Nintendo Download: 1st January (North America)

Nice little week of VC and discounts. Some great stuff to pick-up on discount!

Good to see pokepinball this side of the pond too.

Pokemon Pinball, of course.

Nothing for me. I just bought Shovel Knight as part of the Deluxe Digital thing because it was starting to look like the only way I could get a discount from NoA.

F-Zero GP Legend isn't in the EU eshop despite it being on the EU list for this week.

Not a lot of content this week, but lots of quality!

@Grumblevolcano
Yeah only FE: Sacred Stone is the new one in Italy. Captain Toad is delayed by one week here. No sign of the other Captain either.

I would get Pokemon Pinball if it was on the 3DS.

why could we not get donkey kong land and pokemon pinball(GBC) on the 3ds virtual console this week well it always next week

I will probably purchase Shovel Knight for third time while it is on sale. I also bought DuckTales Remastered which is also on sale now.

@ froggievilleus
i would too

Shovel Knight time!

What? This is not a good way to start the VC year Nintendo

Nothing for me, but I'm not complaining because I've got plenty of games to play already. But for anyone that has yet to get Shovel Knight, now's the time!

No... where is FE: Sacred Stones? It's happening again.

Getting the pinball game sometime soon. Crappy update this week though. Only two games added to the eShop. I hope we get an Direct sometime this month.

Terrible start to the new year

Where's my Fire Emblem Sacred Stones?!?! RABBLE RABBLE

I went ahead a downloaded dark siders2 before its discount went away...these new releases stink!

Nothing this week, I have like 10 games that I've got in last 2 weeks, I need to play those

Nothing this week. are they going to bring the GBA pokemon to the vc? I guess they would have to work out a new trade system though.

Hopefully there is nothing til next month anyway, too many games I have to play on Wii U, PS3 and 3DS. Hyrule warriors has been taking all my non crapper game time.

There's also "eShop Must-Haves" going on a rotating sale all week long. No idea what's going to be in it of course, probably old VC games and the like.

I sure hope so anyway, I have a ton of VC games I want. There's no doubt that some of them would end up on sale.

The "must-haves" thing is what has my eye. Hoping something good comes of it.

Always good to start the new year with a strong first showing. Well, maybe next year NoA. At the very least, they could have given us FE ... hardly too much to ask for, at least there would been something, anything really, to feel good about this :-/

@Ralek85 Is there another vc FE that is supposed to e out soon?

Might get MH3U due to it being on sale untill tomorrow but I don't know on which version to get. Will get Pokemon Pinball down the road in the future.

I just bought unepic last week!!, noooo!

@SetupDisk If out in Europe this week counts as "supposed to to be out soon", and I'd dare say it does, then yes, FE: Sacred Stones.
I didn't really expect for it show up this week tbh, since Nintendo seems hell-bent on acting like a nuisance with the small things when ever and where ever possible, for no apparent reason whatsoever. Ah what am I saying ... there is probably an excellent reason for the way US and EU VC console releases are handled, just none poor me in my infinite ignorance could fathom
Still, it's 2015 now and Nintendo still seems unware of the most basic principles established in social sciences, and their impact on marketing. They definitely never heard of relative deprivation, that is for sure - which is simply stunning to me Oo

@majinx07

The Wii U version is far superior. You can't go online in the 3DS, and there's no water/swimming.You also don't have dual analog on the 3DS unless you buy an extra peripheral; that is a make-or-break experience for Monster Hunter. The only thing the 3DS version has over the WU version is portability, if I remember.

wow.this is the first download of the year. and THIS CRAP is what we get? disapointing

Quiet start to the new year, but a Shovel Knight discount is more than enough for me!

there is probably an excellent reason for the way US and EU VC console releases are handled, just none poor me in my infinite ignorance could fathom

Different people deal with their own countries releases. Fire Emblem will be sitting there waiting to be released but the Nintendo guy said Pokemon instead.

@Bass_X0 If the past year is anything to go by, Sacred Stones will likely be released after E3 though!

A new year and absolutely nothing worth getting.... Hooray, business as usual

I might consider Shovel Knight...

@burninmylight
Heck you talking bout?
3DS DOES have water/swimming. The two versions are identical with the exception of the Wii U version having online while 3DS version has streetpass.
Besides, the touchscreen d-pad is sufficient enough for camera control, and this coming from someone whose clawed his way through various PSP games and has had the luxury of dual analog for these types of games on the Wii, Wii U, PC, and Vita. I've even dealt with Phantasy Star Zero's X + L/R camera system on DS. Basically I'm just preempting anyone who wants to say the touchscreen d-pad sucks, as you can definitely do far worse.

@majinx07
If you have friends with 3DSes and a copy of the game and you meet with them often, then I suggest the 3DS version. Otherwise get the Wii U version, as it has online play.

If you haven't played Shovel Knight, what are you doing with your life? 2014 GOTY.

@burninmylight
The Wii U and 3DS versions both have water/swimming. The main things that Wii U have over 3DS in MH3U are better graphics and online play. You can still go online with 3DS, but you need a Wii U app and a Wii Ethernet adaptor to do so (I had the 3DS version before I got a Wii U so this is how I do the online and it works great).

As for downloads, I'm nabbing Pokemon Pinball. Loved it on the GBA, and while I am sad that GBA games aren't being put on 3DS, I'm still getting them on Wii U. It's better than nothing, I suppose.

@AVahne
Guess I got it mixed up with the original MH3 release on 3DS, which does not have water/swimming. With so many versions of the game, it's easy to forget when they've been release years ago. No need to be a jerk about it.

Also, dual analog is superior to the D-pad, and I've seen plenty of people online say they can't stand the game without it. Don't make it sound like there isn't a difference. Heck, there's a demo for both versions of the game. All he has to do is download both and see which one he likes.

@Ralek85
Oh I haven't played the the first GBA vc one yet, just downloaded. I looked at Europes update and didn't know it was another one(nust glanced). Half of the time I just glance at the Europe one so I don't get angry. If the Japan VC for the Wii U is as much better than the Wii one was I would be enraged looking at that every week.

If there is no language barrier or copyright issue it should be mostly the same each week.

@burninmylight
Sorry if that somehow seemed aggressive to you. Though, there's only been one version of MH3 on 3DS. You're likely getting PSP's Monster Hunter Portable 3rd mixed up in all this. That one didn't have swimming.
And I'm not saying there isn't a difference. I'm just saying you could definitely do far worse than a virtual d-pad. Of course using an actual stick is better. I have both versions of the game and switch between them whenever I need to. I also have the circle pad pro, but have stopped using it because it's a pain to plug my 3DS into it and remove it whenever I play MH. The d-pad works perfectly fine after you've gotten used to it.
But you're right about the demos; he/she can try both versions and see what they like better.

Lol, the must-haves aren't actually on sale, they're just featured. That's just disappointing.

Ugh terrible way to start a new year only good thing is shovel knight is on sale, but i already have it!Damn!

@SetupDisk Ignorance is bliss in this regard, no two ways about it. Well, I'm not well versed in copyright law, but I guess since FE is Nintendo's property, and since they got it out in Europe, and the GBA version came to the U.S. ,too, it should not pose a problem for the U.S. as a VC title as well. The game is already localized for the UK/US, so that's definitely not it.

Still, I wouldn't hold my breath, experience shows that it can be a very, very long time before a VC game makes the jump over the big pond. As for why it only should be a no-issue .... like I said: no clue. Nintendo is either unaware that people can get annoyed if they are treated like 2nd class citizens (that goes both ways between US and EU on occassion, which makes it even more baffling), or they don't care ... or .. hell if I know. It's not the way I would try to do it. I would put forth some effort to not cause either distribution area unnecessary grief, and I mean let's be real here .... envy is one of the most fundamental human emotions. It's not a big mystery and you don't have to know terms like relative deprivation to get why Nintendo's approach might be a bit sub-optimal let's say
Then again Nintendo is not the only one to blame, but they are definitely the worst offender in that regard.

Shovel Knight for me. Kind of glad there's not a lot this week because i have so much to play as it is. We had a ton of content each of the past two weeks, so a down week was bound to happen.

Time to get Shovel Knight methinks. I'm saving some still for the DO games.whenever they show up this year.

I was hoping it was NES Bionic Commando released on Wii U Virtual Console.

Shovel Knight for me!

Nothing that I will spend money on here because I just found out the Wii U has an NFL game.

Dang.... I just bought Shovel Knight a week ago with eShop money from Christmas. In fact, more like four days ago.... and I haven't even played it yet. There's no method Nintendo has for compensation for things like this, right? Dang.
Nothing for me this week. I have five bucks left in my eShop from my last Digital Deluxe code and will probably buy the Pikmin movies or something with it.

Argh! I bought Shovelknight last night! If only I had waited...

That's the way to do it Ninty, start the year how you mean to go on. I can't see the VC improving this year. Looks like my glass will remain half empty

Shovel Knight here we go!

Not sure if I should get Shovel Knight on Wii U or 3DS. Hmm...

Shovel Knight on sale? Surprising. Anyone who used to play NES games needs to buy that and it's a good time to do so, now. Some might find the length a bit short at $15 but it would be hard to argue against its value at $10, IMO.

Shovel Knight priced at $10, shall ol' captain toad go for it?

Why so few releases at the start of a new year? Only quality title is the GBA pokemon pinball game.

I may pick up bionic commando and pokemon pinball eventually, but right now I'll pass. I am tempted by unepic though...

If the Must Haves thing is just a spotlight and not a sale then the smart thing would have been to feature them in December when people were deciding how to earn Deluxe Digital points.

January doesn't do anyone any good including NoA.

Nice week with good deals for Shovel Knight (might have to double dip with the 3DS version) and Unepic.

Anyone who doesn't have Shovel Knight: Get it now!

Great start to a new year, Nintendo. Really, fantastic.

I think it's fine there isn't anything for me this week, gonna play all my christmas games!!

I just got Shovel Knight for 3DS and Pokemon Pinball, so that's a good week for me!

I think its a good week because SHOVEL KNIGHT IS FINALLY MINE!

Great! Now all Nintendo needs to do is release Red Rescue Team on VC and I'll be the happiest pokemon fan alive!

What does it take to get Nintendo to release a friggin' Pokemon game on virtual console???? Red, yellow, blue, sapphire, gold,......where the freak are they?????

Not the best week in terms of quantity, but there is a solid title on both VCs and a nice discount on Shovel Knight. Not a bad week in my book.

@Dogeymon Game Freak is against putting the main series on the VC because of the lack of trading/battling. So unless they get that fixed somehow then we won't be seeing the main series Pokemon games on the VC. They really should just get M2 to rework them to have local wireless for trading/battling. I'm sure they'd be willing to put the effort in.

Might pick up Shovel Knight on 3DS for $10, but I'm undecided.

Getting Elite Forces myself...

Nintendo is either unaware that people can get annoyed if they are treated like 2nd class citizens (that goes both ways between US and EU on occassion, which makes it even more baffling), or they don't care ... or .. hell if I know.

They will have several games ready to release at any one time yet they are only allowed to release them one or two a week. Of course fans will be kept waiting at that rate. Europe got Pokemon Pinball before Sacred Stones too. While America has games that Europe are still waiting months for. There is no conspiracy or incompetency.

@Webby-sama where do I find the "must-haves"? I browsed the Wiiu eshop and didn't see a tab for it.

@Captain_Toad yes Captain. You really should!

Nintendo need to get crossplay for games like shovel knight I really could decide between the 3ds version or Wii U. I ultimately decided on Wii U. Used my $5 from the ddp so ultimately only paid $5 & some change for shovel knight.

Nothing for me...

My wallet is safe for yet ANOTHER week it would seem...

Nothing for me this week, Don't know what Nintendo was think, this seriously isn't a good way to start out the new year. Why couldn't they just release the Donkey Kong county games on vc this week to kick off the new year.

On a side note, the Reggae Slowpoke 3DS theme is now available in the Theme Shop.

Lol at the people that say that they just bought Shovel Knight. This is why you wait for sales.

@abbyhitter How were they to know a sale would come up right then

@abbyhitter It is the best indie game on the eshop and is totally worth the $14.99 price so glad that I purchased it day one. Plus the people that purchased it for $14.99 got 149 points in the digital deluxe promotion so they might have actually got another $5 card for picking up the game for full price were as if they got it now they would get nothing for purchasing it.

I was hoping to see a large crop of new games for years end or some sales. I'm sure I'll find something to spend $$$ on in the next few months as I've picked up most of what I want with the last gasp of the NDD promo.

If we are looking forward to 2015 I think what we'd like to see game-wise on the VC is a good topic for the site.

At that price Shovel Knight is a must buy for those that don't already have it!

I really really want Shovel Knight. Would you guys recommend the wiiU or 3ds version?

3ds version is my favourite! The 3d is gorgeous . .

Have a $20 eShop card I got for xmas and not sure which to spend it on: Shovel Knight or the Mario Kart 8 DLC. Can't decide.

It's a great rime to try Shovel knight

@Funbunz @ChuJelly Same thing happened to me. I just bought Shovel Knight a few days ago! I guess it's only 5 bucks but still, it's annoying! Anyway, it does seem like its reputation is justified. I'm really enjoying it so far.

Bought shovel knight.

Really amazing so far.

I couldnt before because I just had 12$

But this discount saved the day

I already got Shovel Knight, so Pokemon Pinball it is...

Darn it! I just bought shovel knight 2 days ago!

Pokemon Pinball and Wii U discounts

Shovel Knight time for me. Totally disappointed no Child of Light deal came to Wii U in North America as it did for every other platform. I should of got it on PSN when they had it for sale.

Yeesh, people are expecting Nintendo to start some sort of renaissance on January friggin' 1st. A lot came out in December as a whole, no need to be prissy little children about a normal eShop update.

@BertoFlyingFox Good to see your happy with nintendo's drip feed tactic's. Just look at what sony has done with psn since the ps3 launch.I was glad sony/capcom didn't make
me wait year's to get megaman x4and x5.I think both games re-release was only a week apart.

@AVahne
"Heck you talking bout?"

Yes, that seems unnecessarily aggressive to me, when you open up a post like that without me having previously crossed you. I don't mind being corrected, but you can do so a bit more politely.

Dress to Play: Magic Bubbles is actually a pretty fun puzzle game that combines Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine, Wario's Woods, and a little bit of Tetris.

the eshop gets worse everytime when something releases because of shovelware

Wake me up when DKC gets released on VC.

Unepic if I didn't have such a backlog of games already.

@qwiknitto78 But Shovel Knight is the best shovelware

I decided to get the superior (and $2 cheaper) original Game Boy version of Bionic Commando instead.

@Dogeymon You will never see a proper pokemon game on the wii u or 3ds vc because then nobody will buy the rereleased version a few years later. Long story short stop buying the rehashes and when Nintendo realise nobody will pay full price for them anymore they will put them all on the vc !!!!