DSiWare News
Nintendo Download 26th July 2012 (North America)
Planet crashing, Wario, moles and more
This week we have all three Nintendo consoles catered for, including a long awaited platformer on the 3DS Virtual Console, the latest from Renegade Kid and much more. Let's get right to it. 3DS Virtual Console: Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 (Game Boy, Nintendo, $3.99) — This has no doubt been on a number...
Review Petit Computer (DSiWare)
Massive potential, minor headache
There are few better places to learn programming than within the BASIC family — heck, it's in the name — which offers general-purpose, relatively simple environments in which to learn the ropes and concepts of coding. Petit Computer is a powerful BASIC coding environment, a type of homebrew application seldom...
News Bonsai Barber is a Snip at 150 Coins on US Club Nintendo
Hairing to go
There's some vegetation in need of a trim if you pop over to the North American Club Nintendo page right now. Bonsai Barber is the latest reward in the program, listed for just 150 coins. Zoonami's bizarre WiiWare barber simulator takes Mario Tennis' spot and will be available until 5th August. Read our Bonsai Barber review if you're...
Nintendo Download 26th July 2012 (Europe)
Crashing, pinball, candles and athletics
It's another Monday, so let's cheer ourselves up in Europe with news of what downloads are coming this week. This week almost every platform is catered for, so let's get to it. 3DS Download Software: Planet Crashers (Ignition, £9/€10) — Planet Crashers is the latest title developed by Renegade Kid, of...
Nintendo Download 19th July 2012 (North America)
Kid Icarus, thievery and puzzles
Update details were slower than normal today, but we do now have a mixture of 3DS VC games, a couple of mystery eShop titles and some good-old DSiWare to look at this week. Let's get right into it. 3DS Virtual Console: Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters (Game Boy, Nintendo, $3.99) — Before his high profile 3DS...
News First Kart Krashers DSiWare Trailer Skids In
Krash out
Big John Games' Kart Krashers is speeding onto DSiWare and the 3DS eShop later this summer. Unlike many kart racers it's a single player affair; your aim is to charge through 10 courses looking for stars and smashing up any obstacles in your way. Grab enough points and you might just earn some Golden Wheels. Check out the first trailer...
News Starship Defense is Your New US Club Nintendo Reward
Starship super
If you're a US Club Nintendo user with 150 coins jangling around in your cyber-pocket, there's a new reward that might tempt you: Q-Games' DSiWare title Starship Defense, known in Europe as Starship Patrol. It replaces Electroplankton: Rec-Rec and will be available for a limited period of time. Have a read of our Starship Defense...
News Gaia's Moon Flies Into Japan on 25th July
Into the Land of the Rising Sun
DSiWare has its share of budget gems, and it's also a service that deprives some regions of excellent titles for long spells: ask a European DSi enthusiast about Cave Story, for example. Japanese gamers are about to have one of their wrongs resolved, however, with confirmation that Gaia's Moon is due on the country's...
Candlelight delight
Candle Route is a unique and colourful puzzle game starring Sparky, a plucky, anthropomorphic flame charged with bringing light to Crayon Castle before night comes around. The adventure that follows feels a bit like a cross between ChuChu Rocket!, mini-golf, and being a mother duck; most importantly it's beautiful, original and...
Nintendo Download 19th July 2012 (Europe)
Wario, revenge, flipping and learning
The details for this week's Nintendo Download in Europe are out with 3DS, Wii and DSi all getting some love, as well as the long-awaited return of a favourite edutainment series. Let's get to it. 3DS Virtual Console: Wario Land II (Game Boy Color, Nintendo, £4.50/€5) — While Wario's first appearance on...
Review Ace Mathician (DSiWare)
Smooth operators
Ace Mathician, from Flipper developer Goodbye Galaxy Games, is a unique puzzle-platformer that succeeds in combining the magic of both marsupials and maths. The basic idea is to help a friendly koala named Ace reach the fruit at the end of each single-screen stage by rearranging platforms using algebraic equations. Make no mistake:...
News Limber Up for Decathlon 2012 on 26th July
In time for the opening ceremony
Cinemax is ready to wrap up its sporting summer with Decathlon 2012 in Europe and North America on 26th July, the day before the London 2012 Olympic Games' opening ceremony. The DSiWare download mimics the official decathlon events — that's 100 metres, long jump, shot put, high jump, 400 metres, 110 metre hurdles,...
Nintendo Download 12th July 2012 (North America)
8-bit summer heats up
Two 3DS Virtual Console games plus new titles on WiiWare, DSiWare, Virtual Console and the eShop make another very strong week for the Nintendo Download in North America. Here's what's going live today. 3DS Virtual Console: Kirby's Pinball Land (Game Boy, Nintendo, $3.99) — The little pink ball makes the most of his rotund...
Review 3, 2, 1... Words Up! (DSiWare)
Fun with words
3, 2, 1... Words Up! is a great example of how simple can be satisfying. This word-unscrambling game does one thing and does it well, providing a solid dose of portable wordplay to anyone looking to test their lexical limits. The basic objective is to create as many words as possible from a bank of seven letters, and there are two...
Nintendo Download 12th July 2012 (Europe)
Sparkles and frogs
This week's Nintendo Download is a metaphorical mixed bag, with 3DS add-on content and WiiWare sitting alongside weird eShop applications. Scan the list below for the full lowdown. 3DS Download Software: Sparkle Snapshots 3D (Nintendo, £4.50/€5) — Remember Sparkle Snapshots on DSiWare? How would you like a similar...
It may be a map, but it's no legend
Congratulations are in order for Abstraction Games: it released a topography game that's even less fun that it sounds. Topoloco almost deserves an award for just how much it gets entirely wrong. Before you read the rest of this review, know that we didn't expect this to be much of a game, per se. Topoloco markets...
Nintendo Download 5th July 2012 (North America)
8-bit summer starts
Nintendo of America kicks off its 8-bit Summer campaign this week with new 3DS Virtual Console games, plus there's a new Wii Virtual Console game and some eShop games too. 3DS Virtual Console: The Legend of Zelda (NES, Nintendo, $4.99, 49 blocks) — This game surely needs no introduction. See where it all started for Link and...
Review Flip the Core (DSiWare)
Hit or bore?
We've already seen a few shoot 'em ups pop up on DSiWare, but for the most part the selection has felt more gimmicky than traditional. Flip the Core continues that tradition with a unique "flip" design that allows you to flip the flat background planes, greatly altering the level with one push of a button. And while this interesting...
Nintendo Download 5th July 2012 (Europe)
Vampires, zombies, viruses and mutants
This week's European Nintendo Download plays catch-up with North America and includes DLC for a game about to hit stores. Let's get to it. 3DS Virtual Console: Castlevania: The Adventure (Game Boy, Konami, £2.70/€3) — Considering the enthusiasm that normally greets a new Castlevania title from within the...
News 99Seconds Dodging Its Way to Europe on 12th July
A bit more than 99 seconds to wait
99Seconds is a budget DSiWare game that is ideally suited to short, compulsive gaming sessions on the go, or is the equivalent of a coin guzzler at a local arcade. As our 99Seconds review said, 'had 99seconds an arcade cabinet yelling for our attention, we would stroll right on up to it and put in the equivalent of...
News The Lost Town Finds Its New Trailer
Shooting and scavenging
The Lost Town - The Dust was an action/adventure title with RPG elements that was set in 2037, requiring you to guide the mysterious Chilia from an overhead view while exploring, shooting monsters and protecting innocents. The sequel — or perhaps prequel — is called The Lost Town - The Jungle and looks like a continuation...
Review Jewel Legends: Tree of Life (DSiWare)
Was it meant for you?
Not that there’s any shortage of them on DSiWare, but right off the bat it should be said that Jewel Legends: Tree of Life is a puzzle game. Not only is it a puzzle game, but it’s a match three puzzle game, which means that you know exactly what to expect with this download. While there are some new features to spice up...
News Petit Computer Lets You Make Games on Your DSi and 3DS
Coming soon
Gamebridge has announced it's bringing DSiWare game creation software Petit Computer to North America this summer. The package serves as an introduction to the BASIC programming language that's powered games for decades. If you're not artistically inclined you can use the 512 pre-packed sprites and 256 backgrounds, or using the DSi's...
News July's Club Nintendo Rewards are Up
Rec-rec and tennis
While we don't know what the Platinum reward is for Club Nintendo members, we do know what games you can spend your Coins on in the coming weeks. Wii Virtual Console: Mario Tennis (Nintendo 64) — 150 Coins. Available until 22nd July. Read our Mario Tennis review to see if it's worth the coins. DSiWare: Electroplankton:...
Review Escape the Virus: Swarm Survival (DSiWare)
Mini-thrills with micro-organisms
Escape the Virus: Swarm Survival, an offshoot of the WiiWare title Viral Survival from a few years back, is a collection of two score-based arcade games that take place under the microscope. While there's not a lot to this simple petri dish offering, what's there is an awful lot of fun and the core mechanics are...
Nintendo Download 28th June 2012 (North America)
Monkeys, marvels and more
Some quality original content on 3DS and DSi reaches North America this week, with two free demos to pick up as well. Here's what's out this week. Nintendo 3DS Download Software: Marvel Pinball 3D (Zen Studios, $7.99, 661 blocks) — Take four Marvel-themed tables for a spin in Zen Studios' follow-up to its very good Zen...
News CIRCLE Bringing Go! Go! Kokopolo 3D to eShop
Cat scratch fever
CIRCLE Entertainment's prolific output continues with no fewer than 21 titles on the way to the 3DS eShop and DSi Shop in the coming months. One of the most interesting titles is Go! Go! Kokopolo 3D: Space Recipe for Disaster by Tanukii Studios, a follow-up to DSiWare stand-out Go! Go! Kokopolo. We've approached Tanukii for more...
Review Goooooal Europa 2012 (DSiWare)
Missing an open goooooal
DSiWare is like any other downloadable game platform: it features gems full of creativity and compulsive play, and then it has titles like Goooooal Europa 2012, which tries to hide its painful inadequacies with a ‘fun’ title and a tenuous link to a major football tournament. The idea of a table football game with stylus...
News Prepare for the Abyss on DSiWare
Don't forget a light
EnjoyUp Games has released a lot of download titles, particularly on DSiWare, with Gaia's Moon standing out as an excellent release at 200 Nintendo Points. That word Gaia has appeared once again, this time as a collectible in upcoming DSiWare release Abyss. The purpose of Abyss is to navigate a robot called Nep2no in the depths...
News Escape the Swarm on DSiWare This Week
Viral survival
Teyon's maintaining its formidable DSiWare output ratio with Escape the Virus: Swarm Survival out in North America this week. The 200 Point download asks you to form the longest DNA chain you can while dodging harmful viruses in Normal mode, or offers a Baby mode where you simply cart the DNA pieces to safety. WiiWare veterans may...
Nintendo Download 28th June 2012 (Europe)
Marvel Pinball and more
A motley group of superheroes headlines this week's Nintendo Download, but there's also the second week of the store's anniversary if you're after a bargain. Here's what's up this week. eShop: Marvel Pinball 3D (Zen Studios, £6.30/€7) — The follow-up to the successful (and rather good) Zen Pinball 3D, this brings with...
Review Lola's Fruit Shop Sudoku (DSiWare)
Sudoku Jr.
Earlier this year we were pleasantly surprised by Lola's Alphabet Train, a rewardingly sweet journey through simple spelling drills. It was colourful, engaging and inventive. Now we have a sequel in the form of Lola's Fruit Shop Sudoku, and while the previous game's charm is intact, it's a bit less impressive overall. You'd be forgiven...
Nintendo Download 21st June 2012 (North America)
Dragons, kitchens and so much more
A very busy week this week with WiiWare, Virtual Console, DSiWare and no fewer than two eShop releases reaching North American shores. Here's what's awaiting your purchase today. 3DS Download Software: Order Up!! (Ignition Entertainment, $9.99, 2,488 blocks) — Released at retail in Europe, North America can try...
A small wonder
When it comes to clones, very few genres are more prime candidates than puzzlers. When Tetris hit back in the 80's it was quickly cloned and in fact, is still being cloned to this very day. 7 Wonders of the Ancient World took the match-three idea and attempted to inject a few new twists into the mix but somehow failed to take the...
Review Devil Band - Rock the Underworld (DSiWare)
Ear piercing
If musicians really can save the world — Bob Geldof and Bono would both like you to believe they can — then it's a shame they couldn't do it in a game more interesting than Devil Band - Rock the Underworld. CIRCLE's latest essentially takes Plants vs. Zombies, robs it of its charm and adds in a lot more tapping. You control a metal...
Nintendo Download 21st June 2012 (Europe)
Mutant Mudds is here
Well, that was a long wait. Renegade Kid's acclaimed platformer gets to Europe this week, along with a 1000 Point WiiWare adventure and a kickabout on DSiWare. Here's what's up this week. 3DS Download Software: Mutant Mudds (Renegade Kid, £8.10/€9) — What started life as a DS retail game called Maximillian and the Rise of...
Nintendo Download 14th June 2012 (North America)
Mad dogs, spider-men, mega men and more
A good all-round week for North America: 3DS gets an ageing arcade game, a demo and a 3DS Virtual Console game, DSiWare is graced with a music-themed take on the Plants vs. Zombies formula and Wii owners get a VC game too. 3DS Virtual Console: Donkey Kong Jr. (NES, Nintendo, $4.99) — A rare appearance from...
Nintendo Download 14th June 2012 (Europe)
Sonic, tattoos and a samurai sword
After all the E3 excitement last week it's back down to Earth with a bump this week, with a Game Gear Sonic game and European releases of decent, if long overdue games. Here's what's available this week. 3DS Virtual Console: Sonic Blast (Game Gear, SEGA, £4.50/€5) — Sonic's last adventure on Game Gear (in...
I got 99 problems but time ain't one
Tiny time-waster games like 99seconds really aren't all that dissimilar from the arcade games of old that we now look on so fondly as champions of game design: simplistic ideas with an execution engaging enough to keep the flow of quarters flowing. Here, the concept is a form of extreme keep-away with a slow-down...
Nintendo Download 7th June 2012 (North America)
Bats, cats, balance and curling
It's a bumper week for North America with new 3DS Download Software, demos, DSiWare, 3D videos and more. Here's what's available today. 3DS Download Software: Art of Balance TOUCH! (Shin'en Multimedia, $6.99) — An excellent puzzle game that tasks you to create a balanced stack of blocks. It's tougher than it...
Nintendo Download 7th June 2012 (Europe)
Online Heroes of Ruin demo and more
Talk about a first: tomorrow you can try Heroes of Ruin's multiplayer mode either in local or online play. Here's what else is up for Europeans tomorrow. 3DS Demos: Heroes of Ruin (Square Enix) — Try out one of four classes and play online or in local multiplayer with three others. The game hits Europe next...
News Some Club Nintendo Coin Values Will Change on 1st July
Full details inside
The number of Club Nintendo Coins you'll get for registering certain games will change on 1st July. For some games, the number will decrease; for some, it'll increase. If you want to see whether you should register those games now or wait until 1st July, check out our handy charts, straight from Club Nintendo. Page 1: 3DS...
Nintendo Download 31st May 2012 (North America)
Rayman, 99seconds and more
Wait, what? Another 3DS Virtual Console game? And this one's a Game Boy Color release? Well, if that don't just beat all. Here's what's up and at 'em in this week's bunch. 3DS Virtual Console: Rayman (Game Boy Color, Ubisoft, $4.99, 70 blocks) — The limbless hero lands in Europe today too, so it's a big helping of...
Review Snakenoid Deluxe (DSiWare)
In which the word "deluxe" is cheapened enormously
Last year, we reviewed Snakenoid, a Snake/Arkanoid hybrid from Cinemax that answered our question of how one could possibly combine the gameplay from those two games. That answer was, "pretty disappointingly, thanks for asking." We felt it was a bit of a mess, at best, a complete waste of time and...
Review Chronicles of Vampires: Awakening (DSiWare)
Bloody good?
It seems that popular culture's obsession with vampires may be entering its twilight years. If contemporary films, books and TV series focusing on gothic lore ever felt fresh and exciting, that effect has worn off and the bloodsuckers have come to feel a bit bland and tired. Still clinging onto the trend is the second in Teyon's hidden...
Nintendo Download 24th May 2012 (North America)
Galleries and snakes
North America gets its third Game Boy Color game today, which is nice. There's some DSiWare too and an update for an eShop favourite. 3DS Virtual Console: Game & Watch Gallery 2 (Game Boy Color, Nintendo, $3.99) — No, your eyes do not deceive you: this is two consecutive weeks of 3DS Virtual Console games in North America...
Review Curling Super Championship (DSiWare)
Bowls on ice
DSiWare has been home to some interesting concepts and ideas, developing a diverse library of different experiences of varying standards. Despite this, Curling Super Championship is one of the more unique entries, taking a relatively minor winter sport and turning it into a video game. While some may feel the need to dismiss it off...
Nintendo Download 17th May 2012 (North America)
VC and vampires
After a pretty long nap 3DS Virtual Console wakes up today, and DSiWare swells with a hidden object adventure too. This is much more like it. 3DS Virtual Console: Kirby's Block Ball (Game Boy, Nintendo, $2.99, 40 blocks) — At long last, 3DS gets another Virtual Console game in the rotund form of Kirby. Check out our Kirby's Block...
News Goooooal Europa 2012 Has the Best Name on DSiWare
Count those Os
Let's play a game. You're Cinemax, a DSiWare developer, and you're making a game about table football. Your past games have gone for the direct route when it comes to names: 90's Pool, Rytmik and, of course, Calculator. You're working on a table football game — what do you call it? If you went for Table Football 2012, sorry — not...
News Chronicles of Vampires Reawakens on DSiWare This Week
Monster, monster
Teyon's Chronicles of Vampires series reaches its horrific conclusion this week in Chronicles of Vampires: The Awakening, heading to DSiWare on Thursday. The 500 Point download is a blend of the puzzle and hidden object genres, so should be right at home on DSiWare. Last year we had Chronicles of Vampires: Origins, which admittedly...
Review Paul's Shooting Adventure 2 (DSiWare)
Looks like we're having twins
Upon its western release in late 2010, Paul's Shooting Adventure was a pleasant surprise. It starred a flying baby named Paul, also known as The Ultimate Pacifier, who battled evil alien sea creatures because, hey, why not? It was a surprisingly fun game with colourful graphics and an upbeat soundtrack, not to mention...
News Gear Up for 99Seconds on 31st May
Release date revealed
EnjoyUp Games' next DSiWare game, 99Seconds, will hit North America on 31st May for 200 Nintendo Points. The retro-styled avoid-everything game comes just over a year after 99Bullets, a similarly old-school title about shooting. Now you have no bullets, just 99 seconds to survive, unless you pick up the extra time capsules that...
Nintendo Download 10th May 2012 (North America)
Very early edition
Believe your eyes: the Nintendo Download for North America is out, several hours ahead of usual. There's two Virtual Console treats and more to get stuck into, so here's what's up this week. Virtual Console: Wonder Boy in Monster Land (Virtual Console Arcade, SEGA, 900pts) — Just like Europe, North America gets a double dose of...
Nintendo Download 10th May 2012 (Europe)
It's a Virtual Console explosion
As if any further proof were needed that SEGA is the greatest video game company in the whole world, this week it's bringing no fewer than three games to lucky European fans this week. Elsewhere there's a long awaited piece of 3DS download software and an out-of-nowhere DSiWare game too. To the list! 3DS Virtual...
Purr crazy
“Little kittens are trapped in a well!” yowls Cat Frenzy's press release, invoking worrying thoughts of helpless baby felines in peril. Actually, this sliding block game is a bit more cheery in reality – the background implies they're actually in a house, for starters. Phew. Played with your handheld in sideways book-style, Cat...
There will be bloodstreams
Intrinsic Games has brought some interesting titles to DSiWare so far, with topsy-turvy platformer Divergent Shift and arctic rescue puzzler Penguin Patrol both offering respectable and fun takes on their material. With Amoebattle, whose title is much more fun to read than it is to say out loud, Intrinsic Games looks to...
Nintendo Download 3rd May 2012 (North America)
Germs and birds
The eShop gets its cheapest game yet, a $1.99 'infinite challenge' title, and real-time strategy fans can rejoice that Intrinsic Games' molecular head-scratcher is finally out, plus the return of VC Arcade. Here's what's up and competing for your money today. 3DS eShop: Bird Mania 3D (Teyon, $1.99, 227 blocks) — Fly as far as you...
Nintendo Download 3rd May 2012 (Europe)
Virtual Console Arcade returns
In an unexpected (to say the least) twist, SEGA is bringing back Virtual Console Arcade this week with a truly classic racer. Elsewhere there's brand new DSiWare and a Game Boy Color game on 3DS too. Here's what's up this week. Wii Virtual Console: Super Hang-On (Virtual Console Arcade, SEGA, 900pts) — The legendary...
Review Chuck E. Cheese's Arcade Room (DSiWare)
Cheese Louise
We're not sure why UFO Interactive bothered to get the Chuck E. Cheese license for this mirthless assortment of half-baked minigames, but we can conclusively say that it wasn't worth its time or the effort to do so. Chuck E. Cheese's Arcade Room is, in a word, awful. The first major issue is the stingy number of games available. We're...
Nintendo Download 26th April 2012 (North America)
Blocks, fighting and Chuck E. Cheese
Virtual Console returns to Wii this week with a fighting classic, plus there's some original 3DS Download Software and DSiWare too. Here's what you can look forward to downloading later today. Wii Virtual Console: Super Street Fighter II (Genesis, SEGA, 800pts) — The 16-bit scrapper reaches North America,...
Nintendo Download 26th April 2012 (Europe)
Blocks, worms and Gnomz
There's a definite creative slant to this week's Nintendo Download, with 3DS and DSi owners able to make something for themselves. Here's what's available to download from 2pm this Thursday. 3DS Download Software: Block Factory (Enjoy Gaming, £3.60/€4) — A puzzle game in which you get to make your own variations on the...
News Inchworm Animation Reaches Europe Next Week
Slow motion animation
One year and a day after it launched in North America, Inchworm Animation is hitting DSiWare in Europe. The application launches on Thursday 26th April for 800 Nintendo Points, an increase over its 500 Point price tag in North America. It allows users to create stop motion films and time lapse videos as well as traditional...
News Two 99seconds Trailers Last Longer Than 99 Seconds
But who's counting?
99seconds is a follow up to 99bullets, but instead of a shooter it's a game of extreme keep away. EnjoyUp has just sent over two new trailers showing the game in action, and it looks like a decent test of skill for those after some intense gaming. There's no release date or price for 99seconds yet, but we'll keep you posted.
Nintendo Download 19th April 2012 (North America)
Running wild with Pit
A very quiet week this week, with just two titles, one of which has been available through GameStop for a while. Here's what awaits. 3DS Download Software: 3D Classics: Kid Icarus (Nintendo, $5.99) — Pit's reimagined debut has been available exclusively through GameStop for a month now, but is finally opened up to everyone...
Can I bolt?
Held in prison for daring to protect his beloved from an attack, I Must Run!'s nameless protagonist is challenged to break out and run across the city in less than 24 hours for the ultimate prize: his wife's life. Apparently the escape itself poses no problem, as we cut straight to the chase. I Must Run! is a game of the same ilk as the...
Review Anne's Doll Studio: Tokyo Collection (DSiWare)
Goodbye, Dolly
If you were clamouring for a sequel to Anne's Doll Studio: Gothic Collection, it can only mean that you've never played it. Nevertheless, here we are, being punished for whatever hideous, unforgivable sins we must have committed in our past lives. Anne's Doll Studio: Tokyo Collection is that sequel, and while the previous instalment...
Nintendo Download 19th April 2012 (Europe)
Colors!, Rush Rush, paid video and more
Europe gets its first taste of paid-for 3D video this week, alongside an art application and a WiiWare racer. Here's what's under starter's orders for this week. 3DS Download Software: Colors! 3D (Collecting Smiles, 231 blocks, £5.40/€6) — An excellent addition to the 3DS suite of creative tools, find out...
Nintendo Download 12th April 2012 (North America)
Ketzal and dolls
3DS owners get a new puzzle game and there's a doll dressing-up game on DSiWare. No, it's not Bizarro World, it's the Nintendo Download of course! Here's what's on offer today in North America. 3DS Download Software: Ketzal's Corridors (Nintendo, $6.99, 275 blocks) — The follow-up to the WiiWare's ThruSpace, this is another...
Nintendo Download 12th April 2012 (Europe)
Zelda and Super Street Fighter II
Two venerable classics come to Nintendo's various Virtual Consoles this week, but both bear a few interesting tweaks. Here's what Europe can download later on in the week. 3DS Virtual Console: The Legend of Zelda (NES, Nintendo, £4.50/€5, 54 blocks) — The original title comes to non-Ambassadors, complete with...
Review Penguin Patrol (DSiWare)
Snow major complaints; it's an ice game! Catch our drift?
The charmingly simple story of Penguin Patrol revolves around a young Eskimo who witnesses a greedy walrus slugging along with a sack full of distressed penguins. The walrus is obviously looking forward to a nice big dinner, but it's up to you to prevent him from getting that far. You...
News Amoebattle's Quarantine Period is Nearly Over
Release due soon
After a long wait, Intrinsic Games' Amoebattle is nearly ready to infect DSiWare. The real-time strategy game with a distinctly germy theme has been approved for release by Nintendo of America, with a definitive release date expected in the near future. If you want to know more about Intrinsic's RTS, you can read our Amoebattle...
Nintendo Download 5th April 2012 (North America)
TNT, Colors and more
A long-awaited 3DS art package, a DSiWare puzzler and a WiiWare racer make up this week's digital downloads in North America. Here's the Nintendo Download: 5th April 2012 for Europe. 3DS Download Software: Colors! 3D (Collecting Smiles, $6.99, 226 blocks) — A much-anticipated release for 3DS, this 3D art software was supposed...
News Tetris Party Live Disappears from eShop
Publisher explains why
Check the 3DS eShop or DSi Shop and you'll notice that Tetris Party Live is no longer available to buy, either in North America or European regions. We reached out to the publisher, Tetris Online Inc., for an explanation. Casey Pelkey, vice president of marketing, had this to say: I can confirm that Tetris Party Live is no...
Nintendo Download 5th April 2012 (Europe)
Speeding thru
It's an auspicious day when Europe gets a new piece of 3DS download software, and that's exactly what's on the (SD) cards this week as Nintendo itself publishes another digital delight. Elsewhere there's an ages-old WiiWare game, a pretty poor DSiWare game and the world's most exciting demo. 3DS Download Software: SpeedThru: Potzol's...
It's pool! In the 90's!
The Berlin Wall has recently fallen, Seinfeld is dominating television and Justin Bieber has just been born. Yes, it's the 1990s and, for some reason, we're playing pool. We'll leave the jokes about the title to you folks in the comments, as 90's Pool doesn't really leave us in much of a mood for fun. And for a video game,...
Nintendo Download 29th March 2012 (North America)
Sporty special
Digital balls and cues make up the bulk of this week's downloads, with a few titles vying to catch your eye with their take on established sports. There's also a brace of demos for indecisive gamers. 3DS Download Software: Arc Style: Soccer!! 3D (Arc System Works, $6.99) — Arc dabbles with digital goalposts in this super-cute take...
Review 1st Class Poker & BlackJack (DSiWare)
Show ‘em what you got
Nintendo download services aren’t lacking for casino-style titles, ensuring that you don’t need a pesky deck of cards if you want a game of chance. In the case of poker games, we should be grateful that it means gambling only with fake, electronic money — always a safer way to play. 1st Class Poker & BlackJack is...
Nintendo Download 29th March 2012 (Europe)
Game Gear is here!
Originally we were told SEGA's Game Gear would reach Europe in mid-March, but after a minor delay the portable is coming to the continent this Thursday. The GG games aren't the only Virtual Console goodness as Wii gets a long-awaited 8-bit blaster too. 3DS Virtual Console: Sonic the Hedgehog: Triple Trouble (Game Gear, SEGA,...
News Could It Be Magic? First Ace Mathician Trailer Arrives
New game from Flipper creator
Ace Mathician from Goodbye Galaxy Games — the one-man team behind Flipper and Flipper 2: Flush the Goldfish — is branching out from goldfish to create a game about a koala that solves mathematical problems in a platforming context. Really. Hugo Smits sent over the first trailer that explains a bit more about the...
Nintendo Download 22nd March 2012 (North America)
Poker, Math and zombies
Just when you thought it was safe to hang up your mathematical hat, along comes Carmen Sandiego to dash it all. Elsewhere we've got some card games on DSiWare — it's been a while — and zombies. 3DS Download Software: Zombie Slayer Diox (UFO Interactive, $5.99) — The latest 3D game from Samurai Sword Destiny publisher...
News There's a Chuck E. Cheese Game Coming to DSiWare
What more can we say?
"Chuck E. Cheese's Arcade Room is a fun and exciting video game that digitally recreates the magic of being at a Chuck E. Cheese's!" We'd love to leave the story at that, to be honest. Chuck E. Cheese's Arcade Room is a DSiWare game from UFO Interactive due to reach North America on 26th April for 500 Points. It's a...
Review Successfully Learning Mathematics: Year 5 (DSiWare)
The final test
It’s the end of another Successfully Learning series, with mathematics reaching the end of its syllabus. Successfully Learning Mathematics: Year 5 is a logical continuation of its predecessors, with Freddy the Vampire appearing for one last time before hanging up his cape. By continuation we mean, of course, more of exactly the...
Nintendo Download 22nd March 2012 (Europe)
The doctor is in
No Game Gear games for Europe this week sadly as we have a truly paltry selection available to download. Here's what's on offer. 3DS Virtual Console: Dr. Mario (Game Boy, Nintendo, £2.70/€3) — The monochromatic medicinal puzzler slots in to the 3DS Virtual Console line-up this week. Is it good for what ails you? Our review soon...
Review Pirates Assault (DSiWare)
Stealing your money in more ways than one
CIRCLE Entertainment has carved out a fanbase for itself with the DSiWare crowd, due in large part to the consistently excellent Castle Conqueror series. It's had a few misfires along the way — see The Seller — but, by and large, gamers have been able to count on CIRCLE's releases to feature a hefty...
Nintendo Download 15th March 2012 (North America)
Time to get into Game Gear
The long wait for Game Gear titles on the eShop is finally over, with three releases arriving as expected. The DSi and Wii aren't entirely forgotten, while there's some anime on Nintendo Video: let's get right to it. 3DS Virtual Console: Sonic the Hedgehog: Triple Trouble (Game Gear, SEGA, $4.99) — Before Sonic and Mario...
Nintendo Download 15th March 2012 (Europe)
UPDATE: Rhythm Thief & the Emperor's Treasure Demo arrives
Last week was a bumper Nintendo Download week in Europe, but this week plays catch-up with North America and has some releases that are sure to please retro fans: check out the details below. 3DS Virtual Console: Metroid (NES, Nintendo, £4.50/€5) — Samus' original NES adventure was...
Review Zuma's Revenge (DSiWare)
An expensive addiction
We'll say one thing for PopCap — it sure knows how to transform simple tasks into madly addictive experiences. And from Peggle and Bookworm to Plants vs. Zombies, Nintendo fans have been able to enjoy excellent ports of some of its most popular games. Zuma's Revenge is the most recent PopCap title to make the jump to...
Nintendo Download 8th March 2012 (North America)
Minigolf and Mr Dream
Next week sees Game Gear games come to North America, but until then you can engage in some sporting digital delights, with golf and boxing represented in this week's download leaderboard. Here's what's competing for your cash. 3DS Download Software: Fun! Fun! Minigolf TOUCH! (Shin'en, $4.99) — A much-enhanced version of...
Nintendo Download 8th March 2012 (Europe)
Minigolf ahoy
It's a big old Nintendo Download this week, with a 3DS demo, Game Boy game, two Wii Virtual Console games and original 3DS download software hits alongside DSiWare puzzlers and a WiiWare demo. Let's get to it. 3DS Virtual Console: Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters (Game Boy, Nintendo, £2.70/€3) — Pit's second adventure comes to...
Review Aahh! Spot the Difference (DSiWare)
Spot the indifference
Greetings, fans of two-pictures-that-are-seemingly-identical-but-are-actually-slightly-different-to-one-another! Aahh! Spot the Difference is here to make you happy people indeed — as long as you don't mind the fact that it's short, bland and totally forgettable, that is. Adding another log to the bonfire of similar titles,...
Nintendo Download 1st March 2012 (North America)
Metroid on NES
Bit of a slow week to kick March off, with an NES game on 3DS Virtual Console, a couple of demos and one piece of DSiWare all there is to talk about today. 3DS Virtual Console: Metroid (NES, Nintendo, $4.99) — Samus Aran's first adventure surely needs no introduction, but it's available to buy in the eShop from today. We'll review...
Nintendo Download 1st March 2012 (Europe)
NES comes to 3DS
3DS gets a demo and two Virtual Console games this week while Wii owners are left sadly without. Still, there's plenty of Virtual Console games coming to Wii in March, so that's something. 3DS Virtual Console: Punch-Out!! (NES, Nintendo, £4.50/€5) — The classic boxing game is the first non-Ambassador NES game to reach 3DS...
Review Successfully Learning Mathematics: Year 4 (DSiWare)
Successfully Testing Mathematics
The Successfully Learning series from Tivola has, it its own way, become the most prolific franchise on DSiWare. That’s not necessarily surprising considering there's a range of subjects to cover, and we’ve now reached Successfully Learning Mathematics: Year 4. It’s edutainment with Freddy the Vampire, so we...
You certainly can't claim false advertising
So far, GameOn has made its name on DSiWare with simple games executed well. Box Pusher does nothing to buck that trend, offering a gaming experience that manages to be both vast and shallow, but what this game lacks in personality it easily makes up for with its strong and clever central conceit. Box...
Nintendo Download 23rd February 2012 (North America)
Boxes and more
The download is in and it includes gnomes, armadillos, puppies, kittens and... boxes. Who said games characters can't have personality any more? DSiWare: Box Pusher (GameOn, 500pts) — You're the box pusher. Pushing boxes is what you do, and you do it well. In fact, you're the greatest box pusher this town's ever seen. Make and share...
The multiplayer is the real difference
Fans of spot-the-difference puzzles will know exactly what to expect from EnjoyUp Games' latest release, iSpot Japan. Players are presented with two similar photographs, and they must identify any details that differ between them. It's simple, and it's a perfect fit for touch screen gaming. Unfortunately,...
Nintendo Download 23rd February 2012 (Europe)
Rolling on
Here's the full list of games available to buy today in Europe. Nintendo 3DS Download Software: Dillon's Rolling Western (Nintendo, £9.00/€10) — Play as a Wild West armadillo who must defend a town from marauding rocks using gatling guns, towers and more. We'll have a full review soon. DSiWare: Box Pusher (GameOn, 500pts) — Push...
Nintendo Download 16th February 2012 (North America)
Strider is here!
Update: Looks like this is the full list, dudes and dudettes. 3DS Virtual Console: Super Mario Bros. (NES, $4.99) — Yes, the earlier 3DS Ambassador update was just a prelude to Nintendo releasing Super Mario Bros. on 3DS for non-Ambassadors. Do you really need a review to know if this is worth getting? We'll write one anyway.
News Gamelion's I Must Run! is Racing to DSiWare
It's not alone
One of the most self-explanatory game names you could ask for, in I Must Run! you must run. Gamelion's skyscraper scamper has already been released on PlayStation Minis and mobile phones but is coming to DSiWare in the near future. If you've played Canabalt you'll have a fairly good idea what to expect, though I Must Run! includes a...
News Ace Mathician is Goodbye Galaxy's Next DSiWare Game
Interest x 20
When we posted up CIRCLE Entertainment's six new DSiWare games, we only had a little information to go on for most titles, but we've since heard more details about Ace Mathician that might put it on your radar. Flipper developer Goodbye Galaxy Games is behind the maths-based puzzle platformer, which promises multiple mathematical...
