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)
- Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (Wii U retail download)
- Ice Hockey (Wii U Virtual Console)
- TNT Racers: Nitro Machines Edition (Wii U eShop temporary discount)
- Trine 2: Director's Cut (Wii U eShop temporary discount)0.5%
- Retro City Rampage DX (3DS eShop)
- Weapon Shop de Omasse (3DS eShop)
- Kung Fu Rabbit (3DS eShop)0.5%
- Renegade (3DS Virtual Console)0.5%
- Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies (3DS eShop temporary discount)
- Heavy Fire: Black Arms 3D (3DS eShop temporary discount)0%
- Heavy Fire: Special Operations 3D (3DS eShop temporary discount)0%
- Robot Rescue 3D (3DS eShop temporary discount)0.9%
- Crazy Chicken: Director's Cut 3D (3DS eShop temporary discount)0%
- Bird Mania Christmas 3D (3DS eShop temporary discount)
- Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask (3DS retail download temporary discount)
- Just the free demo for me
- Nothing for me this week
Please login to vote in this poll.
Comments 74
Yes, I'll gladly download Dual Destinies!
I'm saving Donkey Kong for later
I have all the Level-5 Guild games. In fact, I've just started playing Attack of the Friday Monsters which is so charming it hurts. Looking forward to this game!
Not a DK fan so I'll just be getting TNT for local multi. I'll also be getting wep shop and retro rampage.
I'll finally get to play some Retro City. Nice.
Either DK or Pheonix Wright, depending on the Au costs
Phoenix Wright and Retro city rampage for me.
I cannot stress enough how Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies is a steal at that price, anyone who was on the fence about this should not hesitate. For me, 40 quids, let alone 20, would've still justified the price for what I played, so for 14, it's REALLY an amazing price for what it offers. I recommend it for everyone over anything else, I truly do.
As for me this week, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, but physical. I'm considering Retro City Rampage, as well X3
You gotta be kidding... I bought both Dual Destinies as well as Virtue's Last Reward two days, before they announced the discount of VLR... and now it's Dual Destinies... -.-
They are both worth 25€, but from now on I will only buy eshop games, when they're on sale.
Getting DKC physical and might download trine 2 and Dual destinies
RIP WiiU VC...
@BlueZealand That's the problem with discounts, you never know when they'll come.
I'll look into Retro City Rampage, Weapon Shop and at 89p for Bird Mania, I'll probably get that too. Finally see something worth buying after nothing for months.
Retail Download Temporary Discount is pretty bad considering the cart is selling for £15 new. But it does involve Nintendo which is rare.
DK is definitely an option, but I'm thinking about buying it later on. Maybe at a discount sometime.
TNT racers looks like fun.
Another poor vc offering and to fair why keep reducing trine just leave the price low!
@Bluezealand Only buy games full price on the day of release with the intention to play them right away, otherwise just wait for a sale. That goes for every gaming platform.
Dual Destinies discount is nice, means I could have easily waited for this moment but intead I bought it for full price and still haven't played it.
Same with the Guild games.
Still waiting for Atlus discounts for Europe and Shin Megami Tensei 4 announcement. And Tyrone Rodriguez to release the Nicalis published games in Europe.
Retro City Rampage DX and Weapon Shop de Omasse for me this week! Really looking forward to both.
Retro City Rampage DX and Weapon Shop de Omasse as well for me.
Finally, a good eshop week (except for the VC).
Giving Europe Ice Hockey why ?
We don't even play the game over here , well the majority don't
Canada & US yes perfect and maybe Finland & Russia ..
A great week for 3ds. Not so much for wiiu. Dk will be awesome but most will buy that at retail,in terms of new wiiu games we have...ice hockey...wow
@Beta Whats so good about pheonix wright games?ive never played one and this discount is tempted. Do I need to know the story from previous games to understand dd?
Might end up getting Trine 2 for that price, and I'll most likely buy Bird Mania simply because it's less than a pound. I also might pick up Crimson Shroud and Liberation Maiden which are also on sale.
"Ice Hockey", one of my favourite games of all time! It's a shame Nintendo doesn't ask Next Level Games to reboot the franchise. Anyway, looking forward "Retro City Rampage DX" on the go! As for DKC, boxed copy for me.
Getting physical version of the DK. Considering getting Trine 2. I played the demo and I wasn't a huge fan of the gameplay, but it could be something that I can used to. Plus that discount is tantalisingly sweet.
Bird mania Christmas looks to be filling the void that flappy bird left. Can't wait a game on a nintendo platform for 99 cents??? It can't be! Lol
In case Dual Destinies and Professor Layton will be discounted in the U.S. too come thursday ... then count me in ^^
I'm definitely downloading DKC: TF in a week or two. Might buy TNT Racers or Inazuma Eleven. Will definitely buy RCR DX eventually. Also looking to get Weapon Shop de Omasse soon, & I really want Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask but don't think I can scrounge up the money for it in just a week but you never know. Probably will buy each of the three 99c discounts from Teyon. Soooo much for me to consider this week
I would love to get PW:DD but only have played the first one. I am waiting for capcom to release the collection here so I can play them first.
ACE ATTORNEY IS ON SALE?
YES YES YES.
I was planning on getting this, I think I have enough e-shop credit.
Will get Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze but I'm giving up hope for VC games...
retro city rampage = will be bought
weapon shop de omasse = has good chances to be bought too ^-^
@Marshi Well, it does contain some references to some of the old games, mostly to Apollo Justice, but you would be completely fine without playing any games. I only started playing the past games after Dual Destinies, so I can assure you that the story will still make 100% sense to you when playing. There will only be that problem that you won't know a few things like how Apollo and Phoenix met or why did Phoenix lose his attorney badge before the game's start, but you will understand the main story perfectly, you don't need those games to play this especially because they give you small recaps/summaries along the dialogue to understand.
As for why I like it (more like LOVE it), the cases are very well made with a few nice plot twists and because I also love crime solving. Ace Attorney as a whole is a really nice take on crime solving in the courtroom with a twist of comedy, it just gives you that awesome feeling of being a lawyer by how you present evidence, cross-examine suspects and uncover the truth.
VC
DK physical copy and phoenix wright at that price is a bargain
Wii U VC was already dead to MAB from the beginning anyway because it's Nintendo consoles only... Just giveth the MAB indie and retail downloads and he shall suffice
This week will be painful waiting for DK
DK phyiscal copy for me! although i really wish nintendo weren't against releasing demos cause i have the game preordered on amazon and won't arrive till next monday!
The release of Ice Hockey means that every game in NES Remix 2 has now been released, right?
@Andyliini a fellow MJ and Nintendo fan?! Love the Ghosts profile pic!
Yay! Nothing for me this week!
With all the recent discounts I had no money left for games, glad there is nothing tempting me this time XD
Well... there would be Weapon Shop de Omasse, but I totally need a review before, my sense of rythm is awful and if the game need it a lot like in Harmoknight then I would have to avoid the last guild title even if it will take 10/10 >.>;;;
Friday can't come fast enough.
I don't understand anyone who pays the prices of full downloads for the likes of Mario 3D world, Zelda, Donkey Knong et al. I'm getting the disc of DK on friday which will probably be at least 10 quid cheaper than the download fro the eshop.
DK for me! It's funny that Ice Hockey appeared so soon after it was announced for NES Remix 2. Clearly Nintendo wants to cash in on that. Should also give Americans hope that SMB3 will be released there soon.
@MJKOP Yep! N & MJ forever!
I said nothing because I plan on buying Donkey Kong as a physical copy.
@LoBo
Yes, we do play that in Finland.
PW - DD and Retro City for me. Looking forward to getting them!
@Andyliini damn right! Nice one that's made my day
Ace Attorney for me. I didn't have time to play it at release so decided to wait. Still don't have time but its not like it'll be £2.79 when it next goes on sale glares at level 5 games.
@MadAdam81 My prediction is about $28AUD (30% off $40 which is about $2.50 too much considering the eShop conversion is usually $1.5=€).
it would be nice if Nintendo add some demos on wii U
This is the first time Europe's getting Renegade
@darthstuey It is 11GB though so the digital version might be superior. (If it was 3rd party it definitely would).
RETRO CITY RRRRRRRRRRRRRAMPAGE
@Kolzig
I am also waiting fir an Atlus sale. Wanna try Soul Hackers and also play Etrian Odyssey
Gonna get Ace Attorney (I still got to beat, Apollo Justice and Ace Attorney investigations)
Well, that Virtual Console release pretty much sells me that on the fact that we can guess at least some of the releases leading up to the release of NES Remix 2. Any VC game featured in it that is not on VC yet, will be there by the time it releases.
Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask (Nintendo, €29.99 / £27.99 until 27th February, normally €44.99 / £39.99)
Wait ahhh its £20.99 on Amazon including box & a game cart.
Serious
Will pick up pointy finger laywer man for 3ds
Donkey Kong preordered, retail version as always. Since Ace Attorney does not appear to be getting any physical release, I might get it now the price is a little less ridiculous for what is essentialy thin air. Glad at least PL vs AA will get a physical release.
Oh, and Retro City Rampage, again.
I bet that Renegade is coming to America also either this week or sometime in the next month or so. When a third-party publisher releases Virtual Console games on the EU or NA Eshops (that are not exclusive), then they usually release it in the other region around the same time, like with Double Dragon.
Nothing for me this week, not even a decent demo. Guess you always pay more fpr getting a game early, I paid the full price for Ace Attorney 5 back in October. Sad to see so little interest in Layton 5, even with a price cut like that.
Nothing for me this week as usual, unless you count Donkey Kong which i'm getting on disc.
Ice Hockey? Really? What's with all the NES sports games? This is getting sad.
Sochi?
It will still be cheaper to buy at retail even with the eshop discount.
Any game being released makes it a decent week even if its not one we would download. The only bad weeks are when we don't get anything at all.
@danacol I think you got ice hockey because of nes remix 2 that's on the way. It's featured there
Better week this week. Pre ordered Donkey Kong and gonna get Retro City DX!
@Bass_X0 it's be use of nes remix 2
I'm looking forwards to playing Donkey Kong this weekend.
Weapon Shop Omasse and Retro City Rampage are a sure thing. Ace Attorney is possible.
DK retail is a must have.
Seeing
ROBOT Rescue 3D and
Crazy CHICKEN
next to each other made me freak out for a minute....
Oh sweet! Discount Phoenix Wright! So tempting but I still don't have Apollo...
I'd be pretty satisfied if the NA update looks like this.
@Kawaii_Neko: Horrible or not, at least they're getting more games. I'd take Renegade or Ice Hockey for the 3DS over nothing(which is what we've got over the last few weeks)...
@Beta Do you need to have played the previous games? It's always been a series I've wanted to get into
@MeWario I started with Dual Destinies, so not at all. Other than a few references and some backstories of some characters, you will be perfectly fine, especially because how they're very good at giving you a small descriptions/recaps of events in the dialogue as you go to know what's happening.
I shall wreak havoc upon the 8-bit styled streets of Retro City while I play this title for the first time ever. But I also still need to kill the End and save the world in bravely default...
Man, so pi$$ed off to find that Retro City Rampage didn't come out here in NZ and Australia! Once again Nintendo Australia you are useless!!!
@MeWario why did you expect anything from them?
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