Wii Fit U Luge

It's time for the Nintendo Download update, North America, in which we learn what delights will be infesting the Wii U and 3DS eShop platforms this Halloween and beyond. We have a stone-cold classic Super NES title on the Wii U, while one of the most lucrative Wii franchises makes its return in trial form. There are plenty more retail goodies, discounts and new download-only games to consider, too, so let's get right to it.

Wii U Virtual Console

Super Castlevania IV (Konami, $7.99) — Now this is a perfect Halloween game, and some would argue — against some fierce opposition — that it's the peak of the Castlevania franchise. This Super NES title is held in particularly high esteem for good reason, and is sure to tempt some downloads on the spookiest night of the year. You can see what we thought in our Wii Virtual Console Super Castlevania IV review, while our updated review will follow as the Halloween night creeps in...

Wii U Retail Downloads

Wii Fit U (Nintendo, free trial) — Arriving on 1st November, you can download a free 31-day trial of the full Wii Fit U software, giving you early access if you also have Wii Balance Board. This could be a far cheaper option than buying the sets coming to retail, as you just need to buy and sync a Fit Metre (available at retail in various colours from the same date as this download) to extend the trial indefinitely. We'll do some stretches and warm up for a review.

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes (Warner Bros. Interactive, $TBC)

Ben 10 Omniverse 2 (D3 Publisher, $TBC) — Available on 5th November.

Wii U eShop Temporary Discount

BIT.TRIP Presents: Runner 2 Future Legend of Rhythm Alien (Gaijin Games, $9.99 from 1st to 7th November, normally $14.99.

3DS eShop

Angry Bunnies (Cypronia, $8.99) — This is a "challenging physics-based demolition" title, with clear inspiration from the Angry Birds franchise. It promises 150 levels and a variety of different powers, so we'll chew on a carrot and see what's up (Doc?) in our upcoming review.

Arcade Classics 3D (Enjoy Gaming Ltd, $2.99) — We're going to sound the game collection klaxon here, as sometimes titles that make promises such as "6 of the most playable games of all time, puzzles, action, shooters all in one purchase!" can make us wary. Nevertheless we'll head into this with some optimism and bring you a review.

3DS Virtual Console

Milon's Secret Castle (Nintendo, $4.99) — More NES nostalgia arrives on the 3DS, this time in the form of a Hudson Soft title that's being brought to the service by Nintendo. An action adventure, this is perhaps well known for being a fairly cryptic title that, nevertheless, has its share of fans. In our view this isn't an 8-bit experience that's aged well, as we explain in our Milon's Secret Castle review.

3DS Retail Download

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes: Universe in Peril (WB Games, $39.99) — Also available as a free demo.

Beyblade: Evolution (Rising Star Games, $29.95)

Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures (NAMCO BANDAI Games, $39.99) — Available from 5th November.

Saban's Power Rangers Megaforce (NAMCO BANDAI Games, $34.95) — Available from 5th November.

Ben 10 Omniverse 2 (D3 Publisher, $TBC) — Available on 5th November.

3DS eShop Demo

AiRace Speed (QubicGames, free) — A chance to try this one for free, a game for which we gave a solid recommendation.

3DS Retail Download Temporary Discount

Shin Megami Tensei IV (Atlus, $39.99 from 4th to 11th November, normally $49.99)


A terrifying range of downloads to consider this Halloween. Let us know what you plan to download in the poll and comments below.

What will you be downloading first this week? (317 votes)

  1. Super Castlevania IV (Wii U Virtual Console)21%
  2. Wii Fit U (Wii U eShop free retail trial)36%
  3. LEGO Marvel Super Heroes (Wii U retail download)3%
  4. Ben 10 Omniverse 2 (Wii U retail download)  0%
  5. BIT.TRIP Presents: Runner 2 Future Legend of Rhythm Alien (Wii U eShop temporary discount)  0.6%
  6. Angry Bunnies (3DS eShop)  0.3%
  7. Arcade Classics 3D (3DS eShop)  0%
  8. Milon's Secret Castle (3DS Virtual Console)2%
  9. LEGO Marvel Super Heroes: Universe in Peril (3DS retail download)  1%
  10. Beyblade: Evolution (3DS retail download)  1%
  11. Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures (3DS retail download)  0%
  12. Saban's Power Rangers Megaforce (3DS retail download)  0%
  13. Ben 10 Omniverse 2 (3DS retail download)  0%
  14. Shin Megami Tensei IV (3DS retail discount)1%
  15. Just the AiRace Speed demo for me10%
  16. Nothing for me this week24%

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