Adventures of Pip

It's that time again, North America, for the latest Nintendo Download Update details, and this week is varied and a tad bizarre. We have an eagerly anticipated eShop platformer, a world-building title aiming to bring a bit of Minecraft-style glamour to the home console, while the 3DS has a tough platformer and a hefty RPG. There are some diverse other offerings on Wii U and - wait for it - SIX DSiWare games. SIX! Scan your eyeballs down for the details.

Missed the European Download Update details earlier in the week? That was silly! Well don't worry, the details are right here.

Wii U eShop

Adventures of Pip (Tic Toc Games, $14.99) - This stylish platformer has been on some wishlists for quite some time, hearkening back to a retro age with pixel-based visuals and utilising a clever mechanic of powering up between generations of visual styles. Though it can occasionally fall flat in some secondary areas, it's nevertheless an accomplished, enjoyable experience - we gave it a solid recommendation in our Adventures of Pip review.

Cube Life: Island Survival (Cypronia, $6.99) - This is a block-building survival game, so is naturally inspired by the Minecraft phenomenon. The Survival mode looks set to feature the exploration, forging and survival aspects familiar in the genre, while Creative mode lets you generate structures that can be shared on Miiverse. We'll see whether this is a notch above or below the competition in our review.

Cube Blitz (Wildcard Studios, $3.99) - This is a GamePad-focused game which, based on the visuals, seems to be a Nintendo Web Framework release. The focus seems to be touch based, as you tap blocks (or use a limited number of bombs) to clear them and free gems for the end area. We'll tap away at a review.

The Stonecutter (Brave Rock Games, $1.20) - This appears to be an interactive children's story, telling an ancient Chinese morality tale about granting wishes; we'll make our choices and bring you a review.

Wii U Virtual Console

Pac-Attack (Bandai Namco, $7.99) - The pellet-eating mascot was a big deal in decades gone by, so it's no surprise that the IP was utilised for a Tetris-style puzzle experience. This entry does shake things up by employing ghosts and other Pac-Man ideas, and this SNES version also has two-player options. We gave this a decent recommendation in our Pac-Attack review.

Wii U eShop Temporary Discounts

Phineas & Ferb: Quest for Cool Stuff (Majesco, $9.99 from 8th June to 15th June, normally $19.99)

Spy Chameleon (EnjoyUp Games, on discount until 2nd July)

Unepic (EnjoyUp Games, on discount until 2nd July)

Spot the Differences: Party!(Sanuk Games, $2.99 until 11th June, normally $5.00)

Turtle Tale (Saturnine Games, $1.99 until 18th June, normally $2.99)

Journey of a Special Average Balloon (Eli Brewer, on discount until 14th June)

Maze (Eli Brewer, on discount until 14th June)

The Letter (Eli Brewer, on discount until 14th June)

3DS eShop

Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures (ScrewAttack Games, $9.99) - Having already arrived on the Wii U eShop, we now have the portable version of that rather difficult platformer that pays homage to the YouTube celebrity. This version throws stereoscopic 3D into the mix, and if you like a challenge it may be well worth consideration. We'll put this 3DS entry through its paces, but in the meantime you can see our recommendation in our Wii U eShop Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures review.

3DS Retail Download

Lord of Magna: Maiden Heaven (Marvelous, $39.99) - This retail title is localised for Europe as an eShop-only release and is produced by Yoshifumi Hashimoto, the man behind Harvest Moon, Rune Factory and Story of Seasons. An RPG with battles that focus on areas rather than grids, this also promises a diverse cast and dramatic storyline. We'll let you know what we think in a review.

3DS eShop Temporary Discount

Phineas & Ferb: Quest for Cool Stuff (Majesco, $9.99 from 8th June to 15th June, normally $19.99)

Wakedas (CIRCLE Entertainment, on discount until 25th June)

Witch & Hero (CIRCLE Entertainment, on discount until 25th June)

World Conqueror 3D (CIRCLE Entertainment, on discount until 25th June)

Talking Phrasebook - 7 Languages (Sanuk Games, $2.99 until 11th June, normally $4.99)

Turtle Tale (Saturnine Games, $1.99 until 18th June, normally $2.99)

Banana Bliss: Jungle Puzzles (Teyon, on discount until 2nd July)

Cube Tactics (Teyon, on discount until 2nd July)

Real Heroes: Firefighter 3D Download Version (Zordix AB, $4.99 until 25th June, normally $9.99)

Snow Moto Racing 3D (Zordix AB, $3.99 until 11th June, normally $7.99)

Urban Trial Freestyle (Tate Media, $1.99 until 18th June, normally $4.99)

Classic Games Overload: Card & Puzzle Edition (Telegames Inc, $19.99 until 29th June, normally $29.99)

3DS eShop Permanent Discount

LEGO Ninjago: Shadow of Ronin (Warner Bros. Interactive, $19.99, was $29.99)

Bird Mania 3D (Teyon, $0.99, was $1.99)

DSiWare

G.G Series THE SPIKY BLOWFISH!! (Genterprise, 200 Nintendo Points) - In this title you navigate a blowfish through stages before coming across a range of bosses; we'll dive to the depths for a review.

G.G Series HERO PUZZLE (Genterprise, 200 Nintendo Points) - Perhaps taking a cue from GungHo, this appears to blend RPG elements with match-three gameplay; we'll puzzle it out for a review.

G.G Series EXCITING RIVER (Genterprise, 200 Nintendo Points) - We seems to have a simple arcade-like experience, in which you control oars with L and R to guide a boat down a treacherous river; we'll try not to sink in our review.

G.G Series COSMO RALLY (Genterprise, 200 Nintendo Points) - A top-down racer in which you represent Earth in high-speed contests - no, it doesn't look much like F-Zero.

G.G Series ALTERED WEAPON (Genterprise, 200 Nintendo Points) - This one's caught our eye a little more successfully that some of its current DSiWare contemporaries, as it appears to be a sidescrolling platformer in which you morph between being a robot and a car, each with powerful guns. We'll transform ourselves for a review.

G.G. Series BLACK X BLOCK (Genterprise, 200 Nintendo Points) - Conceptually this seems like a budget stick-man version of BOXBOY!, as you place blocks to help you navigate stages; we'll bring you a review etc...

G.G Series ASSAULT BUSTER (Genterprise, 200 Nintendo Points) - The final DSiWare arrival of the week, this is a wave-based shmup; there doesn't seem to be much more to say.


More Teyon and EnjoyUp Games discounts will be detailed at 9am Pacific / noon Eastern on the official eShop offers website.

That's everything on the way to the North American eShop stores this week. Let us know what you plan to download in the poll and comments below.

What will you be downloading first this week?