Pokken Tournament.jpg

With another week's beginnings we have the Nintendo Download Update details for Europe, and this time around we have a major Wii U release and a cross-buy Nindie title leading the way. There are also two classic Super NES racing games coming to the New 3DS Virtual Console, a shooter with a controversial past and more besides. Let's get to it.

Wii U eShop

Mutant Mudds Super Challenge (Renegade Kid, €9.99/ £8.99 or €8.49/ £7.64 until 16th / 17th April for those with Mutant Mudds on the same NNID or the E3 Nindies@Home demo, or free if you already own the 3DS version on the same NNID) - Following the success of the original and the 'Deluxe' versions, this follow-up in the break-out Renegade Kid series ramps up the challenge with tough level designs and bosses to tackle. Our review will be with you soon, but in the meantime you can learn more about this in our interview with the developer.

Paranautical Activity (Digerati, €9.99/ £8.99) - A game with a somewhat unique and controversial history, it features procedurally-generated levels and permadeath - two common Roguelike elements - as well as hordes of enemies and bosses to fight. Upgrades are available to make things a bit easier, and there are plenty of hidden items to seek out. We'll tackle a review soon.

Wii U Retail Download

Pokkén Tournament (Nintendo, €59.99/ £49.99) - This Bandai Namco-developed fighting game began life as an arcade in Japan, before popular demand was met and this Wii U version was announced. With some unique modes and an upcoming tilt at the competitive gaming scene this Wii U entry could be a vital release this year. Our review will be with you soon, but in the meantime you can check out our extensive preview of the game. Available from 18th March.

Wii U eShop Temporary Discounts

DuckTales: Remastered (Capcom, €5.99/ £4.79 until 31st March, normally €14.99 / £11.99)

Dungeons & Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara (Capcom, €5.24/ £4.19 until 31st March, normally €14.99 / £11.99)

Nova-111 (Curve Digital, €5.99/ £4.79 until 31st March, normally €14.99 / £11.99)

OlliOlli (Curve Digital, €3.99/ £3.19 until 31st March, normally €9.99 / £7.99)

Pumped BMX+ (Curve Digital, €3.99/ £3.19 until 31st March, normally €9.99 / £7.99)

Stealth Inc. 2: A Game of Clones (Curve Digital, €3.99/ £3.19 until 31st March, normally €9.99 / £7.99)

The Swapper (Curve Digital, €5.99/ £4.79 until 31st March, normally €14.99 / £11.99)

The Swindle (Curve Digitial, €5.99/ £4.79 until 31st March, normally €14.99 / £11.99)

Ultratron (Curve Digital, €3.99/ £3.19 until 31st March, normally €9.99 / £7.99)

Blocky Bot (Mobot Studios, €1.29/ £0.94 until 7th April, normally €2.69 / £1.89)

Paper Monsters Recut (Mobot Studios, €3.19/ £2.69 until 7th April, normally €6.49 / £5.49)

Island Flight Simulator (Joindots, €7.19/ £5.39 until 31st March, normally €7.99 / £5.99)

3DS eShop

Mutant Mudds Super Challenge (Renegade Kid, €9.99/ £8.99 or €8.49/ £7.64 until 16th April for those with Mutant Mudds on the same NNID, or free if you already own the Wii U version on the same NNID) - The same as its HD brethren, but rather than a shiny resolution it will have 3D visuals perfectly suited to the layered gameplay, and it's worth remembering that with cross-buy you can own both versions from just one purchase.

The Legend of Dark Witch 2 (CIRCLE Entertainment, €3.99) - Developed by INSIDE SYSTEM, The Legend of Dark Witch 2 features the same core action platforming gameplay as its predecessor, yet has eight stages to take on. We reckon this is a rather average follow-up in our review. Listed only in Euros, likely meaning a release in Germany, as this previously arrived in most of Europe earlier this year.

New Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console

F-Zero (Nintendo, €7.99/ £7.19 or €3.99/ £3.59 until 24th March for those who also buy Super Mario Kart on the New 3DS on the same NNID) - A classic of the Super NES era, this title was a visual revelation but also a wonderful exponent of fast futuristic racing. Though its home console successors would use technology to move on to different styles, some argue that this original 16-bit effort is as good as the franchise gets in terms of sheer racing joy and control. We certainly gave it a glowing recommendation in our most recent F-Zero review.

Super Mario Kart (Nintendo, €7.99/ £7.19 or €3.99/ £3.59 until 24th March for those who also buy F-Zero on the New 3DS on the same NNID) - Prior to the 1992 arrival of Super Mario Kart (early 1993 in Europe), the kart racing genre had little relevance in the market. As was typical of Nintendo at the time, it leveraged its IP with some terrific gameplay to establish another smash hit with this title; inevitably it would be copied by rivals in the years that followed, while Mario Kart went on to become one of the big N's most valuable franchises. Small history lesson aside, this gaming experience still stands up today.

3DS eShop Temporary Discounts

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy (Capcom, €17.99/ £14.99 until 31st March, normally €29.99 / £24.99)

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies (Capcom, €11.24/ £8.99 until 31st March, normally €24.99 / £19.99)

OlliOlli (Curve Digital, €3.99/ £3.19 until 31st March, normally €9.99 / £7.99)

Mutant Mudds (Renegade Kid, €4.49/ £4.04 until 31st March, normally €8.99 / £8.09)

Rytmik Ultimate (Cinemax, €9.99/ £8.99 until 31st March, normally €17.99 / £15.99)

Escape from Zombie City (Tom Create, €2.10/ £1.90 until 31st March, normally €2.99 / £2.69)

Ninja Battle Heroes (Tom Create, €1.39/ £1.25 until 31st March, normally €1.99 / £1.79)

Real Heroes: Firefighter 3D Download Version (Zordix AB, €4.99/ £4.49 until 24th March, normally €9.99 / £8.99)

3D Game Collection (Joindots, €4.99/ £3.59 until 31st March, normally €6.99 / £4.99)

Atlantic Quest (Joindots, €4.99/ £3.59 until 31st March, normally €6.99 / £4.99)

Secret Agent Files: Miami (Joindots, €5.99/ £4.49 until 31st March, normally €7.99 / £5.99)

3DS eShop Demo

Petit Novel Series - Harvest December (CIRCLE Entertainment, free)

3DS HOME Themes

Winter in Centopia (Rainbow, €1.99/ £1.79)

Winx Music & Magic: Dancing to the rhythm of magic (Rainbow, €1.99/ £1.79)

Miffy & Stars By Mercis (Mercis/CPLG, €0.99/ £0.89)

Miffy & Ducks By Mercis (Mercis/CPLG, €0.99/ £0.89)

Miffy & Sun By Mercis (Mercis/CPLG, €0.99/ £0.89)

Blast 'Em Bunnies: Bundle (Nnooo, €4.99/ £2.99)

Blast 'Em Bunnies: Luchador (Nnooo, €1.99/ £1.29 )

Blast 'Em Bunnies: Ninja (Nnooo, €1.99/ £1.29 )

Blast 'Em Bunnies: Western (Nnooo, €1.99/ £1.29 )

Blast 'Em Bunnies: Zombie (Nnooo, €1.99/ £1.29 )

Mighty Switch Force! Theme (Bozon, €1.79/ £1.59)

Shantae Pirate Theme (Bozon, €1.79/ £1.59)

Rottytops Theme (Bozon, €1.79/ £1.59)

Maya the Bee (Studios 100, €0.99/ £0.89)


That's your lot for the European Download Update this week; let us know what you're planning to download in the poll and comments below.

What will you be downloading this week?

(You may select up to 11 answers)