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It's that time again, North America, when your Nintendo systems are updated with new downloadable delights to sample. The humble Wii is the only platform to miss out, and overall you have Virtual Console titles to consider, a retail demo and some fresh games to contemplate. Let's get to the details.

Wii U Virtual Console

Solomon's Key (Tecmo, $4.99) — Originally an arcade puzzle platformer, like many of its kind it made the transition to the NES. You navigate rooms full of obstacles by both placing and removing blocks, and is a reasonably fun, compulsive experience; we'll puzzle our way to a fresh look at it, while in the meantime you can check out our Wii Virtual Console Solomon's Key review.

Xevious (Namco Bandai, $4.99) — An iconic scrolling shmup, this is rather primitive to modern eyes and ears due to its encounters with early NES limitations, but it's still regarded affectionately by some retro fans of the genre. It's also appeared in the 3D Classics range, yet we feel its later contemporaries outshine it in a big way; before our Wii U revisit you can check out our Wii Virtual Console Xevious review.

Wii U Temporary Price Reduction

Chasing Aurora (Broken Rules, $7.49 from 9th to 16th May, normally $14.99)

Wii U Retail Demo

Resident Evil Revelations (Capcom, free) — This HD re-release of the highly regarded 3DS title is now just two weeks away, so Capcom's providing a free demo to get you in the mood. Available from 14th May, this'll take you through the early — and eerie — stages on an abandoned cruise-liner. They're free scares, what's not to like?

3DS eShop

Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move (Nintendo, $9.99) — The fifth game in this popular series sees the former foes, and other famous characters, teaming up rather than competing. There are plenty of puzzles (apparently 180), four modes, unlockable mini-games and a level editor with online sharing. It can also have a fiendish, 3DS-hurling level of difficulty, while the touch screen play for the main modes can make the use of 3D visuals superfluous. It's still fun and packing a lot of content, earning a recommendation from us, but there's a fair bit to think about in our Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move review.

SpeedX 3D Hyper Edition (Gamelion, $2.99) — Rumoured last week, this new version / follow-up to SpeedX 3D makes a sudden entry onto the North American eShop. The official spiel promises a new and faster Hyper Mode, improved controls — which seems to be hinting at stylus steering being added — better visuals and new music tracks to enjoy with headphones. We thoroughly enjoyed the simple fun of the original — and this new version comes in $1 cheaper — so we'll see whether lightning strikes twice in a review.

DSiWare

Publisher Dream (CIRCLE Entertainment, 200 Nintendo Points) — This sim title gives you the opportunity to run your own game development studio, releasing games of all sizes on the 'cShop' over a period of nine years. It delivers in some areas to provide an addictive experience, but some balancing issues and peculiarities let it down. One to consider for fans of the genre, nonetheless, you can check out our Publisher Dream review for full details.

A decent mix to chew over, if not the most packed update we've seen in recent times. Let us know which titles are on your agenda in the poll and comments below.

What will you be downloading first this week? (273 votes)

  1. Solomon's Key (Wii U Virtual Console)4%
  2. Xevious (Wii U Virtual Console)3%
  3. Chasing Aurora (Wii U eShop temporary discount)2%
  4. Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move (3DS eShop)26%
  5. SpeedX 3D Hyper Edition (3DS eShop)3%
  6. Publisher Dream (DSiWare)1%
  7. Just the Revelations demo for me22%
  8. Nothing for me this week40%

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