Gunman Clive HD.jpg

Another week begins with Nintendo Download Update details for Europe; due to a public holiday in the UK this information came through later than normal (hat tip to Daan Koopman who forwarded the Dutch information to us). This week is particularly good on the Wii U, it must be said, with two high-quality new arrivals and three Virtual Console titles sure to get some pulses racing. There are some discounts and a retail release to consider on 3DS, too; let's get to it.

Wii U eShop

Runbow (13AM Games, normally €13.99 / £10.99, €11.89 / £9.34 off until 3rd October if you downloaded the Nindies@Home demo) - A colourful action platformer that's been given plenty of promotion by Nintendo and features cameos of various 'Nindie' characters, this includes varied solo options and multiplayer modes for up to nine players. Its different styles incorporate frantic platforming and combat, all supported by excellent presentation; we were effusive with praise in our Runbow review.

Gunman Clive HD Collection (Hörberg Productions, €3.99 / £3.59) - This could be tough to resist, as it combines two of the finest 3DS eShop titles in one HD package; with tight platforming and shooting, along with greater variety in the second game, there's a lot to like about these titles. We'll bring you our review soon.

Zombie Defense (Teyon, €7.99 / £7.19) - Teyon's first Wii U release, which is described as "a modern hybrid of a classic RTS and Tower Defence". With 35 levels and two difficulty settings it promises much; we'll see whether it brings us to life in a review.

Wii U Virtual Console

Sin & Punishment (Nintendo, €9.99 / £8.99) - Originally only released in Japan, it only arrived in the West once the Wii Virtual Console came onto the scene, giving plenty of gamers a chance to enjoy a terrific action title from Treasure. With an incomprehensible story and lots of shooting it's much-loved by plenty of N64 and Treasure fans; we'll take a fresh look soon, and until then you can check our our Wii Virtual Console Sin & Punishment review.

StarTropics (Nintendo, €4.99 / £4.49) - With visuals that lifted liberally from The Legend of Zelda, this NES title may look like a quirky anomaly with a passive glance. It has plenty to offer, though, with a charming style and some unique gameplay mechanics. A bit of a cult classic, this, and we'll check it out for a review; in the meantime you can learn more about it in our Wii Virtual Console StarTropics review.

Zoda's Revenge: StarTropics II (Nintendo, €4.99 / £4.49) - Prior to its arrival on the Wii Virtual Console this one never made it to Europe, courtesy of being a very late arrival on the NES in North America. It's now on Wii U, too, and continues many of the approaches or the original but throws in tweaks and plenty of time travelling. We'll dive in for a review, but until then there's our Wii Virtual Console Zoda's Revenge: StarTropics II review.

Wii U eShop Temporary Discount

Rayman Legends (Ubisoft, €11.99 / £9.49 until 10th September, normally €29.99 / £23.99)

Master Reboot (Wales Interactive, €5.99 / £4.99 until 1st October, normally €11.99 / £9.99)

BLOK DROP U (RCMADIAX, €0.50 / £0.45 until 30th September, normally €1.49 / £1.29)

BLOK DROP X TWISTED FUSION (RCMADIAX, €1.00 / £0.90 until 30th September, normally €2.99 / £2.69)

TABLETOP GALLERY (RCMADIAX, €1.49 / £1.39 until 30th September, normally €4.49 / £4.09)

Never Alone (E-Line Media, €9.99 / £8.59 until 17th September, normally €14.99 / £12.99)

3DS Retail Download

Little Battlers eXperience (Nintendo, €39.99 / £34.99) - A game tied in to the animated series that's becoming increasingly popular in the West, in which you customise and then battle with miniature robots; that idea probably sounds fun to a heck of a lot of people. We enjoyed playing this for our Little Battlers eXperience review, but it's worth emphasizing that multiplayer is local only. Available from 4th September.

3DS Retail DLC

SENRAN KAGURA 2: Deep Crimson: Waist-Deep (Marvelous Europe, €4.99 / £4.49)

3DS eShop Temporary Discounts

Rayman Origins (Ubisoft, €5.99 / £5.39 until 10th September, normally €19.99 / £17.9)

Art of Balance TOUCH! (Shin'en Multimedia, €5.20 / £4.70 /until 24th September, normally €6.99 / £6.29)

Witch & Hero (CIRCLE Entertainment, €1.99 / £1.59 until 24th September, normally €3.99 / £3.19)

World Conqueror 3D (CIRCLE Entertainment, €3.99 / £3.19 until 24th September, normally €4.99 / £3.99)

WAKEDAS (CIRCLE Entertainment, €1.99 / £1.69 until 24th September, normally €2.99 / £2.49)

3DS eShop Permanent Discount

Proun+ (Engine Software, €3.99 / £3.50, was €5.99 / £5.39

3DS eShop Demo

Proun+ (Engine Software, free)


That's the lot for Europe this week - let us know what you plan to download in the poll and comments below.

What will you be downloading first this week?