Wii U Amiibotap 01

It's that time again, North American gamers, for details on the fresh download treats making their way to the eShop. This week brings an amiibo freebie, a Nintendo 64 classic, DLC, demos, discounts and more besides. It's certainly a diverse and quirky line-up this time around, so let's get to the details.

Missed the European Nintendo Download Update earlier in the week? Fret not! The details are right here.

Wii U eShop

amiibo Tap: Nintendo's Greatest Bits (Nintendo, free) - The latest use for those amiibo toys you've probably been collecting, this app contains segments of 30 Virtual Console games, and you can simply scan an amiibo on the GamePad to access a particular demo. You 'assign' an amiibo to a specific game and take on up to 10 three minute 'scenes' from that title; we'll bring you our impressions soon.

Wii U Virtual Console

Paper Mario (Nintendo, $9.99) - This is the Nintendo 64 title where Mario's paper-based RPG adventures began. Though it's a relatively linear adventure it's full of wit and innovation, setting up a variety of sequels in the generations to follow. We gave this top marks in our Wii Virtual Console Paper Mario review, but will take another look with fresh eyes.

Wii U eShop DLC

Star Wars Pinball (Zen Studios) - The following tables are available as DLC:

Heroes Within ($9.99) - Includes four tables: Han Solo, Star Wars Pinball: Droids, Star Wars Pinball: Episode IV A New Hope, and a table dedicated to the Masters of the Force.

Star Wars Rebels ($2.99) - Contains a single table.

Wii U eShop Temporary Discounts

Kung Fu Rabbit (Neko Entertainment, $1.49 until 7th May, normally $4.99)

How to Train Your Dragon 2 (Little Orbit, on discount from 1st May to 31st May)

Monster High: 13 Wishes (Little Orbit, on discount from 1st May to 31st May)

Art of Balance (Shin'en Multimedia, on discount until 21st May)

Family Tennis SP (Shin'en Multimedia, on discount until 21st May)

Nano Assault Neo (Shin'en Multimedia, on discount until 21st May)

PENTAPUZZLE (RCMADIAX, 50% discount until 24th June)

TOSS N GO (RCMADIAX, 50% discount until 24th June)

ZaciSa's Last Stand (ZeNfA Productions, $0.69 until 14th May, normally $1.99)

TNT Racers - Nitro Machines Edition (Keen Games, $4.99 until 14th May, normally $7.99)

3DS eShop

Karous -The Beast of Re:Eden- (CIRCLE Entertainment, $6.99) - This is another import from the Japanese market, bolstering the shmup genre on Nintendo's portable. Though packed with plenty of levels and weapons that can be levelled up, this one has issues with balancing and presentation that let it down - we rated this as average in our Karous -The Beast of Re:Eden- review.

Heart Beaten (Springloaded, $2.99) - This is a peculiar action game in which you fend of romantic advances in ludicrous ways, all through snappy little mini-games. While it sounds fun in practice we found it to be rather average, delivering madcap score chasing but lacking in variety - we gave it a modest assessment in our Heart Beaten review.

My Horse 3D - Best Friends (Gamers Digital, $4.99) - If you like animal and pet sims, the 3DS eShop is there for you. This latest arrival allows you to "choose your dream horse" from a variety of breeds and kit it out, care for its every need and enter show jumping competitions. We'll see whether this is a yay or 'neigh' in our upcoming review.

3DS eShop Temporary Discounts

Shin Megami Tensei IV (Atlus, $14.99 from 4th May to 11th May, normally $29.99)

Castle Conqueror Defender (CIRCLE Entertainment, on discount until 21st May)

Demon King Box (CIRCLE Entertainment, on discount until 21st May)

Quell Memento (CIRCLE Entertainment, on discount until 21st May)

Tiny Games - Knights & Dragons (REACTOR, $1.49 until 14th May, normally $2.99)

AeternoBlade (Corecell Technology, $7.99 from 1st May to 17th May, normally $14.99)

Kung Fu Rabbit (Neko Entertainment, $1.49 until 7th May, normally $4.99)

How to Train Your Dragon 2 (Little Orbit, on discount from 1st May to 31st May)

Monster High: 13 Wishes (Little Orbit, on discount from 1st May to 31st May)

Young Justice: Legacy (Little Orbit, on discount from 1st May to 31st May)

Art of Balance TOUCH! (Shin'en Multimedia, on discount until 21st May)

Fun! Fun! Minigolf TOUCH! (Shin'en Multimedia, on discount until 21st May)

Jett Rocket II: The Wrath of Taikai (Shin'en Multimedia, on discount until 21st May)

Nano Assault EX (Shin'en Multimedia, on discount until 21st May)

3D Game Collection (Joindots, on discount until 14th May)

Funfair Party Games (Joindots, on discount until 14th May)

Murder on the Titanic (Joindots, on discount until 14th May)

Winter Sports: Feel the Spirit (Pqube, $5.99 until 1st October, normally $9.99)

3DS eShop Demos

Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition Demo (Nintendo, free)

Adventure Bar Story (CIRCLE Entertainment, free)

3DS HOME Theme

Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate Hunter's Weapon Gallery (Capcom)


That's the lot for 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? (371 votes)

  1. amiibo Tap: Nintendo's Greatest Bits (Wii U eShop)28%
  2. Paper Mario (Wii U Virtual Console)26%
  3. Star Wars Pinball DLC (Wii U DLC)4%
  4. One of the Wii U eShop temporary discounts1%
  5. Karous -The Beast of Re:Eden- (3DS eShop)1%
  6. Heart Beaten (3DS eShop)  0%
  7. My Horse 3D - Best Friends (3DS eShop)1%
  8. One of the 3DS eShop temporary discounts2%
  9. Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition (3DS demo)20%
  10. Adventure Bar Story (3DS demo)1%
  11. Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate Hunter's Weapon Gallery (3DS HOME Theme)3%
  12. Nothing for me this week14%

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