Chariot

After a quiet start to 2015 in terms of new download releases, we see things ramp up in the most recent European Nintendo Download Update details. The Wii U is the main beneficiary with some promising arrivals, while on 3DS one of our favourite HOME themes previously released in Japan finally arrives. Let's get to the details.

Wii U eShop

Chariot (Frima Studio, €14.99 / £13.49) - One of a number of promising games highlighted by Nintendo when promoting the eShop, this has previously earned praise on other platforms. An action puzzle experience best-suited to co-op, you work to manage a funeral wagon chariot through tricky physics-based tasks, manoeuvring with ropes to haul the vehicle through stages. This has always looked like one of the premium upcoming arrivals for the Wii U eShop, but we'll let you know whether we think it has the wheels for the job.

Underground (Grendel Games, €19.99 / £15.99) - Software initially designed with specialist equipment to enable fun medical training, this puts you in control of two robotic arms as you try to assist your companion through a host of environments by solving puzzles. It's an intriguing premise, and we'll see if it's just what the doctor ordered in our upcoming review.

Crunchyroll (Free) - This streaming app provides access to a lot of Japanese anime and drama shows; it boasts of "over 25,000 videos in high definition with professional subtitles". It's a subscription service and can be used with existing premium accounts, or new customers on Wii U can use a free 14-day trial.

Wii U Virtual Console

Dig Dug (Bandai Namco Games, €4.99 / £3.49) - Another early NES game that provided a home version of a popular arcade machine, this sees you digging through challenging levels and figuring out devious ways to take down your enemies. It's a snappy retro arcade experience, and despite its age we still recommend it as a fun slice of old-school action in our 3DS Virtual Console review. This is the US version of the game.

Lode Runner (Konami, €4.99 / £3.49) - Another somewhat primitive, early-days NES title, you guide a pixelated hero through a host of tricky single screen stages to nab all of the gold and avoid enemies; this one's also got a level editor, which was impressive for the time. It's not without its shortcomings and limitations but's worth consideration, as we explain in our Lode Runner review. This is the US version of the game.

Wii U eShop Temporary Discounts

Cubemen 2 (Nnooo, €4.99 / £4.49 until 22nd January, normally €7.99 / £6.99)

Paper Monsters Recut (Mobot Studios, €3.29 / £2.79 until 15th January, normally €6.49 / £5.49)

EDGE (Two Tribes, €0.99 / £0.89 until 21st January, normally €1.99 / £1.79)

RUSH (Two Tribes, €0.99 / £0.89 until 21st January, normally €1.99 / £1.79)

Toki Tori (Two Tribes, €0.99 / £0.89 until 21st January, normally €1.99 / £1.79)

Trine 2: Director's Cut (Frozenbyte, €8.49 / £6.99 until 29th January, normally €16.99 / £13.99)

Tested With Robots! (M.R. Games, €5.00 / £4.50 until 15th January, normally €10.00 / £9.00)

Wii U eShop Promotion

Tetrobot & Co (Neko Entertainment, €4.99 / £3.74 until 22nd January if you own Kung Fu Rabbit, Puddle or Wooden Sen'SeY on the same Wii U, normally €9.99 / £7.49)

Kung Fu Rabbit (Neko Entertainment, €2.49 / £2.24 until 22nd January for users who own Tetrobot & Co. , Puddle or Wooden Sen'SeY on the same Wii U, normally €4.99 / £4.49)

Puddle (Neko Entertainment, €3.49 / £3.14 until 22nd January for users who own Tetrobot & Co., Kung Fu Rabbit or Wooden Sen'SeY on the same Wii U, normally €6.99 / £6.29)

Wooden Sen'SeY (Neko Entertainment, €4.99 / £4.00 until 22nd January for users who own Tetrobot & Co. , Kung Fu Rabbit or Puddle on the same Wii U, normally €9.99 / £8.00)

3DS eShop

Classic Card Games (GameOn, €6.99 / £4.99) - This is a game where the title really does say it all; a collection of various card and casino games that apparently includes "Hearts, Spades, Euchre, Bridge, Gin Rummy, Canasta, Cribbage, Crazy Eights, Go Fish, Romme, and Skat", with casino games "BlackJack, Texas Hold'em, Double Flop Hold'em, Omaha, 5-Card Draw, 7 Card Stud, Pineapple, Crazy Pineapple, and 5 unique versions of Video Poker". That's a lot of card, and we'll see whether it's a full house or busted flush (we think those are things) in a review.

3DS Retail Download

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Activision, €39.99 / £29.99) - A belated eShop arrival for the beat-em-up released in October 2013, we gave this a modest 5/10 in our review.

3DS eShop Temporary Discounts

Cubit The Hardcore Platformer Robot (David Marquez, €1.99 / £1.80 until 8th February, normally €2.99 / £2.69)

EDGE (Two Tribes, €0.99 / £0.89 until 21st January, normally €1.99 / £1.79)

Coaster Creator 3D (Big John Games, €5.00 / £4.00 until 22nd January, normally €7.25 / £6.00)

3DS HOME Themes

Game & Watch - Colourful (Nintendo, €1.99 / £1.79)

Super Mario - Wooden World (Nintendo, €1.99 / £1.79)

Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword: The Impending Battle (Nintendo, €1.99 / £1.79)


That's the line-up for this week in Europe. Let us know what you'll be downloading in the poll and comments below.

What will you be downloading first this week? (213 votes)

  1. Chariot (Wii U eShop)9%
  2. Underground (Wii U eShop)  0%
  3. Crunchyroll (Wii U eShop)17%
  4. Dig Dug (Wii U Virtual Console)1%
  5. Lode Runner (Wii U Virtual Console)  0%
  6. Cubemen 2 (Wii U eShop temporary discount)1%
  7. Paper Monsters Recut (Wii U eShop temporary discount)3%
  8. EDGE (Wii U eShop temporary discount)2%
  9. RUSH (Wii U eShop temporary discount)  0%
  10. Toki Tori (Wii U eShop temporary discount)1%
  11. Trine 2: Director's Cut (Wii U eShop temporary discount)  0%
  12. Tested With Robots! (Wii U eShop temporary discount)  0%
  13. Tetrobot & Co (Wii U eShop promotion)1%
  14. Kung Fu Rabbit (Wii U eShop promotion)  0%
  15. Puddle (Wii U eShop promotion)  0%
  16. Wooden Sen'SeY (Wii U eShop promotion)1%
  17. Classic Card Games (3DS eShop)  0%
  18. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (3DS retail download)1%
  19. Cubit The Hardcore Platformer Robot (3DS eShop temporary discount)  0%
  20. EDGE (3DS eShop temporary discount)  0%
  21. Coaster Creator 3D (3DS eShop temporary discount)1%
  22. Game & Watch - Colourful (3DS HOME Theme)3%
  23. Super Mario - Wooden World (3DS HOME Theme)  0%
  24. Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword: The Impending Battle (3DS HOME Theme)13%
  25. Nothing for me this week42%

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