Dot Arcade

It's that time once again, North American gamers, for details of the Download Update delights heading to the region this week. The Wii U eShop is host to an intriguing Indie effort and some retro Namco goodies, while the 3DS welcomes a retail LEGO Ninjago title and some potentially iffy download-only games. There are also some discounts and demos, so let's get to the details.

Missed the European Download update earlier in the week? Take a deep breath, the details are all right here.

Wii U eShop

Dot Arcade (James Montagna, $4.99) - An intriguing retro-styled title which takes us back to the era of electronic games. Players essentially take control of dots on the screen; there are three separate games here but the only characterisation to distinguish them (aside from the rules, of course) are stylish illustrations either side of the playing area. The simple but colourful approach is promising, but we'll see how it stacks up in our review.

Wii U Virtual Console

Namco Museum (Bandai Namco, $6.99) A release that, in its own peculiar way, points to an alternative way to price Virtual Console games, this Game Boy Advance title delivers 5 retro arcade games with their original visuals — Ms. Pac-Man, Galaxian, Galaga, Pole Position and Dig Dug — and some fun customisation options. That said, its limited approach and the games included meant we only gave this a modest recommendation in our Namco Museum review.

Wii U eShop Temporary Discounts

Zen Pinball 2 South Park Table (Zen Studios, $2.49 until 2nd April, normally $4.99)

TNT Racers - Nitro Machines Edition (Keen Games, $4.99 until 9th April, normally $7.99)

Rock 'N Racing Off Road (EnjoyUp Games, $4.99 until 12th April, normally $5.99)

Wii U eShop Demo

LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham (Warner Bros., free)

3DS eShop

Jet Dog (Bigben Interactive, $7.99) - This appears to be an incredibly simplistic title in which you flick on the touch screen to catapult a variety of dogs through the air, with a range of unlockable accessories to help you go further. We'll see whether this is the 3DS' best friend or needs to go to the pound in our review.

My Pet School 3D (Treva Entertainment, $19.99) - Another pet sim arrives on the 3DS, in this case putting you in charge of caring for and training a range of small critters. This seems to have a decent range of features, but we'll see whether it's barking up the wrong tree in a review.

Titanic Mystery (Joindots, $4.99) - We have James Cameron and his all-star cast to thank, presumably, for the continuing range of Titanic-themed games on the 3DS. This one promises a range of puzzles and minigames, and reassuringly doesn't mention hidden objects once in its official description. We shall see.

3DS Retail Download

LEGO Ninjago: Shadow of Ronin (Warner Bros. Interactive, $29.99)

3DS eShop Temporary Discounts

Moon Chronicles DLC (Renegade Kid, 50% off until 2nd April)

Funfair Party Games (Joindots, on discount until 9th April)

3D Game Collection (Joindots, on discount until 9th April)

Murder on the Titanic (Joindots, on discount until 9th April)

3DS eShop Demo

Harvest Moon: The Lost Valley (Natsume, free)

3DS HOME Themes

NES: Samus Aran (Nintendo, $1.99)

NES: Pit (Nintendo, $1.99)

Etrian Mystery Dungeon (Atlus, $1.99)


That's your lot, North American gamers. Let us know what you'll be downloading in the poll and comments below.

What will you be downloading first this week? (274 votes)

  1. Dot Arcade (Wii U eShop)5%
  2. Namco Museum (Wii U Virtual Console)3%
  3. One of the Wii U eShop temporary discounts2%
  4. Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham (Wii U demo)6%
  5. Jet Dog (3DS eShop)  0%
  6. My Pet School 3D (3DS eShop)  0%
  7. Titanic Mystery (3DS eShop)  0%
  8. LEGO Ninjago: Shadow of Ronin (3DS retail download)1%
  9. One of the 3DS eShop temporary discounts4%
  10. Harvest Moon: The Lost Valley (3DS demo)10%
  11. One of the 3DS HOME Themes12%
  12. Nothing for me this week58%

Please login to vote in this poll.