Kickstarter, despite seeing funding amounts and success stories go down in recent times, is still a source of interesting crowdfunding projects for the Wii U, in particular. It also throws up occasional alternatives that can intrigue Nintendo gamers, even if the 3DS has been much less prominent in past months, limited to stretch goals in more recent updates.

As before in these summaries we are showing projects with attainable goals and / or those that generally look promising, while the majority of current campaigns focus on the Wii U. Community feedback always brings more games to our attention, of course, so keep at us with those suggestions.

There's a selection of status updates and a new project to consider this time, details below.

New Projects

Nintendo 64 Portable Console - Build Your Own Kit — [approx $3,150 of $5,000 target reached, 20 days to go]

Build N64

The purpose of this project is to provide a more affordable means for N64 fans to have a portable N64, basically taking the IKEA approach. For less than most modders request for a portable N64, this kit includes substantial instructions, a whole lot of parts and — for a relatively small extra amount — an N64; alternatively you can use your existing system.

Chances of success: This is already well on its way to a modest target.

No video pitch is included in this campaign.

Project Updates

Animal Gods (Reborn) — Wii U included in core goal [approx $4,200 of $26,000 target reached, 22 days to go]

Animal Gods

This is a 2D top-down action/adventure title that promises a large open world to explore — combat is real time, and the storyline revolves around exploring a fantasy recreation of 16th Century England in a bid to rescue and revive Animal Gods. With a variety of different moves included this looks quite impressive in its early stages.

Chances of success: After a strong start momentum has slowed, but there's plenty of time left.

Impact Winter — Wii U included in as $150,000 stretch goal [approx £8,300 of £95,000 target reached, 25 days to go]

Impact Winter

A fresh arrival from Mojo Bones, an experienced developer that recently brought the brilliant Siesta Fiesta to the 3DS eShop. This is an entirely different proposition, as it takes place in a post-war nuclear winter — the interesting approach is that your task is to survive (and keep your group alive) for 30 days. Resource management and strategy seem particularly important, as you manage your group of survivors, deal with unexpected events and explore the surrounding area with the help of a robot assistant.

Chances of success: Despite the studio's pedigree this project is struggling to gain momentum.

Blossom Tales: The Sleeping King — Wii U included as $250,000 stretch goal [approx $20,000 of $45,000 target reached, hours remaining]

Blossom Tales

This looks like an utterly charming action RPG, with pixel-based visuals shown off to great effect in the pitch video. There are very clear moments of inspiration from the 2D top-down Legend of Zelda titles, particularly A Link to the Past, including some of those famous mechanics. Despite those familiarities there seems to be a neat twist that the plot is based off storytelling in-game, with some twists and unexpected developments promised.

Chances of success: Very unlikely.

Pending for Wii U

Aegis Defenders — Wii U included as $150,000 stretch goal [$145,815 of $65,000 raised]

Aegis Defender

Already a significant success in its campaign, this looks like a stylish tactical platformer in which two players co-operate and use various items for self-defence and navigating the environment. The pitch trailer shows promising use of these mechanics with some attractive visuals.

Chances of success: Paypal donations are slowly taking the developers towards the Wii U goal, but as yet it's not been reached.

Ray's the Dead — Wii U included as $65,000 stretch goal [$51,773 of $30,000 raised]

Rays the Dead

Another success story, this game has eye-catching visuals and a neat hook as you raise the dead — hence the wordplay in the title — to accompany you on an adventure; it seems to be part exploration, part strategy as you lead and hurl an undead army into action. It's all with the goal of exploring Ray LaMorte's backstory.

Chances of success: Pre-orders from the game's website will apparently count towards stretch goals, so there's hope yet for a Wii U version.

Let us know what you think of this current crop and the newcomers, and by all means share other projects that have been left out in the comments below.