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It's Nintendo Download time, North America, and this week is a bumper offering — we have major retail releases and exclusives on Wii U and 3DS, some intriguing new download-only titles, demos, discounts and, last but not least, Mario Kart 8 DLC. Lots to choose from, so let's get to the details.

Missed the Nintendo Download Update in Europe? That was silly! Never mind, the details are still waiting for you right here.

Wii U eShop

Tengami (Nyamyam, $9.99) — A console exclusive on Wii U following its iOS release, this is a rather relaxing yet immersive experience that creates a Japanese tale through a virtual pop-up book; you turn pages while folding and manipulating paper to solve puzzles, while also boasting a unique art style and music by David Wise. We gave this a strong recommendation in our Tengami review.

A World of Keflings (NinjaBee, $9.99) — The sequel to an XBL game, this is a city-building adventure in which you play as your Mii to help quirky locals to develop and improve the land. This is certainly targeting whimsy and charm, and we'll see whether it works on us in our review.

Xavier (Prison Lab, $4.99) — This is a platformer in which you play as a teenage cave man, tackling dinosaurs while running and jumping through stages. It offers some customisation options, too, but we'll see whether it's a bit long in the tooth in our review.

Wii U Virtual Console

Mario Kart: Super Circuit (Nintendo, $7.99) — The first portable Mario Kart title, previously available to 3DS ambassadors, now arrives as another Game Boy Advance release on Wii U. This one can be divisive among fans, but aims to provide its own take on the style of the original Super Mario Kart, even offering the tracks from that 16-bit classic. We'll get working on a review, but in the meantime you can check out our 3DS ambassador Mario Kart: Super Circuit review.

Wii U Retail Download

Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric (SEGA, $49.99) — The Wii U entry in the spin-offs exclusive Nintendo releases, this was developed by Big Red Button and places the emphasis on team work and exploration; the storyline will tie in with the animated series that has already begun to air. Now that it's out in the world — we didn't receive an advance copy, and we're not the only ones — we'll take a look and see how this one fares.

LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham (WB Games, $49.99) — The LEGO series remains hugely popular while the Batman series, arguably, represents the best of the franchise. Thies third entry heads into outer space and serves up a mind-boggling number of characters, promising one of the most polished and expansive experiences we've seen in the blocky world. We'll work on a review but, in the meantime, you can see what we thought in our LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham preview.

Wii U Temporary Discounts

BIT.TRIP Presents: Runner 2 Future Legend of Rhythm Alien (Choice Provisions, $4.99 from 14th November to 24th November, normally $14.99)

Abyss (EnjoyUp Games, $1.49 until 4th December, normally $1.99)

Chubbins (Dahku Creations, $2.99 until 20th November, normally $3.99)

Wii U DLC

Mario Kart 8 DLC Pack 1 (Nintendo, $7.99 or $11.99 for the DLC bundle) — Not actually listed in Nintendo's press release, this is the first of two DLC packs coming to Nintendo's iconic racing series. It introduces new franchises in exciting new tracks, vehicles and Link as a character; we spoke highly of the content on offer in our The Legend of Zelda x Mario Kart 8 preview.

Wii U Demo

Flowerworks HD: Follie's Adventure (Nocturnal, free)

3DS eShop

Picross e5 (Jupiter, $5.99) — This franchise is well-established as it goes into its 5th entry, with this addition including the Micross, Mega Picross and 20×15 Picross seen previously; a Navigation feature is cited as something new this time around. We've always enjoyed these titles, and will give this one a whirl for review.

Castle Conqueror Defender (CIRCLE Entertainment, $4.99) — The latest in CIRCLE's long running stategy / tower defence series, this promises 10 campaigns of 5 levels each, along with Glory and Crusader modes. We'll defend the land and bring you a review soon.

I've Got To Run: Complete Edition (4 Corner Games, $4.99) — This new entry on 3DS expands upon the Wii U original, introducing new environments, characters and modes to the endless runner, along with revamped camera angles. Our review will go live later today.

Scarygirl Illustration Kit (Square One Games Inc., $5.99) — This has missed the Halloween bandwagon, but nevertheless offers vector drawing and illustration tools to children, even including the ability to make and export mp4 movies. We'll see whether it's spookily good in our review.

3DS Virtual Console

Pokémon Trading Card Game (Nintendo, $5.99) — Originally released on the Game Boy Color and gives fans of the iconic franchise an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the Trading Card Game. It has more than 200 cards from the original decks and more besides, and is an opportunity to learn how the TCG actually works; you can see what we thought in our Pokémon Trading Card Game review.

3DS Retail Downloads

Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal (SEGA, $39.99) — This is more of a conventional 2D Sonic title, albeit with different characters — including newcomer Sticks — having unique abilities to explore each level. Developed by Sanzaru Games, the demo for this was rather decent; we'll see how the full game stacks up in a review.

LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham (WB Games, $29.99) — It's often the portable version of LEGO games that sells best on Nintendo hardware, though this entry may just provide an experience closer to matching its HD brethren; rather like LEGO City Undercover: The Chase Begins this forgoes the linear approach to offer an open world experience on the 3DS. We'll check it our for review.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Danger of the Ooze (Activision, $TBC) — Developed by WayForward and tapping into the TV show once again, this aims to throw some Metroidvania-style exploration into the mix. It sounds promising, and will hopefully be superior to its mediocre predecessor.

Tetris Ultimate (Ubisoft, $19.99) — This entry has unique modes on the 3DS not available on home consoles, with an impressive array or modes and options and a budget price. We'll let you know what we think.

Winx Club: Saving Alfea (Little Orbit, $29.99)

3DS eShop Temporary Discounts

European Conqueror 3D (CIRCLE Entertainment, $2.79 until 27th November, normally $3.99)

Darts Up 3D (EnjoyUp Games, $0.99 until 4th December, normally $2.99)

Soccer Up 3D (EnjoyUp Games, $1.99 until 4th December, normally $6.99)

3DS Demo

European Conqueror 3D (CIRCLE Entertainment, free)

That's everything this time in North America. Let us know what you're planning to download in the poll and comments below.

What will you be downloading first this week? (330 votes)

  1. Tengami (Wii U eShop)6%
  2. A World of Keflings (Wii U eShop)1%
  3. Xavier (Wii U eShop)  0%
  4. Mario Kart: Super Circuit (Wii U Virtual Console)5%
  5. Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric (Wii U retail download)  0.6%
  6. LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham (Wii U retail download)  0.9%
  7. BIT.TRIP Presents: Runner 2 Future Legend of Rhythm Alien (Wii U eShop temporary discount)2%
  8. Abyss (Wii U eShop temporary discount)  0%
  9. Chubbins (Wii U eShop temporary discount)  0%
  10. Mario Kart 8 DLC Pack 1 (Wii U DLC)56%
  11. Flowerworks HD: Follie's Adventure (Wii U demo)  0.6%
  12. Picross e5 (3DS eShop)2%
  13. Castle Conqueror Defender (3DS eShop)  0.3%
  14. I've Got To Run: Complete Edition (3DS eShop)  0%
  15. Scarygirl Illustration Kit (3DS eShop)  0%
  16. Pokémon Trading Card Game (3DS Virtual Console)11%
  17. Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal (3DS retail download)  0.3%
  18. LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham (3DS retail download)  0.6%
  19. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Danger of the Ooze (3DS retail download)  0%
  20. Tetris Ultimate (3DS retail download)2%
  21. Winx Club: Saving Alfea (3DS retail download)  0.3%
  22. European Conqueror 3D (3DS eShop temporary discount)  0%
  23. Darts Up 3D (3DS eShop temporary discount)  0.3%
  24. Soccer Up 3D (3DS eShop temporary discount)  0%
  25. European Conqueror 3D (3DS Demo)  0.9%
  26. Nothing for me this week10%

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