
It's download update time, North America, and this week brings a diverse mix of old and new, including a fresh Game Boy Advance offering on the Wii U Virtual Console. There are three brand new games on the 3DS eShop, two more Mega Man "Mega May" games and, unbelievably, three DSiWare downloads. Let's get to it.
If you missed the European Nintendo Download news earlier this week, don't sweat it — the details are right here.
Wii U Virtual Console
Wario Land 4 (Nintendo, $7.99) — The Game Boy Advance range picks up once again on the Wii U, this time with a terrific platformer starring the somewhat overweight and greedy villain. In addition to his impressively varied move-set, Wario can undergo transformations when attacked by certain enemies, while some mini-games are thrown in for good measure. We'll dash into this one again, but in the meantime you can check out our glowing recommendation in our 3DS Ambassador Programme Wario Land 4 review.
Wii U eShop Temporary Discount
Trine 2: Director's Cut (Frozenbyte, $9.99 until 29th May, normally $19.99)
3DS eShop
The Denpa Men 3: The Rise of the Digitoll (Genius Sonority, $9.99) — The quirky and colourful AR (augmented reality) RPG returns, and this time includes homes for each Denpa Man that can be customised. While that sounds like a fun extra, as fans of the first two titles we're particularly looking forward to heading out into the real world with our 3DS while tackling another adventure with the cool little men; we'll let you know what we think in our review, soon.
Grinsia (Nicalis, $9.99) — This is a release sure to excite RPG fans, as Kemco's JRPG has a style reminiscent of 16-bit classics and looks set to deliver a suitably dramatic storyline. Nicalis has handled this port from the iOS / Android original, promising better controls, dual screen support and a “SNES–tastic” soundtrack. We'll dive into the adventure and bring you a review.
Parking Star 3D (CIRCLE Entertainment, $2.99) — This isn't the first game based on parking cars, nor may it be the last, with this one taking you to five cities and 40 'maps' as you try to avoid any nasty scratches to your paint. We'll check our mirrors and bring you a review.
3DS Virtual Console
Mega Man II (Capcom, $TBC) — The "Mega May" celebration continues with this second entry that graced the Game Boy. There's time travel, an accompanying Rush and a stranger called Quint; we'll see how this one holds up in our review.
Mega Man III (Capcom, $TBC) — We're going in sequence, and this time Dr. Wily is trying to drill down to the centre of the Earth, as you team up with Rush and "walking suitcase" Flip-Top to foil the villain's evil plan. We'll let you know what we think.
3DS eShop Demos
The Denpa Men 3: The Rise of the Digitoll (Genius Sonority, free)
Gardening Mama 2: Forest Friends (Majesco, free)
3DS eShop Temporary Discounts
Murder on the Titanic (Joindots, available at a discount until 22nd May)
Jewel Match 3 (Joindots, available at a discount until 22nd May)
3D Games Collection (Joindots, available at a discount until 22nd May)
Aqua Moto Racing 3D (Zordix, $4.50 until 29th May, normally $5.99)
3DS eShop Retail Download Discounts
Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl (Atlus, on discount between 12th May and 19th May)
Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan (Atlus, on discount between 12th May and 19th May)
DSiWare
Sokomania 2: Cool Job (Cinemax, 200 Nintendo Points) — This sequel is the final DSiWare title from Cinemax, though we weren't big fans of its predecessor. Nevertheless, the 100+ Sokoban puzzles in this one may deliver some fun for very few Nintendo Points, so we'll start pushing some blocks and puzzle out a review.
Jewel Match (Joindots, 500 Nintendo Points) — DSiWare forever! Match 3 forever! It's a genre that will always be with us, and this one promises 150 levels and multiplayer support; we'll let you know what we think.
Jewel Quest 4 Heritage (Tulip Games, 800 Nintendo Points) — It's a Match 3 DSiWare face-off, possibly to the death. Tulip Games has opted to release the DSiWare version of this (there is a 3DS eShop version in Europe, too), though we weren't impressed in our Jewel Quest 4 Heritage review.
Plenty to choose from, North America. Let us know what you're planning to pick up in the poll and comments below.
What will you be downloading first this week? (307 votes)
- Wario Land 4 (Wii U Virtual Console)
- Trine 2: Director's Cut (Wii U eShop temporary discount)
- The Denpa Men 3: The Rise of Digitoll (3DS eShop)
- Grinsia (3DS eShop)
- Parking Star 3D (3DS eShop)0%
- Mega Man II (3DS Virtual Console)
- Mega Man III (3DS Virtual Console)
- Murder on the Titanic (3DS eShop temporary discount)0%
- Jewel Match 3 (3DS eShop temporary discount)0%
- 3D Games Collection (3DS eShop temporary discount)0%
- Aqua Moto Racing 3D (3DS eShop temporary discount)0.7%
- Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl (3DS eShop retail download temporary discount)
- Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan (3DS eShop retail download temporary discount)0.7%
- Sokomania 2: Cool Job (DSiWare)1%
- Jewel Match (DSiWare)0.3%
- Jewel Quest 4 Heritage (DSiWare)0%
- Just demo content for me
- Nothing for me this week
Please login to vote in this poll.
Comments 116
First week in a while I've picked "Nothing for me this week."
I really like Wario Land 4 but I'm not sure I want to pay $8 for it since I have it on my gameboy advance. So I think I'll just stick with the demos this week.
woo denpa dudes 3 woo rise of toll booth woo must download
I will get Grinsia and Jewel Match. Waiting for Sokomania 2 review. Jewel Match 3 was fantastic so thats while I am getting JM (Jewel Match)
I hope GameCube Virtual Console games get announced at E3.
DSiWare is coming back from the dead! THE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE IS COMING!
Eventually I'll check out Grinsia (unless reviews say it's the same as the Android version), but I haven't even bought Yumi yet and I've been defaulting for some time now, so I won't be downloading anything new for a bit.
Total missed Grinsia otherwise I might've voted for that. Didn't even realize it was out this week. I just might wait for a review though as I know I'll like Denpamen 3. Just won't get around to playing it anytime soon.
@TreesenHauser
I almost did too, but demos don't hurt. Plus I would like to know the price of the EO games. And read the review for Parking Star.
I'm getting both Mega Man games and maybe Grinsia.
Trine 2 is like the game with the most discounts.
I'ld like to applaud Genius Sonority for having a demo for all 3 Denpa Men games right at launch. Going to surprise my kid ad go download the demo now. He's still busy w/ Triple Deluxe but he'll enjoy piddling about w/ the demo for a bit.
At least it's not volleyball for NA.
There are so many games in a lot of different genres, and yet STILL over 40% of you are saying, "nothing."
You want more games to be released on 3DS and WiiU in the future guys? You actually have to buy something now and then.
@Ash_Anne It's good! Glad to see it on 3DS.
Grinsia, the denpamen 3, both MM. Pretty good week for me
I would buy grinsia but denpa dudes 3 doh
@Luigifan141
N64 hasn't even been relased on WII U VC yet
I'm surprised to see a GBA game on here considering how Europe never got one... instead they got VolleyBall for some reason...
Great to see some love for Denpa men. Dl'd the demo for 2 & couldn't put it down. Def picking up 3
Still waiting for Minish Cap to come to NA. It has an IGN page so it seems as though it will. Hopefully they start releasing N64 and GC games. More so the 64 I wonder when and if Legend of Zelda Ocarina and Majoras Mask will be available to download. Maybe this time around if they do 64 we will get the good ones they didn't put out like Harvest Moon 64, Banjo Kazooie games, and while they're at it Star Wars Pod Racer. Those are what I am wishing Nintendo will do. If Nintendo did stuff like that more Wii U's would sell.
I don't know why Trine 2 isn't just on permanent discount. Seems to be on discount every month anyway, and I doubt it really has many sales at full price. I paid $8 for it and it's a decent game at that price. I'd feel ripped off at 20.
Will wait for a review for Grinsia. Nothing else for me this week.
Nothing for me again.. Still waiting for Mario Kart
@XCWarrior generally, I share this opinion. When it's all said and done, dollars is what matters to companies.
But this week was a very poor week. And a shining example of why I have no faith in Nintendo's handling of the VC. I could rant,.. But at this point I don't think it's nessisary.
I've danced this dance with the Wii, and I'm seeing all the same moves with the U.
I will be downloading Mario kart 8 at launch and buying several copies of Smash, so there's that.
No Castlevania III means this week is fail.
I'm tempted to download Wario Land 4 just so I can read the part in the manual about Wario getting pooped on by a pigeon. XD
I'm counting down the days till Mega Man V and Xtreme 2!
I believe Volleyball already came out in America
@XCWarrior Then they have to put out something I want. That might happen if they don't insist on releasing ONE Virtual Console title a week. Nintendo is sitting on a treasure trove of classics; there's little reason to dole them out piecemeal. Wario Land 4 is a nice selection this time, but when your only Virtual Console offering is something like Clu Clu Land, the potential of the Virtual Console is being wasted.
At the same time, if they release a bunch of titles at once, then there will be nothing for several weeks. Then everyone will complain about there being nothing new
I'm thrilled about Mega Man 2 and 3!!!
Wow, that's a pretty long list this week. I'm getting the Denpamen at 9 sharp this morning!
maybe I should get Trine 2, the review on here was just okay, but it has a great metacritic score and people I asked seem to like it.
Uh, nothing. I'm waiting for the first Denpa Men to go on sale so I can dive into the series beyond the demos. Grinsia is gonna just end up being an impulse buy whenever it happens.
@Tsurii897 Does it really matter though when the VC doesn't have much going for it anyways? I mean barely anything has been done about the backlog that could've been already there and ready(and then systems like N64 don't have much representation as it is...), yet we get GBA?
After this first trickle of GBA games that they spread out, seems very likely that those, too, will slow down like everything else, yet...we have DS games(of all things) coming at some point as well?
The VC is a bit of a mess atm so, with GameCube being one of the last N consoles left to count, might as well throw it in with things to look forward to as well(at least so far without more remakes announced).
@PJR0cks It is a nice game.
@Anojan12345 @Tsurii897 lol, I forgot that the DS Virtual Console was even going to happen. I'm very optimistic about that as well!
Also, the N64 is my favorite console, so VC support for it once again would be fantastic. Same with GB, GBC, TurboGrafix-16, NeoGeo, Genesis, Saturn, Dreamcast... The list could go on for miles.
It's kind of disappointing that you two had to shoot down my comment and handle it negatively, though. DS VC support should come first, but there are lots of other consoles that should get supported. The GameCube is the one that I'm the most excited about, though.
@Kodeen And when Nintendo is out (there aren't THAT many 1st party titles), then what?
@ThomasBW84: Minor thing I noticed, but on the Wario Land 4 page
3DS eShop Release Date:
19th Nov 2001 (USA)
17th Nov 2001 (UK/EU)
21st Aug 2001 (JPN)
Don't think the 3DS or the eShop was around in 2001.
Interesting week. I would download The Denpa Men 3 but I still haven't beat 1 and yet to buy 2. So that's on my wishlist for now.
@Ryno Indeed Those are the GBA release dates, though I don't know why they were listed under 3DS eShop. Should be fixed now.
@Unca_Lz Well it's not really exciting or new to see titles that have already rereleased a million times, so we'll have to deal with the 'nothing new' complaints anyways as they continue to work with the remainder of the already existing VC. :x
I can see why something like GBA would trickle over time at the start(since it is newer to the VC) but as for what we have previously gotten? :-/
Fortunately, by next gen, this shouldn't be an issue(with the whole integration thing going on and it 'absorbing' what the Wii U has to offer).
3 weeks and a few hours to go......
Mega man II and Mega man III for me!
Probably Mega Man 2.
Grinsia for me. I thought battle networks was coming out, but I'll take grinsia, that looks like a good one
Three DSi games and one Wii U game? Brutal week. Why couldn't Scram Kitty or Armillo come out today?
After a stellar VC April it's another week with ONE Wii U VC title.
Thanks, Nintendo.
Looks like I'm going to download Wario Land 4 to my Wii U today. As a 3DS Ambassador, I'm not particularly fond of the way the 3DS system emulated GBA games due of its excessive motion blurring.
WE NEED A WARIO LAND GAME FOR WII U
Still nothing.
On another note, $10 is a lot for Grinsia. I think I'll stick with the Android version.
Eh, the only game here that interests me is Wario Land 4, and I already have that on 3DS. Perhaps next week.
@Unca_Lz When they run out introduce a new console. They should never be in a situation where they are running out of games.
@XCWarrior: I agree with @Laxiom, & you, that money is what will make Nintendo churn out more, in theory at least. However, I am not made of cash, so what money I do have, I prioritize what I want, even though there are many games(both retail, & d/l) that i want. Right now, I am patiently saving for Shantae And The Pirates' Curse(SAtPC). If something, including temporary discounts, comes up in the shop that I want more, then I will get it. Otherwise, I will wait, if it is something that I want, though not as highly.
@JCnator: Motion blurring would occur using the GBP(Game Boy Player) on the GCN(Gamecube), if the player sets the screen filter to "low", or whatever the setting was. Since I am not a 3ds Ambassador, I don't know the extent you mean, but I imagine it is similar to the GBP. As such, it is entirely possible part of the 3DS GBA emulator was built similar to the GBP.
Slim pickings but its nice to see Capcom continue to release Mega Man games on VC.
Lucky for you American's. Wish we got GameBoy Versions of Mega Man 2 and 3 here in Europe.
Kinda on the fence with Warioland 4. I played the first one but really didn't enjoy it that much.
@Gingardreadman: If you have played them before you wouldn't want those 2. They are considered by many to be the worst of the GB Megaman games.
@Gingadreadman
Lucky for you European's. Wish we got The Denpa Men 3 demo on the 1st here in America
Why do Atlus not discount games in the EU eShop? I've been waiting ages for an Atlus sale.
Mega Man! Yes!!
WOO ESHOP UPDATED ITS DENPA DUDES TIME
@outburst They got lucky! For now... There's always next week -_-
Not that it matters much but @Thomas Grinsia is $10.00 on the shop, odd! Just posted this as I know how you like to be accurate.
@originaljohn It's common knowledge that Atlus just does not like Europe.
Wow, three VC titles. It's almost like 2006 again. Shame that pace won't keep up.
The two MegaMan games are $2.99. Which should I get?
All I needed to see this week was at least one new GBA title after April's excellent offereing and here it is! Thank you Nintendo!
@whodatninja it is?? I didn't know that.
i have spent on my money for per-ordering MK8 so nothing for now
Currently have Denpa Men 3 downloading.
I'd have also downloaded Mega Man II & III if they had come to Europe.
Mega Man 2 and 3. I'll wait for reviews on Grinsia and Parking Star 3D.
Something about playing Game Boy titles on the Wii U just feels wrong.
Perhaps, it's because playing them on the 3DS feels so right.
@Capt_N My GBA games from 3DS is noticeably blurrier in motion than my Game Boy Player's Soft Filter. When the former's video is in motion, it gets as detailed as if I half-shut my eyes. GBP's Soft Filtering on the video is much less blurry in comparison, to the point I can still spot the finer details of the picture.
The thing is, GBA emulation on 3DS is kinda rushed compared to Wii U's VC. Functional Sleep Mode available on certain games but isn't triggered by simply closing the 3DS, darker coloring, no Restore Point, no Suspend Point and being unable to go back on HOME Menu without closing the software. The other VC games available on 3DS don't have these problems.
@Steamboat_Willie They most certainly do. Especially if you appreciate pixel art. These are Nintendos best emulated games yet. All of Nintendos VC games need to have pixel perfect mode from now on as well as scanned game booklets.
@vamkar It's extremely weird... I don't remember liking it nearly as much as the previous Wario Land games.
@vamkar It's an amazing platformer. I find it a real underrated gem.
They should make 3D classics megaman games.But as awesome as that would be,i don't see it happening.
I'd jump all over Wario Land 4 if I didn't have a GBA and eBay didn't exist. Although, I'm tempted to get Super Mario World for the off-TV play despite owning a SNES cart.
@JCnator I have deleted and banished my ambassador GBA games and am redownloading them all on Wii U because the quality is night and day in my opinion.
GBA by M2 for Wii U VC is the best retro thing Nintendo has ever done. Never been so happy about VC till now.
Those GB Mega Man games are hard to come by in physical form, excepting the first one, though. And Mega Man V on the GB is supposed to be one of the best in the whole series.
when are they going to put gba games on 3ds
@JCnator: Sounds similar to the Wii's N64, & Nes emulation quality, that darkened-colors part anyway. The emulation sounds a little sub-par. I wonder why Nintendo added motion blur, since a real GBA never had it, as far as I've always seen on my GBA, & GBA SP. Strange.
@ThomasBW84 Slightly off-topic, but do you guys plan on reviewing Stick it to the Man?
@Dr_Corndog Thing is without Super Gameboy support then it is less desirable.
@WiiULoveGBA The Wii VC Neo Geo is pretty great connected to a CRT at least for the smaller early games. Only problem is you can only have Svideo/60hz or RGB/50hz. The sound is absolutely spot on. All the scanlines are in the right places. The 320x240 ones suffer with bits of tearing though or parts of the screen cut off. Metal Slug X lags like only Metal Slug 2 should (M2 fixed that on the PS3 by overclocking the emulator).
Is e.g Mario World bad just playing on the Gamepad (Does it use any awful filters or stretching ?)
The only thing I'll be downloading this week (and have already downloaded) is Denpa Men 3.
Just got MegaMan II & III ,never got to play these guys back in the 90's so im super happy to be getting ALL of them. Im eating up this grey scale/gotta love it !
My fellow gamers have spoken well. Wario Land 4 and Grinsia rules the week. A game per system- how appropriate
Surprised at amount of people not getting demos.
Why are people still supporting the dsiware? They won't get much money because everyone is now playing the 3ds.
No Mario Kart demo?
@Nintenjoe64 "3 weeks and a few hours to go..."
Are you counting down for Xtreme 2 like I am?
I've done nothing but complain about Wii U VC since they've only rereleased games from Wii. That said, having never played a game boy advance before, I have been very happy with the GBA games released. Admittedly, I was very skeptical about GBA released on WiiU. I have downloaded metroid fusion and yoshis island and they are both superb. I look forward to Wario 4 and more GBA games.
One of the best open world RPG's available on 3ds is The Denpamen 2 its amazing more people aren't excited about The Denpamen 3 release. If your a fan of Dragon quest you will love the Denpamen. I know it looks funny but it is a solid Game folks. The price is cheap for such a quality game. In fact you can't get better quality at that price
One week to go!
Nintendo eShop 'What's new this week': one title.
Sony's PSN Store 'What's new this week': a lot more than one.
Nintendo, I love you, but c'mon, man! Beef up the Virtual Console. With so many systems to draw from you could still chuck out five titles a week and never run out.
@absuplendous @sleepinglion So, why weren't you complaining back in April when the 3DS only received one VC title that entire month (and none in Europe)? Don't be biased in favor of the Wii U. Plus, Nintendo released 3 VC titles overall this week, across two systems. Great week.
@originaljohn
ATLUS have not a single game in the European eshop, everyone of their games have been localized there by other companies, and they decide when (and if) they are going to put them on sale. The first game ATLUS will release in Europe is Conception 2, this year.
@IceClimbers A month ago, I was not yet a member of this site. Had I been, I may have complained then too, though I don't make a point of complaining each and every week the Virtual Console offering is a letdown. Nowhere in my comment did I favor the Wii U; I did not mention either platform by name. This was intentional, meant to apply to the Virtual Console on all platforms.
I can see that Nintendo after the GBA launch is back to the same old one vc game per week crap!! Japan already has Mario kart,5 pc engine games like Bonk n Gradius and 8 or 9 square soft snes titles!!! What the hell is the deal/problem???? I don't get it at all!! And SEGA where are you??? Need some Genesis love!! You stink Reggie!!
@joey302 I hear ya. Nintendo either doesn't listen or just doesn't care. Comparing the Wii's VC to the Wii U effort is depressing. With proof that they are capable of Genesis, TG-16, Neo-Geo, N64, SNES, NES, Arcade, heck, even Commodore 64 titles it's mega sad to see what the Wii U VC is doing these days. I bring it up in my Club Nintendo surveys so at least I feel like I'm doing something.
@IceClimbers Because I really don't care much about the state of the 3DS VC. If I'm biased it is because I already feel like I have a TON of games to choose from when it comes to my 3DS. It's the Wii U that suffers from regular gaming drought and is capable of emulating more consoles. Kind of you to ask, but that's why I don't voice concern about the 3DS. It gets plenty of eShop updates.
@sleepinglion dude I rag about it in every survey I do!! It's ridiculous! I find it incredible that a company as big as Nintendo can only muster out one vc game a week!! And then they wonder why wii u isn't selling! And why no indie games this week?? How long are those 15-20 indie games gonna be on Nintendo's website showing "TBD" as a release date!! THERE'S NOTHING IN THE STORES AS IT IS!!
@bezerker99: Dude, we won't be seeing any NES 3DS VC until next month. I want Devil World, Castlevania 3, and Blaster Master. EU is so lucky to have those titles.
Um, it'd be nice to know the price of the EO discounts.
@joey302 The situation isn't good but it kinda helps to know other fans like you feel my pain. I have a lot of older retro consoles in great working condition, but not all gamers are so lucky. New fans and folks who no longer have their old machines shouldn't have to look to emulation in order to enjoy the rich catalog Nintendo COULD be putting out there. The argument could be made that maybe the VC isn't that profitable. I would say it's hard to compete with FREE emulation if you're charging 8 bucks for an SNES title. In a perfect Virtual Console world the prices would be fair and the selection would be grand.
@Ash_Anne me too, i was wondering when the game will come out and here it is
@Kodeen: Well my point was that no 3rd party game is guaranteed and that there are not hundreds of games available for release
WarioLand4, it is!
Grinsia gets more love than The Denpamen 3. That is a bad choice if you have to choose between the 2. I have Grinsia on my tablet and its nowhere near as good or quality as The Denpamen 3. Just throwing that out there.
@Yomerodes Ah right thanks for clearing that up for me.
@Windy
ikr its sad denpa men 3 would be better than grinsia any day. Grinsia is good but denpa men is better
OH YES SIR WARIO LAND 4 GBA and on the WIIU and my to be able to play it on ma BIG SCREEN HD TV at that. Thank you Nintendo, you are rocking out those gba games, keep them coming I've bought everyone they have released....
Wait maybe that's why we are seeing more good gba games? They must be selling on the eshop well enough. I know alot of users here buy them so this is good news for the eshop, it needs support badly
DSiWare isn't dead! You hear me? NOT. DEAD. (Weird!)
Definitely a nice week with a lot of stuff! I'll be on my 3DS especially!
@WiiULoveGBA I agree so much, and its a shame that most will miss out on this gem.. One of Nintendo's finest platformers, up there with Mario ,or any 2D platformer like Yoshi's Island, Donkey Kong ect,ect.
People who are curious about Wario's beginnings and LOVES platformers take a chance, you wont regret it
@ThomasBW84 There's a typo. Grinsia is $10.00, not $9.99.
@ThomasBW84 Grinsia is $10.
@Capt_N @absuplendous @Laxiom There are 2 Mega Man games, a Wario Land game, 2 RPGs (Grinsia and Denpa Men) and a platformer on sale that is considered excellent in Trine 2.
Don't say it's a weak week. It's a good week. And 2 of those above mentioned games are 1st party for those narrow minded "I only buy Nintendo games" fans.
@LeviCelJir People do not realize that the Denpamen is a full fledged open world RPG and a great one at that. Maybe people will like Grinsia but there is Noway now how its better than The Denpamen
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