Downloads News, Downloads Features

The fresh batch brings giant, talking, castle-impaling swords

It’s that time when Club Nintendo’s North American branch clears its shelf and refreshes its selection of downloadable rewards. Mario’s first foray into the RPG realm is up for the taking on the Wii Shop — which can also be redeemed via the Wii Mode on Wii U — as is a...

Clear your fridge of any loose bananas

Players looking to download Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D from the eShop in May should get a sizable SD card ready. We can confirm that the platformer, a remake of the Retro-developed Wii hit, weighs in at a hefty 17,693 blocks, making it one of the largest downloads in the eShop — for comparison Monster...

Analysts reveal new data at GDC

The digital distribution of games has grown substantially in recent years with an increasing number of titles finding themselves in the Nintendo eShop, PSN, Xbox Live Arcade and Steam. Analysts from NPD, iResearch and Digi-Capital presented data at this week's Game Developers Conference on the state of the global...

Do you download?

In moving from the Wii Shop and DSi Shop to the Wii U eShop and 3DS eShop, Nintendo has shown a desire to compete head on with the Xbox, PlayStation and Steam online marketplaces and offer full retail downloads. It's amazing to think that downloads from the Wii Shop were limited to a meagre maximum of 40MB, yet now we can download...

Adults, now you can browse whenever you want

It seems that the restriction on 18+ content on the Nintendo Wii U eShop — and 3DS eShop, it should be noted — has finally been lifted. Games rated PEGI 18 (USK 18 in Germany) were only accessible during certain hours each day, from 11pm in some European countries until 3am — only giving four hours...

Better start saving those pennies now

A listing for Rhythm Hunter: HarmoKnight has appeared on the US 3DS eShop, suggesting that the title will go on sale for $14.99 when it releases next month. The rhythm platforming game, developed by Game Freak (famous for the Pokémon games), is a download-only title for the system. While the US price point may...

Quick on the draw

Gunman Clive developer Bertil Hörberg has confirmed via his Twitter account that the 3DS eShop version of the game has now passed the Android edition in terms of units sold. We reported last month that the 3DS eShop version had outsold its iOS sibling, but the Android version was the clear leader. It's amazing that the Nintendo...

Quality streets

Wii U Panorama View remains one of the most impressive demonstrations of Wii U's potential: a collection of videos filmed with a special camera array so that you can look around 360 degrees and see the film from every possible angle by moving the GamePad. It's coming to the Wii U eShop at some point this year – at least in Japan...

When $200 of credit can't replace $400 of downloaded games

As we've spoken about before, Nintendo's current attitude to downloadable games leaves quite a bit to be desired. The Nintendo Network ID system introduced with the Wii U is a step in the right direction, but the fact that purchases remain tied to a single piece of hardware is, in this day...

Download it while it's hot

Trine 2: The Director's Cut has been updated in Europe by developer Frozenbyte. Frozenbyte confirmed the update was coming when we spoke to them last year, and more recently stated that it should be arriving this month. We can confirm that the update is now live in Europe, as we've just downloaded it to our

Tough times ahead?

The past twelve months have shown just how volatile the current market is for retailers. With the global recession taking its toll, several high street businesses are finding it difficult to compete. This week alone saw both HMV and Blockbuster slip into administration in the UK, putting thousands of jobs at risk. Video game...

Following Europe into digital realms

Last week, we revealed that Wii U slugfest Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage 2 would be only available as a digital download in Europe. Today, we've been told that the game will adopt the same distribution platform for North America. That means that Japan is only region to get a physical copy of the game -...

Nice and simple

Amazon has announced today that its video streaming service, Instant Video, has launched today for Wii consoles across the US. The app can be found in the Wii Shop Channel, and subscribers of the service will gain access to over 145,000 movies, TV shows and documentaries. Prime customers are able to watch over 30,000 of these videos...

Becomes first ever download-only Wii U retail title

Tecmo Koei’s Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage 2 is a 3D fighter that has you beating your way through countless hoards of enemies. The game is based on the popular manga series Fist of the North Star, which has been running in one form or another since 1983. The game is set to be released on...

Iwata reveals that smartphones have played a huge part in the game's success

Animal Crossing: New Leaf has become something of a smash hit in its native Japan; as of December, it has sold 2 million copies, becoming one of the most popular 3DS games yet and illustrating just how massive Nintendo's console is in the far east. Download sales haven't...

Meet the man who has shaped the face of Nintendo download gaming

Over the years WiiWare, DSiWare and the 3DS eShop have seen some critically-acclaimed 'indie' classics, such as the BIT.TRIP series, World of Goo, Mutant Mudds and more. Although he may not be a household name like Reggie Fils-Aime or Bill Trinen, Dan Adelman nevertheless plays a...

Growing up

We've already reported (and ranted) about the absurd mature content restrictions which impact the Wii U eShop in Europe. Games like ZombiU cannot be purchased outside of a four-hour window thanks to German law regardin

eShop release incoming for 3DS classic

Atlus' Code of Princess is getting a North American 3DS eShop release in January, as indicated by the game's eShop page. The 2D fighter/RPG hybrid launched at North American retail in October, and met with a positive response from critics and consumers alike. The game still hasn't made its way to Europe. As...

New game also in development at Pwnee

We reported last month that Wii U eShop title Cloudberry Kingdom wouldn't be available for download in the Wii U's launch month in Europe and North America. Developer Pwnee Studios has confirmed that the game - apparently set to be the Wii U's most insanely difficult download title - is now set for a March 2013...