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It may be 'Nintendo Direct Day', but we still have a Nintendo Download Update to look forward to, even if there are rumours of blocky surprises still to come. This week's line-up in North America has some varied and quirky offerings across both Wii U and 3DS, including a free-to-play offering from the big N that launched in recent days. So, let's get to it.

Missed the European Nintendo Download Update earlier in the week? Oh you forgetful ninny! Never mind, the details are all right here.

Wii U eShop

Girls Like Robots (Popcannibal, $6.99) - A title with a weird name and a quirky premise, it appears to be a puzzle experience in which you place characters onto grids while matching their requirements: rather like creating a seat layout for a wedding. It looks bizarre but charming, so we'll try to be liked and write up a review.

Word Party (Lightwood Games, $14.99) - This series of 28 minigames accommodates up to five players at once - using Wii Remotes and the GamePad - and plays around with various wordy premises. There are crosswords and word searches, of course, but also quirky minigames such as "Whack-A-Vowel" and "Space Blaster". We had a brief play of this at EGX in September and found ourselves having quite a lot of fun; we'll bring you a review soon.

Test Your Mind (XenoHorizon, $2.99) - As the name suggests this is a compilation of puzzles and minigames to put your brain to the test, and naturally it supports two player action for some couch multiplayer. We'll test our minds for a review.

Wii U Virtual Console

Contra Advance: The Alien Wars EX (Konami, $7.99) - This is a loose port of the SNES classic Contra III: The Alien Wars and originally hit the Game Boy Advance in 2002. It's far from a straight conversion of the 16-bit classic, however; the screen-clearing Mega Bombs have been removed, as has the dual-wield ability which was so handy on the SNES. These omissions are balanced somewhat by the fact that the player can now lock their character's aim while moving, and is also given a opportunity to revert to their previous weapon after picking up a fresh one. We'll blast away some foes for a review.

Wii U Retail Download

Monster High New Ghoul in School (Little Orbit, $39.99) - Available from 17th November.

Wii U eShop Temporary Discounts

Affordable Space Adventures (KnapNok Games, $15.99 until 26th November, normally $19.99)

Roving Rogue (Padaone Games, $5.99 until 26th November, normally $7.99)

Turtle Tale (Saturnine Games, $1.79 until 26th November, normally $2.99)

BLOK DROP U (RCMADIAX, on discount until 6th January)

DON'T CRASH (RCMADIAX, on discount until 6th January)

Wii U Demo

Word Party (Lightwood Games, free)

3DS eShop

Nintendo Badge Arcade (Nintendo, free) - Released earlier this week, this is a simple crane game in which you try to grab badges (and accompanying themes) which can then be used to customise your HOME screen. You get five free practice attempts per day in which you can win 'plays', otherwise you need to buy the right to pick up some badges. We'll work up some impressions soon.

Johnny's Payday Panic (Office Create, $3.99) - Effectively Capitalism: The Game, you work a menial job in the food industry in order to earn money and buy fancy things; this happens through what looks like a series of frantic minigames. Apparently your wage goes up and down depending on performance and the boss can call you in at any time - even though it's breaking every employment law under the sun we'll get working on a review.

Horse Life 4 (Ravenscourt, $14.99) - No, this isn't an unexpected change of direction for our upcoming re-design for the site, but rather another sim game where you train a horse for competitions and events. We'll see whether it's a yay or neigh (sorry) in a review.

3DS Retail Downloads

Stella Glow (Atlus, $49.99) - Developed be Imageepoch, your world-saving quest tasks you with earning the trust and help of musical witches, which is as good a job as any. Blending traditional RPG ideas with a musical focus gives this one a bit of a unique twist, and we were impressed when we gave our first impressions. Available from 17th November.

Moco Moco Friends (Aksys Games, $39.99) - Fans of RPGs in which you develop teams of critters to explore and then fight other teams of critters are quite well served on the 3DS, but Aksys Games is pitching its own release into this crowded market; it's aiming for plenty of cuteness with this one. Available from 17th November.

Monster High New Ghoul in School (Little Orbit, $39.99) - Available from 17th November.

3DS eShop Temporary Discounts

Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl (Atlus, on discount from 16th November to 30th November)

Etrian Odyssey 2 Untold: The Fafnir Knight (Atlus, on discount from 16th November to 30th November)

Turtle Tale (Saturnine Games, $1.79 until 26th November, normally $2.99)

Toys vs. Monsters (EnjoyUp Games, $0.99 until 10th December, normally $3.99)

3DS HOME Themes

Stella Glow: "The Witches and Bubu" (Atlus)

3DS Demos

Johnny's Payday Panic (Office Create, free)

Samurai Defender (CIRCLE Entertainment, free)

In addition don't forget that Affordable Space Adventures has a notable update and extra content going live alongside its discount.

That's everything for this week's Nintendo Download Update in North America - let us know what you plan to pick up in the poll and comments below.

What will you be downloading first this week?