It's Nintendo Download time again, North America, and this week brings a fairly diverse range of options. We have plenty of retro goodies on the Wii U eShop, reduced retro Mario on both Wii U and 3DS, revived SEGA classics on the 3DS as well as a tour of the iconic Louvre museum. Throw in some Pokémon shows alongside other downloads and there's plenty to choose from, so let's get to it.
Wii U Virtual Console
Contra III: The Alien Wars (Konami, $7.99) — A slightly odd arrival due to the fact that this title's NES predecessor is yet to blast onto the Wii U Virtual Console, but a welcome one nonetheless for those that enjoy some fast-paced bullet hell shooter action. We'll reassess this soon, but until then you can go all retro and read our Wii Virtual Console Contra III: The Alien Wars review.
Wii U Retail DLC
Pikmin 3 Mission Pack 3 (Nintendo, $4.99) — This wasn't in Nintendo's download list — and therefore missed our poll — but was nevertheless confirmed for a 2nd December release. It'll incorporate four ‘Collect Treasure’ stages and four ‘Battle Enemies’ levels, which will take in all-new environments. A software update will be required to access the DLC.
Wii U eShop Temporary Discounts
Mario Bros. (Nintendo, $3.49 until 5th December, normally $4.99)
Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo, $3.49 until 5th December, normally $4.99)
Super Mario Bros. 2 (Nintendo, $3.49 until 5th December, normally $4.99)
Super Mario World (Nintendo, $5.59 until 5th December, normally $7.99)
3DS eShop
3D Super Hang-On (SEGA, $4.99) — SEGA's 3D series of classic games finally kicks off, and this version looks set to take its lead from the excellent arcade original. This promises some classic racing action, and we'll see how it revs up — alongside that 3D effect — in our upcoming review.
3D Space Harrier (SEGA, $4.99) — This third-person on-rails shooter was an arcade classic that appeared on many consoles originally, blending intense action with some lovely sprite work. This certainly has the potential to look terrific in 3D, yet we'll see whether it lives up to rose-tinted reminiscences in our review, soon.
Nintendo 3DS Guide: Louvre (Nintendo, $19.99) — Announced in a Nintendo Direct video, this is an expanded version of the software that's served as the official Louvre museum guide in Paris since Spring 2012. We'll bring our impressions to you very soon. Available from 2nd December.
Race to the Line (Enjoy Gaming, $3.99) — This car racing game promises four types of competitions and challenges as well as unlockables, with Challenge, Time Attack and Two Player race modes included. It could be tempting at a budget price, but we'll see whether it gets off the starting line in our upcoming review.
Young Justice: Legacy (Little Orbit, $29.99) — This much-delayed title was in danger due to the cancellation of the related TV show (the Wii and Wii U versions bit the dust) and now eventually arrives as a download-only release. With the TV show off the air it's questionable how much demand there will be for this title, but we'll soon find out.
Pokémon: BW Rival Destinies (Nintendo, $TBC) — We're speculating slightly here, as we think these animated shows will be on the 3DS eShop, and they may be free. What we do know is that ten episodes will be available from today, with five more following every week up to 26th December. They will be available to watch until 4th January 2014.
3DS Virtual Console
Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom (Tecmo, $4.99) — Here's one to test your patience and endanger the safety of your 3DS, as the third super-hard Ninja Gaiden NES title kicks its way to the handheld. We'll see how strong our ninja gaming skills remain for a review, but until then you can learn more in our Wii Virtual Console Ninja Gaiden III review.
3DS Retail Download
My Exotic Farm (Bigben Interactive, $24.99)
3DS eShop Temporary Discounts
Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo, $3.49 until 5th December, normally $4.99)
Super Mario Bros. 2 (Nintendo, $3.49 until 5th December, normally $4.99)
Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins (Nintendo, $2.79 until 5th December, normally $3.99)
Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move (Nintendo, $6.99 until 5th December, normally $9.99)
3DS Retail Download Temporary Discount
Shin Megami Tensei IV (Atlus, $29.99 until 2nd December, normally $49.99)
DSiWare
Heathcliff: Spot On (Enjoy Gaming, 500 Nintendo Points) — This is a spot the difference game that rewards success with access to comic pages, boasting of 120 levels and mini-games after every block of ten. We'll see whether it is, indeed, spot on in our upcoming review.
That's everything for North America this week. Let us know what you plan to download in the poll and comments below.
What will you be downloading first this week? (251 votes)
- Contra III: The Alien Wars (Wii U Virtual Console)
- Mario Bros. (Wii U Virtual Console temporary discount)
- Super Mario Bros. (Wii U Virtual Console temporary discount)
- Super Mario Bros. 2 (Wii U Virtual Console temporary discount)
- Super Mario World (Wii U Virtual Console temporary discount)
- 3D Super Hang-On (3DS eShop)
- 3D Space Harrier (3DS eShop)
- Nintendo 3DS Guide: Louvre (3DS eShop)
- My Exotic Farm (3DS retail download)0%
- Young Justice: Legacy (3DS eShop)0%
- Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom (3DS Virtual Console)
- Super Mario Bros. (3DS Virtual Console temporary discount)
- Super Mario Bros. 2 (3DS Virtual Console temporary discount)
- Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins (3DS Virtual Console temporary discount)
- Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move (3DS Virtual Console temporary discount)
- Shin Megami Tensei IV (3DS retail download temporary discount)
- Heathcliff: Spot On (DSiWare)
- Just the Pokemon shows for me
- Nothing for me this week
Please login to vote in this poll.
Comments 104
I'll get Contra III, the 3D classics, and Ninja Gaiden 3! Lot to pick from, but still no SMB3...At least the arrival of all these games I've been wanting to download kind of eases the long SMB3 absence.
Funny thing though...I JUST bought SMB2 on Wii U the other day...oh well.
Contra 3 n' mario discounts baby
I'm grabbing both Sega 3D classics as well as Ninja Gaiden III. If the Pokemon shows are free, I'll grab those too. Awesome week indeed for the 3DS!
@Giygas_95: Or Blaster Master for that matter:/
I thought that Louvre app was European only. Very cool.
@KnightRider666 What's irritating is: They say SMB3 is getting re-released this year, and it's also been on the future releases for weeks. It's even the very first title that shows up in future releases section on 3DS so I really thought It'd come out this week. Maybe they plan to release it the last Thursday of this year? Anyway, you gonna get Contra III? I am! My first one was Contra 4 a while back so I got to play Contra and Super C along with it. Looking forward to blasting some more aliens!
@Rockman_Chan Lot's of "3"s this week huh?
Still don't have Super Mario World... so maybe that and/or one of the Sega 3D Classics.... So I guess it's a 16-bit week for me! ; )
@Giygas_95: I bet SMB3 will come out 12/26. I'm calling it now. I'm not buying any Wii U VC yet. Contra 4 was amazing, hands down. Happy Thanksgiving btw:)
@KnightRider666 I'd hardly be suprised! Oh yeah, happy Thanksgiving to all you guys too!
One of the best Nintendo download weeks in quite a while! Hope we see more of this.
So we are getting Genesis games not SNES games? Never bought an Enjoy game that I enjoyed. Will get 6 Gold Coins and SMB2.
It was a long wait... but it was worth it!!!
Contra III, one of my favorite super nes games and the Louvre for sure. Maybe some others.
Where's YouTube
Just noticed the eshop logo was active because of the Louvre video. Hopefully they start to use it to notify when the eshop is updated with games or Dlc as well.
Anybody looking for Pokemon episodes, the official Pokemon website always has a bunch online (for the possibly 1 person in the world who doesn't know this):
http://www.pokemon.com/us/tv-episodes/pokemon-episodes/#489b7aa2119646b88ac68b6458751267
And if they put this app on the 3DS then we wouldn't need special episodes, or too spend way too long having lunch in McDonalds this past Tuesday.
Get the Pokémon TV Mobile app:
http://www.pokemon.com/us/tv-episodes/mobile-tv-app/
As for sales, Nintendo has no concept of Black Friday. Now excuse me while I go back to sorting thru 15 lbs of newspaper ads. Best Buy having the Nintendo Land bundle advertised does not instill confidence. For those who still rely on their Wii the Skylanders Dark bundle is $80 at Gamestop - down from $100. I'm not buying antyhing from Nintendo this week.
@ThomasBW84 - $4.99 Pikmin 3 DLC on Monday still? You guys usually list advanced stuff in the Thursday update even when it isn't available for a few days.
@rjejr: Probably because Nintendo has no need for such Black Friday sales. Nintendo is not a retailer
Where's Youtube?
@rjejr The Pikmin 3 stuff wasn't in Nintendo's list, but I'll double check the confirmed dates and add if needed.
well... Nintendo really missed the ball here. They should have released Mario 3 with this but.... they didn't.At least they got Contra III which is actually a pretty good game to go on the VC. I'll be sure to pick that up.
Have all the Mario Wii U games already! Was hoping that SMB3 would be released this week!
I actually would have expected "Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move" to be part of the DK-themed eShop discounts next week (and that was a stretch anyway as the Zelda and Mega Man weeks have featured nothing but Virtual Console titles). All the same, the Mario-themed offerings aren't bad.
Will wait for the next batch of 3D classics for Altered Beast and Sonic 1... Contra 3 is a must-have though.
Already planned to grab me some Space Harrier, and I think I'll indulge in another Ninja Gaiden game to suck at while I'm at it.
Kind of wondering if that ETA of "later this month" still stands for the YouTube app, though...
Contra III for me. Missing SMB3 there... More VC games please!!!
If that price is right for the 3D Classics, $4.99, then I'm a very happy echidna. I have just enough for MM2 discounted and 3 Sega Classics!
These temporary discounts have the uncanny ability to appear right after I decide to purchase something...
Something I don't get...Why not bring out VC games on the WII U and 3DS at the same time? I want Ninja Gaiden III on the Wii U!
No YouTube?
...****
I am interested in the Sega 3D games and Super Mario World looks tempting. Not sure about Minis on the Move.
Getting Mario & DK on sale (been waiting for one), and both 3D Classics. Also the Contra III upgrade once I finally do my Wii to Wii U transfer. Very interested in that Louvre app if it's worth the money.
No Youtube no downloads for me this week.
I would complain about a lack of Super Mario 3 yet again, but then I saw Contra III is available. Touché.
Where the ding-dong is Youtube??
Seriously Nintendo. Just give me SMB3 and A Link to the Past already!!
Hey guys, I'm pretty sure there's still one more week in November, in which they can release YouTube... it's not like November's over.
3D Super Hang On, 3D Space Harrier and Super Mario Land 2 for me this week - as its all I can afford. Thank you SEGA for doing these, and I hope there are more beyond the December announced batch to come.
This is a fairly good week. I'll be updating my Contra III Wii VC. Maybe something else...
C'Mon Nintendo said the YouTube would be coming this month but it's not on this list.
November is over on the weekend. The 1st of December is this Sunday. Maybe we will be surprised and it will be on there at noon. Getting Mario Vs Donkey Kong and the Pokemon episodes. My son will be happy about the Pokemon stuff though.
SMT IV has a discount and we still don't even have a release date for Europe.
Wait! Do we have Ninja gaiden II in the Americas?
There are actually three versions of the Louvre app coming out. You may want to know that.
CONTRA!!! HOLY CRAP!!! And the best one too! MINE!
I'll either get 3D Space Harrier or wait until the update that merges the Wii U and 3DS eshop balances.
This discount thing Nintendo is doing is awesome, but does anyone else think the discounts aren't as low as they should be? I know I just sound like I'm coming up with stupid complaints, but if Nintendo is going to make a big deal about this discount thing they have going on every week it sure would be nice to have them at least half off.
FYI all - I've added the Pikmin 3 DLC info, but it can't retrospectively go into the poll. As far as I can tell from Nintendo's site it's still due on 2nd December, though it's yet to give more details — such as a name for the pack etc. But still, worth considering!
I want the Louvre tour on Wii U!
The Pokemon episodes are probably to celebrate the end of the BW era of the anime, which comes to a close in America very shortly. But seriously, put that Pokemon TV App on both 3DS and Wii U already Nintendo! You barely offer anything new for Nintendo Video, so go with this too!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Gonna upgrade contra 3, get space harrier 3d as well. Maybe super Mario world... A lot of goodies today!
Is Ninja Gaiden III up yet? I can't seem to find it in the store.
Otherwise, great week!
you have the prices listed incorrectly for space harrier, and the other one doesnt appear to be on the eshop, as with ninja gaiden
@SirQuincealot Ah, they're both up now.
No youtube and flipnote disappears from the future releases section. Another solid week there, Nintendo. Good job.
Contra III! Now that's a shooter that could get my old-school donkey to spend some bucks.
Ninja Gaiden 3 was probably the best among the series (I very much dislike the spawning enemies in 1 or 2).
Space Harrier and Super Hang-On. Have a great Thanksgiving everyone.
I really like how smooth those 3d sega classics run. Just played some hang-on and love it, i'm afraid i'll end up buying them all!
Just the Pikmin 3 DLC for me.
I'll eventually get some 3D Classics when I find the time to distant myself from my Wii U! Having great loads of fun with 3D World!
@CountWavula Its all good. Not everyone knows what they're talking about.
Both 3D Classics.
Sorry Nintendo but your Mario sale looks pathetic compared to the black Friday deals going around, couldn't you have at least discounted the recent mario titles
It is not odd at all that NES Contra hasn't been rereleased. When they remade it for mobile they changed the enemy sprite colours to red.
If you can read this you can see why Konami doesn't want to be associated with these things. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contras.
@CountWavula The best is the Megadrive one. Contra : Hard Corps.
Happy Thanksgiving! Don't eat to much...save room for pie lol. Sega 3d Classics for me.
BTW in the super Hang on does description it says that sega is releasing 8 3d classics starting November 28th. Do we know all releases? Anyone?
@Windy
5th December: 3D Sonic the Hedgehog, 3D Altered Beast
12th December: 3D Ecco The Dolphin,3D Galaxy Force II
19th December: 3D Shinobi III, 3D Streets of Rage
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/10/sega_confirms_western_release_dates_and_details_of_3d_classics_range
@Klimbatize oh dang it! Looks like I will get Streets of Rage and possibly sonic (never was much a sonic or even Mario fan) I was hoping for Outrun. Maybe if these games sell well we will see Outrun. Would be awesome if Sega starts doing a bunch of 3d classics since nobody else seems to be interested in it.
Add on: Glaxy Force also 😊
@WhiteTrashGuy I have been waiting for some 16Bit SNES 3D remakes from Nintendo's stable as well. But these 16 bit Genny games will do too!
@Giygas_95 Thanks for the holiday wishes Giygas!
Hey, speaking of delayed SMB3 releases and holidays... I can't think of a better present to all of Nintendo's loyal fans than a surprise release of SMB3 for Xmas! Yeah, I know, the world has a better chance of Britney Spears acquiring talent. But no harm in wishing, eh? Maybe Santa will look like a wise older Asian toy maker this year!
Didn't bite on any of this. Instead got Kung Fu Rabbit on sale for $2. It's not bad! It's a solid little puzzle platformer, if a tiny bit unpolished. Controls are very tight though.
@Windy Thanks Windy
I'll definately be getting 3D Space Harrier in the near future, along with Jett Rocket II and Q.U.B.E. whenever it gets released.
I'll most likely ask for a Wii U/3DS gift card for my birthday/Christmas gift. (gotta love December birthdays, right? )
Why isn't the Just Dance 2014 DLC included in the listing?
@Gioku
No Saturday is the last day of November.
Nintendo need to do a Black Friday sale on the e shops on both Wii U & DS.
Never played any SEGA games before, but Super Hang On 3D is amazing! Haven't really tried Space Harrier yet.
@sinalefa mario world is great minis is well it's ok. Gets repetitive and boring after 2 hours and the maze builder is very limited.
I can't believe they put Super Mario World on sale this week and not Mega Man X last week. -_-
The Sega 3D classics are $5.99 each, not $4.99.
@faint
Thanks. I got the Mario vs DK that they gave to 3ds Ambassadors but I never found it interesting. About Mario World, I have beaten that one several times, but I don't have a copy, so it could be cool now that we can have off-tv play.
@Windy I was thinking they should 3D Outrun as well!
Okunari Yosuke said if all 8 games Sega Genesis 3D Classics is a success in the West, the project will continue, we support the cause please enjoy a Golden Axe, a Outrun, Gunstar Heroes and many more SEGA on 3DS!!
Another week without worthwhile sales (already own smt iv phisically and marioS). I don't know if I should burn my balance now or keep waiting.
@simonhwsn You should wait. Even good games regularly go on sale, just not every week. There's bound to be something good as Xmas approaches.
Ugh, YouTube pls?
And as for 3D Classics, I'll just wait for Sonic considering all the other Sonic ports are unplayable.
Oh, and Flipnote is WAY overdue. It's at least half past summer.
But at least good stuff is being released on the eShop, unlike earlier in the year.
@ThomasBW84 - Thanks. My kids are really looking forward to it, I'm buying it for them as 1 of their Hanakuh gifts so I need it by next Wed.
I've been playing Super Hang-On on and off today. I am impressed with how well it was done. It's not a Genesis/Megadrive version in 3D, it's the arcade version in 3D. In other words; the best version yet. Big fan of the Space Harrier game, too.
I would love to see Out-Run or Afterburner done this way, or maybe the lesser known "Thunder Blade" (the Genesis version was no match for the arcade version).
@DarkwingLz - Nintendo is not a retailer
Does that mean I can buy stuff from the eShop wholesale?
@shredmeister expected to release Galaxy Force II, if they could do so in an arcade great, hopefully they can with Thunder Blade! !
I thought that Mega Man X2 was coming out soon?
@LDXD: Cause Contra III is a SNES game not a NES game.
super hang on was 5.99 for me...
I've never been to Paris (been to Rome and Naples once upon a time but that's another story), so the Lourve guide seems like it would be pretty cool. Much cheaper than the cost of a plane ticket...
I got SMBrothers the obligatory title..But what Im really excited about is the pikmin DLC its really unerated and underpriced! Go get it..
Still waiting for the discounted Nintendo series here in Europe. I'd love to buy some other classics, but they are € 5 and 6 ($ 7 and 8) when Usa got these for € 2,5 and 3 ($ 3,5 and 4).
Many indie devs sell their games with the right $/€ ratio, while Nintendo makes no difference at all!
@Mibbleng Dont' worry. We'll have our overpriced and no localized version of SMTIV maybe in Q3 2014...
@Windy: Outrun 3D would be so cool.
@KnightRider666 If they announce anymore Sega 3d Classics I would love to see Shining in the darkness or shining the Holy Ark and Outrun. I don't know if Shining force would look good in 3d but if that could be done it would be sweet also. I have the gamegear Shining force on VC which is nice. VC releases of the Shining force games on Genny would be cool too
Are the pokemon eps downloadable or do I gotta watch via the eShop?
Space Harrier 3D was 5.99 for me, not 4.99.
Great title, though.
I wish Nintendo took this much care with its own 3D 'classics'.
Space Harrierrrrrr. Game looks great in 3D and is just as fun as ever.
@Uberchu: You can only watch them via the eshop. I was hoping you could permanently download them myself. Bummer.
@Windy: Sega has been doing an awesome job between the Game Gear VC and the 3D Classics. I wish Nintendo would follow suit.
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