It's time for another Nintendo Download Update, and this week's North American offering has one (or two, depending on your point of view) huge arrivals at retail on the 3DS. Beyond that we have a fantastic Wii game available for download alongside a surprise N64 title, some promising Nindie efforts on both systems, a pleasant free surprise on 3DS and more besides. Let's get to it.
Missed the European Nintendo Download Update? Don't fret, the details are still right here.
Wii U eShop
Swap Fire (Midnight Status, $14.99 / CAD$19.99) - Described as a "Couch-Multiplayer/Puzzle-FPS", this isn't a conventional FPS. Shooting your opponent opens up a wormhole which swaps your positions, the aim then is to oust your opponent off the edge in Drop Zone or dominate the map in Control Point. We'll see whether it's on target in a review. Available from 18th November.
Exile's End (Marvelous USA/XSEED Games, $9.99 / CAD$12.99) - Here's one for those with retro sensibilities; billed as a "cinematic platformer" with a uniquely Japanese flair, this takes place on "a massive, interconnected laboratory and mining complex on a moody, lonely alien world", and expects the player to solve puzzles and overcome issues using a combination of weapons and other items. It has retro-style visuals and features music from composers prominent in the 8- and 16-bit eras; we'll bring you a review soon. Available from 22nd November.
Ohayou! Beginner's Japanese (Finger Gun Games, $4.99 / CAD$5.59) - This app aims to help users gain the building blocks for learning the language. The basic premise is that you use flash cards to learn and master Hiragana and Katakana characters, before tackling lessons to prove what you've learned.
Wii U Virtual Console
Wario Land: Shake It (Nintendo, $19.99 / CAD$28.19) - A title that arguably deserved greater commercial success when it originally launched, this is a stylish 2D platformer in which the Wii Remote's waggle is frequently put to use. Beyond that gimmick it has gorgeous hand-drawn visuals, and the brevity of its campaign should be less of an issue at its lower download price. We enjoyed it a lot in our original Wario Land: The Shake Dimension review.
Excitebike 64 (Nintendo, $9.99 / CAD$9.99) - Here's a turn up for the books, with the 3D sequel to the iconic NES game finally coming to the Virtual Console; it never arrived on the Wii store, perhaps due to licensing issues with brands in the game. Whatever the reasons, this includes 20 tracks to take on and the ability to race friends or create your own courses. We'll rev up and get a review to you soon.
3DS Retail Download
Pokémon Sun and Moon (Nintendo, $39.99 / CAD$49.99 per version) - It's finally time, as the Pokémon series kicks off an all-new generation on the 3DS. These entries deliver some hugely significant changes to the franchise, from adjustments to story progression to new features that'll freshen up the competitive scene. We gave this a storming recommendation in our Pokémon Sun and Moon review. Available from 18th November.
3DS eShop
Swapdoodle (Nintendo, free with optional paid DLC) - Here's a nice treat, a free app that allows you to share 'doodles' with '3DS friends'; this includes online sharing, but only with 'registered' friends. 3D doodles will be possible, as are multiple pen colours and lessons based on franchises such as Splatoon. Some content will be locked behind paid add-ons.
Touch Battle Tank - Tag Combat (CIRCLE Entertainment, $3.99 / CAD$5.59) - A 3D tank battle game, and not the first in this series, and this time it introduces local multiplayer and a whole lot of new stages. New tank types include 'warping' ones, and 90 stages are promised.
3DS HOME Themes
Pokémon Sun & Pokémon Moon – Tropical – Available from 18th November.
Pokémon Solgaleo / Lunala – Available from 18th November.
As always discounts and deals in North America will be posted on the official website and the eShop; confirmed discounts include Totem Topple, Goosebumps: The Game and Disney Frozen: Olaf's Quest.
That's everything for this week's Nintendo Download Update in North America. Let us know what you plan to download in the poll and comments below.
Comments 88
You are as spoilt as us in Europe this week. In fact more so, as you have Pokemon Sun and Moon.
I'll be trying out SwapDoodle for sure.
May give Excitebike 64 another spin. What little I played of it seemed really good!
Probably pick up both Pokemons for my son's. They seem really interested.
Nice rounded out week. Glad for Excite Bike 64, finally... and already have Sun predownloaded just waiting for the 9:00p.m. unlock time out here in the west coast.
Just physical Pokemon Sun for me this week.
Excitebike "SNES" eh?
@Menchi187 Ah, whoops. SNES on the brain, clearly.
Will NA ever get Mario kart or star fox 64?
And did renegade kid or whatever they became drop plans on dementium 2?
Wow good week......I haven't been checking NintendoLife regularly lately and all of a sudden there are a bunch of articles to read......clearly I need to get my priorities straightened up
This thumbnail hurts my heart. Please stop ...
What a terrible week...😉
Pokemon Sun retail and maybe Moon digitally. Getting the themes and the free Doodle app. I have four copies of Pokemon coming to me since I have three kids interested in the game. if not Moon then I'm getting Animal Crossing since I have to wait until Monday to get two of the copies of Pokemon.
@ThomasBW84 Can't fault that, the best NIntendo console ever made after all
I'll be picking up the physical version of Pokemon Sun tomorrow with a few of my friends simply because it's cheaper than getting it digitally.
Swapdoodle and excitebike for me!
Excitebike 64 for CERTAIN... definitely Swapdoodle and the third might end up being Exile's End if it turns out cool-- never heard it it until now but sounds cool
Can I reiterate.. EXCITEBIKE 64.. WHAAATTTTT???!! YES!!!
I can only vote for Sun/Moon once!!!!!
I actually don't know if I'll be downloading it or going retail quite yet.
EDIT: Oh look at that, Wario Land: Shake It. I haven't played that one yet. Gah, too many games, too little money.
What a great week for you guys. Spoilt for choice
My gosh. Just got the NES Mini last week, which is awesome. Now Sun tomorrow and I want Excitebike 64. It's like they either release absolutely nothing for a month or two, or like 4 things all at once
I might impulse buy wario land. Really did like that game but I'm trying to not spend money...
Oh wow, Excitebike 64 is an unexpected surprise! Of course I own it on N64 already but still cool that they added it to VC. Tonight at midnight I will be getting my physical copy of Pokemon Sun which will have be occupied for several weeks
Might give Excitebike 64 a go seeing as I never played it at the time
I bet the controls in Excitebike 64 (becuase of the Wii U Emulation) will make the game unplayable! Let the Miiverse complaints roll in!
I may change my mind and download the Pokemon game but most likely I will wait and see if anything goes on sale next week on Black Friday. I have a $50 eshop card burning a hole in my pocket but I'm going to be patient. If I don't see anything I like next week on sale, I'll most likely get either Pokemon or Fire Emblem.
Getting Sun. Already spoiled myself, but I'm still very excited.
Nice surprise with Excitebike 64. I'll grab it and probably Pokémon physical. This is the way it should be done on VC. If they're gonna give us a game that can be played physically on current-gen systems (Wii on Wii-U and DS on 3DS) then they need to at least have one other game on offer that is for a discontinued system.
Holy cow, they've remembered they have an N64 catalog!
Swapdoodle and Pokemon Moon digitally for me. Maybe one of the themes if it's good.
Part of me wanted Pokemon Moon physically for the free goods and the midnight launch event at Nintendo NYC, but I'm fighting that urge thinking of the gameplay long run.
Pokemon Moon for me.
On the GameStore it says SwapDoodle is "available now" but I can't find any download buttons on the eShop or the GameStore...
@Xaessya This must be the work of an enemy Stand!
Until tomorrow in NA, merely accessing the Festival Plaza for local wifi multiplayer, even without connecting online, is enough to get flagged for an NNID and ConsoleID ban the next time one connects online, either using NNID, or the eShop. (Even if you don't have wifi turned on, just to take a look at it.)
So for anyone who wants to play Sun & Moon early, stay away from the Festival Plaza until tomorrow.
Yay!!! Pokemon Sun and Moon Home Themes!!!
My god... It's almost time!
Glad to see another N64 title. I was afraid they abandoned N64 emulation on Wii U.
Gonna check out the swapdoodle thing, a bit low on content this time around, and I really don't like the "check out the website for the sales" thing they do now.
Wario Land Shake It is underrated if way too short though, check it out wii u owners.
Anybody know if you can play Shake It with the Gamepad alone? Or maybe with the Pro Controller (would be perfect...)?
Usually, Nintendo fans have strong feelings one way or the other about some Nintendo games, but it seems like the more "realistic" sports game like Wave Race, 1080, and especially Excitebike 64 always seem to sit in a neutral zone (never greatly praised or heavily panned).
On a separate note, my hype for Pokemon S/M is quickly building by the hour! Can't wait to pick up my copy at my local GameStop's midnight release!
Just when I thought only Pokemon Puzzle League and Smash Bros were the only N64 games left we could get (Carried over fron the Wii line up. Orge Battle 64 and Bomberman Hero are up to the third parties.), they go ahead with a brand new one.
Could this mean other N64 games getting a VC debut? Maybe Pilotwings 64 at last?
Wario Land: Shake It!? YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@wiggleronacid really since its the same price lol
@PlywoodStick I hope Nintendo has somebody awake at the switch at midnight b/c I believe some stores are having midnight openings. Would be bad publicity if 30,000 people got banned just after midnight. Though it wouldn't surprise me.
Good week! Two virtual console games I want AND Pokémon??
FINALLY! Excitebike 64!
@Angelic_Lapras_King Pilotwings 64, love that game, would be nice to get a 60hz version. PAL had awful borders
Touch Battle Tank sounds promising.
Waiting on a review for Pokemon. Totally going to depend on the online for me.
Sun out for delivery right now. The hype is real.
@Slim1999 It's been $31.99 on Amazon and Toys R Us. It's also that price at Best Buy with gamers club unlocked.
swapdoodle=swapnote successor?
Physical copy of Sun for me! Just one more day!
Wario Land Shake It! is definitely an underrated game. I would even say it would make it in my top ten favorite Wii games.
I am intrigued by Excitebike 64 being playable with just a Wiimote according to the Nintendo site. Might be worth it to have another game to play with the kids.
I feel so empty.
I will get Swapdoodle since it's free. I haven't drawn for a long time now though.
@argh4430 Besides the return of Swapnotes, Excitebike 64, a pretty good platformer, and, of course, Sun & Moon, I would say it's a pretty terrible week as well.
Major sarcasm if you couldn't tell.
I marked Sun/Moon since I'm getting Sun physically, but it'll be a bit before I can play it.
I'm passing on the Wario Land: Shake It! download as I was able to find a new retail copy of the game a while back, though I haven't played it yet. If it's anything like previous Wario Land entries, I'm sure it'll be a blast!
@Ootfan98 Yeah, it could happen if the VC teams are not too busy getting the Switch VC ready. Honestly think we could see Smash Bros for Xmas but then we also have Puzzle League still waiting to be rereleased....
Hell yeah, Excitebike 64! Loved that game. If only that one were remade into an online game... I usually don't rebuy games I once owned and played, but this one might get special treatment.
@Whopper744 Well the key thing to note is the end of first party retail Wii U games. While NoE did fantastic with the VC earlier on in the Wii U's lifespan, NoA saved a lot for the transition period to Switch (i.e. the 5 months between Color Splash's launch and Switch's launch).
I never even played Excitebike 64 despite the fact that I love all of the other Excite games, and that I am a huge fan of motocross games in general. This is definitely on my list to buy.
Wario Land: Shake is sweet, but I already have it.
I will also check out Swapdoodle since it is free.
Excitebike 64 was one of the best quality games on N64. Really hope this make it to the UK eShop soon.
I've still got it for my N64 but would love it in 60Hz with my collection on the Gamepad
@Menchi187 eh? Who's mentioned SNES?
Guess I'll finally learn Japanese this week.
@AG_Awesome When RK closed, Jools took the 2D properties to Atooi, and Greg took the 3D properties to Infinitizmo (I think that's the name). I'm sure Dementium 2 is still planned.
It's my birthday today!!!!!!!
@PanurgeJr Thanks, I couldn't remember which company was which. I really hope he is still going to release it. That was my fav handheld FPS ever. Once Dementium 1 and MOON both got remastered I couldn't wait for 2 but the wait has been painful.
So....are the DS games done with then?
@Mega_Yarn_Poochy I know, I guess my smiley didn't show it, lol.
Also, somone had to say it.
@DESS-M-8 Article originally said excitebike was an iconic SNES game until I pointed it out. Then it was changed.
finally mother 3!!!
OMG Excitebike 64 finally! Hope it's coming to Europe soon. The best racing game on the N64.
...and I hope it'll be followed by releases of ExciteTrucks and ExciteBots.
i've seen wario land: shake it at my local used dvd store for about half the price so i'll either get that or wait for a sale (for gamepad functionality)
$10 for Excitebike 64, a game that normally retails for $.99 on the N64? What a ripoff!
Huh, didn't even know there was such a thing as Excitebike 64
Excitebike 64 is great!!! (where are the turbografx games?)
I've bought every Pokémon game release since 2004, and a few older ones too. But the ones coming out this week...ugh, they finally strayed too far from what Pokémon is to me and I cancelled my preorder after seeing the latest videos. I'm totally not interested anymore
I might try beginning japanese
I'm thinking of breaking into the Wario Land series, any recommendations on what's the 'must play' titles of the series?
I guess no Pokémon for @Christmas this year, eh?
(Gotta say I'm the opposite; the changes to the formula mean I'm preordering a Pokémon game for the first time ever; time will tell if that was a good or bad decision, lol)
Pokemon moon for me!
@World the funny thing is, I played RPG's all thru the 80s, 90s, etc and then stuff like final fantasy 7 came out and wowed everyone with these fancy new graphics, then it seemed like all RPG's had to follow suit. Along came Pokémon and it was so delightfully old school and that's what made me love it so much. I played Pokémon games specifically for that reason all these years. So now that they have been pulling away from the old style (and that really started from X/Y but has gotten extreme now), it's just erased the whole reason why I played. It's kind of a bummer in a way but it's alright, maybe the people like yourself who hadn't enjoyed the previous style much will really love Pokémon games now!
@Christmas
Don't worry about the new style of Pokemon started from X/Y. If you concerned about the graphic style, X/Y offered very improved 3D rendering, a bit Cell Shading and better to watch. I think the changes doesn't really sacrifice the old school gameplay. Well, try to embrace. I'm gonna try Pokemon Sun and rebuy Pokemon X after I sold 2 years ago.
Played...too...much...Pokémon. Must...lie...down.
Beside the obvious Pokemon hype, I encourage everyone who at least liked Wario Land 2, 3, and/or 4 to try Shake It. It's my favorite Wii game by far and I too believe it's quality is underestimated at the time it came out. Effective and fair gameplay, beautiful hand drawn graphics and animations with so many frames, I don't think other games have done hand drawn graphics that smooth before! Also, the catchy soundtrack is done by the same who did Yoshi's Woolly World. Just read NL's review for the details.
Why do I feel as if the 3 turbographx 16 games (all released by konami) were a test to see how they'd do here in the states? What else could it be being Japan has what almost 60 T-16 titles to choose from?? Also anyone notice the upgrade fee was the highest ever? That's called Konami greed folks!!
@Christmas Aw yeah, I see your point. But yeah, here's hoping I like it anyway!
I was just thinking last week , "If they do make an N64 Classic Mini, they better put EXCITEBIKE 64 on it!" At least I get to play it early!
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