Code Name STEAM

It's that time, North American gamers, for the weekly news on the download goodies coming to Wii U and 3DS. This week brings the latest retail offering from Intelligent Systems, retro F-Zero, a much-anticipated Wii U eShop adventure platformer and a stone-cold classic in the Sega 3D Classics range. There's plenty to consider, so let's get to it.

Did you miss the European Nintendo Download details earlier this week? There's no need to wail in despair, as the information is all right here.

Wii U eShop

Trine Enchanted Edition (Frozenbyte, $14.99) - Its Wii U release has taken a little longer than originally expected, but this will allow fans of Trine 2: Director's Cut to become acquainted with the start of this franchise. Featuring online and local co-op just like its successor, this improved version of the original brings its visuals and more in line with the standard set in the sequel, enhancing what was already a rather attractive game. We'll get working on a review soon.

Don't Touch Anything Red (Helix Games, $1.79) - This is a runner / platformer with a basic aesthetic in which you, very simply, jump over and dodge any red obstacles, either in single or local multiplayer. We'll see whether this concept is an enjoyable budget experience for a review.

My Style Studio: Notebook (Cypronia, $2.99) - This offers the opportunity to take notes (obviously), draw, paint or make flipbooks on your GamePad, with Miiverse sharing thrown in. It'll go up against some similar apps on Wii U (with others on 3DS), but we'll get meta by taking review notes in the game as we work on letting you know what we think.

Wii U Virtual Console

F-Zero: GP Legend (Nintendo, $6.99) - This is the odd-one-out of the limited F-Zero franchise entries, as it was based on an anime series of the same name and developed externally. With a different visual style and narrative driving some of the challenges it's certainly a unique offering compared to the other entries; we rather liked it in our F-Zero: GP Legend review.

Wii U eShop Frozenbyte Promotion

Get 20% off Trine Enchanted Edition if you own Trine 2: Director's Cut on the same Wii U, and vice-versa.

Wii U eShop Temporary Discounts

Mighty Switch Force: Hyper Drive Edition (WayForward, on discount until 19th March)

Mighty Switch Force! 2 (WayForward, on discount until 19th March)

Shantae And The Pirate's Curse (WayForward, on discount until 19th March)

ZaciSa's Last Stand (ZenFa Productions, $0.99 until 2nd April, normally $1.99)

Breezeblox (Pugsley, $4.99 until 19th March, normally $9.99)

Arrow Time U (Xenohorizon, $0.99 until 25th March, normally $1.99)

3DS eShop

3D Out Run (Sega, $5.99) - Sega's range of 3D remasters continues with this classic arcade racer, which was enormously popular in its time while pushing truly impressive visuals. We can look forward to the usual M2 upgrades here, with this particular release boasting a Special mode with new tracks and smoother framerate, all with the classic high-tempo driving action. We've given this a hearty recommendation in our 3D Out Run review.

50 PINCH BARRAGE!! (MOBILE & GAME STUDIO Inc, $2.99) - With rather simplistic visuals, this is an action title with elements of puzzle solving as you use a basic moveset to avoid a wide range of dangers, with the emphasis seemingly on multiple deaths and learning from mistakes. We'll die many times in the cause of bringing you a review.

Monster Combine TD (Collavier Corporation, $3.99) - A blend of tower defence and card / board game, this is the latest title from the increasingly prolific Collavier Corporation. You use cards to summon a range of monsters, having to take care to utilise the right abilities; there are elements of Plants vs. Zombies and tower defence combined. While we think the concept is interesting, a range of flaws hold this back - we explain fully in our Monster Combine TD review.

Music On: Electric Guitar (Abylight, $1.99) - Originally part of a series of releases on DSiWare, this allows you to recreate chords, pedal effects and more on your 3DS, a virtual stylus-based guitar to replace your air variation. Back in the day we thought this was solid enough, but will bust out some tunes for a review of this updated version.

Shanghai Mahjong (Bigben Interactive, $7.99) - There are so many Mahjong games to choose from on the 3DS, with this one promising five modes; we'll see whether it can stand out from the crowd in our review.

3DS Retail Download

Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. (Nintendo, $39.99) - A new IP developed by Intelligent Systems, this takes place in an alternate history of literary heroes and Abraham Lincoln fighting to defend a Steampunk London. With over-the-shoulder strategy this is a fresh approach, and in addition to the campaign includes local and online multiplayer modes. Despite the occasional design flaw we are big fans of this in our Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. review. Available from 13th March.

3DS eShop Temporary Discounts

Mighty Switch Force! (WayForward, on discount until 19th March)

Mighty Switch Force! 2 (WayForward, on discount until 19th March)

Shantae And The Pirate's Curse (WayForward, on discount until 19th March)

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies (Capcom, on discount until 26th March)

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy (Capcom, on discount until 26th March)

Shin Megami Tensei IV (Atlus, $14.99 from 16th March to 23rd March, normally $29.99)

Code of Princess (Atlus, on discount from 16th March to 30th March)

Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan (Atlus, on discount from 16th March to 30th March)

Real Heroes Firefighter 3D Download Version (Zordix AB, $4.99 until 26th March, normally $9.99)

Classic Games Overload: Card & Puzzle Edition (Telegames Inc, $19.99 until 30th March, normally $29.99)

Luv Me Buddies Wonderland (O2 Games, $14.90 until 14th May, normally $24.99)

Soccer Up 3D (EnjoyUp Games, on discount until 9th April)

Soccer Up Online (EnjoyUp Games, on discount until 9th April)

3DS eShop Permanent Discounts

Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl (Atlus, $29.99, was $39.99)

3DS HOME Themes

NES: Balloon Fighter (Nintendo, $1.99)

Pokémon: Mega Rayquaza (Nintendo, $1.99)

Pokémon Friends (Nintendo, $1.99)

Pokémon: Hanafuda (Nintendo, $1.99)


That's everything for this week in North America. Let us know what you'll be downloading in the comments and poll below.

What will you be downloading first this week? (300 votes)

  1. Trine Enchanted Edition (Wii U eShop)10%
  2. Don't Touch Anything Red (Wii U eShop)  0%
  3. My Style Studio: Notebook (Wii U eShop)  0%
  4. F-Zero - GP Legend (Wii U Virtual Console)5%
  5. One of the Wii U eShop discounts6%
  6. 3D Out Run (3DS eShop)20%
  7. 50 PINCH BARRAGE!! (3DS eShop)  0%
  8. Monster Combine TD (3DS eShop)  0%
  9. Music On: Electric Guitar (3DS eShop)  0%
  10. Shanghai Mahjong (3DS eShop)  0%
  11. Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. (3DS Retail Download)9%
  12. One of the 3DS eShop temporary discounts18%
  13. Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl (3DS retail download permanent discount)1%
  14. One of the 3DS HOME themes5%
  15. Nothing for me this week25%

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