It's Nintendo Download news time, North America, and this week has some seriously tempting options on both Wii U and 3DS to test your eShop funds to the limit. There's intense action on Wii U, retro Castlevania goodness, along with retail and download goodness on the 3DS. There are some major releases to get through today, so let's get on with it.
Missed the European Nintendo Download update earlier in the week? You must be crazy! Still, don't worry, the full lineup is right here.
Wii U Retail Downloads
Bayonetta 2 (Nintendo, $49.99 for solo game, or $59.98 for this and Bayonetta on the eShop) — The Platinum Games Wii U exclusive finally arrives, continuing Bayonetta's story and delivering its own brand of tight action gameplay, over-the-top set pieces and some of the system's best visuals. This is, simply, a fantastic action game, as explained in our Bayonetta 2 review. Available from 24th October.
Bayonetta (Nintendo, $29.99 for solo game, or $59.98 for this and Bayonetta on the eShop) — This port of the original title serves up an excellent version of the cult classic, throwing in some Nintendo-themed outfits and touch-based GamePad controls as extras. It sets the template for the sequel and establishes the entertaining lore and cast, so is definitely worth picking up; you can read more about it in our Bayonetta review. Available from 24th October.
Just Dance 2015 (Ubisoft, $39.99) — It's more contemporary pop dancing from Ubisoft, with another 40 tracks to jump into; this is for those of you that own snazzy dancing shoes.
The Voice (Activision, $39.90) — A karaoke game based on the TV show.
Wii U Virtual Console
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow (Konami, $7.99) — The final part of the Game Boy Advance trilogy, and with a futuristic setting this incorporates ideas from its predecessors along with the rather useful Tactical Soul mechanic; different types of soul can be used for useful features such as abilities and sub-weapon ammo. Regarded by some as the best in this trilogy, we'll give our views when we review all three titles ahead of the spooky season.
3DS Retail Download
Fantasy Life (Nintendo, $39.99) — This collaboration between Level-5 and Brownie Brown (now 1-UP Studios) finally arrives in North America, blending an RPG adventure with life-sim elements as you alternate and utilise a number of different 'Lives' to shake up the experience. It's a charming title that tries some fresh ideas, for which we were full of praise in our Fantasy Life review; you can also learn about some of the character classes in our Working 9 to 5 diary series. Available from 24th October.
Pokémon Art Academy (Nintendo, $29.99) — A tempting option for artists that love the Pokémon franchise, as the well-established modes and features of the Art Academy series are put to use to allow you to improve your drawing skills with a full-on 'mon flavour. We were relatively impressed with this in our Pokémon Art Academy review; this is available from 24th October, while an eShop purchase also makes you eligible for the Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire Special Demo Version.
Saban's Power Rangers Super Megaforce (Bandai Namco, $29.99) — In theory this should be fun for the show's fans, an action game that also scans QR codes from some of the franchises' toys. Our fingers are crossed, though the last game for the brand was rather poor; will this go go a lot better? Available from 28th October.
Big Hero 6 Battle in the Bay (GameMill Entertainment, $29.99) — Available from 28th October.
The Legend of Korra: A New Era Begins (Activision, $29.99) — Not the Platinum Games release, but a retail RPG strategy adventure. Available from 28th October.
3DS eShop
Shantae and the Pirate's Curse (WayForward, $19.99) — The third entry in this popular series finally arrives, bringing with it more colourful Metroidvania adventure and action. This entry sees Shantae team-up with former nemesis Risky Boots to tackle a pirate foe, with exploration taking in a number of diverse islands: we gave this a hearty 9/10 recommendation in our Shantae and the Pirate's Curse review.
Castle Conqueror EX (CIRCLE Entertainment, $3.99) — A real-time strategy game that arrives as an apparently expanded and improved version of the DSiWare title. We rated the original relatively highly, and this entry promises 50 levels, 4 heroes to choose from and improvements to the campaign and enemy AI. We'll get strategic in a review.
KORG DSN-12 (DETUNE Ltd, $37) — This is a pricey but faithful recreation of the self-named instrument set, with synthesizer and electric sounds driving this entry on the 3DS. As a portable oscilloscope, kaoss pad and full synthesizer, this is certainly worth consideration for music enthusiasts, as we explain in our KORG DSN-12 review.
Secret Journeys: Cities of the World (Selectsoft, $4.99) — It's another hidden object game, which states that there are "over 1000 carefully placed items" to find against city backdrops from around the world. We'll get our magnifying glass out, yet again.
Magical Diary: Secrets Sharing (Collavier Corporation, $4.99) — This appears to feature as a functional diary while applying custom interactive options, such as emotive animations, stickers, unlockable treats and the ability to share diaries wirelessly with others. We'll note down our private thoughts and then, well, make them public in a review.
3DS eShop Temporary Discounts
Sweet Memories Blackjack (CIRCLE Entertainment, $2.79 until 6th November, normally $3.99)
Wakedas (CIRCLE Entertainment, $1.99 until 6th November, normally $2.99)
DSiWare
Magical Diary: Secrets Sharing (Collavier Corporation, $4.99) — As per the 3DS eShop version, but probably not quite as pretty.
Some excellent choices this week in North America. Let us know what you plan to download in the poll and comments below.
What will you be downloading first this week? (284 votes)
- Bayonetta 2 (Wii U retail download)
- Bayonetta (Wii U retail download)
- Just Dance 2015 (Wii U retail download)0%
- The Voice (Wii U retail download)0%
- Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow (Wii U Virtual Console)
- Fantasy Life (3DS retail download)
- Pokémon Art Academy (3DS retail download)0%
- Saban's Power Rangers Super Megaforce (3DS retail download)0%
- Big Hero 6 Battle in the Bay (3DS retail download)0%
- The Legend of Korra: A New Era Begins (3DS retail download)
- Shantae and the Pirate's Curse (3DS eShop)
- Castle Conqueror EX (3DS eShop)
- KORG DSN-12 (3DS eShop)
- Secret Journeys: Cities of the World (3DS eShop)0%
- Magical Diary: Secrets Sharing (3DS eShop)0%
- Sweet Memories Blackjack (3DS eShop temporary discount)0%
- Wakedas (3DS eShop temporary discount)0%
- Magical Diary: Secrets Sharing (DSiWare)
- Nothing for me this week
Please login to vote in this poll.
Comments 121
No fun virtual console 3DS games? HUMPH.
Purchasing Fantasy Life physically even though I did contemplate downloading it.
Power Rangers - "Will this go go a lot better?"
Nothing for me, but I got Just Dance 2015 physically.
I keep holding out for Donkey Kong Country.
Where is dinky king?
@russellohh Take heart... we're getting some Pokemon Game Boy VC games in a few weeks. It's "only" Puzzle Challenge and the TCG instead of the main series, but still.
Getting Bayonetta 2 on retail. Nothing else for me.
Heh, a nice mix of games this week.
Where's my DK games at?
Nothing for me this week, just buying some last minute sales.
@ThomasBW84
Video review! I didn't see this one on the Bayo2 review! Awesome! You guys should do it often at least on major titles!
Anyway Aria of Sorrow... I hope it'll come to EU soon along with the others.
too many games!!! ahhhh
Wow... very little for the Wii U this week... but Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow and Bayonetta make up for that. Getting a retail copy of Bayonetta so Ill be downloading Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow:D
19.99? Up yours Way Forward.
Too many games to play. not enough time/money.
@theberrage yep, also considering it's been on other platforms like Steam for 4 years and it's currently $9.99.
I was interested in KORG DSN-12, but then I saw the price... As someone who doesn't take music making seriously, there is no way I'm spending that much just to mess around and experiment a little bit.
Wow, Shantae is $20? A bit too much for a dl game, ain't it?
I'm picking up a physical copy of Bayonetta 2 only because my Wii U's hd drive is tapped out. I need a hard drive because I actually prefer to download games.
Best week ever? I want Aria of Sorrow in Europe. Please everyone, bug NoE about that.
I'll be buying Shantae but I'm waiting until it comes out on Wii U.
@theberrage USGamer says it has enough scope to be a retail game. More polished than Risky's Revenge, and bigger than the two previous games combined.
Games are so expensive ...I dont think i can buy a one till smash releases..sigh
Bato 2 retail and AOS for my gamepad!
Will pick up Bayo 2 retail, but still voting for that cause that should be an option!
I will get Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow and I'm getting the physical Fantasy Life game tomorrow morning and will probably get the DLC for it too.
What a shame to forget nintendo about the 3DS, still waiting gameboy advance games on 3DS and nothing at all ... the only thing interesting is Shantae, Wayforward thanks for remembering ... sigh...
@russellohh Why is the top comment of these articles are ALWAYS a negative nancy comment, instead talking about the games that are available for this week? Just like last week's Nintendo Download:
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/10/nintendo_download_16th_october_north_america
Both weeks had good content( especially this week with Bayo 1 & 2)
@HypocrisyNews Bayonetta doesn't put thumbs on my 3DS' hands, Marge!
Smart that Nintendo didn't release any wiiU eshop games like stealth 2 since both bayonetta games & just dance came out to give attention to these releases. So next week you can just fill the gap with download releases
Too many games I want to get, so little time, especially since I have been drowning in Hyrule Warriors and Super Smash Bros to even look at another one of my games.
I will download Bayonetta, Fantasy Life, Pokemon Art Academy, Castle Conqueror Ex, and maybe Just Dance 2015 if it have a good amount of songs I like but later in the future. Maybe after I complete Hyrule Warriors which will take weeks (no complains).
I hope best buy will have another eshop card sale in the near future again.
@russellohh Same way Fantasy Life and Pokemon OR/AS won't put thumbs on my Wii U Gamepad, Lisa! But that wasn't my point.
@HypocrisyNews I'd be Homer if anything. Still, I've been powering through Harvest Moon 2 from last week's VC, and was hoping for Lufia or Harvest Moon 3 for this week. Ah well
FANTASY LIFE!
Oh, and, um, Pokemon Art Academy too, I guess.
Nothing for me as I have Bayonetta coming in the mail and already own the castlevania on the GBA. Hmmm I wonder if I could sell the cartridge for good $$$...
I clicked Fantasy Life even though I'm going physical. I would dl but almost out of space!
Nothing for me. I don't have the money right now since I have to pay for my daughter's birthday party at McDonalds on saturday. But I will be getting Fantasy Life, Bayonetta 2 and Pokémon Art Academy next month hopefully or maybe for Christmas, since next month is Pokémon OR/AS and Persona Q and Sonic Boom.
Physical copy of Bayonetta 2 for me
I'll get Fantasy Life when the "New" 3DS comes out....
Why did I think Pier Solar was going to be out today?
Whatever. I'll buy Shantae later today.
I voted for nothing but I'll probably get something off my eShop wishlist.
I'll grab Shantae soon enough.
Bayonetta 2 is $49.99 by itself and Bayonetta is $29.99 by itself. Does not outright say, but can be confirmed through deduction by reading the description of each game.
@ThomasBW84 What's up with you suddenly not doing separate game pages for titles released as both DSiWare and 3DS eshop games anymore? First 4 Elements, not that diary thing. It's confusing when other games do have separate entries for their releases here on NLife.
Still no Donkey Kong
It will always be a rare game, digitally, cartridge, and rare made)
I'm so mad and disappointed with nintendo.
What a week! Lots to choose from, I'll d/l Shantae for now but will eventually end up getting Bayonetta 2 and Fantasy Life (retail) too.
I'll have to wait until next week to nab Bayonetta 2. Really looking forward to it though as I had a blast with the demo!
Shantae will be good to tide me over. But where in the Good Lord's name is Donkey Kong Country? Soon it'll be past the first game's 20th anniversary!
Watch it be months before we get the DKC games...
Still, this is an absolutely epic week. Nabbing Shantae this evening and Fantasy Life when it releases at midnight. Bayonetta 2 will unfortunately have to wait for Christmas.
@OneBagTravel
This is a new Shante game that just came out, not the old DSi title which has been on Steam, but only for a couple of months btw.
@Specter_Twilight
Same exact situation for me lol. I also be let down by trying the most recent Animal Crossing and Harvest Moon: New Beginnings, so I hope this one makes it to my favorite Sim/RPG. Its finally here!!
holy crabapples!
Fantasy Life: seems neat
Pokemon Art Academy: make art, seems neat
Korg whatsis: make music! seems really neat
An SRPG featuring Korra, and avatars and firebenders and all that?
Shantae: loved Risky's Revenge, what-the-what?
So, that's like $200 worth of awesomesauce in a single week? Noi j'tat!
This is the most incredible week for games in a long time. Personally I'm getting Bayonetta 2 retail, Shantae and the Korg game. And if I didn't already own Aria of Sorrow CIB I would buy it too.
Haha I genuinely love hearing everyone reasons of why they might not be able to get a game or just like their situations lol.
I want fantasy life but i honestly don't have the time to play it with bayo on the way tomorrow. Plus I'm still working through Hyrule Warriors... that game is huge.
I'm going to be buying Fantasy Life, both Bayonettas, and maybe Shantae. Good day.
Bayonetta 2 physical for me, I guess it will be kind of difficult to find it tomorrow due to the few stores that will have it available here. And I'm seriously having a hard time deciding between Shantae (for me) or Pokémon AA (for my little nephew)... oh yeah, and my wallet is still in the hospital if anyone was wondering.
I understand NoA wants to wait another 8 months to give us the DK games EU recently got but I thought we were actually supposed to finally get Nightmare in Dreamland today at least? Well nothing for me again I guess.
So does this mean that Fantasy Life is out today? I didn't see a release date next to it.
@paburrows
tonight at midnight
Pre-ordered a physical copy of Fantasy Life. I'm interested in learning more about the Legend of Korra game though...
So that mean that some stores are opening up at midnight?
Do we have to hear whining about Danky Kong every week until if/when we ever see it? Those games are overrated; we are getting good games like the Castelvania's, Demon's Crest, and Gargoyle's Quest II.
@Jahir
I'm sure there are a LOT of wallets that are in bad shape these days! I know mine is.
Getting Bayonetta 2 for Christmas. Picking up Fantasy Life at retail this weekend. Downloading Castlevania AoS.
Bayattona 2 physical for me on Friday .
Shawn Tay And The Pirate's Curse!! Character designs are so adorable.
18% of people are crazy. This is the best week ever So much stuff.
Best Week EVER!!! I'm definitely downloading CastleVania, but may download Art Academy as well. I will wait for a price drop or sale on Shantae and will definitely pick up Bayonetta at some point. I download a past Korg download plus own the second DS title, but definitely want to get this one as well.
I denno if it was today or what but the Halloween themes are available now too. I dig the LoZ one.
$20 for Shantae? Hell no
@Ryno: Yes, yes we will.
Nothing for me this week. I wont pay $20 bucks for a downloaded game, Bayonetta has never interested me and I still have the Castlevania Double pack on GBA so if I want to play Aria of Sorrow I got that.
I'll get Bayonetta 2 on retail,but nothing for me.
Fantasy Life and Bayonetta 2 will be mine. Also, Aria of Sorrow, but that will have to wait a while.
@theberrage Indeed
Why haven't we heard more about the Legend of Korra game?? And why doesn't Nintendolife have a picture of the game or even a good description when you click on the link? There must be little to no hype for it...
why can't we get those cool donkey kong country games that europes getting?
As much shovelware as Power Rangers Super Megaforce is going to be, I'm buying it, not now, but when it gets a reduced price.
It has the classic Power Rangers, my 20 year old self just got hit with a wall of nostalgia and there's also the other red rangers(Though it's a shame you only get the full team of Super Megaforce & Mighty Morphin, everything else is just red rangers).
I'm also interested in Shantae, as I love that franchise, but the price is just way too much, no matter how good it is, Shantae games are really short, the most time spent is backtracking to different areas to get items.
Just when I thought the wii u eshop was starting to pick up momentum..
Seeing all the Shantae love warms my cold, dead heart.
I'm also interested in Shantae, as I love that franchise, but the price is just way too much, no matter how good it is, Shantae games are really short, the most time spent is backtracking to different areas to get items.
Still longer than four NES games.
Pretty sure it's been put out there that this Shantae is longer than both of the previous releases combined.
@dumedum For Europe, sure it is one of the best weeks (DKC2 is a great game). For America though, no DKC means bad week.
Shantae and KORG for me. I'll buy a physical copy of Bayonetta 2.
I'm a bit surprised to see Nintendo renege on their Bayonetta 2 promotion. For the last month, Nintendo made the comment on numerous occasions that both games would sell for $59.99, they even stated that customers wouldn't pay more than $59.99. The day before release they jacked up the eShop price to $64.98 for both games.
@Bass_X0 >Comparing NES games to a 3DS game.
I'd expect it to be longer than games for a really old system, that's just logical.
@gregrout Taxes. What are they? How do they work?
Truly a cavalcade of eShop delights this week. Shantae and Aria Of Sorrow for me. The Bayonettas were just entirely too large to download for me. My hard drive is willing, but the internet is weak.
I am gonna download Baynetta 1 and go from there
Pre-ordered Fantasy Life and will be downloading the heck of of Aria of Sorrow, along with Circle of the Moon.
Will get Bayonetta down the road.
I understand the $19.99 complaints for the Shantae game, but at least your not getting ripped off like with Jett Tailfin (now $35.99.)
I want Shantae, but I'm holding off until after I've bought Gargoyle's Quest II, Demon's Crest, Costume Quest 2, Pier Solar, and picked up my pre-order of Smash Wii U.
Now that the wait for Bayonneta is almost over these last hours are brutal!
Hoping Nintendo hooks it up next week for Halloween.
I would have picked up Shantae just out of curiosity if it weren't $20. o.O Like really?
I just got Rune Factory a couple of days ago (last one in the store) so won't be getting Fantasy Life anytime soon.
The new Shantae is a larger game than the previous ones, more comparable in scope to a retail release, so I don't see the problem with the price tag.
Given multiple endings and incentives to replay, it's a way better value than a $40 NSMB game that takes a few hours to beat. Yet I never hear complaints about the costs of those games.
@Ralizah: That's probably largely due to those games being expected to be full retail in price, as well as it can be purchased in physical copy.
@Everyone_Else: I voted for Shantae, though I'm not getting it; a pre-order of Smash WU + Free Amiibo from Toys R' Us is a higher priority, though even that is going to have to wait just a bit(hopefully just a few days), b/c Christmas is around the corner, & Christmas gifts, plus things necessary to keep my momentum of making income, are of more importance. Besides, I have a feeling Nintendo may do another pre-paid e-Shop card sale around, &/or after this Christmas, like they did last year. The e-Shop is the least of my wallet's concerns @ the moment.
One of the best weeks in a long time with Bayonetta, Fantasy Life, Castle Conqueror, Castlevania, and Shantae! I'm going to have to refill my eShop account after this lot.
FANTASY LIFE!!!! FINALLY HOME now to wait till midnight to start download, tbh I want to get Bayonetta as well but lack of cash.
A retail copy of Bayonetta 1 and 2 for me, and absolutely nothing else.
@Capt_N
Just saying, it makes no sense to complain about a download game being $20 when a retail release comparable in scope and length is $40 and nobody complains about that. Hell, most $60 console games that aren't RPGs or strategy games of some sort don't offer much more up in terms of length or value.
@Ralizah I bought it (25 bucks in canada) and i can say the price doesn't matter, there are people out their spending 80+ bucks on alcohol or drugs for a weekend while we have these games for as long as the license(or the system lasts) and plus some, so IMO if its a good game then the price is not really an imperative question.
@Ralizah: I get what you're saying, & you're right, though I also give some value to games in physical form. Don't get me wrong, I love the GBC Shantae, & I plan on eventually purchasing RR, & definitely AtPC. I'm just saying I also give value to a game if it can be physically purchased. I voted for AtPC, b/c I definitely wanna get it. Right now, though, Christmas gifts for my family, supplies for my continued e-Baying, & bills have higher priority. Even that Smash WU + Free Amiibo from TRU, I'm getting for re-sale; I would love to get it for myself. I have a high feeling AtPC will be worth it! I like Mighty Switch Force/2(both games), & I love Shantae GBC.
I'll be downloading Fantasy Life!
What's missing-DKC and DKL games, Super Mario Bros GBC deluxe, Brain Age and Game and Watch Gallery 3. At least bring Super Mario RPG to NA VC while we wait for VC games released in EU and JP.
@KillScottKill It's NOT taxes. The price is actually drawn into the eShop bitmap (jpg file) for the Bayonetta deal. I highly doubt Nintendo would create a separate jpeg for every tax combination out there. There's one thing that did cross my mind; it's possible, that Nintendo has started using exchange rate pricing between Canada and the USA (They didn't do this in the past because the currencies were pretty much on par).
@Fafnirchaos07 I agree. The older I get the less I seem to worry about price. Best just add the game to your wishlist and wait for it to go on sale.
My sister turns 8 tomorrow if anyone cares
All I got was the NES Zelda Halloween theme...
Ok, this week is on OVERLOAD, seriously. I forgot about Shantae had another game coming and lost track that it was coming this week... haven't even got around to finishing the original Shantae for 3DS VC yet (gotta get on that... AFTER I finish Phoenix Wright:AA:DD). Fantasy Life comes NOW... I have NO time to play it. Thank goodness I've played and beaten Castlevania:AoS (have fun those of you who never played it... great game). Of course Bayonetta 2 is out, but so is part 1, and I'm going to play 1 before 2, but that is a dilemma in itself: I don't have $60 to blow on the double pack, but I'm determined to play part 1 before 2, so I guess I'll need to get home and download part 1 for $30, and wait 5 more days for part 2 to come through GameFly (thanks GF... you said it was releasing tomorrow). As last but not least, Hyrule Warriors is finally on it's way to me from GF, all while prepping $60+ for the bundled SSBWiiU in November. Gaming ain't easy!
I'm kinda shocked to see Shantae's leading Fantasy Life. I'm will probably have them both eventually but I will be on Fantasy Life
So much to download this week. I would say its a huge week! And a good one at that. A little something for everyone
ah too much stuff! Pokemon Art, Fantasy Life, Bayonetta 1 and 2, AND Shantae... might have to get half now and half next payday... gah my poor wallet
Also, to those complaining about Shantae being $20, you'd EASILY pay more than that for a GBA game like that, which it was originally, so why the heck would you expect less just because it's downloadable? Mobile game prices have ruined your expectations of what things should cost, stop crying and being greedy and start trading quality money for quality games.
And Canada finally gets Ballpoint Universe.
A strange listing..
@NL
Pier Solar HD, dated on the eShop for November 6th.
No confirmation yet from Watermelon Games.
Will keep you posted.
On the Shantae pricing 'issue', keep in mind, Wayforward isn't some brand new company. They know EXACTLY how much a game like this cost to make and long before they started. As this is their own title, they're the ones who bought the dev kit, made the game and published it for the eShop.
And yes, you still need a publisher to deal with digital.
Alot of people assume you upload the code and you're done and that's not even close.
one reason i wont download fantasy life.
Best buy in the states. BUY ANY GAME 39.99 Get 2 years of unlocked (20% off all games) for 30 bucks (normal 120) so can get fantasy life and 2 years of membership for 64 bucks. NICE
Sadly nothing for me. I was waiting for either a donkey kong game or pier solar, but nothing for me. Couldn't tell you the last time I purchased something....
But it sounds like others are happy, so that's something.
I still think we should be able to select all that apply. Some of us actually have money (yes I said it in my rich snob voice).
Mm-mmm! Between Shantae and Bayonetta, this week is looking lovely.
Fantasy Life, Bayonetta, Pokemon Art Academy, Shantae... SO MANY GAMES!! No Donkey Kong Land, though...
I have bee trying to save up to get Hyrule Warriors and Smash 3DS, now I have to add Fantasy Life and Bayo2 to that list of things I can't afford righjt now XD
Tap here to load 121 comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...