It's finally arrived, North America

It's Thursday, and time for your Nintendo Download update, North America. This week we have an oft-demanded Wii U download that finally makes it across the Atlantic, two major retail offerings, a couple of discounts and some extra download goodies. Check out all of the details below.

Wii U Download

Zen Pinball 2 (Zen Studios, Free) — After a wait of a little under two months, this pinball title flips its way to North America. It incorporates a free download/trial table structure, so you only buy the content that you want in fixed packs at $10, or individual tables at $3 each. It's visually appealing, smooth and fun pinball action, though actually buying the tables is clunky and, potentially, frustrating. That doesn't mean it's not worth the inconvenience, as our Zen Pinball 2 review explains.

3DS Downloads

Lola's Math Train (BeiZ, $3.99) — While an edutainment game featuring a happy panda may not inspire hope of a high quality download, looks can be deceiving. We gave a glowing review of Lola's Alphabet Train on DSiWare, so we'll see whether the move to 3DS keeps the standards of this particular education high. Even if it is possibly the least fun subject ever — sorry to any mathematics fans out there.

3DS eShop Discounts

Mutant Mudds (Renegade Kid, $5.99 until 28th March / was $8.99) — The latest of the weekly 3DS eShop download discounts is Renegade Kid's "12-bit" action platformer, which features plenty of levels and gorgeous pixels. We were big fans in our Mutant Mudds review, and you now have a week to pick it up for a little less.

Pokédex 3D Pro (Nintendo, $9.99 from 22nd March / was $14.99) — This expanded and improved version of the eShop launches' free app gets a 33% discount for a "limited time", in an effort to coax those on the fence to take the plunge. A useful and stylish tool for 'mon fans, which earned a decent recommendation in our Pokédex 3D Pro review.

3DS Retail Downloads

Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon (Nintendo, $39.99) — Luigi's long awaited solo return after his GameCube debut arrives on 24th March, available for download and in stores. Promising a spooky change of pace from his backup role in various adventures, the green-one takes centre stage and truly kicks off the "Year of Luigi". Our review will be with you today, so you'll see what we think shortly.

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity (Nintendo, $39.99) — Also available from 24th March, this Pokémon spin-off series makes its debut on 3DS, giving fans an alternative from catching 'em all or flat out brawling. We'll bring you a review to see if we think it's worth exploring.

50 Classic Games 3D (Maximum Family Games, $19.99) — This title has been in stores since April last year and rather belatedly arrives on the eShop. It promises 50 enjoyable diversions ranging from cards, to board games, chess and more.

3DS Retail DLC

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity (free until 30th April, $2 after):

Enter Poké Forest! - Download and purchase cool new Mystery Dungeons for Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity when the game releases on March 24! The new Poké Forest dungeon will be available as a free download from within the game until April 30. Starting May 1, it will be available for $2.00.

Wii Virtual Console

Art of Fighting 3: The Path of the Warrior — It's Neo-Geo, it's 2D fighting. Yeah, we know, there are a lot of these, but that's not really a bad thing for those that didn't have a Neo-Geo unit back in the day. Of the various fighting series this one didn't quite live up to others with its first two entries; we'll let you know whether the third time is a charm in our upcoming review.


Some decent variety on offer this week, covering every platform but DSi. So, how will you be spending your funds? Let us know in the poll and comments below.

What will you be downloading first this week? (266 votes)

  1. Zen Pinball 2 DLC (Wii U eShop)25%
  2. Lola's Math Train (3DS eShop)  0%
  3. Mutant Mudds (3DS eShop discount)9%
  4. Pokédex 3D Pro (3DS eShop discount)5%
  5. Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon (3DS retail download)23%
  6. Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity (3DS retail download)5%
  7. 50 Classic Games 3D (3DS retail download)  0%
  8. Art of Fighting 3: The Path of the Warrior (Wii Virtual Console)2%
  9. Just free DLC for me6%
  10. Nothing for me this week24%

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