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Monday morning means happy times for European download fans, and the latest update is through from Nintendo. This is a rather good week by most standards, with an exciting Wii U retail title being joined by some excellent titles on the 3DS eShop, with some tempting discounts thrown in for good measure. Check out the details below.

Wii U Retail Download

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (Nintendo, €49.99 / £39.99) — Available from 21st February. Arriving a little over three years after its predecessor on Wii, Tropical Freeze is the latest title from highly regarded Retro Studios. This time DK has the help of Diddy, Dixie and Cranky Kong as he seeks to rid his island of invading Arctic animals. It delivers exceptional platforming and attractive HD visuals, while there are new inclusions in the Funky Kong shop, as well as online leaderboards with full replays; you can see the full low-down as we awarded 9/10 in our Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze review.

Wii U Virtual Console

Ice Hockey (Nintendo, €4.99 / £3.49) — This release is certainly seasonal and topical with the Winter Olympics, continuing the steady release of the NES sports series. While some suffered from being over-primitive, this is regarded by some as one of the most faithful sports games on the 8-bit system; it even includes enforcers and the occasional fight. We'll skate up for a new review, but until then check out our Wii Virtual Console Ice Hockey review.

Wii U eShop Temporary Discounts

TNT Racers: Nitro Machines Edition (Keen Games, €4.99 / £4.49 until 6th March, normally €7.99 / £6.99)

Trine 2: Director's Cut (Frozenbyte, €6.79 / £5.49 until 13th March, normally €16.99 / £13.99)

3DS eShop

Retro City Rampage DX (Vblank Entertainment, €8.99 / £7.99) — Previously a release on WiiWare and a host of other platforms, this is to be considered as the definitive edition of the title, featuring all of the important updates of the PC version and some 3DS-specific additions. It's a high-octane, bonkers and unique experience, and we believe this version lives up to its 'DX' billing. Check out our Retro City Rampage DX review for the full low-down.

Weapon Shop de Omasse (Level-5, €7.99 / £7.19) — The fourth and final title from the Guild01 collection finally arrives in the West to complete the set. In a comedic twist on the traditional RPG genre, rather than be the hero that embarks on a quest to save the world you play the role of blacksmith. The actual forging of weapons is through rhythmic gameplay, and you gradually improve the weapons that you offer prospective heroes. We'll bring you a review soon.

Kung Fu Rabbit (Neko Entertainment, €4.99 / £4.49) — After its role as a relatively early arrival on the Wii U eShop, this fun platformer now hops over to Nintendo's portable platform. Despite its smart device origins, the enhancements and physical controls on the Wii U elevated the title, and we certainly hope the transition to the 3DS maintains that progress. We'll get straight into a review, but in the meantime you can see what we thought in our Wii U eShop Kung Fu Rabbit review.

3DS Virtual Console

Renegade (Arc System Works, €4.99 / £4.49) — We may think games are violent today, but they weren't exactly hugs with teddy bears in the NES era. The beat'em up genre was rather popular, though this is perhaps one of the weakest of the best known button mashers of the 8-bit era. We'll brawl with it once again, but in the meantime you can see what we thought in our Wii Virtual Console Renegade review.

3DS eShop Temporary Discounts

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies (Capcom, €17.49 / £13.99 until 27th February, normally €24.99 / £19.99)

Heavy Fire: Black Arms 3D (Teyon, €2.99 / £2.69 until 6th March, normally €4.99 / £4.49)

Heavy Fire: Special Operations 3D (Teyon, €2.99 / £2.69 until 6th March, normally €4.99 / £4.49)

Robot Rescue 3D (Teyon, €0.99 / £0.89 until 6th March, normally €2.99 / £2.69)

Crazy Chicken: Director's Cut 3D (Teyon, €0.99 / £0.89) until 6th March, normally €1.99 / £1.79)

Bird Mania Christmas 3D (Teyon, €0.99 / £0.89 until 6th March, normally €1.99 / £1.79)

3DS Retail Download Temporary Discount

Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask (Nintendo, €29.99 / £27.99 until 27th February, normally €44.99 / £39.99)

3DS Demo

Bella Sara 2 - The Magic of Drasilmare (Bigben Interactive, free)


A rather busy week this time, Europe. Let us know if you're planning to pick any of these up in the poll and comments below.

What will you be downloading first this week? (219 votes)

  1. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (Wii U retail download)24%
  2. Ice Hockey (Wii U Virtual Console)2%
  3. TNT Racers: Nitro Machines Edition (Wii U eShop temporary discount)3%
  4. Trine 2: Director's Cut (Wii U eShop temporary discount)  0%
  5. Retro City Rampage DX (3DS eShop)17%
  6. Weapon Shop de Omasse (3DS eShop)8%
  7. Kung Fu Rabbit (3DS eShop)  0%
  8. Renegade (3DS Virtual Console)  0%
  9. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies (3DS eShop temporary discount)16%
  10. Heavy Fire: Black Arms 3D (3DS eShop temporary discount)  0%
  11. Heavy Fire: Special Operations 3D (3DS eShop temporary discount)  0%
  12. Robot Rescue 3D (3DS eShop temporary discount)1%
  13. Crazy Chicken: Director's Cut 3D (3DS eShop temporary discount)  0%
  14. Bird Mania Christmas 3D (3DS eShop temporary discount)1%
  15. Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask (3DS retail download temporary discount)2%
  16. Just the free demo for me3%
  17. Nothing for me this week22%

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