It's that time once again, dear readers, for the North American Nintendo Download Update details. This week brings a high-profile retail release on 3DS, an episodic Minecraft experience, some tempting Virtual Console arrivals and other offerings that include demos and discounts. Let's get to the details, shall we?
Missed the European Nintendo Download Update details earlier in the week? Don't sweat it, the information is right here.
Wii U eShop
Minecraft: Story Mode - Episode One: The Order of the Stone (Telltale Games, $4.99 for one episode or $19.99 for all five episodes when available) - A relatively rare example of an episodic release on the eShop, with the option to buy one episode or commit to all five (due in the 'coming weeks) for a bulk discount. This takes the famous sandbox game and translates its world into a structured story, with the Wii U version featuring off-TV play and touch screen controls. We'll build up to a review soon.
SKEASY (RCMADIAX, $1.49) - The caps lock-loving eShop developer returns with another score chasing game, which appears to once again place the focus on quickfire arcade fun. This time around you're trying to get a triangle as far down a snowy slope as possible before hitting the trees; we'll see whether this is an enjoyable diversion or whether it leaves us cold in a review.
Wii U Virtual Console
Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure (Capcom, $19.99) - A quirky point-and-click adventure with a sharp script, this uses the Wii Remote in various clever ways; it was very much a concept title for the system when originally released. We loved it in our original Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure review.
Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 (Nintendo, $7.99). As the confusing name states this is the Game Boy Advance port / remaster of the third NES entry in the series. In addition to the '16-bit' look for the 8-bit classic this also includes extra stages that were originally accessed with e-Reader cards; we'll hop into a review soon.
Wii U Retail Download
Brunswick Pro Bowling (FarSight Studios, $39.99)
Wii U eShop Temporary Discounts
Adventure Time: Finn and Jack Investigations (Little Orbit, on discount until 12th February)
Barbie and Her Sisters Puppy Rescue (Little Orbit, on discount until 12th February)
Super Toy Cars (Eclipse Games, $3.99 until 28th January, normally $7.99)
The Quiet Collection (Nostatic Games, $3.99 until 1st February, normally $4.99)
Toon Tanks (Petite Games, $1.59 until 4th February, normally $1.99)
Fit Music for Wii U (O2 Games, on discount until 22nd February)
Luv Me Buddies Wonderland (O2 Games, on discount until 22nd February)
Wii U eShop Demos
A World of Keflings (NinjaBee, free)
Cube Life: Island Survival (Cypronia, free)
3DS eShop
Pet Inn 3D (Neopica, $19.99) - When do we hit the stage where we have too many pet sims on the 3DS eShop? Neopica is keen to test the boundaries with yet another release in the genre, this time putting us in charge of a "hotel for cats and dogs", with the usual minigame shenanigans to be included. We'll book in for a stay and let you know what we think.
3DS Retail Download
Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam (Nintendo, $39.99) - This is the second Mario & Luigi title on the 3DS, with AlphaDream introducing Paper Mario and chums this time around. This utilises amiibo and follows the series template quite closely, earning an 8/10 in our review and the following comments: "Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam Bros. totally succeeds as an accessible, entertaining and lengthy crossover for fans and newcomers alike." Available from 9pm Pacific on 21st January.
3DS eShop Temporary Discounts
Etrian Odyssey 2 Untold: The Fafnir Knight (Atlus, on discount until 1st February)
Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl (Atlus, on discount until 1st February)
Adventure Time: Finn and Jack Investigations (Little Orbit, on discount until 12th February)
Barbie and Her Sisters Puppy Rescue (Little Orbit, on discount until 12th February)
Luv Me Buddies Wonderland (O2 Games, $12.90 until 11th February, normally $24.90)
3DS HOME Themes
SEGA SG-1000
Animal Crossing: Winter Frolicking
Don't forget that Nintendo is also running the second week of its 'Winter Warm-Up Sale'; you can see those 17 discounts right here.
That's the lot for this week's update in North America; let us know what you plan to download in the poll and comments below.
Comments 99
WHERE IS THE DREAMCAST THEME OH MY GOD
Super Mario 3 Advance for me ☺
Man, I cannot remember the last time I bought something off the Eshop.
Paper Jam for me, I just recently best Bowsers Inside Story and I hope to play Superstar Saga as well. I must say I'm a bit surprised more haven't voted for Paper Jam but maybe it's not as popular as I would have thought.. Especially with Final Fantasy Explorers coming out Tuesday the 26th. Can't wait for next Month. The Releases are gonna be crazy with Fire Emblem, SoS: Return to Popolocrois, Project X Zone 2, Mega Man Legacy Collection and the original Pokemon Games.. This 3DS drout ends tomorrow!
Great, we are getting Zack and Wiki. Definitely getting it, always was curious and physical media is super expensive for that nowadays.
I finally get to try out the courses that were unlocked with the 3rd and 4th e-Card bundles! They never made it to the U.S.
I will got those two 3ds home themes as well as SMA4. Really stoked about the Mario game because I've never played that version of SMB3!
Glad to see Zack and Wiki made it. I wouldn't mind giving Cube Life a try.
M&L Paper Jam retail. Amazon has it for 31.99 for Prime preorders.
There is one thing that has looked way off to me with this game though...two Marios, two Bowsers, two Peachs, two Kameks, two Bowser Jrs....but one Luigi.... is he still chillin in the Waffle Kingdom or something??
Nothing for me, as I'm living in temporary housing for at least 6 months or so while my house gets rebuilt, & there is no internet here. Maybe I'll just have to include hotspot service on my phone.
Pretty busy week for mid-January.
And not 1 but 2 Wii U demos? Of games I've even read about? That's remarkable.
Does this list include the Nintendo Winter Warm-up Sale games?
http://www.nintendo.com/eshop/offers
Nothing for me this week. I'm working on my backlog until Twilight Princess HD comes out.
Super Mario Advance 4, but only for the e-reader levels
Already got Paper Jam prepurchsed and preloaded.
I may get Minecraft Story Mode.
Well, I will be picking up the World of Keflings demo to see what the differences between the 360 version and this one is. I have been tempted before, but I rarely double-dip on games (unless they come at Humble Bumble Pricing).
That said, I am at least tempted to buy the GBA version of SMB3 for the bonus levels and the ability to save progress without save states. I would like to get a better feel of SMB3's design (especially the more advanced stages) since that has become my favorite version to build for in SMM.
Also a little torn on Minecraft: Story Mode. I have heard good things about TellTales' series and this is the first that somewhat interests me setting wise.
@ikki5 well they are having a sale today but you won't buy any of that right.
Where is @waveboy to give zac&wiki its deserved love...
never herd of Zack & Wiki until it was announced for Wii U Eshop in EU. (and now that it's out in NA, might give it a try)
oh and Super Mario Advance 4
I be waiting until the rest of my games been played.
NoA won this week, but NoE will win next week again (I hope)
Does anyone here know if there are any pre-order bonuses for pre ordering Mario & Luigi Paper Jam on the 3DS Eshop?
Even a free Home Menu Theme?
Those staff at NOA must really love GBA games, NA get GBA VC games most weeks recently. We haaven't had a SNES or DS VC game in ages.
I wonder if the Japan only levels will be included with the e-Reader levels?
Super Mario Advance 4 and the SG-1000 theme. Gotta complete my Sega home theme collection after all.
Wow. Unexpectedly big week for the eShop!
I'll be getting SMA4, Brunswick Pro Bowling and the Sega and Animal Crossing themes!
@faint you're sick of the complaining too, right? 😉
Try out Zack and Wiki if you've never played it, genuinely great game!
I always thought the Keflings game looked interesting, so I'll definitely get the demo for that. Other than that, I'm just watching for what the next round of the winter sale will hold.
I tried the demo of that Minecraft: Story Mode 'game' on Xbox. Do yourself a favour, don't bother.
Zack and Wiki if they fix the motion control parts (mainly sword fighting).
Downloaded LBX yesterday before the 1st Winter sale was over. Can't wait to see what this week sale have in store.
@ultraraichu Yep, that exactly. If the game is identical to the original release I wouldn't touch it. Not being able to finish the game due to broken sword fighting was very frustrating/disappointing for what was otherwise a great game.
Nothing for me this week. I'd be interested in Super Mario Advance 4 if I didn't already have its NES cousin on my 3DS. I'm trying to work through some of my backlog before TP HD and Fire Emblem Fates hit.
And again the Wii U continues to sit unused. Come on Nintendo don't you like my money? Instead of release some good VC games I have to go out and hunt down old cartridges. And you wonder why people result to others less wholesome means of playing old Nintendo games.
@Trinexx This version of Super Mario Advance 4 has a bunch of exclusive levels not in SMB3.
I'm really tempted to get SMA4:SMB3 just for the e-Reader levels. However, I might pass, if a. the levels included are only the ones that were available here in America, &/or b. the levels we didn't get can be 100% recreated in Super Mario Maker. Otherwise, thank God I make only 1 e-Shop purchase per week, as I usually have money left over for the following week. Then, if nothing of interest to me, comes out that Thursday, I get something off the shop I actually do want, or I just save my funds. Also, gonna look into the discounts for today.
Edit: I'm impressed Nintendo included the e-Reader levels. On the other hand, maybe I shouldn't be; I was always of the impression that the levels were not on the cart eeprom, but were saved in post level card scanning. Maybe they were already on the cart, or maybe NoA did actually take the time to add them in, to the rom?
Edit #2: I also seem to recall, when a level card was scanned, you had to beat the level to save it. I don't remember. I'll have to maybe try it on my physical copy of the game.
@Grumblevolcano: That's true. What'll likely happen is that I'll pick it up at some point (visually it's closer to the All-Stars remake that I was used to playing as a kid), just not anytime soon.
@LADDLY don't forget- this is for DOWNLOAD. I myself am definitely getting Paper Jam but physical. I am so for digital releases but with 20% off on Amazon it's really hard to say no anymore....
@Robo-Knight not that I am aware of. Only preorder bonus I heard of for this game was at GameStop which gets you these paper statue things. Pretty cool looking but Amazon has the game for 20% off so I had to take that deal instead. Sucks because I would have loved those paper statues for my desk at work
@Capt_N Looking back, the e-reader seems to be a predecessor to amiibo where SMA4's e-reader levels are the GBA's equivalent of Splatoon's amiibo challenges (sure the Splatoon ones are the same levels but it's different because the different weapon changes how you must approach the level).
@Tasuki Heh, which VC releases are you itching to get on this little machine if I don't mind asking?
Please don't say Mario RPG. JK.
@UboaNoticedYou
I definitely agree that we need a system of the gaming master race, but it is pretty cool to see the SG-1000 getting some love on the North American eShop since we never got the console 30+ years ago.
@MJKOP Count me in for the list of people tired of all the complaining recently on this site. It's constantly getting worse too.
@UboaNoticedYou http://nintendoeverything.com/all-of-the-sega-hardware-3ds-themes-will-be-released-in-the-west/ Apparently it's coming next. I've been impatiently waiting as well. That'll be an insta-buy for me.
NoA's had two good weeks in a row for VC. I'm impressed actually. Zero Mission was a "Finally" moment, but SMA4 was unexpected. Good on them. There's still a backlog, but I won't insult a great release with intriguing extras.
That said, I may be in the US, but I do hope Europe does get all the Mario Advance games. Those are an even odder omission than some of the NA eShop stuff is.
@MJKOP yup. Not the general complaining but the posters who complain on nearly every article for months at a time is super old. General complaining is good for dialog but some users here have become really obnoxious
@Capt_N I seem to recall that most of them were recreated in Super Mario Maker (http://imgur.com/a/QCiwN), but there are a few that could not be due to missing some of the needed items or abilities. It also appears that some of them are in NSMB format instead of SMB3.
I'll be interested to see what is included in the eShop sales this week. I picked up Injustice last week (and sort of regret it, the controls never seem to work as well as Capcom's for me) at a great price. I really hope this is a sign of a change of things.
I want to wait until there's a review before I pick up that Brunswick Pro Bowling.
Zack & Wiki was an awesome Wii game. If you haven't played it yet, don't pass up this opportunity!
Gonna grab that SG-1000 theme because I love my gaming hardware to be publisher ambiguous.
And I love SEGA, nuff said.
With the work they did on this and the Pokemon games I'm hoping there will be more Virtual Console releases that find ways to emulate the original hardware. Being able to do multiplayer and unlock content that required certain accessories would make those ports much more enjoyable.
I just wonder if SMA4:SMB3 is going to get a discount at some point. I really want to play those e-reader levels, but no point in paying full price if I won't have time to play it now anyway.
@faint I totally agree. Complaining can be constructive, but there are a few people here who do nothing but complain. Literally every post. I'm all for not being a bunch of "sheep", and I have leveled criticism at Nintendo as well at times, but come on. Makes one wonder why they even put forth the effort to visit a Nintendo fan site.
@Jimmy_G_Buckets 👍
Why do people care so much about the e reader levels? Super Mario Maker solves that issue.
Nothing for me; I can't get excited over another Mario and Luigi game having outright hated the other three, and the last Paper Mario is one of the lesser 3DS titles too - the temporary discounts including the "jumpin fun" eshop sales are not particularly enthusing either.
I don't know if 3DS owners are just going to have to bide time until the next handheld if they want anything other than RPGs (I enjoy a good number of non-SRPGs, but a change of pace would be nice?) but there's not all that much left out there
@faint bingo 👍
The SG-1000? That's awesome. I may buy that just because I'm impressed that is even a thing.
Does anyone know if SMA 4 includes the other e-reader features? Being able to pluck and throw turnips, use the cape from SMW, boomerang, etc?
@ericwithcheese2 Hear hear.
Is NA going to get the Final Fantasy Explorers pre-load or theme?
Yeah, the two VC games weren't released today...
So it was a no new VC week?
So the re-release of "Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure", in which Nintendo put exactly 0 additional work, costs just as much as the re-master of "Resident Evil 0", which got upgrades for it's visuals and audio, plus additional control schemes and an additional bonus mode ...
Nintendo should really not fall behind Capcom of all things Oo I mean up-rezzed PS2 games, with additional trophy support on PS4 are $15 at best, and they still offer better value than this. I wonder if Nintendo will ever again become competitive outside of their core market :-/
@Ralek85 I just picked up RE0. Great game for the price.
@ericwithcheese2
Yet more posts complaining about complaining.
I'm waiting on Paper Jam til I see some player reviews, then if interested will go physical.
Getting my brother Minecraft Wii U today so he'll like that I know people say not to bother but I'm 16 and I've enjoyed this game I've even out the first episode of me playing it on my YouTube channel
Was hoping for Mario Kart 64 or Wave Race 64, but this is still a great week. Let's hope Nintendo keeps it up!
Speaking of Mario Kart 64, can anyone in Europe check and see if you can save your ghost data this time around?
Just realised this is the north american download list but pretty sure it came out over here in the UK so sorry for voting haha
Woot! Z&W! Now I don't have to go find that disk with a crusty box used at some icky store
Anyone want some sales numbers for France and Germany?
can anyone in Europe check and see if you can save your ghost data this time around?
The controller pak is still not detected it says.
No 3DS VC huh? Outrageous. Truly, truly, truly outrageous.
I pre-ordered Paper Jam physically; looking forward to playing it!
Minecraft Story Mode for me!
I have to say, Zack and Wiki is an awesome game and is probably one of the most underrated titles in my Wii collection.
That said, its not without its faults. While most of the challenge lies in the puzzles, some of the timings in the later levels are devilishly tricky. With that in mind, stay away from online guides, they'll ruin the experience for you.
I hope the items e-reader cards are a feature too. They will come in handy going against Kootie Pie O and Hip Koopa and navigating the Doomships of Bully and Kooky Von Koopa.
No 3DS VC huh? Outrageous. Truly, truly, truly outrageous.
Did you really expect there to be any? Pokemon will be the last VC game the 3DS will ever get.
Kootie Pie O and Hip Koopa and navigating the Doomships of Bully and Kooky Von Koopa.
They're only called by those names in the cartoon. They have different names in the games.
If you don't buy Zack & Wiki you have no soul and should banished to playing Nester's Funky Bowling on the Virtual Boy until the end of time. Have a good day.
I already have it on disc for a quarter of the cost to download it on Wii U.
The 3ds winter sales are just okay. Wish I would have bought LBX or Star Fox last week. I was holding out thinking we might get something better this week. Oh well. I'm sure there will be something good next week.
@Neko_Ichigofan You have to search for them, SMA4 was definitely there as a 3 hour GameXplain stream happened for the e-reader levels.
Maybe when America gets Mario Kart 64 they'll have included the track music by then. Am I the only European native noticing it's not there?
@faint was tempted with rayman legends... but I can get that for like $15 on my PS3 so.... yeah.
@ikki5 should've capitalized on that Capcom sale bro when it was 13 dollars. Give the pusi b0ss
Pressing the L button turns the music off. Press it again to turn it back on.
I will download Zack & Wiki and keep my factory sealed Wii retail copy in the vault!😜
@DJ_Siniestro heard it was decent but jeez 40 bucks??
@Jimmy_G_Buckets the complaining wouldn't be happening if the NOA Thursday updates were better bro! Cmon Nintendo has been tanking with the Wii u vc since it started! It's downright mind boggling 😞
I'm having some trouble accessing the e-reader levels on SMB Advance 4. Is there an online guide? I've bought this title so many times at this point, but I still love it. NES cart, GBA cart, SNES SMB All-Stars cart, NES VC, 3DS VC, now this
Zack and Wiki is a gem.
Zack and Wiki is a no go for me since you can get a physical copy for way cheaper. Also I see that NOA is keeping up there usual trend with releasing 1 GBA VC yet again on the eshop don't they know how to release games that came out on there other systems like the snes or n64?
Also Nothing for me this week yet again.
Why is it always "this week"? I mean, it's ok I guess, but like, I want to get Zack & Wiki eventually, but not now.
@HexNash Cool! Thanks!
Zack & Wiki is great, I got it really cheap used, but the save system is horrendous. It is so bad, and so punishing, that I couldn't play the game anymore. Replaying the same puzzle multiple times got old, and I dropped it, despite really enjoying it.
Do Wii VC games have save states? That would fix this games biggest problem.
Honestly I wish we got MK64 instead of Zack &wiki and SMA: SMB3. Europe's getting all the VC I want!
@DoctorOverbuild : my kids (7 yrs old) were glued to Minecraft Story Mode (1st installment) yesterday. Very playable for them and seemed pretty well done. Glad the Wii U got a copy of this title.
Going to grab SMA4, as that's the only SMA game I need to re-obtain on Virtual Console. And I never had an e-Reader, so that's a little something extra to look forward to. Also have Paper Jam pre-ordered, so I'll pick that up today (and pre-order a Roy figure while I'm at it).
List of games I would like to see get released on the Wii U VC but will probably never happen.
SNES
Joe & Mac
Joe & Mac 2: Lost in the Tropics
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
Super Mario All-Stars
Star Fox
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time
NES
Contra
R.C. Pro-Am
Chip 'N Dale: Rescue Rangers
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Tiny Toon Adventures
N64
Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
I always wanted to try Zack & Wiki since I like point-and-clicks. I heard it was a great game, it's just that the theme just didn't really grab me since I like darker point-and-clicks.
Games I hope are on the eshop in North America soon
Mario Kart 64
Pokemon Snap
Super Smash Bros.
The Legend of Zelda: Majoras Mask
Wave Race 64
Star Fox 64
F-Zero X
Pokemon Puzzle League
Animal Crossing Wild World
Super Mario 64 DS
Super Mario RPG
@joey302 The review for Brunswick Pro Bowling just came up. They gave it 2/10. A tough sell for $40 indeed.
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