3DS eShop News
June2016
First Impressions Going Under the Gavel With Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Spirit of Justice
No objections here
Nestled between the rowdy Street Fighter V stage and a rather impressive Monster Hunter airship at Capcom's E3 2016 sat an orange-tinted oasis of calm, in the Tibetan-esque temple of justice dedicated to Phoenix Wright's latest lawyerly adventure: Ace Attorney: Spirit of Justice. We had the chance to go hands-on with a 20-minute...
Too Burnt To Be Good
Remember when random encounters, grinding for money and to level up characters was a thing in RPGs? ASH sure does. ASH starts with some rather vague storytelling. The game drops players into the Empire of Aghaus with control over two characters, Nicholas and Damien. It's hinted that Nicholas is a former member of Aghaus'...
Nintendo Download 16th June (North America)
Super Paper Mario! Rhythm Heaven Megamix! Terraria! Much more!
As E3 enters its last day in LA it's time to go back to some old routines, with the North American Nintendo Download Update being one of them. This week seems to be a strong offering, with notable releases across Wii U and 3DS, along with some high-quality Virtual Console offerings on...
News Rhythm Paradise Megamix Is Getting Physical In Europe
You'll have to wait until October, though
Those of you in Europe hoping that Rhythm Paradise Megamix - which is out now in North America - might be coming to the 3DS eShop this week should be ready for some disappointment. Nintendo UK has just confirmed that the game won't be arriving until 21st October, which - if you watch the footage below -...
News Discount Picross Joins The Ranks of My Nintendo Rewards in Europe
Pick 'em out
The My Nintendo loyalty programme has already had something to offer Picross-loving members with the exclusive My Nintendo Picross: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. The latest update in Europe, though, adds a little extra grid-based action for members to consider. These two latest rewards are both available until 1st September:...
E3 2016 Rhythm Heaven Megamix is Available to Buy Right Now on the North American eShop
There's a demo, too
In a late surprise on day two of E3, Nintendo of America has released the charming Rhythm Heaven Megamix on the 3DS eShop. It combines rhythm levels from previous entries in the series along with all-new stages and 'remixes', and has a price tag of $29.99 in the US. In addition to the game going on sale there's also a demo...
E3 2016 Monster Hunter Generations Demo is Announced and Available Now (Sort Of)
In Humble Bundle, with free codes and eShop release also coming
Update 2: The European demo includes an offline tutorial and three challenges that can be tackled in co-op either offline or online. 'Slay the Great Maccao' (Beginner), 'Slay the Malfestio' (Intermediate), and 'Slay the Nargacuga' (Advanced). Update: If you're in Europe and have a...
E3 2016 BOXBOXBOY! is Coming to the 3DS eShop on 30th June
No longer boxed into the Japanese eShop
During the Nintendo Treehouse live stream from E3 we got a good look at BOXBOXBOY!, the sequel to the rather charming BOXBOY!. This HAL Laboratory follow-up has been available in Japan for a little while, so fans of the original will no doubt be glad to see it roll out in the West - it's coming to both Europe...
E3 2016 Nintendo Unveils Massive E3 eShop Sale in North America
Additional 10% off some titles with My Nintendo
Nintendo's presence at E3 also comes with eShop deals for Wii U and 3DS owners in North America. There's a focus on Zelda and Pokémon games, but other top titles including Super Smash Bros. and Splatoon are also up price cuts. Games from both Nintendo and third parties are on sale from 14-21 June...
E3 2016 Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS Get a Discount in Europe
With an extra discount for My Nintendo members
Nintendo of America has unveiled a hefty list of eShop discounts (we're compiling the list at the time of writing), and Nintendo of Europe has also pitched in. It's added two titles to its existing 5 year anniversary sale to give an extra retail treat for the region. Both iterations of the current-gen...
Feature We Chat to Drinkbox Studios About SEVERED for Wii U and 3DS
Swiping answers from producer Graham Smith on the touch-based dungeon crawl
Drinkbox Studios is perhaps best known for its beloved, rather cheeky lucha-themed exploration platformer, Guacamelee: Super Turbo Championship Edition, which hit the Wii U eShop in July 2014. We rather dug it in our review, but it's been two years now and we're itching for...
Feature 13AM Games Tells Us About Runbow Pocket, the New Nintendo 3DS Exclusive
Let's get ready to Runbowwwwwwwwwwwww
If you haven't gotten a big group of people together for a competitive game of Runbow then you haven't lived life in COLOURFUL CAPS LOCK yet. The competitive nine-player runner with a roster of original characters and borrowed favourites is a great way to make friends and alienate people. Thanks to the wonders...
News Runbow Pocket and SEVERED Confirmed for the eShop
Runbow Pocket is a New 3DS exclusive
During its appearance on the YouTube@E3 show Nintendo focused on some exciting Nindie games on the way to the eShop later this year. Four releases were covered in total, covering 3DS, New 3DS and Wii U. The main reveal was arguably Runbow Pocket, which will be a New 3DS exclusive later this year. It includes...
Review Justice Chronicles (3DS eShop)
For middling justice!
Kemco has been nothing if not busy lately, keeping 3DS owners occupied with a steady stream of eShop JRPGs, and Justice Chronicles is the latest in this line. Though it suffers from a number of common ails of its ilk — like awkward translation, a generic cast, and uneven presentation — Justice Chronicles does have some neat...
Nintendo Download 16th June (Europe)
Gunslugs! Fire Emblem Fates DLC! Twin Robots! Discounts Galore! More!
Happy E3 week to one and all; unsurprisingly we have the European Nintendo Download Update details to get it started. We have puzzle platforming on Wii U and frantic run-and-gun action on the 3DS as new releases, along with a retail download targeting young gamers. Fire Emblem...
Feature Developers' Perspectives on Five Years of the 3DS eShop
"Nintendo's had the door open to developers for a long time"
In the past week the 3DS eShop turned five years old, a notable landmark for a download store that triggered key evolutions from its Wii and DSi predecessors. Though Nintendo still has improvements to make in how it sells and handles download games, it's easy to overlook how vital the 3DS...
Review Epic Word Search Collection 2 (3DS eShop)
For word nerds only
Epic Word Search Collection 2 is pretty much what it says on the tin, except possibly the 'epic' part. A modern day take on the classic Word Search, the game takes this popular puzzle and makes it paperless. There are no frills to make this a stand out video game, it is very simple in its approach and solely for those who want an...
News Two Short-Term Rewards Are Added to My Nintendo in Europe
Kirby and karaoke
We think it's fair to say that My Nintendo has had a mixed reception since launching as the new loyalty service from the big N. It's offered some unique rewards, including its own game with My Nintendo Picross: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, but has also failed to inspire with some of its other options. Its latest...
Nintendo Download 9th June (North America)
Kirby: Planet Robobot! Olympia Rising! Wario! Puzzles! More stuff!
It's that time again, dear reader, for the last Nintendo Download Update before E3. This week brings a fabulous Kirby retail release on 3DS, and beyond that there are some interesting download-only options across both the Wii U and 3DS. Without further pre-amble, let's get to it...
Review Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge (3DS eShop)
Tiny toys
Nintendo's track record in promoting amiibo through free apps isn't one that's always shown the company at its best. amiibo Tap: Nintendo's Greatest Bits, for example, was a bit rubbish and unsure of its audience. With efforts like that it's just as well that the range and compatible games mean the figures (and cards) practically sell...
Talking Point Five Years of eShop Progress Doesn't Mask Nintendo's Next-Gen Challenge
Gamers want a lot, it seems
Earlier this week the 3DS eShop - and the eShop as a broader brand - celebrated its 5th Anniversary, and we shared a rather cheerful article in praise of the progress made with the store. Though Nintendo was relatively early in the download scene with the Wii and DSi stores, both had a number of issues and over-stringent...
News Nintendo Announces E3 eShop Discount Plans and Miitomo x The Legend of Zelda Promotion
Retweet for wigs
Nintendo has slowly started to flesh out its E3 plans, and has now confirmed a couple of additional promotions to get us in the mood before and during the event. First of all, we're contractually obliged to share some handsome concept art that Nintendo including in its press release, as it's lovely. There's more Legend of...
Video Feast Your Eyes On This Footage Of Mighty No. 9's Boisterous Bosses
Feeling the burn
The much-delayed Mighty No. 9 might have taken a credibility hit thanks to its recent trailer, but this spiritual successor to Capcom's legendary Mega Man is still shaping up nicely - as the following gameplay footage attests. GameSpot has captured video of three different bosses from the game, proving that creator Keiji Inafu
Feature The 20 Best 3DS eShop Games
Combining our reviews with your user ratings
With the 3DS eShop celebrating its fifth anniversary, it's a good time to reflect on some of the best games that it has to offer. There have been hundreds of releases on the download platform, varying from major retail-grade titles to terrific bite-sized experiences, and they all play their part. Of...
Review WordsUp! Academy (3DS eShop)
Educational for all
CoderChild's WordsUp! Academy is another in a long list of puzzle games being released for the 3DS eShop recently. The game is like an electronic version of Scrabble, and sees you pitted against an opponent to find and spell out words. It's an OK puzzle game to test your brain during downtime, but it could prove very hard and...
News Nine SEGA 3D Classics Get Discounts in North America
Save a couple of bucks on some gems
The line-up of SEGA 3D classics / remasters on the 3DS is full of gems, with the occasional average titles thrown in. Showcasing some of the best SEGA titles of the arcade to 16-bit era, the range has been a great source of nostalgia while also - hopefully - introducing a new audience to some of the titles...
Talking Point In Praise of the 3DS eShop, Which is Now Five Years Old
A vital landmark for Nintendo's modernised download sales
Today (6th June) brings a notable landmark for fans of download games - the 3DS eShop has turned five years old. Five years with hundreds of game releases, most of them by CIRCLE Entertainment and EnjoyUp Games - we're joking, of course, but both of those publishers and more deserve a hat tip...
Review Digger Dan DX (3DS eShop)
Just Dan-dy
Digger Dan DX is certainly effective at mining the past, pun not intended. Using the tried and tested formula seen in titles like Boulder Dash and Digger T. Rock, players must guide the titular Dan through a series of hazard-strewn mines by working out pathways and avoiding traps. Although it has been done before, the game works well as...
Nintendo Download 9th June (Europe)
Lots of Kirby! Fire Emblem Fates Revelation! Terraria on Wii U! Much more!
With the start of another week we have the European Nintendo Download Update details, and there are multiple promising arrivals this week. Kirby is on top form with the latest major retail release on 3DS, while on Wii U we have world-building and humorous adventure on offer...
Review Dragon Fantasy: The Black Tome of Ice (3DS eShop)
Enter the dragon
Just like its predecessor, Dragon Fantasy: The Black Tome of Ice saw a dual release on both the 3DS and Wii U eShops. If you'd like a more thorough discussion of why we loved this classic-style JRPG, you can read more about it through here. For the purposes of this review we'll focus on what separates the 3DS version from the Wii U...
Nintendo Download 2nd June (North America)
Metroid Prime Hunters! DKC3! Kick & Fennick! More!
It's that time once again for the North American Nintendo Download Update, and this week has a mix of genres and styles to choose from. New Wii U releases include some platforming and shooting, while the same can be said for the Virtual Console releases across the home console and New 3DS. Beyond...
News The First Rule Of Punch Club On 3DS Is You Don't Talk About Punch Club On 3DS
No shirts, no shoes
tinyBuild is porting sports management simulation Punch Club to the 3DS. Developed by Russian indie studio Lazy Bear Games, Punch Club takes inspiration from '80s pop culture icons to present a unique take on the tried-and-tested "boxing underdog" story. You assume the role of an up-and-coming fighter whose father is brutally...
News Antipole DX Aims to Flip Expectations in Its Latest Trailer
Development winding down for a release later this year
We've been closely watching Antipole DX, the rather promising dual release coming to the Wii U and 3DS eShop this year. It's an enhanced re-release of the rather good DSiWare title Antipole, with much-improved visuals, new levels, online leaderboards and Miiverse stamps. Developer Saturnine...
News Nintendo of Japan is Putting on a Massive 5th Anniversary Sale on the 3DS eShop
One hundred discounted games, no word on Western equivalent yet
When the 3DS first launched, it didn't initially have a functioning eShop (or Internet Browser) likely due to Nintendo's desire to get the system on the market quicker. The eShop launched a couple months later, and brought with it a whole new generation of digital game distribution for...
May2016
News Mega Man Legacy Collection Among Discounts in Capcom's North American eShop Spring Sale
Resident Evil games! Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate! More!
Discounts, we all love them, and it seems that Capcom has unveiled some as part of an eShop Spring Sale to tempt North American Wii U and 3DS owners to part with some cash in the coming week. The following price cuts are live and are only running until 6th June, so if you're in the Americas you...
News IronFall Invasion Studio Is Bringing RISE: Race The Future To Wii U, 3DS And Nintendo NX
Futuristic drift-based racing inspired by Sega Rally? Yes please
IronFall Invasion developer VD-Dev has lifted the lid on its next project, a racing game under the title RISE: Race The Future. An arcade-style racer which draws on Sega Rally for inspiration, RISE is coming to a wide range of systems, including the Wii U, 3DS and (eventually)
Review Dan McFox: Head Hunter (3DS eShop)
I choose you!
When you think of suave secret agents and covert crime fighting, 'Guess Who?' might not be the first thing that comes to mind. The board game classic is the kind of entertainment usually reserved for the occasional power outage or after a boozy Christmas dinner, but for Dan McFox it's his modus operandi when chasing down suspects. The...
Review Super Strike Beach Volleyball (3DS eShop)
The Family that Plays Together
You wouldn't be wrong in thinking that the art in Super Strike Beach Volleyball looks familiar. You also wouldn't be wrong in thinking that the art looks like it was ripped completely from games such as Family Tennis 3D or Family Fishing. Make no mistake, this latest all-ages outdoor sport title is part of the Arc...
Nintendo Download 2nd June (Europe)
Donkey Kong Country 3! Kick and Fennick! Fire Emblem DLC! More!
With the start of another week we have the European Nintendo Download Update, outlining what goodies are on the way in a few days. The new arrivals are low in number but have some quality nonetheless, while there are a range of discounts to consider. Let's get to it. Wii U eShop: Kick...
News Space Probe Aims to Bring Relaxing Exploration and Monster Collection to the New Nintendo 3DS
Nintendo's portable is part of a modest stretch goal
Kickstarter is still a notable source of funding for developers of various sizes, helping projects get over the finishing line. Now BRAMBLETYNE, a company with a track record in comic books and smart device apps, is seeking a small amount of funding to bring its next project to New 3DS. This...
News The Delusions of Von Sottendorff Has Been Chosen for the IndieCade E3 Showcase This Year
No delusions here
Some of you may remember The Delusions of Von Sottendorff and his Square Mind, an indie title released for the 3DS eShop in late December. The quirky puzzler from a Spanish developer called Delirium Studios centered around the struggles of a crazed baron trying to escape from his massive mansion. While we found it to be pretty...
News Inti Creates CEO Takuya Aizu Really Doesn't Like The New Mighty No. 9 Trailer
"Unforgivable"
Yesterday, we reported on a new Mighty No. 9 trailer which featured such gems as "combo on combo action" and gameplay that will "make the bad guys cry like an anime fan on prom night." The trailer hasn't gone down well, and currently has over 14,000 downvotes on YouTube. However, anime fans aren't the only people dissatisfied with...
Nintendo Download 26th May (North America)
StarTropics x2! Futuridium! Dragon Fantasy! Dual Core! Much more!
It's that time again, dear readers, for the North American Nintendo Download Update. This week is undoubtedly a good one, with multiple promising releases across Wii U and 3DS. There are a couple of NES classics, a twin-stick shooter, a retro-styled RPG and a fast paced action title...
Video Latest Mighty No. 9 Trailer Dials Up The Ridiculousness
"Combos ON combos"
After several annoying delays, Mighty No. 9 finally has a release date, and to remind us that it's coming Deep Silver has released this action-packed trailer. Showcasing plenty of gameplay and some amusing daft commentary, the footage should hopefully stir up some excitement after months of wondering just when the game is...
News The League of Evil is Double-Jumping Over to Wii U and 3DS eShop
Get ready to pixel punch those mad scientists in the face
If you love games like Super Meat Boy, you'll be in for a treat with the impending arrival of League of Evil, which is headed to the Wii U and 3DS eShop at some point in the not-too-distant future. Publisher Ratalaika Games has teamed up the one-man Woblyware Studio from Finland to bring this...
Nintendo Download 26th May (Europe)
Futuridium EP Deluxe! Cat Heroes! Mario Basketball! Tasty Discounts! More!
As another week begins we have more Nintendo Download Update details to consider for Europe. This week brings a range of promising download-only games on both Wii U and 3DS, along with another DS title on the Wii U Virtual Console. Some varied DLC is also on the cards, along...
Nintendo Download 19th May (North America)
Minecraft and Mario DLC! PixelJunk Monsters! PokéPark! Contra III! More!
It's that time once again, dear readers, for the North American Nintendo Download Update. This week includes some rather neat free and paid DLC along with some rather promising new downloads on both Wii U and 3DS. Virtual Console games, DLC and discounts are also up for grabs,...
News M2 Thinks Sega's Alien Syndrome Would Make A Great 3D Classic
"We did a little test on it to see how it would turn out and it was great"
The amazing Sega 3D Classics Collection is available now in North American and Japan, with a European release coming later this year. Sega has posted an interview with Yosuke Okunari, Kagasei Shimomura and Naoki Horii regarding the compendium, and it has been revealed
Random Japanese eShop Fans Can Top-Up Funds in Style With SNES-era Cards
Retro currency
For those of us with credit cards buying eShop games is a simple button press away, but there's still a market for eShop fund cards - whether as gifts or cash-bought, they're a handy option if there's a download that you simply must have. The latest range available in Japan allows gamers to top up with some extra retro style. Tweeted...
News Three New Discounts Arrive on My Nintendo in Europe
Worth your points?
My Nintendo, the loyalty / rewards programme that replaced Club Nintendo, is working a little differently between regions. In North America updates are less frequent but more sweeping, while in Europe there are changes every 2-3 weeks, albeit less new offers each time around. The European service has now had its mid-May update,...
News Yacht Club Games Still Open To A Nintendo Character Appearing In Shovel Knight
Crossover chaos
Nintendo has made some canny moves when it comes to collaborations in recent years. When it became clear that Puzzle & Dragons was a big deal, the veteran firm worked with the developer to create a Mario-themed offering for the 3DS, and more recently it has teamed up with Mojang to give Minecraft an injection of Nintendo goodness...
Nintendo Download 19th May (Europe)
Fire Emblem Fates! PixelJunk Monsters! Mario in Minecraft! Much more!
Another week is underway, and as always we have the European Nintendo Download update to get us up and running. This week brings some high profile DLC and a promising download release on Wii U, while the 3DS has one of its biggest retail releases of the year alongside a couple of...
News Citizens Of Earth Pulled From 3DS eShop Following Exploit Discovery
As expected
Update: Atlus has issued a brief statement on the game's withdrawal from sale: Due to unforeseen circumstances, we had to immediately remove Citizens of Earth from the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo 3DS. Both ATLUS and Nintendo are working together to get Citizens of Earth back up on the eShop. We apologize for the inconvenience to...
News Epic Word Search Collection 2 is Finding Its Way to 3DS on 26th May
Adds five new categories
The 3DS eShop has a number of puzzle games of various types to choose from, and even simple styles typically reserved for pen and paper make appearances. One example can be found with Epic Word Search Collection, which is pretty good in living up to its name with no frills. It evidently sold in decent numbers, too, as...
Nintendo Download 12th May (North America)
Super Meat Boy! Disney Art Academy! Phantom Hourglass! DLC! More!
It's time for another batch of Nintendo Download Update goodies in North America, and this week certainly has some enticing options. The 3DS gets a relatively high profile retail release, while the Wii U has a mix of highly anticipated and promising download titles. Throw in a Legend...
That ticks a lot of boxes
Though the Dreamcast is long discontinued and has the unfortunate status as the last console released by SEGA, it's highly regarded by a lot of gamers. For the most enthusiastic it's still a current-day platform, either for firing up mainstream classics or, alternatively, playing the latest from the system's Indie scene...
News Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Spirit of Justice to Arrive on the 3DS eShop in September
Court is in session
Earlier today we reported on a discovery by a homebrew user on 3DS that suggested a Western name for Ace Attorney 6. It turns out that was right, as Capcom has now officially confirmed that Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Spirit of Justice is coming to the 3DS eShop in September, priced at $29.99 / £24.99 / €29.99 across North...
News Digger Dan DX Won't Cost Much When It Arrives on the 3DS eShop
Digging in on 19th May
Digger Dan & Kaboom was a rather neat DSiWare title, and developer Four Horses has been working to bring it to the 3DS eShop in an improved form with Digger Dan DX. Having previously cited a Summer release before stating th
News Homebrew Vulnerability Discovered In 3DS Version Of Citizens Of Earth
Dubbed "Humblehax" thanks to Humble Friends of Nintendo Bundle
Another homebrew vulnerability has been discovered on 3DS, this time related to the eShop title Citizens of Earth. Christened "Humblehax" due to the game's inclusion in the recent Humble Friends of Nintendo Bundle, this exploit allows you to run unsigned code on your 3DS console but...
Feature Developer's Perspectives on the Humble Friends of Nintendo Bundle
"I would change nothing about this bundle. This bundle is pure joy."
The Humble Friends of Nintendo Bundle is, at the time of writing, in its final stretch. The final offering includes 11 games (and a neat 3DS HOME Theme) - three of which are retail titles - for $13 or more, with three tiers from which to choose. The mix of big-name games and high...
Reminder The Humble Friends of Nintendo Bundle Ends on 10th May
Over 150,000 bundles sold so far
The Humble Friends of Nintendo Bundle has now passed 150,000 purchases, which at the time of writing brings it just shy of $1.5 million in revenue. It's far surpassed the original North America-only bundle, with a global audience no doubt helping to deliver impressive results. With the bundle due to end at 11am...
Video Fresh Azure Striker Gunvolt 2 Footage Is Here To Burn Your Eyeballs
3DS sequel shaping up very nicely indeed
Azure Striker Gunvolt is one of our favourite 3DS eShop titles here at Nintendo Life, and we've got a keen eye locked on the sequel which arrives later this year. Developer Inti Creates recently ran a live-stream of Azure Striker Gunvolt 2 on its site which has English commentary, and it shows off some of...
Nintendo Download 12th May (Europe)
Super Meat Boy! Mario Strikers! Contra III! Discounts galore! More!
With another week comes another set of Nintendo Download Update details for Europe, and this time around there are some rather tempting options on both Wii U and 3DS. The home console has a long awaited platforming arrival along with some other interesting options, while both...
"Nintendo is showing that they are forward thinking in their approach"
The Humble Friends of Nintendo Bundle, now in its final few days, has demonstrably been a success. Unlike 2015's Humble Nindie Bundle it's been available in multiple territories around the world, with a mix of retail and download-only titles tempting eShop gamers to part with...
News Mega Man Finally Arrives on Nintendo Badge Arcade
Get equipped with badges
Some time ago we reported that Mega Man was blasting his way to Nintendo Badge Arcade in Japan. The time has finally come for the rest of us; you can get your Blue Bomber-themed badges now, along with various characters such as Protoman, Rush and all your favourite Mega Man villains. There is also some news of a 'Thank You...
Review Pocket Card Jockey (3DS eShop)
Horsing around
Sometimes mash-up concepts can bring us delightful gaming experiences, and occasionally they simply leave us scratching our heads in confusion. Pocket Card Jockey does both, and is in turns fun, irritating, exciting and unfair. Some may have a love-hate relationship with it as hours slip by and, when all is said and done, little in...
Sssimple
Anyone who longs for the days of playing classic Snake on their Nokia phone will be happy to know the game still lives on in EnjoyUp's updated version - Sssnakes. Unfortunately, Sssnakes doesn't offer much that the classic didn't do already, and considering there are a lot of easily accessible games to download, both for console and mobile,...
Nintendo Download 5th May (North America)
Pocket Card Jockey! Super Punch-Out!! PixelMaker! Discounts! More!
It's time for the North American Nintendo Download Update details, once again, and this week brings a relatively broad variety of games. The Wii U has a number of new releases vying for our attention, along with another DS Virtual Console title. The New 3DS gets a fun arrival on its...
Video Check Out the Launch Trailer for Mini Mario & Friends amiibo Challenge
Time to dust off those amiibo
A few months back, it was announced that Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge would be arriving on both Wii U and 3DS. The sort-of sequel in the long-running Mario & Donkey Kong series aims to take a free-to-play approach to things, with the caveat that you need amiibo to unlock see everything the game has to...
News Three New Titles Have Been Added to the Humble Friends of Nintendo Bundle
Two for Wii U, one for 3DS
The Humble Friends of Nintendo Bundle has enjoyed decent success so far, passing $1 million in money raised. It's now had the standard mid-bundle additions, adding three titles overall. Of the three new games two are for the Wii U eShop and one for the 3DS eShop - they are Runbow, Swords & Soldiers II and
News VVVVVV Pulled From North American 3DS eShop Following Discovery Of Homebrew Exploit
Haxxor
Super-hard indie platformer VVVVVV has been removed from the North American 3DS eShop following the publication of a homebrew exploit. The vulnerability - exploited by ShinyQuagsire's (v*)hax - is apparently only available in digital version of the game. It requires a "primary" entry point to function - that means another hack in order to...
News Humble Friends of Nintendo Bundle Passes $1 Million and 100,000 Bundles Sold
More games due to be added soon
The Humble Friends of Nintendo Bundle is the second 'Humble Bundle' that has featured eShop games, and is the first to be available globally. We previously reported that it had started quickly with over 60,000 bundles sold in under 24 hours, and it's now passed another notable landmark. At the time of writing the...
Nintendo Download 5th May (Europe)
Pocket Card Jockey! LEGO Avenger Black Panther DLC! Discounts galore! More!
It's a Bank Holiday in some countries but Nintendo has still sent out the European Nintendo Download Update details, albeit a little later than usual. This week we have some interesting new arrivals on the eShop stores and a lot of discounts, which are sure to tempt some...
News My Nintendo's Rewards Have Been Updated for May
Discounts galore
As you may have been aware, a range of My Nintendo rewards expired on 1st May, and new options have now been posted in North America and Europe. They're all discounts, which was expected as those that disappeared were equivalent deals. Due to differences in regional expiry dates the North American region has a lot of new offers,...
Review Doll Fashion Atelier (3DS eShop)
Design flaw
Spanning 16 games, anime and manga adaptations, and a near 20-year legacy, the Atelier series is one of the most beloved RPG franchises of all time. With such a wide cast of characters and a charming premise it's no wonder that the series has been beloved by fans for so long. It's great to see such an influential franchise finally make...
April2016
Reminder This is the Final Day for a Number of My Nintendo Rewards
The clock is ticking
My Nintendo has, so far, proven to be an interesting Club Nintendo replacement. It's been quite flexible, and with Miitomo rewards thrown in has included some quirky treats for those that like virtual outfits. Beyond that it's included full game downloads, DLC and a variety of discounts. Nevertheless the end is nigh for a whole...
Review Pokémon Yellow Version: Special Pikachu Edition (3DS eShop / GBC)
First generation Pokéfun. IN COLOR!
Twenty years since the franchise began and after numerous games, TV episodes, movies, trading cards and plush toys, Nintendo has given Pokémon fans a chance to travel back to where it all began with Virtual Console releases of the first Game Boy titles. 3DS owners can purchase the original Red or Blue versions,...
Exclusive Gunslugs is Heading to the 3DS eShop, and Nintendo Life's Community Helped Make it Happen
Feedback from our interview fired the starting gun
Gunslugs 2, developed by Orangepixel and ported / published on 3DS by Engine Software, is a fun and action-packed download title. Of course, no prizes are given for figuring out that it has a predecessor yet to arrive on 3DS - well, that's going to be fixed as Gunslugs is heading to the portable...
News EB Games Display Lists Mighty No. 9 for a Summer 2016 Release
The saga continues
At this point, the journey that Mighty No. 9 has taken to development has become almost comical. After a record breaking Kickstarter, hype was at an all-time high, but things quickly began to deflate after numerous delays and an attempt at doing a second fundraising campaign. The development team has remained worryingly quiet as...
Video Looking at Steamworld Heist's Ambitions Beyond The Outsider DLC
"I certainly hope to create more DLC"
Right now there's a lot of buzz around the new DLC for Steamworld Heist (out now), with its new character Fen, levels, weapons and (most importantly) expanded hat collection. Talking to Image & Form CEO Brjann Sigurgeirsson about the new content it was interesting to hear how Image & Form is approaching...
Nintendo Download 28th April (North America)
Xenoblade Chronicles! SteamWorld DLC! Lost Reavers! Mini Mario! More!
It's that time again, dear readers, for the North American Nintendo Download Update, and this week has some promising options. One of the Wii's finest games lands on the Wii U Virtual Console, while both eShop platforms have interesting download-only options to consider. On top of...
News Nintendo's eShop Revenues Hit a New High, Driven By DLC and Generation I Pokémon
North America likes the eShop the most...
Nintendo has, despite some hotly debated announcements, returned profits for the last financial year. Hooray! As a business it also had some positives to share in terms of sales, in particular pointing to upward momentum in key areas. One of these is in downloads, with a significant slice of sales moving...
News Pocket Card Jockey Comes to North America on 5th May
Same day as Europe
One of the rather strange announcements in the last Nintendo Direct was that Pocket Card Jockey would be coming to the 3DS eShop. The latest spin-off title from Game Freak aims to blend solitaire and horse racing together to make an experience unlike any other. It was recently announced that the game would be hitting Europe on 5th...
News Humble Friends of Nintendo Bundle Passes 60,000 Sales in Under 24 Hours
Far surpassing the North America-only 2015 bundle
In the past 24 hours Humble Bundle launched the second ever Nintendo eShop offering, the Humble Friends of Nintendo Bundle. It contains a mix of retail downloads and eShop-only titles at a huge discount (with more to be announced in six day's time) and, importantly, it's available around the world...
News A Sizable Update for Terraria on 3DS Has Been Submitted to Nintendo
Expect it in the next couple weeks
For those of you that don't know, Terraria can most closely be described as being essentially a 2D version of Minecraft. Featuring randomly generated worlds and open-ended sandbox gameplay, the game has garnered many fans after its initial PC release. The 3DS release came out late last year, and while it did manage...
News Humble Friends of Nintendo Bundle Offers Games at a Huge Discount
Darksiders II! Shantae and the Pirates Curse! Freedom Planet! Many more!
North American gamers may remember the Humble Nindie Bundle last year, which offered huge savings on some excellent eShop games. It was only available in that region, but now we have a new bundle announced for both Europe (including Australia and South Africa) and the Americas...
Video See the Quirky Madness of Pocket Card Jockey in This Trailer
Yay or neigh?
Pocket Card Jockey is a rather unique Game Freak release that we never thought we'd see in the West, but we're now only a little over a week away from its arrival. The blend of Solitaire and horse racing is quirky enough, but if you've had a spin with the lengthy demo you may have a new appreciation for its charms, from its art style...
News Pokémon Shuffle Adds Plenty of New Stages in Latest Update
Time to level up
Pokémon Shuffle appears to have been one of Nintendo's more successful free-to-play releases on the 3DS eShop. Not necessarily in terms of money made for Nintendo, that we don't know, but its simple but addictive tile matching has struck a chord with some eager players. The good news is that some brand new campaign stages have...
Rumour Xbox Store Listing Indicates That Mighty No. 9 Has Been Delayed Until December
UPDATE: Or perhaps not...
UPDATE: Well, this is embarrassing. Thanks to kindly people on Twitter like Prof.9, it has come to our attention that "12/02/16" is actually using the European date system (12th February 2016) and not the American system (2nd December 2016). The 12th was the original launch date for the game in Europe. It would appear that...
News Azure Striker Gunvolt Pack Launches for Japanese Retail on 25th August
The same day Azure Striker Gunvolt 2 launches on the Japanese eShop
Back in late February, Inti Creates announced that Azure Striker Gunvolt 2 was on its way to the 3DS. The sequel to 2014's Mega Man-inspired Azure Striker Gunvolt, this promised to offer more hyperactive 2D shooting action to gamers on the go. Then,
Nintendo Download 28th April (Europe)
Yo-kai Watch! SteamWorld DLC! Lost Reavers! Mini Mario! Much, much more!
With the beginning of another week we have the Nintendo Download update details for Europe, letting us know what download goodies that are on the way soon. This week's most notable arrival is a Level 5 RPG that is a phenomenon in Japan, though the overall download update is...
Review Witch & Hero 2 (3DS eShop)
New Witch, new Hero, same old game
Of all the sequels to suddenly burst onto the 3DS eShop, Witch & Hero 2 is undoubtedly one of the least-expected. Arriving three years after the underwhelming original, this has surely provided ample time and a great opportunity to improve on the limited gameplay, dull visuals and annoying repetition that so...
News SteamWorld Heist's DLC, The Outsider, Is Coming on 28th April
It's getting steamy in here
SteamWorld Heist was one of the best 3DS eShop in 2015, and scooped various Game of the Year awards to demonstrate that point. Image & Form has maintained that there's more to come, however, and the good news is that it's not far away. The studio has confirmed that 'The Outsider', which is paid DLC, will land on 28th...
Review Japanese Rail Sim 3D Journey in suburbs #1 Vol.4 (3DS eShop)
Running out of steam
Japanese Rail Sim 3D Journey in Suburbs #1 Vol. 4 is – like its predecessors – one of those games that's either loved or hated. That being said, this niche genre is not best represented by this fairly half-baked train sim. The gameplay is mindless and the real world footage is below acceptable quality standards, leaving us...
Nintendo Download 21st April (North America)
Star Fox Zero/Guard! Pinball Arcade! Pocket Card Jockey demo! More!
It's that time again for the North American Nintendo Download Update, and the leading games this week are undoubted those that feature talking animals that fly spaceships. Beyond that we have puzzles and pinball on Wii U alongside some last-gen minigames. On 3DS there's a mix of...
Video Nintendo Spring Partner Preview Spotlights Upcoming eShop Games
Axiom Verge! Tumblestone! Shantae! Super Meat Boy!
It's been a while since the last Nintendo Direct, and now that E3 is only a couple months away, it doesn't seem likely that Nintendo will be making any major announcements before the big event. Perhaps in lieu of a Nintendo Direct, a video was recently posted called 'Nintendo Spring Partner...
News Picross e7 is Heading to Japan Very Soon
Not so puzzling
The 3DS eShop is packed full of quality Picross games, most of which have been developed by Jupiter Corporation. It's released six Picross e games and also developed My Nintendo Picross: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, and has now confirmed that Picross e7 is close to release. It's due out in Japan on 27th April and will...
News Digger Dan DX is Tunnelling Into the 3DS eShop Quicker Than Expected
A new area is also shown off
Digger Dan & Kaboom was a very decent DSiWare title, and so we were pleased to hear recently that it's coming to the 3DS eShop as Digger Dan DX. Publisher Four Horses has now confirmed that it's due a little sooner than expected. In the original announcement it was pegged for a late Summer releas
Video Enjoy Some Perky Music in This Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge Trailer
Toys to virtual life
Nintendo has dabbled in free-to-play amiibo experiences before now, with amiibo Touch and Play being, in this writer's opinion, a bit naff. Nevertheless Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge looks like a better free-to-play use of the toys, at least for those with a decent collection. The Mini Mario series has been a fun...
News The Battle Cats POP! Will be Scratching Its Way to the West Soon
Miaouch
Those that enjoy watching the Japanese Nintendo Direct broadcasts will be vaguely familiar with The Battle Cats POP!, or as many of us have referred to it - "that weird-looking game with cartoon cats". The good news is that we'll get to experience it for ourselves in good time. Kyoto-based developer PONOS has confirmed that it's bringing...
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