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It's Nintendo Download Update time once again, with this week's North American offerings bringing a mix of old and new treats. The Wii U Virtual Console catches up with a long-demanded Game Boy Advance title, while there's also some strategy, gallery shooting and more coming to the home console. The 3DS serves up both puzzles and simulation, while both systems have some discounts on the go too; let's get to the details.

Missed the European Nintendo Download Update? Fret not, the details are all right here.

Wii U eShop

Space Hulk (HR Games, $29.99) - This title is based on the Games Workshop board game of the same name, and involves clearing out derelict space ships of hostile alien forces through turn-based strategy. It's a PC port, and we'll put it to the test in a review.

Wicked Monsters Blast! HD Plus (Corecell Technology, $7.99) - This is a HD re-release of Wii retail title Wicked Monsters Blast, which takes the shooting gallery concept and spins it off into multiple mini-games and challenges. Although the idea is nice we felt that this one missed out in execution in our Wicked Monsters Blast! HD Plus review.

The Perplexing Orb (TreeFall Studios, $3.99) - The fourth release from this developer on the Wii U eShop, it's a title in which you roll and guide a ball through various courses; there are unlockables and local multiplayer to take on, too. We'll roll with it and bring you a review.

Near Earth Objects (Form Up Studios, $2.99) - A space shooter with a variety of single screen stages in which you tackle many, many waves of asteroids and other dangerous objects. You dodge and shoot, with this one featuring a "'90s Euro/rave-inspired soundtrack" and citing old CGA-style visuals (think early '80s) as a source of inspiration. We'll blast off and bring you a review.

Wii U Virtual Console

Metroid: Zero Mission (Nintendo, $7.99) - Very much a retooling / remaster of the original NES Metroid; it's certainly a lot more than a straight remake. At the time it won hearts for taking the source material and modernising it with updated controls, visuals, areas and general design - we loved it in our review of the European release.

Wii U eShop Temporary Discounts

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed (SEGA, on discount until 25th January)

Knytt Underground (Ripstone / Nifflas, $9.09 until 21st January, normally $12.99)

Spot the Differences: Party! (Sanuk Games, on discount until 21st January)

Cubemen 2 (Nnooo, $3.99 until 28th January, normally $7.99)

Family Tennis SP (Shin'en Multimedia, $3.74 until 4th February, normally $4.99)

Kung Fu Rabbit (Neko Entertainment, on discount until 28th January)

Puddle (Neko Entertainment, on discount until 28th January)

Kung Fu FIGHT! (Nostatic Software, $1.49 until 18th January, normally $1.99)

3DS eShop

Slice It! (Aksys Games, $5.99) - Developed by Arc System Works and COM2US, this looks like a promising puzzle game that'll suit those with strong visualisation skills. You use the stylus to slice up shapes in order to recreate smaller iterations, which should provide plenty of challenge across the promised 'hundreds' of stages. We'll get slicing for a review.

Lionel City Builder 3D: Rise of the Rails (Big John Games, $4.99) - This will place you in control of a train company, where you'll have to maintain trains, tracks and schedules in order to see a profitable bottom line. It'll feature in-game achievements, hundreds of items to build trains and cities with, and support for QR codes to share content with friends; we'll take to the rails to bring you a review.

3DS eShop Temporary Discounts

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed (SEGA, on discount until 25th January)

Code of Princess (Atlus, on discount until 25th January)

Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2: Record Breaker (Atlus, on discount until 25th January)

Kung Fu Rabbit (Neko Entertainment, on discount until 28th January)

Talking Phrasebook - 7 Languages (Sanuk Games, on discount until 21st January)

Fantasy Pirates (EnjoyUp Games, on discount until 11th February)

Toys vs. Monsters (EnjoyUp Games, on discount until 11th February)

3DS Demo

The Keep (Cinemax, free)


Nintendo has also confirmed the first week of its 'Winter Warm-Up Sale' deals which will run until 21st January - you can see those details right here.

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

What will you be downloading this week?

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