It's that time again, North American gamers, for more treats in the Nintendo Download Update. After the madness of last week's bonanza, we settle back to a smaller number of choices this time around. There's a retail release on both Wii U and 3DS, the continuation of a thoroughly decent puzzle-platforming series, some first-person horror for Wii U, discounts and a little more besides. Let's get to it.
Missed the Nintendo Download Update for Europe earlier this week? Oh you! Don't worry, the details are right here.
Wii U eShop
The Letter (TreeFall Studios, $1.99) — A first-person horror title in which a father warns his son to stay away from the site of his impending doom by sending him a letter; we imagine he found a postman to pick it up from his decaying body? In any case, the son goes to explore the site — while it's dark — to solve the mystery. We'll see whether this successfully taps into the craze for similar games on PC, or whether it gives us nightmares, in our upcoming review.
Wii U Virtual Console
Bases Loaded (HAMSTER, co., $4.99) — A rival to the blandly named Nintendo equivalent on the NES, this baseball title goes for an arcade feel, with some approaches and camera angles fairly unique for the time. There are also a dozen teams and 30 players on offer — we gave this a reasonable recommendation in our Wii Virtual Console Bases Loaded review six years ago, but will step up for another innings.
Wii U Retail Download
ONE PIECE Unlimited World Red (Bandai Namco, $49.99) — Available now, the latest adventure in the ONE PIECE series makes its way to North America, in which you guide popular characters and new additions through a fresh adventure.
Wii U eShop Temporary Discount
I've Got To Run! (4 Corner Games, $1.20 from 11th - 13th July, normally $1.99)
3DS eShop
Rabi Laby 3 (Silver Star Japan, $4.99) — The first two entries in this puzzle platform series were on DSiWare, and it now finally takes the leap to 3DS. We enjoyed the previous titles for the occasionally clever levels and neat mechanic of manoeuvring both characters to get past some tricky challenges; we'll see how this stacks up to its predecessors, while hoping that it resolves some balancing issues, in our upcoming review.
Me & My Pets 3D (TREVA Entertainment, $19.99) — The 3DS isn't short of pet sims, but here's another one in which you can care for small, cute and cuddly creatures; there'll be minigames, opportunities to take photos and more besides. We'll see whether this is cute or has a nasty bite in our review.
3DS Virtual Console
Bases Loaded (HAMSTER, co., $4.99) — As per the Wii U Virtual Console release, above.
3DS Retail Download
ONE PIECE Unlimited World Red (Bandai Namco, $29.99) — The 3DS iteration of this latest release includes co-op and multiplayer support for up to four players.
3DS eShop Temporary Discounts
Swords & Soldiers 3D (CIRCLE Entertainment, $3.99 until 31st July, normally $6.99)
Jett Rocket II: The Wrath of Taikai (Shin'en Multimedia, $4.99 until 24th July, normally $8.99)
Witch & Hero (CIRCLE Entertainment, $2.80 until 31st July, normally $3.99)
3DS eShop Demo
Jett Rocket II: The Wrath of Taikai (Shin'en Multimedia, free)
So there you have it. Let us know what you plan to download in the poll and comments below.
What will you be downloading first this week? (284 votes)
- The Letter (Wii U eShop)
- Bases Loaded (Wii U Virtual Console)
- ONE PIECE Unlimited World Red (Wii U retail download)
- I've Got To Run! (Wii U eShop temporary discount)
- Rabi Laby 3 (3DS eShop)
- Me & My Pets 3D (3DS eShop)0%
- Bases Loaded (3DS Virtual Console)
- ONE PIECE Unlimited World Red (3DS retail download)
- Swords & Soldiers 3D (3DS eShop temporary discount)
- Jett Rocket II: The Wrath of Taikai (3DS eShop temporary discount)
- Witch & Hero (3DS eShop temporary discount)0%
- Just the Jett Rocket II demo for me
- Nothing for me this week
Please login to vote in this poll.
Comments (125)
Even though it's on sale stay far away from Swords and Soldiers on the 3ds. Its just that bad! Unplayable imo.
Ugh, bad week.
Bad week. Maybe SnS 3d.
Unfortunately nothing for me this week at least I have one piece to keep me busy for a while but kinda a lack luster update this week
Where the hell is TGC game! I can't believe Nintendo of America!
Remove One Piece (as it was out on Tuesday) and this week is one of the worst in a long while. Not even the sales are interesting.
Probably I've Got to Run! and the Jett Rocket demo. I can't believe I thought NOA would bring Pokemon TCG this week to 3DS VC since NOE did. I should've known better.....
@DiscoGentleman ditto. europe gets a lot more discounts than we do, but i guess our prices are lower in general.
How about a free game to celebrate my birthday, Nintendo?
It bugs me why Nintendo doesn't release one game for each VC system. Realeasing 3 good games for NES, SNES, GBA and Eshop can help out in a big way each week
nothing for me this week...
Already bought One Peice on Wii U so noting for me? I don't even know what The Letter is hopefully for such a low price it's a pretty decent game. We really need Genesis games on Wii U like it's predecessor, it feels weird not having anything from Sega for VC at this moment of time.
@Mus1cLov3r Happy Birthday!
Seriously Konami, where is Snake Eater 3D!!!
My backlog is insane, so a slow week works for me.
Shovel Knight, Child of Light, Armillo, DKTF, SM3DW, WWHD, and several GBA classics.
Haha. The Letter has got to be one of those horrible, Slenderman-inspired Unity games that Lowtax always plays on his youtube channel. I might get it just for a laugh. Why should PC gamers get all of the pure crap, am I right?
A Wii U horror game for $2? I'll bite. With that kind of investment, it'd have to be pretty bad to disappoint me. Hopefully it's not just another Slender clone, though.
Meh, I'll wait for Bases Loaded II. Nothing for me this week.
So that One Piece game has a shared Wii U/3DS Miiverse community. Maybe it's nothing, and maybe it's something. Who can say?
Next week should be better...
The Letter will receive free updates to expand the game according to the dev in this comments section here ↓
http://nintendoeverything.com/wii-u-eshop-lists-july-10-release-date-for-the-letter/
The Letter? Makes me a bit nervous that I haven't heard a peep or seen a single screen shot of this until right now... 2 bucks though...
EDIT: Just watched the trailer that MAB put up. Looks an awful lot like Slenderman. I'll wait for the review. My back log is plentiful.
So many better baseball games on NES and SNES then Bases Loaded......I guess I'll wait for th Letter review just in case it is worth $2 and enjoy the games I have.
Wow. High and dry this week.
No Pokemon TCG. I am disappoint.
@DiscoGentleman @DragonbornRito it's NoA, What do you expect? We almost always get crap when other regions get decent stuff.
Blahk! I waited a week for this excrement. I wanted a RPG or something. They could at least hook up the virtual counsel a little bit more to deal with this drought.
@DragonbornRito Yeah seriously I thought Pokemon TCG was a given.
@Gerbwmu @bezerker99 Agree that Bases Loaded II is superior. Glad this is at least an improvement on Nintendo's Baseball at least. Just wish for cross buy...
No Pokémon no money for you Nintendo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What's that one piece game about?
@ikki5 I've come to expect it, yes. Hoping for the best, but expecting the worst.
@XCWarrior I had my doubts, but I was hoping for once I was wrong...
Gonna try out Jett Rocket. I'm currently replaying Kid Icarus Uprising, but my backlog is huge, Link's Awakening, Shining Force, Nightsky, vvvvv, SSB3 and the once unplayable Grinsia.. I do want to buy both Shantae games, they never go on sale right?
@XCWarrior If Cross-Buy existed on VC, I'd probably get Bases Loaded. And I agree, this game may not be the best out there, but it's better than Baseball. I'm glad to see this game on the eShop!!
I will get Jett Rocket II now that it is cheap, and I may get Rabi Laby as I have never tried one.
BTW, where is the review for Bike Rider DX2? Did not buy it last week when I got Skypeace because I wanted to wait for a review.
So are we to assume this means no upcoming reviews for One Piece on Wii U and 3DS? Say it ain't so!
I'm quite interested in that game, but I want to know whether it's an exploration heavy adventure through an extensive world or just a bland action title. I'm hoping for the former.
Demo, maybe one piece someday.
I'm fine with this, I still have to catch up with last weeks awesome games.
@Mus1cLov3r Happy Birthday, bro! They should give you Mario Party 2 for free for this special day. (kidding ) Not a bad idea to break out the M party though.
Was hoping to get the Remix games at a discount and maybe use the savings on the Pokemon TCG.
Sigh
Anyone heard anything about Flipnote 3D lately?
Crap week. Maybe the Mascot has a point:
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2008/08/the_mascott_speaks_about_the_virtual_console
Kinda nice to have a week where I don't consider making any buys. The eWallet can have a little time of rest and relaxation.
I'm looking at the screenshots for One Piece and I cannot begin to fathom what is going on with that game. Like, it might be a character action game. But then there are also shooty bits? And possible arena fighting? Someone help me out, here.
That is all for me this week!
Add me to the "boo, no remix discount" category. Oh well, good for backlog clearing.
@SheldonRandoms I always loved that part of the opening
Anyway, I'm not buying anything, bought Unlimited World Red two days ago when it was released, great game, very colorful.
@Stu13 Looks like a load of poop to me
@SuperMikey @Knuckles Thanks, guys.
@Spoony_Tech -Are you saying its a bad port or a bad game? I would think it would work fine eith this 3DS stylus unless they gave it those horrific PS3 shoulder button controls? BTW I asked them on FB and 2 is due late 2014 or early 2015 so Im thinking next year.
@ricklongo - I think mostly fighting with some exploration thrown in just b/c. Apparently its a port of a Vita game (no, that doesnt make any sense to me either) so it should be similar to the PS3 version.
http://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps3/one_piece_unlimited_world_red
@rjejr It's the frame rate. It chuges at less then 5 frames per second a lot which makes it unplayable. Otherwise I like the game on other systems. I own it 3 times btw. The way they use the stylus is also not all that great imo.
Really? No NES Remix 1 & 2 discount? The wallet is safe, yet again. Nothing for me...
@MAB Thanks, man. My brain just exploded from watching that.
Patiently waiting for gargoyle quest and demon's crest. But with these abominations of weekly updates the wait is that much harder.
Apparently, Nintendo of America is so flush with cash they didn't want to actually sell anything this week.
Don't write off Rabi Laby! The first two, along with the spin-off 3DS game Witch's Cat, are some of the best puzzle-platformers out there. If you like head-scratching puzzle games whose mechanics are much deeper than they first appear, give it a shot!
@MixMasterMudkip Sure is ridiculous, also can't believe SMK is approaching 4 months since release in EU and Australia and still not available on Wii U VC.
Where is Bubble Bobble?
Wow,bad week. Nothing for me...
One Piece Unlimited World Red for Wii U since I already downloaded it yesterday. Would of been Tuesday buy you know Eshop problem and all that.
A bit disappointed with the way they handle the Wii U version though. It seem like they ported it from the PS3 version instead of work off the 3DS version since it lacks the second screen features.
Ewww.
Not a great week... and still no explanation to the 3DS version jump to 8.0.
Just The Letter for me this week. Hard to pass up a $1.99 Wii game.
Every so often I find myself returning to the Witch and Hero demo for another playthrough or two. I know everyone hated it, but I like it for some reason, and every time there's a discount I have to stop myself. I'd buy it if it had more levels.
@Spoony_Tech How about Witch and Hero? I actually liked that BTW. Its nothing great but a fun little grinding game
Does anyone know if the 3DS version of One piece has ONLINE MULTIPLAYER? From what I gather its local WiFi which is a huge waste of time just to call a game multiplayer!
Nothing for me.
I too was hoping for NES Remix sales.
I too have a huge backlog of games to play so I'm not that disappointed.
(Kart, Pokemon Y, Windwaker, Rayman, Fire Emblem)
One Piece, super cheap Injustice, Armillo, Guacamelee, dirt cheap the Letter. And I still haven't bit on my own copies of Knytt Underground, Unepic, Rayman Legends, Sonic the Lost World, Wonderful 101 or Deus Ex: HR yet either. Games are becoming cheaper and thus, much more attractive.
Obviously, some games are earlier if not instant purchases, but alot of stuff is getting tired. So I wait for sales for what often feels like double dipping (Hey ACIV!)
The letter isn't there for some reason.
I am in Canada if that factors into it.
Weeks like this is why a year ago I abandoned Nintendo. I sold my handheld and 3DS. I was hoping this time around. I came back in April but have regret it. I have a 2DS. Which I don't remember the last time I played it. I have a Wii U, but of all the games I have Pikmin, and Mario are the only ones specifically made for the Wii U. I will give it till November which is when the PS TV comes out in North America. Y'all understand how it could be frustrating?
@Stu13 Not based on any story arc the game has it's own storyline with original custards Oda himself created. Guess you can say it's a day in their lives sort of adventure but you can still do tons of fighting.
@SheldonRandoms Best One Piece opening! @Mus1cLov3r Happy Birthday!
If I didn't already have Jet Rocket 2, I would have gotten the demo. Other than that, nothing really strikes my fancy, also I have no funds...
Might get the letter
@Windy I've been told it's not bad and quite fun. I might get it because of the sale but won't play it for a long time lol. Thanks for the suggestion!
@Windy No online whatsoever, and multiplayer is only for doing co-op battles or fishing minigames, no way to do a 1 on 1 battle against another player basically.
It's still a good game mind you, don't focus on just multiplayer because you'll be missing out on a ton of good games.
@ModestFan93 Thanks.
@rjejr Incidentally, just after posting that I went over to Pushsquare to see if they had a review up, and voilà.
I still want a Nintendolife review if at all possible. Seems like it could be a fun way to pass the time after I'm done with all the recent Wii U indies, and before Bayonetta 2 hits. I'm also a sucker for cel-shaded graphics, so that's a plus.
Gah. This week is a huge auto pass…
Blecch.
@Shotgunryugan haha I have a backlog of good games. I would love to have a good online co-op one. Looks like I will wait till Fantasy Life comes out and pass on One piece. Time to catch up on the backlog
Well I just got the notification in the eshop as well. It only shows one piece and the baseball. The letter must not be available in Canada.
Terrible week but for me they're still riding the awesomeness that wax e3
Actually I'm very interested in rabi laby, I own the first two, but no nes remix offer? damn you NoA!
@MixMasterMudkip - Just remember that you guys have 6 Mega Man games that we don't. There's unequal releases on both sides, and I'm sure it'll be out soon.
Im going to get The Letter cause is two dollars and lets see if its a ripoff to slenderman, or is actually a good game in disguise.
@Ralizah I seen the trailer for this game and the screenshots, it might be a slender clone, so don't get your hopes up im not.
umm.. i cant find the jett rocket demo..
Oooh, cool. I don't know how anyone can say there's a poor selection when we have Rabi Laby. It's actually quite good guys (well, the previous two were, haven't tried the 3DS one yet).
This feels like the third week in a row that the VC games have been the same on both systems. I feel like they are trolling the people who want Cross buy here.
@MixMasterMudkip "Your comment is so perfect with your picture!! XD "
@DerpSandwich I really like Witch & Hero and already have bought it for my 3 3DS machines. It was this game that made me convinced that some games really need a better manual. If I hadn't read a specific tip on Witch & Hero, I wouldn't have figured out how to keep playing. It's really a unique kind of game and I keep going back to play.
With a little more care, this game could have found a wider audience!
The Letter "sounds" like the typical point-and-click adventure, which I like, but I'll wait for a review.
@accc Yes, the two previous Rabi Labi games were enough reason to make Rabi Labi an instant buy. If another Witch's Cat comes along, I'd buy that too!
There are really cool innovative games hidden among the lower-priced indie games.
Although, are these Indie games or just games from a not-well-known developer in another non-US/UK country?
Maybe the Letter was delayed, is US only or not available until tomorrow or Tuesday.
As of now, it still isn't available here in Canada.
@Thulfram I just can't justify buying it when the demo contains half the game. There's this huge map, and in the demo you only traverse a tiny bit of it, and the gameplay is so ridiculously simple that I first assumed there would be 50-100 levels at least. But then I found out there are only 20! If they tried again and included more levels I think they could have a fun little time waster on their hands. I think the game has potential.
@Thulfram The latter, they're made by Silver Star Japan and published by Agetec. I believe that the Rabi Laby series is actually quite popular in Japan. I think I read on Silver Star's website that the series has sold over 100,000 units, but I may be remembering incorrectly.
I still cannot believe that the Wii U version of One Piece: Unlimited World RED got a digital-only release in North America, whilst the Nintendo 3DS version got it in retail form.
Wait, Jett Rocket II was only $9? Crap, I shoulda got that way eariler. I'll check out the demo, see what I think...
Worst week in quite a while, if you're not a One Piece fan, anyway.
I reneged on getting The Letter just to have a laugh. Looked at the screenshots they put on the eShop and they are just so bad. Like really, really bad. Like, 'game running on Windows 98' bad. Even as a $2 joke I could not justify it.
Bring on the One Piece Bought it on every platform available, woo!!!
The Letter doesn't seem to be available in Canada... I was just gonna download it
Gah, pretty dry this week. BTW, what happened to That 90's Arcade Racer? Is that still in development?
Raby Laby 3? OoO;;;
Can't wait for it to reach Europe!!!
If anyone else was looking to download The Letter in Canada besides me... I just spoke with the dev on FB, theres no Canadian release date yet.
@daveh30
Yeah, it seems to be iTunes all over again.
Which is ridiculous. I don't get why digital distribution for a single territory has to be so seperated.
I enjoy horror, games like Myst, D and the price seems worth having a unique experience.
Puddle was a 10$ game I wish I could have paid 2$ for.
I've only played AC3 for 3 or 4 hours. Last Assassin's Creed I'll ever play.
Point is, a great looking game isn't always worth the price and a mediocre looking one could be fun for a few hours.
Bases Loaded for my "retro" 3DS? Yes please! So many hours in front of the TV because of this game back in the day. One of the first where the players got tired over the course of the innings and you had to replace them. Buying this one for the same reason as my other NES classics - simple nostalgia.
I heard about parts 2 through 4, but the only other one I remember enjoying was Super Bases Loaded on the SNES. I heard SNK's baseball game (forgot the name, on the tip of my tongue....) was the other really good baseball game on the NES.
Any other baseball suggestions on the NES?
Guess I'll just have to put my extra cash towards the PC release of Shantae: Risky's Revenge on the 15th. Reggie apparently doesn't want my cash.
Guys, I HIGHLY suggest looking up Youtube videos before picking up The Letter.
@Captain_Toad
Shhh, don't spoil the joke.
Another garbage week.
@Magrane It was called Baseball Stars, which I would kill for on the 3DS or Wii U. I had RBI Baseball, Bases Loaded and Baseball Stars back in the day and the latter was my favorite. I still own the cart in fact.
Keep in mind that I'd played the other incarnations of the series, and it's still my favorite. The Create-a-team and create-a-player modes were ahead of their time, and the hiring/firing screens were terrific.
Sigh! So after the GBA launch of vc titles on wii u were back to the same old 1 vc game a week crap!!! What's the damn problem NOA?? Are you understaffed? Do you not care?? How does everyone in the world have super Mario kart and the US doesn't? How does Japan have 10 pc engine games and we have zero? How does Japan have a truckload of square-Enix vc games and we have zero?? Where is the Capcom vc lineup?? Where is SEGA?? Where are the N64 games?!?!? WHERE IS VIRTUAL CONSOLE ARCADE?? What the hell is going on?? Why can't Nintendo of America squeeze out more than 1 effing vc game a week???? Jeez I'm so pissed!! Holy crow!!! You guys at NOA haven't a clue!! Then at the board meetings they sit around and speculate why wii u isn't selling? Mario kart 8 is not gonna do it by itself fellas!!! Get off your arses and post some vc games already!!!!! Ugh!!! Breathing heavy with anger as he taps "reply" and slams phone down to power up his PS3 to play some classics to calm down...
Bases Loaded. Man I played the heck out of this as a kid. People say 2 was better but I never like it at all. Now I just need ken Griffey Jr. baseball...
Is the 3DS version of the new One Piece game good? I've seen the Wii U version and was wondering how it matched up.
@Spoony_Tech - Yeah, I watched the video on the tiny 3DS screen before and even in the video it looked choppy, and I thought, "oh, that's what he meant by unplayable". And playing w/ the stylus on the bottom screen while the game played on top also seemed a bit off. Guess there's a reason it started on Wiiware. Too bad 2 is so far off.
Bought the PS3 version of One Piece Unlimited World RED 'cuz there was a physical version on that platform, it should here by tomorrow.
Other than that, I'm still playing the hell out of Mario Kart 8 online, and catching up on the new summer anime.
@Magrane @statnut I leaned a bit more towards RBI Baseball myself but all 3 are worthy of owning actually. I just like the Chibi characters with the real MLB names and stats more then anything.
When the single most alluring download of the week is a Wii U horror game, and it's alluring because it's dirt cheap and not because of its content (which I don't know)... you know it's not a strong week.
@statnut Woo Hoo! Thank you for that. I remember my best friend at the time had the game and he was raving how great of a game it was. I think it was because he was a brainy guy, and he would create a team, monitor a season, etc. Gave it a lot of kudos so I took his word on it. Looks like your trifecta recommendation matches from what I remember as the "word" of that time.
@Spoony_Tech RBI Baseball was that Tengen game I remember the box at the stores. Thanks for that recommendation too.
PLEASE don't buy The Letter. NintendDaan managed to beat the game in his six minute first look video...
Nice, another Rabi Laby game...hope that one comes to the EU shop as it'll be a day one download for me.....the others (and Witch's Cat) made it here so hopefully it will. I've had quite a lot of fun with the Silver Star games, Magical Whip and Bloody Vampire were both brilliant also
nothing for me this week
@DanielRMuriel because they have to make the games work on the system in able to launch them?
no love for Rabi Laby, you all clearly aren't good at puzzle games with roller coaster difficulty curves o3o
Keep the Letter out of Canada?
After reading the following, I'd sign that petition..
http://wiiudaily.com/2014/07/the-letter-eshop/
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