Discounts

How to Train Your Dragon 2 (Little Orbit, reduced from 1st March)

Adventure Time: The Secret of the Nameless Kingdom (Little Orbit, reduced from 1st March)

Van Helsing sniper Zx100 (EnjoyUp Games, $2.99, was $6.66)

3DS HOME Themes

NES Donkey Kong (Nintendo, $1.99)

Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate: Hunter's Seal (Nintendo, $1.99) - Available from 28th February

Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate: Palicoes 4 Ever (Nintendo, $1.99) - Available from 28th February

DSiWare

Around the World in 80 Days (DSiWare, 500 Nintendo Points) — When a fresh DSiWare title appears you can be sure that's it's either a match-3 title or hidden object game. This is the former, and with a bit of storyline and plenty of puzzles isn't a bad effort; you can learn more about it in our Around the World in 80 Days review.


More discounts will be listed on the official eShop Offers web page.

That's everything, North American download fans. Let us know what you'll be downloading in the comments and poll below.

What will you be downloading first this week? (278 votes)

  1. GravBlocks+ (Wii U eShop)1%
  2. Donkey Kong Country (Wii U Virtual Console)25%
  3. Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (Wii U Virtual Console)14%
  4. Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble (Wii U Virtual Console)4%
  5. One of the Wii U eShop temporary discounts  0%
  6. One of the Wii U eShop permanent discounts  0%
  7. IRONFALL Invasion (3DS eShop)18%
  8. Titan Attacks! (3DS eShop)1%
  9. Donkey Kong Land (3DS Virtual Console)6%
  10. Donkey Kong Land II (3DS Virtual Console)1%
  11. Donkey Kong Land III (3DS Virtual Console)1%
  12. Luv Me Buddies Wonderland (3DS retail download)  0%
  13. One of the Donkey Kong promotion discounts2%
  14. One of the 3DS eShop temporary discounts1%
  15. One of the 3DS eShop permanent discounts  0%
  16. One of the 3DS HOME Themes5%
  17. Around the World in 80 Days (DSiWare)  0%
  18. Nothing for me this week20%

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