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It's that time again, dear readers, for the North American Nintendo Download Update. This week brings three high profile retail titles (well, one is on both platforms), an intriguing and shadowy Wii U release along with some other interesting download-only arrivals on both systems. Throw in some discounts and a new DSiWare game (yes, really!) and you have plenty to consider. Let's get to it.

Missed the European Nintendo Download Update earlier in the week? No need to shed a tear, the details are still waiting for you right here.

Wii U eShop

Shadow Puppeteer (Sarepta Studio, $14.99) - This is a platform puzzler designed for intricate solo play or co-op, as both a boy (in a 3D environment) and his shadow (limited to left / right movement) both navigate tricky puzzle areas. With a charming aesthetic and soundtrack this certainly aims to immerse players; we gave this a modest recommendation in our Shadow Puppeteer review.

Level 22 (Moving Player, $6.99) - This seems like a quirky title, as you play a worker that's a bit rough after a night out but needs to get to his work desk on time to avoid getting the sack. You manoeuvre 22 floors of a building, while avoiding being seen, all the while experiencing a "zany little universe". We'll try to take it easy tonight before getting started on a review.

Joe's Diner (Joindots, $7.99) - A first-person game with a slightly odd premise; you work 30 night shifts at a remote diner, while your activities somehow influence two feuding dead chieftains that you must help put to rest. Based on screenshots it looks like you complete busy work to maintain the diner, but we'll see how this stacks up in a review.

Mini-Games Madness Volume: #1 - Hello World! (Skunk Software, $4.99) - We have another development newcomer on the eShop, in this case serving up a collection of four minigames: Mini-Farmer, Eels and Ladders, Copter, and Cave Run. They seem to offer a fairly diverse range of play styles, and we'll see whether this is an entertaining compilation or otherwise in our review.

Wii U Virtual Console

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance (Square Enix, $7.99) - A relatively early spin-off in the Final Fantasy franchise for the Game Boy Advance, for which Square and Nintendo co-operated. As the title suggests this is a tactical RPG - a popular one, at that - and we'll figure out a battle plan for a review.

Wii U Retail Download

LEGO Marvel's Avengers (Warner Bros., $49.99) - This one's going to cover six films in total - Avengers (which was called Avengers Assemble in the UK to avoid confusion with the cult TV show of the same name), Avengers: Age of Ultron, Captain America: The First Avenger, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Thor: The Dark World and Iron Man 3. The Wii U version will serve up HD visuals and co-op, and we'll assemble for a review.

Wii U eShop Temporary Discounts

TNT Racers - Nitro Machines Edition (Keen Games, $4.99 until 11th February, normally $7.99)

99Moves (EnjoyUp Games, on discount until 25th February)

3DS eShop

RV-7 My Drone (EnjoyUp Games, $1.99) - One of the eShop's most prolific publishers has wasted little time in getting its 2016 underway, in this case adopting the popularity and trend of drones for its latest budget release. We considered this to be average in our RV-7 My Drone review.

3DS Retail Downloads

Final Fantasy Explorers (Square Enix, $39.99) - This spin-off arrival on the 3DS includes a number of legends from the franchises' history, as you tackle the adventure alone or in co-op with others. The focus is very much on basic exploration and combat, it seems, with some aspects of this one trying to tap into the Monster Hunter craze. We gave this a recommendation in our Final Fantasy Explorers review.

LEGO Marvel's Avengers (Warner Bros., $29.99) - The portable version of this latest LEGO title; a review is on the way.

Hello Kitty's Magic Apron (Bergsala Lightweight LLC)

3DS eShop Temporary Discounts

Art of Balance TOUCH! (Shin'en Multimedia, $5.20 until 18th February, normally $6.99)

Darts Up 3D (EnjoyUp Games, on discount until 25th February)

Classic Games Overload: Card & Puzzle Edition (Telegames Inc, $14.99 until 22nd February, normally $29.99)

The Magic Hammer (Wobbly Tooth Games, $2.99 until 25th February, normally $4.99)

3DS eShop Demo

The Magic Hammer (Wobbly Tooth Games, free)

DSiWare

Crazy Train (Floor 84 Studio, 200 Nintendo Points) - Yes! DSiWare returns! What we seem to have here is a budget puzzle game in which you draw out routes to direct various trains safely to their destinations. We'll buy a ticket and hop on board for a review.


In addition Nintendo of America has confirmed the final batch of discounts - 15 in total - for its Winter Warm-Up Sale; those details can be found 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.

What will you be downloading this week?

(You can select up to 14 answers)