Another week begins with the European Nintendo Download Update, and this time around there's a bonanza of Virtual Console games and 3DS HOME Themes to consider along with some discounts; we're lacking new downloads beyond smaller retail games, though. Without further pre-amble let's get to it.
Wii U Virtual Console
Double Dragon III: The Sacred Stones (Arc System Works, €4.99 / £3.49) - This appears to be the Virtual Console debut for this series entry that's perhaps more famous for its 'Bimmy' typo than its actual gameplay. It has more of the classic beat 'em up action albeit with a punishing system of characters replacing lives; there's little scope for error. We'll make liberal use of restore points and bring you a review.
Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos (Koei Tecmo, €4.99 / £3.49) - The second part of the NES series that — in all likelihood — left young gamers curled up in a ball muttering "game over" repeatedly, it now arrives on the Wii U Virtual Console with all important save state functionality. While it is fiendishly difficult, it's also a fun action platformer that arguably brings notable improvements over the original with switched up moves and power ups; we gave it a strong recommendation in our 3DS Virtual Console Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos review.
Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom (Koei Tecmo, €4.99 / £3.49) - The three NES games in this series represent some of the toughest action-platforming challenge of the 8-bit era, sure to test the abilities of any dedicated player. This final entry in the original trilogy made some tweaks to the formula while staying true to its roots, and is an excellent part of the series; you can check out our 3DS Virtual Console Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom review for the full lowdown.
The Adventures of Bayou Billy (Konami, €4.99 / £3.49) - This completes the glut of NES arrivals on the Wii U this week. In an era of dumb action flicks this seems to be a dumb action game, with sequences combining beat 'em up, driving and shooting across the campaign; the NES Zapper support is replaced with Wii Pointer support in the shooting sections. We'll find a bandana or silly hat and get into the action.
Wii U Retail Download
Kung Fu Panda: Showdown of Legendary Legends (Little Orbit, €29.99 / £24.99)
Monster High New Ghoul in School (Little Orbit, €29.99 / £24.99)
3DS Retail Download
Kung Fu Panda: Showdown of Legendary Legends (Little Orbit, €29.99 / £24.99)
Monster High New Ghoul in School (Little Orbit, €29.99 / £24.99)
Fireman Sam To The Rescue (Avanquest, €29.99 / £24.99) - Available from 27th November.
3DS eShop Temporary Discounts
Jett Rocket II: The Wrath of Taikai (Shin'en Multimedia, €6.70/ £5.70 until 17th December, normally €8.99 / £7.66)
Real Heroes: Firefighter 3D Download Version (Zordix AB, €4.99 / £4.49 until 3rd December, normally €9.99 / £8.99)
Toys vs. Monsters (EnjoyUp Games, €0.99 / £0.99 until 17th December, normally €3.99 / £3.99)
Atlantic Quest (Joindots, €5.59 / £3.99 until 10th December, normally €6.99 / £4.99)
Undead Bowling (Joindots, €5.59 / £3.99 until 10th December, normally €6.99 / £4.99)
3DS HOME Themes
Splatoon: Squid Sisters (Nintendo, €1.99 / £1.79) - Available from 27th November
Yoshi's Woolly World: Yoshis on Parade (Nintendo, €1.99 / £1.79) - Available from 27th November
Hello Kitty: Merry Christmas (Sanrio, €0.99 / £0.89) - Available from 27th November
Hello Kitty: Crystal Princess (Sanrio, €0.99 / £0.89) - Available from 27th November
Hello Kitty: Gingerbread (Sanrio, €0.99 / £0.89) - Available from 27th November
Hello Kitty: Ice Skating (Sanrio, €0.99 / £0.89) - Available from 27th November
Hello Kitty: Once Upon a Time (Sanrio, €0.99 / £0.89) - Available from 27th November
Hello Kitty: Sweet Winter (Sanrio, €0.99 / £0.89) - Available from 27th November
Hello Kitty Bundle (Sanrio, €3.99 / £3.59) - Available from 27th November
3DS Demos
I Love My Pony (Bigben Interactive, free)
Johnny's Payday Panic (Create Office, free)
In addition Nintendo of Europe is promising details later this week of its own Cyber Deals that will run from 27th to 30th November, "with up to 40% discount on popular Nintendo titles". We'll report those when they're confirmed.
In the meantime let us know what you plan to pick up from this list in the poll and comments below.
Comments 85
My goodNES!
Would love some Atlas discounts...
That Cyber Deals thing sounds interesting, but I already have most games on Wii U and 3DS worth getting. Hopefully they'll surprise me anyway!
Wish the four Xenoblade packs were available for Australia.
I don't think I need more die in the first 10 seconds NES games, and no discounts until the Black Friday announcement, so absolutely nothing.
3DS is dying. there havent been anything interesting for weeks/months depending on your taste. as for me i havent bought anything from the eshop for months and the last retail game i purchased full price was fantasy life over a year ago
I'll never understand why an NES VC game gets released on Wii U but not 3DS.
Nothing for me this week...
Maybe I'll get something from those Cyber Deals... Depends on what's offered. I already have most games I wanted to get, but maybe I'll be tempted. Bayonetta 2 would be nice. :]
Waiting for those Cyber Deals, though my backlog is big enough, and with 3ds getting DQ7+8, Bravely Second, Fire Emblem Fates, Project X Zone and Stella Glow next year, I won't complain.
Hopefully they have some tasty games on sale.
Yoshi and Squid Sisters 3DS themes. Not interested in anything else on this list.
No wii U discounts?
hope pikmin 3 is on sale
Nothing for me on the list but intrigued by these deals they're going to announce. A nice Pikmin3 discount wouldn't go amiss
@6ch6ris6 Dying maybe not but 2015 was not a strong years for the 3DS atleast it's 2nd half wasn't. But I think this is also due to the release of the new 3DS but what do I know.
There's no Wii U discounts. I hope they're going to spring them as a surprise this Thursday or maybe Friday. I'm sure everyoneis aware that it's Black Friday this Friday.
Will be interesting to see what are the Cyber Deals about around Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
WHAT? A Squid Sisters theme? Want.
The discounts had better be huge, for huge games. I bought Super Mario 3D World for 40€ instead of 60 last year, but in that case, well, it's still Super Mario 3D World. I'm not sure of how many other games would be worth a small discount.
No Black Friday deals then lol!
When I saw the "HOME Themes Galore!" sentence in the header I was really hoping for the rest of the SEGA Home menu themes, mainly the Sega Saturn and Dreamcast ones. The reality was a bit disappointing.
You are spoiling us Nintendo. So many Hello Kitty Home Themes.
Now Dot Arcade, Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures or Sonic Advance would have been nice.
@AlexSora89
I hope Most Wanted U, Lego City Undercover, and The Wonderful 101 will be on sale on this Cyber deals.
40% off eshop prices for the first-party games is probably still more expensive than they can be picked up for on disc, especially if you'll take used.
@khululy No, i'd say "dying of neglect" is the proper wording for it, and tossing the new 3DS onto the market would actually be good reason to make some games, if you ask me...
I hope those first three NES games come to NA this week but I doubt it.
Just when you think things couldn't get any worse! Wow, what a week. I hope the yet-to-be-announced Nintendo discounts are on 3DS.
That was great - someone hand med a cigarette...
@KTT
Already got Conception, and SMTIV. I'm wanting some Etrian Odyssey.
Yoshi's Woolly World theme, finally! Was waiting for that one!
@6ch6ris6 peruse the eshop with an open mind. I'm sure you'll find interesting things you haven't yet tried.
I'll be getting the squid sisters theme.
Nothing this week but I might get Kung fu Panda later,after reading some reviews.
wouldn't mind the hello kitty themes. I just ordered the Hello Kitty cover plates so it would be nice to get those themes to go with them.
Finally, the Squid Sisters Theme!
I really hope the Sega Saturn theme appears soon!
I've only ever played the first Ninja Gaiden on my NES (or "Shadow Warriors", as I know it), so I'm interested in getting the original trilogy digitally
I'm surprised by the high percentage of nothing for me this week votes. Seems like the NES games would gain more support from this crowd. Then again the 3DS offerings are mostly nonexistent so maybe that accounts for it.
So bored with what we've been getting lately... I had no choice but to go back and buy Kirby Delux and Fantasy Life just because I've had nothing to play. I suppose its great I rebought pokemon X but still...
@SanderEvers that's a shame as its getting pretty big in the UK
And us in north America will have a crap week as always.I'm about to move to Europe
What do we know about these cyber deals? First I've heard about it and curious...
@shaneoh EO discount in Europe? Not gonna happen. I think its because NIS America are the publishers here. I cannot remember a single discount for those games and I don't think this will change any soon :C
@Slim1999 Huh, what? You wanna move here because we got what? Monster High and Kung Fu Panda? Both sides have bad weeks but I think USA at least gets more of better discounts. Like aforementioned EO.
None of these new games interest me in the slightest this week.
Damn, why the harsh words for Bayou Billy? It was tougher than old chewing gum, but it was a lot of fun.
This is the worst week EVER!
Where the heck are all the Atlus game themes? NISA has never answered any questions regarding them, while pretty much all the other themes make their way in EU. Would gladly trade a few dozen Hello Kitty ones for even a few Atlus ones if I could.
Meh. (Maybe next week.)
Well, I am going to guess that NoA will up their game by giving us.... a single VC game this week on Wii U and a pat on the head telling us to go buy Mario Tennis: Snooze Tour.
NoA, get on the NES train! I'd buy all of these and those light gun games.
@Darknyht Sad thing is, that actually might be upping their game haha.
Ninja Gaiden 2 and 3!!!
Some classic NES titles! WOW it's about time we've gotten good news from the VC front.
People give Double Dragon 3 a lot of flak but I always enjoyed it and remember renting and beating it in a weekend with just practice.
VC NES TITLES GALORE!!!
BEST WEEK OF 2014 AND 2015
FINALLY!!!!!
BAYOU BILLY......WOOOHOOOOO!!!
Let's face it: Even with the discounts most of these games will still be more expensive than at retail...
Some Virtual Console discounts would be nice too. Those come up as often as first party retail discounts too. XD
Still, yay for Ninja Gaiden! I was worried these were going to stay 3DS VC only but glad they finally showed up. Now the question remains, will they add the SNES game Ninja Gaiden Trilogy or not?
40% off doesn't sound very impressive though considering that the games discounted will most likely be at least 1 year old.
Another load of junk - excuse me, load of nothing - for 3DS. Making loyal customers happy yet again, Nintendo. Disgraceful.
Nothing for me - roll on those cyber deals.
To make it fair, I hope they do a buy so many get so much off, with the more you buy the bigger the discount. As per usual, I think anyone who has loads of games is going to lose out, but we'll see.
Watch: Here in the U.S. we'll get none of those VC titles this week.
What a crappy week!
@speedyboris The GBA version's of ALTTP and DKC have yet to re-release on vc.
@6ch6ris6 umm i got pokemon super mystery dungeon and the badge thing. (spent $5 so far on it lol)
I'm good
So we ask for more VC games and Ninty give us complete garbage like Double Dragon 3 and The Adventures Of Bayou Billy. Way to go, Ninty. Don't just kill the VC, completely stamp on it as well.
Move along, there's nothing for anybody to see here this week.
Not interested in themes (unless there's ever a Wario / Sheffield Wednesday one)
40% sale? Don't America get up to 50%? So unfair...
@ToxieDogg At least you're getting 3-5 at a time whereas NA is still only getting 1, usually mediocre game per week on the VC service.
Nintendo still has tons of first party GBA, DS, and Wii titles and even some NES and SNES titles that have been released in Japan and Europe that still haven't been released on the NA Wii U VC service and lately the only good games we've been getting are Natsume Inc and some of Konami's offerings.
@Barbiegurl777 Well, I'm not into Hello Kitty (I only know she is and is not a cat haha) so I didn't know they weren't released in NA. I guess it is bad if you are a fan. But if this will cheer you up, the demo of Happy Happy Family wasn't good and I suppose the game isn't that good either - as what I saw was incredible simple with little gameplay and with a very obnoxiously loud and excited voice on top of it. The game is made for young children apparently but I felt it was too bland nevertheless (the full version may be better though). So you might have saved yourself from buying a weak game. I don't know how good other games are though ^^'
Another mediocre week for Nintendo users.
Could anybody tell me how to get the Xenoblade download packs as I tried searching e shop and can't find anything. I'm in the UK if it makes a difference.
@KTT
Never say never, it will see a discount at some point.
@Barbiegurl777 Oh I see. Seems to be the comparable problem with Tamagotchi as both kids (recently less because iPods etc) and adults like it, especially adults in the West. The latest Tamagotchi Friends was pretty much a disaster, though America got a better version later. Even with NA Friends it a big step back compared to a such Tamagotchi like iD L which is superior in pretty much every aspect. Though iD L (and few other) was never released outside Japan (and China) and most not informed people in the West still think all Tamagotchi are oldschool BW.
@shaneoh Oh, I do hope for it, I do hope. And I wish you were right. I own EOIV/EOU as retails but my partner is waiting for a discount of one for a looong time. Heck, I could even use a discount for that Mystery Dungeon thing.That's why I'm double observant with EO Let's hope for the best.
4 of the hardest NES games arrive all the same week. Is Nintendo trying to make a statement?
Just wanna say that you Europeans who love the classics have nothing to complain about! The Wii u brings you 4 count em 4 vc Classics this week!! I betcha a weeks salary America will once again get only 1!!! Cause Nintendo of America is a bunch of incompetent idiots!! Thanks for letting me rant!!
@SetupDisk you're talking about NOA the kings of 1 vc game a week. I doubt it very much!
@joey302 I just think most of the management staff at NOA have no real interest in gaming.
The lack of advertisement. The head scratching vc releases that nobody asked for. The one game a week as opposed to the three to five that NOE gets on a more regular basis. The terrible customer service I went through with my N3ds I bought at launch.
It just seems like they don't care and are simply dragging themselves to work everyday to collect a pay check.
You mentioned several key reasons there why 1) Nintendo is losing customers by the truckloads daily! 2) why Sony and Microsoft are kicking their asses! 3) it would just seem moronic to continue like this after the NX is released!! I mean I never ever see Wii u commercials on tv ever!! As far as them dragging their butts to work everyday just to collect a paycheck goes- if they continue to do the stupid things they do there won't be a "place for them to drag themselves to for a paycheck!!" I mean they must know that America is their biggest market don't they?? They must not Cause they treat their American customers like crappola!! I mean what exactly are they smoking over there in Washington?? I'd love to know! I just don't get it at all! What i do know is that it just pisses me off and I'm sure others as well!!
They need to wake up and smell the humus!!
Ok so over the last month or so Europe had received vc classics like Hogans Ally, wild gunmen, star tropics I&II, the 2 Zelda DS games, ninja gaiden 2 & 3, double dragon III, all 4 culture brain nes games, bayou billy, dig dug II, pac-man 2 new advs, Konami krazy racers, animal crossing wild world and quite a few others!!! NO EXCUSE NOA!!! NO LEGITIMATE REASON WHY THESE CLASSIC VC GAMES SHOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE NOW IN AMERICA NOW!!! Just what in the hell is wrong with you guys!!!!
I can't move to Europe!!!😡😡😡
Another great week, good work NOE
Bad job, NOA
Like the fact that we get some "new" VC Games.
Just when you thought the weekly Wii U discounts couldn't get any worse.
ok i dont wanna hear yall cry for 5 months now.
good line up
@joey302
Looks at NOA update nods.
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