Minecraft Wii U.jpg

It's that time once again for the Nintendo Download Update, and this week brings us a long-awaited sandbox game, a promising Wii U eShop exclusive, some enticing 3DS eShop options, DLC, a lot of discounts and more besides. There's plenty to cover, so let's get to it.

Missed the European Nintendo Download Update details earlier in the week? Don't get in a muddle, the details are right here.

Wii U eShop

Minecraft: Wii U Edition (Microsoft Studios, $29.99) - It's the pop culture phenomenon that's been a long time coming, making its Wii U début via the eShop. This blocky world-building sandbox has inspired some efforts from smaller publishers, yet arrives with a whole lot of features, six bundled DLC packs and more available to buy separately. Despite the lack of inventory management on the GamePad it will include USB keyboard and voice chat support, and we'll see how it all stacks up in our review.

Temple of Yog (CHUDHUD Industries, $5.99) - This Wii U eShop-exclusive roguelike will have players fight their way through and explore procedurally generated areas, and there'll be regular switches between a Light world on the TV and Shadow world on the GamePad as you try to guide your 'Tribute' through the various challenges. It's going to be released in chunks, or 'Epochs'; those that buy early will pay the initial price and get all additional content releases for free, while those that buy the game later will gradually need to pay more as the game grows. We'll dive into the adventure and bring you a review.

Island Flight Simulator (Joindots, $7.99) - A genre not exactly blessed with options on the Wii U, this apparent flight-sim gives you 12 islands to travel between and a range of missions that include 'illegal' deliveries for 'shifty clients'. Crikey. We'll take off and bring you a review soon.

Wii U Virtual Console

Mega Man Zero 4 (Capcom, $7.99) - The final instalment in this series and the latest GBA arrival on Wii U, this naturally introduces new foes and abilities; you'll now have a Z Knuckle punch, be able to improve your stats from destroyed enemy parts and change the weather. It largely carries on the good work of its predecessors, earning it a hearty recommendation from us in our Mega Man Zero 4 review.

Megaman Battle Network 5 Team: Colonel & Protoman (Capcom, $7.99) - This spin-off, turn-based series continues with yet another GBA entry to come over to the Wii U Virtual Console. Once again there are evil forces to stop and two version to choose from; this is rather similar to its predecessors, naturally, but earned a strong recommendation in our review.

Super Smash Bros. DLC - Wii U & 3DS

  • Cloud + Midgar Stage - $5.99 single platform, $6.99 for Wii U & 3DS
  • Chocobo Hat - $0.75 single platform, $1.15 for Wii U & 3DS
  • Geno Hat + Geno Outfit - - $0.75 single platform, $1.15 for Wii U & 3DS
  • Mii Fighter Costumer Bundle #5 - $1.50 single platform, $2.30 for Wii U & 3DS
  • Collection #5 (all of the above) - $7.49 single platform, $9.29 for Wii U & 3DS

Minecraft: Wii U Edition DLC

  • Festive Skin Pack
  • The Simpsons Skin Pack
  • Doctor Who Skins Volume 1
  • Doctor Who Skins Volume 2
  • Star Wars Classic Skin Pack
  • Star Wars Rebels Skin Pack
  • Star Wars Prequel Skin Pack
  • Mass Effect Mash-up Pack
  • Skyrim Mash-up Pack
  • Plastic Texture Pack
  • Candy Texture Pack
  • Cartoon Texture Pack
  • Steampunk Texture Pack
  • Pattern Texture Pack
  • Greek Mythology Mash-up Pack
  • Halloween 2015 Mash-up Pack

Wii U eShop Temporary Discounts

Another World - 20th Anniversary Edition (Digital Lounge, on discount until 26th December)

Armillo (Fuzzy Wuzzy Games, $4.99 between 18th December and 1st January, normally $7.99)

Art of Balance (Shin'en Multimedia, $6.70 until 7th January, normally $8.99)

Costume Quest 2 (Midnight City, $4.99 from 21st December to 28th December, normally $14.99)

Lone Survivor: The Director's Cut (Curve Digital, on discount until 31st December)

OlliOlli (Curve Digital, on discount until 31st December)

Swords & Soldiers II (Ronimo Games, $13.99 until 31st December, normally $19.99)

Shantae and the Pirate's Curse (WayForward, on discount until 6th January)

Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures (ScrewAttack Games, $4.99 from 22nd December to 4th January, normally $9.99)

Tengami (Nyamyam, $4.99 from 23rd December to 11th January, normally $9.99)

Canvaleon (OXiAB Studios, $6.95 until 7th January, normally $9.95)

Momonga Pinball Adventures (Paladin Studios, $2.99 until 31st December, normally $5.99)

Star Sky (JMJ Interactive, $2.00 until 31st December, normally $4.00)

Suspension Railroad Simulator (Joindots, on discount until 31st December)

Turtle Tale (Saturnine Games, $1.49 until 7th January, normally $2.99)

Journey of a Special Average Balloon (TreeFall Studios, on discount until 2nd January)

Maze (TreeFall Studios, on discount until 2nd January)

Tilelicious: Delicious Tiles (Battleline Games, $2.99 until 6th January, normally $5.99)

Arrow Time U (XenoHorizon, $0.99 until 7th January, normally $1.99)

3DS eShop

The Delusions of Von Sottendorff and his Square Mind (Delirium Studios, $12.99) - Trapped within a mental prison of his own making, the titular Baron Von Sottendorff must negotiate 8 different worlds, 40 challenging levels and avoid 18 different types of enemies to regain his sanity. This is a puzzle game in which you manipulate rooms using the touch screen, and we'll put our sanity to the test to bring you a review.

The Legend of Dark Witch 2 (CIRCLE Entertainment, $6.99) - Developed by INSIDE SYSTEM, The Legend of Dark Witch 2 will feature the same core action platforming gameplay as its predecessor, yet have eight stages to take on; replayability will no doubt come in the form of acquiring collectibles once again. There are tweaks to the mechanics, of course, so we'll check these out and let you know what we think in a review.

3DS eShop Temporary Discounts

Etrian Mystery Dungeon (Atlus, on discount from 21st December to 4th January)

Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan (Atlus, on discount from 21st December to 4th January)

Another World - 20th Anniversary Edition (Digital Lounge, on discount until 26th December)

Shantae and the Pirate's Curse (WayForward, on discount until 6th January)

Mighty Switch Force! (WayForward, on discount until 6th January)

Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures (ScrewAttack Games, $4.99 from 22nd December to 4th January, normally $9.99)

Gunslugs 2 (Engine Software, on discount until 4th January)

Sumico (Engine Software, on discount until 4th January)

Fractured Soul (Endgame Studios, $2.39 until 7th January, normally $11.99)

Turtle Tale (Saturnine Games, $1.49 until 7th January, normally $2.99)

3D Game Collection (Joindots, on discount until 31st December)

Karous - The Beast Of Re:Eden (CIRCLE Entertainment, on discount until 7th January)

Mercenaries Saga 2 (CIRCLE Entertainment, on discount until 7th January)

3DS HOME Themes

The Legend of Dark Witch - Blad Theme

The Legend of Dark Witch - Klinsy Theme

The Legend of Dark Witch - Sola Theme

SEGA Hi-Tech Theme


It's worth noting that the official eShop offers page will update later today (at around 9am Pacific) with additional discount deals not included in the Download Update press release details.

Plenty to choose from this week, so let us know what you'll be downloading in the poll and comments below.

What will you be downloading this week? (You can choose multiple options)

(You can select up to 12 answers)