3DS eShop - News
December2016
Video Check Out The Opening Salvos Of Tank Troopers On Nintendo 3DS
Lock and load
Tank Troopers was something of a surprise announcement during 2016, with Nintendo showing it off for the first time in September's Nintendo Direct broadcast. The game isn't out until next year in the west, but it launched today in Japan for 800 Yen and our friend NintenDaan has duly recorded some footage. While the game's focus is...
News Pic-a-Pix Color Will Brighten Up Picross-Style Challenges on Wii U and 3DS
Try for free in Lightwood Games' interactive Holiday card
There are various ways to announce games, but we want to doff our festive hats to Lightwood Games for its latest approach. It's announced Pic-a-Pix Color for the Wii U and 3DS eShop, out in 2017 with more details to come in January, and has given us all a chance to try it out. The concept is...
Nintendo Download 22nd December (Europe)
Shantae: Half-Genie Hero! Picross e7! Discounts galore! More!
Another week begins, but it's a little bit more special as the festive season is just around the corner. The European Nintendo Download update promises a notable Wii U release along with plenty more besides, including more Picross, downloadable videos and another ridiculously long list of...
Nintendo Download 15th December (North America)
Super Mario Run! Excitebots! Picross! My Nintendo discounts! More!
It's that time again, dear readers, for the Nintendo Download update. This week Nintendo of America is cheekily mentioning the latest mobile release (gasp!), but also has some tempting new arrivals and discounts on the Wii U and 3DS eShop stores. Let's get right to it. Missed the...
News Picross e7 Launches in North America Tomorrow
European release is next week
The Picross series has always been a reliable portable offering from Nintendo, providing relaxing, thought provoking puzzle gameplay. It seems that Jupiter Corporation—the development studio—has really doubled down this generation, as we've so far received six Picross e games along with Zelda and Pokémon spinoffs,...
News Mini Golf Resort Will Bring Serious Sport to 3DS on 22nd December
Fore (because Golf, see?) dollars and 99 cents in the US
There are some key genres that largely skip Nintendo hardware - sports games are certainly in that mix. But fear not, 3DS fans, as Mini Golf Resort will help to scratch that itch soon - it's coming out on 22nd December in North America ($4.99 in the US), and is aiming for Europe in early 2017...
News 3DS eShop Title Johnny Dynamite Hitting Europe in Updated Form
18 months in the making
Despite being developed in the UK, 3DS eShop title Johnny Dynamite still hasn't been released in Europe - but that's about to change. Ian James of developer Twofivesix has gotten in touch to tell us a little more about the release in Europe this week, 18 months after the game arrived in North America. The plan was for Enjoy...
Nintendo Download 15th December (Europe)
Minecraft Complete Story! Pikmin 2! Teslapunk! Loads of discounts!
The European Nintendo Download Update details arrived a little later than normal, giving us a look at what to expect this week. It's a packed line-up, with lots of Minecraft storytelling, a well-regarded Wii re-release of a GameCube sequel, a number of 'Nindie' titles, discounts...
News Mercenaries Saga 3: Gray Wolves of War Adding More Budget RPG Action to 3DS Soon
Arriving in North America on 15th December
The 3DS has been a wonderful machine for RPG fans, with games of various sizes, styles and prices arriving on the system. The eShop has played its part, often with low-priced efforts that can nevertheless be rather fun. The Mercenaries Saga series has been a decent example, and we quite enjoyed its first...
News Inchvilles Crowdfunding Campaign Goes Live, 3D Printed Figure Pricing Revealed
A twist on toys to life
A few days ago we reported on Inchvilles, a new take on the toys-to-life concept which allows you to 3D print your own characters for use in-game. Developer Moragami has now put the game's crowdfunding site live, and has also released a new trailer which not only shows off some gameplay, but also gives some detail on the...
Review Unlucky Mage (3DS eShop)
Ill-fated Illusionist
From Dragon Quests and Shin Megami Tenseis to Pokémon and Fire Emblems, the 3DS is an RPG powerhouse. It's a testament to the eShop's offerings, however, that those famous names are flanked by a flurry of mid-tier RPGs of every persuasion, some of which are certainly worthy of your time. Kemco has been a prolific publisher in...
Nintendo Download 8th December (North America)
Metroid Other M! Fire Emblem Shadow Dragon! Demon's Crest! Teslapunk! More!
It's that time again, dear readers, for the North American Nintendo Download Update. This week brings a few new download-only titles to the Wii U and New 3DS eShop platforms, along with some varied and tempting Virtual Console options. With a couple of themes and a...
Nintendo Download 8th December (Europe)
Excitebike 64! Retail DLC! Discounts! More!
Another week begins, and the European Download Update details are available to show what's on the way to the eShop in the coming days. There's a promising Virtual Console release, a whole lot of DLC for recent retail releases and more besides, so let's get to it. Wii U VIrtual Console: Excitebike 64...
News 3D-Printed Toys-To-Life Title Inchvilles Coming To Nintendo 3DS
Nintendo Switch being considered, too
Hungarian studio Moragami has announced that it is bringing a new kind of toys-to-life experience to the Nintendo 3DS eShop. Inchvilles - so-called because the toys are an inch tall - is a 3D action platformer in which you must use your wits to collect all of the golden gems in each stage. The unique element of...
Nintendo Download 1st December (North America)
Super Mario Maker 3DS! Advance Wars: Dual Strike! Hyperlight EX! More!
It's that time, once again, for the North American Nintendo Download Update. This time around there's a major retail arrival on 3DS, a DS classic on the Wii U and some interesting 'Nindie' efforts. Let's get right to it, shall we? Missed the European Nintendo Download Update?...
November2016
Review Ninja Usagimaru - The Mysterious Karakuri Castle (3DS eShop)
Mysterious indeed
Any American high school student who's owned a TI series calculator and endured hours of math classes has no doubt discovered Block Dude. The simple puzzle platformer was centered around escaping from rooms by moving around a limited number of blocks, and presented a wonderful escape from the dreariness of algebra. Evidently, the...
Review Dangerous Road (3DS eShop)
Road worrier
The history of video games where animals play in traffic is a very staggered one. Frogger hit the scene in 1981, then nary a croak was heard from any other property until 2014's Crossy Road gained mobile popularity. Dangerous Road on the 3DS eShop borrows a lot from its Crossy counterpart, but is unlikely to leave its splat on history...
News Nintendo To Hold Special eShop Sale During The Game Awards 2016
Dazzling digital discounts?
The Game Awards take place this week and host Geoff Keighley has revealed that Nintendo is going to hold a special eShop sale to mark the event. It's not known exactly which titles will be included in the sale but it would be fair to predict that all Nintendo-related Game Award nominees should be featured. Fire Emblem...
Nintendo Download 1st December (Europe)
Super Mario Maker for 3DS! Picross 3D Round 2! Sonic discounts! More!
Another week begins, and we have the European Nintendo Download Update details to get us ready for releases later this week. This time around there are multiple high profile 3DS retail releases, along with a mix of download-only titles across both systems. Let's get to it. Wii U...
News Hyperlight EX Blasting Onto New 3DS on 1st December
Shoot all of the things
Colourful, intense shoot 'em ups are still a staple in gaming, ideal for unwinding or getting hyped up, whatever takes your fancy. The eShop, on both Wii U and 3DS, has had a few strong shooters to date, but there's definitely room for more. For fans of the genre there's some good news, as Hyperlight EX now has a final...
Nintendo Download 24th November (North America)
Majora's Mask! Dragon Ball Fusions! Citadale! More!
It's Thanksgiving in the US, and for everyone else a reminder that the festive season is right around the corner. We have the usual Download Update details for North America, and this week there are tempting Virtual Console options on both current-gen systems, a couple of Nindie efforts on Wii U...
News Nintendo Marks Sonic's 25th Birthday With Digital Sale In North America
Save up to 60 percent on select titles
Sonic turns 25 this year and Nintendo is marking the occasion with a sale on selected Sonic the Hedgehog titles, no doubt inspired by the Black Friday madness which is currently gripping the planet. The titles - all digital versions, of course - are: 3D Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (3DS) - $2.99 (no
News Level-5 is Running a Black Friday Sale on the North American 3DS eShop
Up to sixty percent off
'Tis the season yet again for ravenous shoppers of all kinds to brave the hordes in search of great deals on random stuff. Black Friday is just a few days away, and every day the temptations grow stronger as more companies show their hand for the shopping holiday. Granted, there's nothing wrong with staying at home and...
Review Ice Station Z (3DS eShop)
Not cool
We really wanted to like Wobbly Tooth's Ice Station Z. An open world, multiplayer zombie survival game that takes place in a cold setting, Ice Station Z looked different than other 3DS eShop titles and we'd hoped for a challenging, solid survival experience. Unfortunately, it doesn't live up to its potential at all, instead offering a...
News Nintendo of Europe Confirms eShop Cyber Deals Are Coming on Black Friday
Hope you've saved some Rupees
With Black Friday just four days away, Nintendo of Europe's Twitter account has announced that the region will be celebrating the high-savings event with special 'Cyber Deals'. Starting on 25th November, Nintendo fans can find these offers on both eShop pages for Wii U and 3DS; savings of up to 40% have been promised,...
News Japan Gets A Bumper Helping Of SNES Titles On New 3DS Virtual Console
With six more on the way next week
Seven Super Famicom titles (SNES to you and me) are launching on the New 3DS in Japan this week. The games are Final Fight 2, Final Fight Tough / Final Fight 3, Tactics Ogre, Rockman X3 / Mega Man X3, Romancing SaGa, Super Castlevania IV / Akumajō Dracula
Nintendo Download 24th November (Europe)
Pokemon Sun and Moon! Beat the Beat! Exile's End! More!
Another week begins, and brings with it the European Nintendo Download Update details for the goodies we can expect this week. The 3DS has huge retail arrivals, while there are some tempting download-only options to be found on the Wii U in particular. Let's get to the details. Wii U eShop:...
News Here's a Breakdown of All That Swapdoodle DLC
There's a lot of it
Today, somewhat out of the blue, Nintendo released Swapdoodle in North America and Europe, a spiritual successor to the long lost Swapnote / Nintendo Letter Box. As the name suggests it allows you to swap messages in doodle form with friends, even doing so online provided you've registered the relevant chums. As you can see in...
Nintendo Download 17th November (North America)
Pokémon Sun and Moon! Excitebike 64! Swapdoodle! More!
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...
Nintendo Download 17th November (Europe)
Lionel City Builder 3D! A retail demo! An aquarium thing! Um...
Another week begins, and as always we have the European Nintendo Download Update details to kick things off. Last week was a bit underwhelming in the region, and we're not going to lie - it's not exactly a barnstormer on the way this week either. Nevertheless there may still be one or...
Nintendo Download 10th November (North America)
Harvest Moon: Skytree Village! Umbrella Chronicles! Rhythm Heaven! More!
It's Nintendo Download Update time, and the North American line-up is has been fully confirmed. It has some decent options, with the Wii U and New 3DS Virtual Consoles offering a few varied titles from the Wii and SNES. The Wii U eShop has an intriguing new download-only...
Video Get Hype For The Kutar Series With This Gloriously Unhinged New Trailer
"Kutar will just inflate his body and overcome"
Circle Entertainment is releasing the Kutar series in North America this week, a range of mini-games which showcase the mysterious Kutar, who - we're reliably informed by the PR below - is absolutely not a dog, cat or bear. There are 10 titles in total, each costing 99 cents. They are Kutar Apple,...
News Lionel City Builder 3D: Rise of the Rails Arrives on the European eShop on 17th November
Pokémon had better watch out
Some of you may remember Lionel City Builder 3D: Rise of the Rails, a train simulator that came to the 3DS in North America in January. We thought it was quite enjoyable in our review, giving it a recommendation, though at the time no European release date was on the cards. Fortunately, it seems as though that will be...
News Game Boy-Inspired Puzzler Warlock's Tower Coming To 3DS eShop Next Year
Every step you take
Indie studio Midipixel is bringing its Game Boy-inspired puzzle title Warlock's Tower to the 3DS in 2017. Boasting more than 100 rooms packed with zombies, flying eyes and slimes, Warlock's Tower has a unique twist. Every step you take costs you a life, and the need to constantly restock is a key part of the gameplay. It also...
Nintendo Download 10th November (Europe)
SHOOT THE BALL, discounts... erm, that's it
A fresh week is upon us, and as usual Nintendo of Europe has sent out details for the Download Update that's to come. In truth it's extremely slim pickings this time around, with one new game and some discounts. There's no particularly positive spin we can give, so let's just get on with it. Wii U eShop...
Gallery Check Out Blaster Master Zero, The Inti Creates Revival of a Classic
'Everything is starting again from “zero”'
The power of nostalgia is very real, and Inti Creates - perhaps best known for Azure Striker Gunvolt and its sequel - is counting on it. It's announced that it's bringing Blaster Master Zero to the 3DS eShop next Spring, having acquired the rights to the original Blaster Master. It's a reboot that's...
Nintendo Download 3rd November (North America)
Mario Party! Twisted Fusion! DK Jungle Beat! Hyrule Warriors DLC! More!
It's that time once again, dear readers, for the North American Nintendo Download Update. This week includes a first-party retail release on 3DS, while a couple of tempting Virtual Console games arrive on Wii U. Beyond that there are a variety of interesting download-only games...
This is a fair 'un
Fairune was a fun - if not particularly ground-breaking - little game that came out of nowhere and charmed us with its simplistic yet addictive gameplay, mixing Ys-like bump combat with a Zelda-esque overworld filled with secrets. We thought the game's story felt pretty complete, so we were quite surprised that a sequel popped up,...
News Here Are Your New My Nintendo Rewards
Get your lovely discounts here
A bunch of new My Nintendo rewards have gone live today, and as has been the case previously, these are all related to software discounts across Wii U and 3DS. There are different rewards for Europe and North America, which can be viewed below: Europe 30% off Typoman (Nintendo Wii U eShop): 250 Platinum Coins...
October2016
Nintendo Download 3rd November (Europe)
F-Zero X! SEGA 3D Classics Collection! Hyrule Warriors DLC! More!
As we head towards the end of 2016 we still have a number of Nintendo Download Updates to enjoy on Wii U and 3DS. The European details for later in the week are here, and include some top-notch retro gaming, much-anticipated DLC and some intriguing Nindie downloads. Let's get to the...
News Big John Games Explains the Delay for Cube Creator 3D's Newest Update
Hopefully the wait won't be much longer
At E3 this year, we got a chance to demo the upcoming update for Cube Creator 3D, and really liked what we saw. Among other things, Cube Creator 1.2 will be adding in local multiplayer and texture packs, which should expand on the core experience nicely. No timeframe had been given previously as to when the...
Nintendo Download 27th October (North America)
Corpse Party! Just Dance 2017! Ectoplaza! Inchworm Animation II! More!
It's the final North American Nintendo Download Update before Halloween, so naturally there are a few spooky options this week. On 3DS there's a much anticipated retail release, while the portable's eShop has a couple of enticing options for creative gamers. The Wii U eShop has a...
Review Ambition of the Slimes (3DS eShop)
Slimes' Time
One of our favourite trends in the eShop has been seeing titles that turn tried-and-true gaming experiences on their heads by putting the player in a new perspective. From Weapon Shop de Omasse's comedic take on the day-to-day drudgery of an RPG smithy to The Legend of Kusakari turning Zelda's grass-cutting mechanic into a laser-focused...
Nintendo Download 27th October (Europe)
Corpse Party! Just Dance! Gurumin 3D! Discounts and Themes Galore! More!
Another week begins, and we start off with the usual routine of the European Nintendo Download Update details, which give us a look at what goodies are on the way. The Wii U offers a couple of Nindie efforts, a retail release from Ubisoft, some tempting DLC and a lot of...
Nintendo Download 20th October (North America)
SteamWorld Heist! Pirate Pop Plus! LoZ Spirit Tracks! More!
Well, today is dominated by Nintendo's next system, but as always we do have a Download Update for the Wii U and 3DS. It's rather good this week too, with some fantastic Nindie games on both systems along with a few intriguing options. A couple of much-admired games arrive on the Wii U and...
News Butterfly: Inchworm Animation II Aims to Bring the 3DS eShop to Life Soon
A broad tool-set and online sharing included
The DSiWare store was home to some gems, and one example was Inchworm Animation, an impressive app on the portable. It had surprisingly broad tools for creating animations, and now a successor is imminent on the 3DS eShop - Butterfly: Inchworm Animation II. A 3DS eShop exclusive from Flat Black Films,...
Review Gurumin 3D: A Monstrous Adventure (3DS eShop)
Ceci n'est pas une drill
An often overlooked strength of the 3DS eShop is the way it can serve as an unexpected harbour for under-the-radar gems. We likely never would have touched Yumi's Odd Odyssey without the eShop, nor seen a contemporary remake of Steel Empire. Add to these ranks Gurumin 3D: A Monstrous Adventure, which originally saw light on...
News Mr. Pumpkin Adventure is Shaping Up to be a Quirky Wii U eShop Title
New Fairune 2 trailer released, too
CIRCLE Entertainment is one of the most prolific publishers on the 3DS eShop, and has also been making some strides on the Wii U eShop. It's got two titles on the way this week in North America (20th October) and next week in Europe (27th October), one each for Nintendo's home console and portable stores. Mr...
Nintendo Download 20th October (Europe)
Pokemon Sun / Moon demo! Rhythm Paradise! Halloween Discounts! More!
With the start of another week we have the European Nintendo Download Update, letting us know what download goodies are on the way this week; it's a corker, too. The most high-profile arrival is likely to be a freebie on 3DS, though there's also a retail release on the portable...
Review Chase: Cold Case Investigations - Distant Memories (3DS eShop)
A short but solid sleuth ‘em up
Kaisuke Tanasaki is not one of gaming's most well-known directors, but he oversaw some of the DS's most intriguing narrative-led titles in the form of Hotel Dusk: Room 215 and Another Code/Trace Memory. After developer Cing's closure in 2010, Tanasaki-san is back with some of the same team under Arc System Works to...
Nintendo Download 13th October (North America)
Disney Magical World 2! Chase Investigations! Gurumin 3D! More!
It's that time again for the North American Nintendo Download Update, and this week has some tempting options. The Wii U eShop line-up includes a roguelike that we rather, well, like; in addition the home console has two rather nice DS arrivals on its Virtual Console. The 3DS has a high...
Review Azure Striker Gunvolt 2 (3DS eShop)
Electrifying, for the right player
Azure Striker Gunvolt, released in 2014, played like a true successor to Mega Man, though with its own ideas at the forefront. Two years later we've received its sequel, Azure Striker Gunvolt 2. With the disappointing mediocrity of Mighty No. 9 just a few months ago fresh in everyone's minds, a project in which...
Video Get a Feel for the Case in This Chase: Cold Case Investigations - Distant Memories Trailer
Oh yes, it's a moody detective game
We've made no secret of the fact that we're rather hopeful about Chase: Cold Case Investigations - Distant Memories, which is out this week in the 3DS eShop. As we've mentioned repeatedly, it's the Nintendo portable return for Taisuke Kanasaki and multiple staff from the now shuttered CiNG studio. They're well...
News Ice Station Z Is Bringing Open World Zombie Horror To The 3DS This November
Online multiplayer and voice chat, too
The 3DS may be coming to the end of its lifespan but games like Ice Station Z prove that it still has the capacity to surprise. Developed by Wobbly Tooth Games and slated for release on November 3rd, Ice Station Z is a open world zombie survival game which boasts both single and multiplayer modes, with local...
News Fairune 2 Releases in North America on 20th October
Europe gets it a week later
Some of you may remember Fairune, a budget RPG that released on the 3DS eShop a couple years ago. We thought it was a pretty good time for what it was, and evidently the game acquired enough of a following to justify a sequel. Fairune 2 has been in development since nearly the first one released, and now it's been...
News Monster Hunter Generations Gets a Tempting Discount in North America
Time to hunt it down
Monster Hunter Generations is one of the best games to come out on 3DS this year, offering a mix of nostalgia and new ideas. As always it's also got a whole lot of content, with free DLC adding to that every month; we gave it 9 out of 10 in our review. Lucky North American 3DS owners now have a chance to pick it up at a...
News Antipole DX Has Been Pushed Back to 2017
Well, that's a bummer
Some of you may remember Antipole, a great action platformer that released on the DSiWare service back in 2011. Saturnine Games has been hard at work developing Antipole DX a remake of sorts for the 3DS and Wii U eShops, one which will feature additional levels, leaderboards, Miiverse stamps and more extra goodies. It all looks...
Nintendo Download 13th October (Europe)
Disney Magical World 2! Chase Cold Case Investigations! More!
With the beginning of another week we have the Nintendo Download Update details for Europe, showing us what goodies are coming to the eShop later this week. It's a short list this time, with all new releases on 3DS along with the usual batch of discounts across both current-gen platforms...
News Gurumin 3D: A Monstrous Adventure Gets October Release Date in Europe
Good times
Gurumin 3D: A Monstrous Adventure is one of the most intriguing releases still due on the 3DS eShop this year, and now publisher Mastiff has confirmed a European release date. The game was already confirmed for release in North America on 13th October, and now it's been announced that Europeans won't have long to wait - it'll arrive in...
Nintendo Download 6th October (North America)
Paper Mario: Color Splash! Mega Man X2! Mario vs. DK 2! More!
It's that time of the week, once again, when we take a look at the new downloadable goodies to be found on the Wii U and 3DS eShop in North America. This time around there's a major retail release on Wii U, while both eShop stores have a variety of interesting new arrivals. The Wii U and...
Nintendo Download 6th October (Europe)
Paper Mario: Color Splash! Mario Party Star Rush! My Nintendo reward! More!
With the beginning of another week we have the European Nintendo Download Update details, letting us know what treats are on the way soon. This batch includes major retail releases on both Wii U and 3DS, some DLC, intriguing download-only games and even a My Nintendo reward...
News Gurumin 3D: A Monstrous Adventure Arrives in North America Very Soon
Free theme with purchases up to Halloween, too
Recently we shared some rather positive hands on impressions of Gurumin 3D: A Monstrous Adventure, a remastered cult favourite coming to the 3DS eShop. Mastiff has now confirmed that it's not far away in North America, though a European date is yet to be confirmed. It's coming to the 3DS eShop in North...
Review Wind-up Knight 2 (New 3DS)
A New 3DS Noble
There have been more animals who have been nominated for governmental office in the world than games exclusive to the New 3DS. Yet of this meager pool, two are runner-style titles. There is the upcoming Runbow Pocket, which to be fair is more of an action-platformer, and then there is Wind-up Knight 2, available on the New 3DS...
September2016
Hands On A Blast From the Past With Gurumin 3D: A Monstrous Adventure
Monster Masher
You're probably not alone if you've never heard of Gurumin: A Monstrous Adventure. First released as a PC game way back in 2004 and a PlayStation Portable title shortly after, Gurumin has stayed largely off the map since its initial launch. Despite the favourable reviews that it received, this action-adventure RPG never saw a sequel,...
News 'Turnabout Time Traveler' DLC for Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Spirit of Justice Out Today
Capcom testifies that it's a "full-length episode"
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Spirit of Justice has already had two relatively small DLC scenarios, which have been non-canon 'what if' offerings. Now there's a full length episode that follows on from the events of the game, making it the heftiest extra yet. You can see details below, but don't...
Nintendo Download 29th September (North America)
Yo-kai Watch 2! Sonic Boom! Azure Striker Gunvolt 2! FAST DLC! Much more!
It's time once again for the North American Nintendo Download Update details. This week includes some tempting and - in some cases - high profile download-only releases on both systems, while the 3DS also has two retail releases to consider. Throw in some rather exciting...
Hands on Getting Down With Chicken Wiggle
An unlikely pairing, together at last
We recently reported on the disbandment of indie developer Renegade Kid and followed it up with an interview featuring both founding members, Jools Watsham and Gregg Hargrove. As part of their surprisingly amicable split, both devs have already formed new teams and star
News Free-To-Play Version Of Puzzle & Dragons X Released On Japanese 3DS
Try before you buy
GungHo Online has released a scaled-down, free-to-play version of Puzzle & Dragons X on the Japanese 3DS eShop. Battle Puzzle & Dragons X includes a "Battle Mode" identical to that seen in the main game, which features "Fixed" and "Free" contests. In these you can customise your team of monsters and also battle against...
News Mercenaries Saga 3 Headed To Japan Next Week
Tactical!
Rideon Japan is releasing the next game in the Mercenaries Saga series on the 3DS eShop next week. Mercenaries Saga 3 will launch on October 5th in Japan for 500 Yen. The launch trailer can be viewed above. The gameplay - which is a close match to Square Enix's excellent Final Fantasy Tactics franchise - looks largely unchanged, which is...
Review Gotta Protectors (3DS eShop)
You've gotta download this
Here's a typical snapshot of a battle in Gotta Protectors. Hundreds of enemies are hammering on the defenses from four different sides, the turrets and barricades are slowly but surely succumbing to the hordes, you and the Princess desperately attempt to beat them back with magic and arrows, and for every felled enemy four...
Red gives way to blue
As game generations pass, different genres become more popular. From the space shooters of the arcade era to the mascot-driven platformers of the 1990s to the military first-person shooters in recent years, there's always a genre ripe for exploiting. With the explosion of mobile games has come an increase in endless runner...
Nintendo Download 29th September (Europe)
SteamWorld Heist Wii U! FAST Racing NEO DLC! Nintendo Selects! Much more!
Another week begins, and as always there are the European Nintendo Download Update details to tease us about goodies on the way. This week has some potential beauties, it must be said, across both Wii U and 3DS. Download-only games, retail downloads and DLC all feature, and...
News Gotta Protectors Was Translated By Just One Person
"Why hasn't this been localized? I want to translate this"
Gotta Protectors has been something of a sleeper hit with North American 3DS owners thanks to its mixture of NES-style visuals, engaging gameplay and the involvement of Japanese company Ancient, perhaps best known as the home of the legendary composer Yuzo "Streets of Rage" Koshiro. While...
News My Nintendo Picross: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Now Available 'Indefinitely'
The legend will live on
The My Nintendo rewards programme has both fans and critics, but one of the better offerings has been My Nintendo Picross: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. One out of ten in terms of having a snappy name, but we were full of praise and gave it 8/10 in our review, as there's a lot of puzzle goodness included for your...
Video Pick Up Some Key Tips and Tricks for SEVERED on Wii U and 3DS
Stylus slashing
The latest Nindies 'Summer Jam' release is out today, with DrinkBox Studios releasing SEVERED on Wii U and 3DS. It supports crossbuy and is out on both systems in Europe, though only the home console version is out in North America today; the 3DS version is expected soon. In any case, it's a title that Nintendo has been keen to...
Nintendo Download 22nd September (North America)
SMTIV: Apocalypse! SEVERED! River City: Tokyo Rumble! DKCR! More!
It's Nintendo Download Update time, dear readers, and the North American line-up has some gems this week. The latest major RPG release from Atlus has arrived, with an enticing localised retail title from Natsume coming later in the DL week. On the download-only front we have an...
News Sega 3D Classics Dev M2 Is Developing The Legend Of Dark Witch 3 For 3DS
Consider us interested
The Legend of Dark Witch and its sequel can hardly be considered 3DS eShop classics, but they have their fans, and there's a good chance that the third outing will attract even more followers now that we know who is handling development duties. The Legend of Dark Witch 3 was teased back in August and was recently shown off at...
News Noah's Cradle is Taking to the Skies on 3DS Soon
It's a bit like Ace Combat, basically
CIRCLE Entertainment is still extremely active on the 3DS eShop, and is publishing another title in the coming days. This time around it's Noah's Cradle, developed by Silver Star Japan. While the name may make it sound like a peculiar religious edutainment title, it's actually an action flying game that brings...
Review Ninja Smasher! (3DS eShop)
Go Ninja Go!
Every once in a while you come across one of those games that you haven't really heard of, you buy it on impulse, and are immediately glad that you did. In a game industry that's rife with overhyped disappointments, there's something poetic about a little-known game turning out to be excellent. Ninja Smasher! exemplifies this perfectly;...
Nintendo Download 22nd September (Europe)
SEVERED! Noitu Love: Devolution! Ace Attorney DLC! Polara! More!
Another week begins, and we have the Nintendo Download Update details of the goodies coming to Europe later this week. Wii U and 3DS are sharing a couple of big name 'Nindie' titles, while there are also a number of other download-only arrivals to consider. There are some discounts,...
Review Noitu Love: Devolution (3DS eShop)
Evolution on the Go
For all intents and purposes, Noitu Love: Devolution for Nintendo 3DS is the same as the Wii U version we previously reviewed. In this review we'll focus on the differences in the 3DS version and how it stacks up to the HD equivalent, so check out the Wii U review for a more detailed breakdown. As a reminder, Noitu Love:...
News Chase: Cold Case Investigations - Distant Memories Arrives on the 3DS eShop Soon
From Taisuke Kanasaki and his team
It often happens that a rather niche and intriguing title is announced for the Japanese market, and we sigh and doubt it'll ever come to the West. With that in mind it was pleasing in the Summer when Chase: Cold Case Investigations - Distant Memories was confirmed for localisation to the West by Aksys, given a Fall...
Feature 13AM Games and Its Next Hits - Runbow Pocket and Pirate Pop Plus
Testing out the latest and greatest from the developer and publisher
Beyond playing new games, seeing your industry heroes and getting tons of swag, one of the most rewarding aspects of going to a convention such as PAX is being able to share your passion for video games with like-minded individuals. Sometimes, when you're really lucky, those...
Nintendo Download 15th September (North America)
Dragon Quest VII! Yo-kai Watch 2 demo! Noitu Love: Devolution! More!
It's that time, once again, for the North American Nintendo Download Update details, and this week has some enticing options. The 3DS has a huge retail release and a high profile demo, along with some interesting download-only titles. The Wii U shares a particularly promising...
News "Slow Living Miniscape RPG" Picontier Coming To 3DS, Gives Us Earthbound Feels
From the creators of Fairune
CIRCLE Entertainment is bringing Skipmore's "slow living miniscape RPG" Picontier to the 3DS, it has been revealed. The game features crafting, combat, fishing and dungeons to explore, and its pixel-rich visual style reminds us an awful lot of Earthbound. Here's some info taken from the game's Steam Greenlight page:...
Video Nintendo Gives Us All a Taste of This Year's [email protected] PAX Event
Showcasing the talent
One of the pleasing progressions in this generation of hardware has been Nintendo's increasingly open and supportive stance towards indie developers, particularly those producing rather high quality efforts that earn the term 'Nindie'. There are always improvements to be made, but we've seen the big N support Humble Bundles,...
Feature Future Nindie Hits for the eShop - October to December
A look at the titles that Nintendo is keen to promote
September has already proven to be a good month for high quality Nindie downloads, and there are more to come. The 'Summer Jam' promotion has already delivered games like Axiom Verge and Jotun: Valhalla Edition, and we still have Noitu Love: Devo
News Digger Dan DX Returns to the 3DS eShop With Extra Content
25 extra caves to dig through
Earlier in the year the rather charming Digger Dan DX was taken down from the 3DS eShop - First Star Software, which owns the rights to Boulder Dash, had issued the takedown. Thankfully the matter was resolved, and developer Four Horses has been working to get Digger Dan back on the store. The good
Nintendo Download 15th September (Europe)
Dragon Quest VII! Futuridium on New 3DS! Gear Gauntlet! More!
It's the start of another week, and that means we can check out details on the Nintendo Download Update goodies heading to Europe in the coming days. The stand-out is a long awaiting localisation coming to retail on 3DS, while the Wii U Virtual Console adds a first-party DS game to its...
Nintendo Download 8th September (North America)
Ace Attorney! Jotun! Mario Strikers Charged! Futuridium on New 3DS! More!
Here we are, once again, with the North American Nintendo Download Update. This week most certainly has some tempting options; on 3DS we have the latest in an iconic Capcom series and a welcome port on New 3DS, along with a Konami classic on the Virtual Console. Wii U is led...
News River City: Tokyo Rumble Will Be Roughhousing 3DS Consoles At The End Of This Month
Digital and physical releases planned
Natsume has confirmed that River City: Tokyo Rumble will launch on the 3DS in North America on September 27th. Developed by Arc System Works, the game will be released in physical and digital formats, and those who order a copy from Natsume's new Amazon store will receive a limited edition Kunio keychain. Here
Video Polara, the Fast-Paced Runner Heading to the 3DS eShop
CIRCLE Entertainment steps in as publisher
As both a publisher and developer, CIRCLE Entertainment is among the most prolific content creators on the 3DS eShop, and it has yet another title to show off; it looks rather promising, too. It's a futuristic fast-paced runner (developed by Flyhigh Works) with the emphasis evidently on difficulty. The...
Review Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Spirit of Justice (3DS eShop)
Turnabout Traveller
There's never been a lawyer who's captured the hearts of gamers quite like Phoenix Wright, Ace Attorney. That's not only because Capcom's Ace Attorney is perhaps the only Bar-based game to hit the big time, but also because of the excellent writing, memorable characters, satisfying gameplay, and fast-flying 'Objection!'s that...
News Gurumin 3D Price Revealed, Free 3DS Theme To Be Included With Purchase
Could release as early as the end of this month
Mastiff has confirmed to us that Gurumin 3D: A Monstrous Adventure will cost $14.99 when it launches on the 3DS eShop. The publisher has also revealed that the download will come with a free 3DS theme. The action RPG title is developed by Nihon Falcom Corporation and was originally released on PC back...
Review Unholy Heights (3DS eShop)
Movin' on down
The economy can be a merciless force, even if you're a malevolent being bent on world domination. The Devil, finding the life of a salaryman just isn't cutting it with his plans, leaves his job and buys an apartment out in the surprisingly picturesque projects, hoping to raise an army of monstrous tenants to storm the globe. Yep,...
News The Battle Cats POP! Returns to the European 3DS eShop
It's feline fine again
The Battle Cats POP! is one of the quirkier efforts on the 3DS eShop, a popular smart device title that's made a decent transition to Nintendo's portable. Its localisation out of Japan was a welcome surprise, but around six weeks after its release it dropped off the European eShop; oddly, it wasn't clear why it disappeared...
Review Stickman Super Athletics (3DS eShop)
Sports done simply
With all the buzz around the Olympics this year, Stickman Super Athletics arrived just at the right time. Coderchild's latest offering sees you qualify for Olympian sports such as swimming, long jump and the 100m dash. Those who enjoyed games like Track and Field in past times will appreciate Stickman Super Athletics, but the...
Nintendo Download 8th September (Europe)
Ace Attorney! Jotun! 140! Final Fight trilogy! Much more!
With the start of another week we have the European Nintendo Download Update details, and this time around there's plenty on offer. We have some highly promising options on the Wii U, while the 3DS has a major release from Capcom and a trilogy of SNES releases on the New 3DS Virtual Console...
Feature Exploring the Licensed Content in RCMADIAX Games on the Wii U and New 3DS eShop
Origins on asset stores
In recent days we've had multiple readers and colleagues direct us to licensed game assets available to buy online that appear to have been utilised extensively for games sold on the eShop. The developer in question is RCMADIAX, a studio that has produced a substantial volume of releases over the past year, in particular...
Nintendo Download 1st September (North America)
Axiom Verge! Picross 3D Round 2! Skyward Sword! Much, much more!
Well, it's later than normal thanks to Nintendo holding off until after its Direct broadcast, but here are the North American Download Update details. It's a whopper of a week, with a surprise retail download (though it's technically eShop-only) on 3DS, a Legend of Zelda Virtual...
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