Mutant Mudds Deluxe 1000 X300

In October 2012 Renegade Kid provided those that own the 3DS eShop original of Mutant Mudds with 20 free 'Granny' levels that had previously been available on the PC version of the game. In a conversation with the studio's Jools Watsham today he's confirmed to us that Q1 2014 — potentially March — will bring another free update to the 3DS title that'll feature the content from Mutant Mudds Deluxe, which has previously been released on the Wii U eShop in North America.

That means the addition of the Deluxe-only Ghost levels on 3DS, of which there are 20 to take on; these include new power-ups and enemy types, such as limited ammo and foes that can't be killed. There is a ghost level for every unlocked main level in the game, so if you've already beaten the main campaign they should await you after the update; below is a summary of the stages that Watsham gave us earlier this year.

I tried to incorporate a gradual difficulty curve across the 20 Ghost Levels; easing players into the new gameplay of ghost avoidance. Overall, the Ghost Levels definitely pose a challenge, but perhaps not quite as brutal as some of the secret levels.

The free Deluxe add-on to the 3DS version is particularly good news in Europe, as the region never received a release of the Wii U iteration. Watsham explains the reasoning for that absence, talks about the challenges and successes of 2013 — as well as objectives for 2014 — in a special 'Year in Development' feature that we'll publish this weekend.

Don't forget that Mutant Mudds on the 3DS eShop has a 50% discount in both Europe and North America until 2nd January 2014; Mutant Mudds Deluxe is also reduced on the Wii U eShop in North America. With the original game, Granny levels and the upcoming Deluxe update, it gives plenty of bang for your buck.

Have you played Deluxe on the Wii U, and are you looking forward to this free 3DS update in 2014?