Nintendo Download: 14th January (North America)

I'll have Zero Mission, thanks. Praise Reggie.

29.99 for Space Hulk??? Yeah, I think I'll wait for a good sale and some reviews.

Another week another sigh of frustration.

Nothing here.
Though did anyone actually want Metroid: Zero Mission?

FF:Explorers pre-load please.

Gah! I want Zero Mission but I'm going to have to wait until later tonight (or today hopefully) due to me and my family moving into our new house.

Where's Metroid: Zero Mission NoA?! It's unbelievable how we... Huh? We got it?

Good to see Zero Mission here finally. Hope the wait for SMRPG isn't as long.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_J6-3l3hCm0

I have to wait until tomorrow to download Zero Mission (that's payday for me). Glad to finally have this released!!

Very excited to replay Zero Mission.

Still have my Metroid Zero Mission GBA cart with Gamecube adapter, so nothing for me this week.

_{Be nicer. -Morpheel}

I'm a little shocked by the $29.99 price tag for Space Hulk.....really need to wait on some reviews I guess. Seems like a game I'd enjoy but at $30 I need more info before I commit

I want shovel knight to go on sale...

Don't have the money for anything at the moment, so nothing for me this week.

I will be picking up Metroid: Zero Mission. I cannot count the number of times I have attempted to complete the original Metroid (and failed), perhaps I will be able to finish the remake.

I was interested in Space Hulk, but I struggle with the $29.99 pricetag. Granted that is only $5 more than the current Steam price. I don't need to read the reviews, just need to debate if there is enough game there for me to justify the price. I like the concept but turn-based strategy can be hit-and-miss.

About time! I never will understand the hold ups we have here with our vc, but at least we finally got this one.

Ah man. Wish I had money so I could snap up Zero Mission and Sonic and Sega All-Stars Racing Transformed. Dang...

For those buying Wiked Monster Blast! HD Plus , player 1 has to use the Game Pad. What's irritating is they did an update which didn't fix the issue. I have complained about it on Miiverse: https://miiverse.nintendo.net/posts/AYQHAAABAACXVHhohsowqQ

Zero Mission, definitely. Does anyone know what the actual discount price for Sonic All-Stars Racing is? I saw it used yesterday but passed it up. Curious to know.

@Xenocity Quite a few, actually.

I'm wondering whether or not to buy Zero Mission because, by the time it finally came over here, I got a Retron 5 that I can pop the original cartridge into.

Still one VC per week again, how are we ever going to catch up with EU at this rate?

@Slim1999 actually you would be the troll here

@Slim1999
Nothing I said was trolling.
Zero mission is the lowest rated 2D Metroid game, since Metacritic and Gamerankings began.
It is also one of the 3 lowest rated Metroid titles in existence.

Also the game is also controversial for the lack of new content and being too short to warrant the price (Especially at $35 at the launch on GBA) and even too expensive for most at $10 on the VC.

For anyone wondering about Sonic and AllStars Racing Transformed it's actually a really good game (on Wii U that is, not so much on the 3DS I hear). Totally worth adding to your Wii U collection IMO ... but depending on the eShop sale price, you might be able to find a used disc for less.

WOW NOA, WHERE IS CORY IN THE HOUSE DS????

Such a travesty this is, there is nothing on the eShop at all..

So it just dawned on me - I can be a little slow at times - Metroid: Zero Mission is Metroid, but it isn't, does that make Starfox: Zero the Zero Mission of Starfox 64, it is, but it isn't? Maybe if they had named it Starfox: Zero Mission and promoted it that way people would have been less annoyed by the graphics looking like an N64 game w/ the bare minimum HD polish?

I suppose everybody else already knew this, but I thought SFZ was an entirely new game that just happened to look like an N64 game. This "Zero Mission" stuff would explain a lot. I always thought the "Zero" in the name was like RE:Z, which was an entirely new game sequel for RE.

Too many zeroes for my mind to process properly I guess. Unless this was intentional by Nintendo to confuse us? hmmm...

@Slim1999 please stop using "retarded" in that context. It's offensive to me and many others.

With Xenoblade X who's got time for Zero Mission? Or any other game for that matter!

I just replayed ZM recently anyway so pass.

I'm still amazed at the rate Nintendo is trickling in VC games.

@rjejr
M: Zero Mission is a full fledged remake of Metroid (NES) with an added area at the end you have to complete.

Star Fox: Zero is essentially a reboot of the Star Fox Universe, while having no relations to any of the other Star Fox games.

Lord Almighty, another outstanding release from TreeFall Studios...

@Xenocity you don't read the weekly rants here much do you

Getting Lionel something-or-other.

Maybe some day we'll see Metroid: Zero Mission on the 3ds...

I am so happy this week with Zero Mission finally out. I was recently replaying the NES original and it just made me want it even more.
Can't wait to dig back into this. I remember getting rid of my GBA back in the day along with Circle of the Moon and thinking I'd never play them again. It was a sad day.....until now.

I'm still in a Xenoblade haze. I'm still going to download it zero. It's a good game. I think it improved on the original.

Nothing for me since next week I plan on picking up Stella Glow, Hatsune Miku and Little Battlers eXperience

I get sorta annoyed by Indies coming to consoles months or years late at the previous full launch price, if not more than other platforms. Space Hulk was really cheap a couple weeks ago on Steam, but here we are with $30. At least offer launch discounts or something

@rjejr It seems to be an established method within Japanese media to name prequels Title: Zero. Metroid: Zero Mission was a retelling of the original Metroid with additional details we previously didn't know. Resident Evil Zero was the story that took place leading up to the events of the first game and explained how certain people got to the mansion before you. Fairy Tail Zero tells how the Fairy Tail Guild was founded.

Along those lines, I would gather that Star Fox: Zero would retell the story of Star Fox with additional details. But then Star Fox and Star Fox 64 have more or less told the same story already. I hope they have pulled a fast on on everyone and it will actually be the story of Fox McCloud's father.

Sonic Racing Transformed is amaaaaaaaaazing! It's at least as good as MK8, and depending on your tastes, you might even find it better.

Only Zero Mission for me this time. Was hoping we'd get a demo for FF:Explorers.

Glad to see Zero Mission on here for those who have been wanting it. Still sad that we don't have Xenoblade Chronicles on Wii VC...

@rjejr I'm not stoked abou SFZ's graphics, but have you played a N64 game recently? Graphics were far, far worse in that platform, filled with ugly protruding polygons. I'd say SFZ is closer to a Wii title with an HD sheen.

@Xenocity I see scores of 89 & 90 - and all positive reviews. To criticize such might be why others accuse you of trolling.

@Xenocity
Except that zero mission is probably the most requested vc game every week on nl's us nintendo update.

Doesn't matter about score and critical acclaim, europe and japan have had it forever, and every other metroid game aside from hunters and pinball are available on the VC. Just to complete the collection on your wiiU makes it worthwhile.

First week I've gotten to check something besides "Nothing for me" in literal months. Zero Mission ahoy! That's the one game I wanted when they announced GBA support for Wii U and it's finally here!

Nothing for me this week although I'm glad people in NA can now play Metroid: Zero Mission.

I'll be looking forward to the Space Hulk review to learn more about the game.

Will definitely try that demo of The Keep. Not sure if it's my thing exactly, but that's why demos exist!

City Builder is also on my radar. Might hold out for some reviews/until I finish some of the games I have already!

@TreesenHauser On the Canadian eshop,Sonic Racing went from $29 to $19.

@Slim1999 I'm not bothered by people here not knowing trends or demands for releases , I am bothered by someone attacking an I individual for having an opinion. Please try and think about a nicer way to communicate your issues, if your a regular here you should notice comments as aggressive as yours are really rare!

@Deadzero3
Nope, I don't follow e-rants or rants of any sort.

Finally, a good VC week.

@TG1
89 and 90 aren't considered good under the review standard that developed at the beginning of last gen.
Most gamers in the West normally skip games that score less than 95 and typical refuse to play games that score 90 or less because they are viewed as average or crap.
NPD has repeated shown how badly 90 or less kills sales of games.

I love how none of you ever buy anything on the eshop. Unless some old derelict of a game comes out no one here cares about anything.
Space Hulk........30 dollars!!!! Hopefully it gets a good review to save sales.

I am getting the cheap games for sure. Space Hulk when it crashes to five bucks.

I'm happy that Metroid is out for the people that want it, but it's just not my cup of tea. I personally find Metroid to be aggravating and confusing and haven't played a single one that I've liked. So nothing for me this week, but I am glad that something that has been requested forever by the fans is out.

@Xenocity Umm... I'm not sure of your game quality standards, but this old-schooler who started in the Atari 2600 era thinks that statement does not matter to the gaming community. Sales are not the only factor in what is a quality game — a lot of the retro games that pop up (M:ZM included) tend to have a better 2nd (or 3rd, or 4th) life beyond its original release.

Also, I do have the original GBA cart (bought it when it was new),and consider it a gem in my gaming collection.

This is a very happy day!

@Xenocity As a gamer since the ViC-20, the idea that anything below 95% (seriously? 95?) is 'terrible' is terrible. People actually think this way??? In my day, 50 was considered average, above average was 70, 80 was great, and awesome games were 90, and I still go by it now.

@spurgeonryan Don't lump me in with those guys. I buy lots of Eshop-only games. I DID say I'm getting Lionel City Builder.

Woo-hoo! Metroid! First time in a long time that I selected something other than "Nothing for me this week."

Eshop. Metroid Zero Mission. Click purchase. Play. Was it that hard, Nintendo? I'm glad to finally get it. Seriously, just release the games. Customers shouldn't have to beg.

EDIT: Just to make myself clear. I'm happy and I'm buying it. I'm expressing the feeling of inviting your best friend to a party, and he shows up months late at your door with booze and balloons. It was a swim party, and he brought his swim trunks. However, its eh... Winter time now.

@Xenocity By all means continue to think what you want, no matter how much of an outlier your opinion is. Do realize however that your opinions are in serious conflict with both of the sources you cited.

Stating that a 90 is viewed as "average or crap" is an ignorant comment, demonstrably untrue.

Oh hah, I played Slice It ages ago on my phone. It's good.

Though it was free to download.

Nothing for me this week, although I'm glad to see Zero Mission is finally out. In addition to a 206 game backlog, I have a working copy of the game that I could play on a GBA or a Retron 5 on the same tv that is hooked up to my WiiU. Also, to be honest I prefer most of the other 2D Metriods to Zero Mission anyway. Still, more classics on VC is never a bad thing.

Nothing for me this week, The only metroid games that I like are the prime series and other M.

Also sonic all stars racing transformed for the Wii U is a really good game, I just wish it had more people racing online.

I've never experience the original Metroid in it's entirety and the same with Zero Mission, so this will be a blast!

Super Mario Bros 3: Zero Mission finally here, on my birthday. I will probably pass on that but I will get Race the Sun.

Yay, more garbage!

@joey302 Welp, we only got one. No laughing for me.

Where is Xenoblade Chronicles for gods sake?

Zero Mission is one of my favorite handheld games of all time. Along with KI:Uprising, WarioWare, Inc., Bangai-O Spirits, A Link Between Worlds, Advance Wars, Pokemon HG/SS, etc.

Everyone should play it.

@IceClimbers lol and next week will be the same....dude they only lumped those 3 Nes light gun games together last week cause they don't have much longevity as individual games. It's just terrible. And if you just happen to NOT be into Metroid your outta luck cause that's your only choice. Oh what the VC service could be....

@ACK

Says the guy with the Mother Brain avatar... Though I agree. Zero Mission is exhilirating. I instantly bought it and started playing. My only complaint about the game is that they might have made it a little too tight.

yawn

Zero Mission for 3DS would have been nice.

@VR32F1END Mother Brain? That's...erm.. Me sitting at my desk, looking dapper.

Seriously, though. What if I told you I only like Metroid Fusion, does that validate my opinion. Then again, I also like Other M... Anyway, the Mother Brain battles in Metroid and Super were two of my most memorable videogame memories as a child. And Super Metroid was my sole favorite videogame for much of my video gaming life (followed by fare such as Zelda: LttP, Chrono Trigger, Super Mario World, Contra, Earthbound, The Guardian Legend, Super Bomberman, M.U.S.H.A, Mega Man X, TMNT Arcade Attack, Ducktales (1st game ever beaten on my own), etc...).

So maybe my opinion is skewed, but Super Metroid was just that incredible in the mid -90s and Zero Mission is an excellent remake of the original to bring it up to (and above) par. Super Metroid is one of the best games ever made, but Zero Mission is the Metroid is that everyone should play.

EDIT: Recalled a few mid-90s childhood faves.

@spurgeonryan Spurge! What are you doing here!?

@Tasuki It's not even as good as it's prequel (which had better pure racing and tracks, with awesome shortcuts, btw). I cringe every time someone mentions Transformed in that same breath as the great arcade racers.

As someone who mastered the time trials in both Sonic All Stars Racing and Transformed... The latter just seems a mess. Poor track layout, subpar mechanics, stupid clunky weapons, terrible flying and boating that adds nothing but spectacle... It had been a long time since I had played a game with such obtuse track designs where I would wonder which curve I was approaching even after re-playing a track for an hour straight. Besides, how anyone can whine about something like the Blue Shell and defend the Star power in Transformed is beyond me. Not that I would bother to whine about either, but the Star Power is just a dumb mechanic.

EDIT: I forgot to make mention of the horrible mission mode, which features some of the mind-numbingly dull challenges executed with as little flair as I can imagine. Many people point this out as a testament to its features and content, but for me going through those missions to unlock characters and such was borderline torture. Just bad game design all around.

Nothing for me again Nintendo we want more 3ds

@ACK

Its clear you love Metroid. I love Metroid too. I was just picking on ya. Lol!

I love me some Warhammer so I'll be looking at Space Hulk to see how it stacks up to the PC version.

@TheBigK Zero mission pretty much made it as newbie friendly as possible. I suggest giving it a shot.

Zero Mission yes! Love seeing the Metroid love.

@Xenocity "while having no relations to any of the other Star Fox games."

Well I don't think we'll know that until we see a lot more of the game. How many missions have we seen so far, half a dozen? Yes, chicken and transforming car are new, but there could still be a lot of overlap.

Thanks for the feedback.

@Darknyht Thanks. Checked on Wiki, didn't realize SF64 was already a rehash of SF, though I did know SF643D was a rehash of SF64. Maybe they should have called this one SF128?

@ricklongo Well it doesn't look exaclty like an N64 title obvisouly, but the spaceship design and coloring adn overall "look" looks mor elike an N64 game then say an X-Wing in SW Battlefront. Heck even some of the ships in Super Mario Galaxy look shinier. It's just a very empty world. Watch SFZ and watch a skell flying over Mira in XCX. When you compare SFZ to XCX SFZ looks like an N64 game. Not EXACTLY like an N64 game, but comparatively. It's the 3rd year of Wii U, spaceship graphics on it should be impressive, not passable. SFZ is nowhere near what Wii U is capable of, XCX proved that. Even 3rd party Skyladners has better flying parts.

...And EU gets Super Mario RPG...

Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

space hulk? wasnt that a sega saturn/PSOne/ 3DO game?

shame, theres not much again

nintendo! stop putting out crap!

Well, can't wait to play Zero Mission again for the first time in over 10 years.

Also, I didn't realize Wii U had so many GBA games until I looked at eShop earlier today. There are some great games I missed because I stopped playing the handheld after a year or two of owning it.

@RoboBubble agreed on Sonc & All Stars Racing. Recently double dipped and got it on my Vita. Love that game...

Hmm... not a lot of love for Warhammer here? Space Hulk is supposed to be a pretty good game.

@Mr-X9000 It was originally a board game. This version is based on the recent PC iteration. There may have been an older version of it since the board game came out in '89, but this ain't it. It reminds me more of the Mystery Dungeon games actually.

Zero Mission is my favorite 2D Metroid. Super and Fusion are almost equally great but I find ZM the best experience overall.
It is easily my favorite Metroid to speed run.

@Jayvir I'm suggesting Sticker shock.

@Stu13 please do not praise reggie took them forever to get this metroid game to us!

@Don they never will bro.....ever

Can you guys please include any sales in the 'temporary discounts' section of the list, or at the very least make the link to the separate article MUCH HIGHER and MUCH more visible? I almost missed the fact there was a sale because I've had expectations set in the past to find them in the list. Thank you.

The 3DS weekly download has become a joke.

Downloading this game sometime today never got a chance to play this metroid game. I have fusion and super. Looking forward to playing this!!!

@Xenocity Haha what? Are you trolling? I have never heard of anyone skipping a game just because it got less than a 95 (most games never score that high) or below 90. Myself, I don't even start to worry until the number is in the 70s and even then the game is usually still acceptable. It's when it hits the 60s that I won't touch it. Yet even then I have a few games that are in the red on Metacritic, like Funky Barn, which reviewed poorly because of its initial price on the Wii U but is actually a decent game if you can get it for less than $10, which I did. I think most people do things like that - look at WHY a game scored how it did, and then consider if it is for them or not!

@Spoony_Tech I'm torn, and maybe a little spoiled. Space Hulk is basically on a discount here, considering it costs about $40 to get it for PS3 or Vita. However, it's only $25 on Steam... And $5 on iOS.

@justinr No kidding, I don't get why this couldn't be a 3DS download. It makes no sense to me that they refuse to put bestselling portable titles on the PORTABLE platform.

An American release of Slice It.

Nice.

finally zero mission is out so i dont have to read people on here crying for it.
so for that "thank you nintendo"