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It's that time again, dear readers, for the North American Nintendo Download Update. This week has plenty of tempting options to consider, with four Virtual Console games across Wii U and New 3DS, a major retail release on the portable, a Director's Cut from WayForward, some tasty discounts and more besides. Let's get to it.

Missed the European Nintendo Download Update earlier in the week? Don't panic! The details are right here.

Wii U eShop

Infinity Runner (Wales Interactive, $6.99) - This is a first-person runner title set on a large spaceship that's descended into a nightmare, and you try to escape by running quickly and occasionally turning into a werewolf - with 14 levels it could be rather fun. Our review will be with you this week.

Shantae: Risky's Revenge Director's Cut (WayForward, $9.99) - A re-release of the popular DSiWare title, this aims to recreate the original in HD with some helpful new additions like a warp system for getting around the sizeable map. It'll also look rather shiny in HD; we'll get whipped into shape for a review.

Wii U Virtual Console

Yoshi's Story (Nintendo, $9.99) - Known as Yoshi's Island 64 in the early stages of its development, this entry into the Yoshi canon finally makes its Virtual Console debut. The platforming action here takes place within a pop-up storybook and has an interesting visual style, with pre-rendered 3D graphics used to craft worlds made from materials such as wood, fabrics and cardboard. We'll bring you a review soon.

Wii U eShop Temporary Discounts

Resident Evil Revelations (Capcom, on discount until 29th March)

Ninja Strike: Dangerous Dash (Natsume, on discount from 25th to 31st March)

Skylanders SuperChargers Portal Owner's Pack (Activision, $24.99 until 1st April, normally $49.99)

SpongeBob SquarePants: Plankton's Robotic Revenge (Activision, on discount until 20th March)

SpongeBob HeroPants (Activision, on discount until 20th March)

Life of Pixel (Super Icon Limited, $4.99 until 11th April, normally $9.99)

Adventures of Pip (Tictoc Games, $7.50 until 31st March, normally $14.99)

Word Party (Lightwood Games, on discount until 4th April)

Suspension Railroad Simulator (Joindots, $5 until 7th April, normally $7.99)

Maze (TreeFall Studios, on discount until 31st March)

The Perplexing Orb (TreeFall Studios, on discount until 31st March)

Explody Bomb (Alkterious Games, $0.59 until 31st March, normally $0.99)

3DS eShop

Witch & Hero 2 (CIRCLE Entertainment, $3.99) - The first entry was a rather primitive retro-infused experience in which you bump into enemies to kill them, this time around you control a new hero and also the Witch, gathering up monster blood with the latter. We'll jump into the quest for a review.

Japanese Rail Sim 3D Journey in suburbs #1 Vol.2 (Sonic Powered Co., $3.99) - If you like pretending to drive a train through Japan with fuzzy visuals, this could be the game for you; we were rather unimpressed with the first entry. This one goes from Minoshi Station to Minami Kariyasu Station in Gifu prefecture.

Japanese Rail Sim 3D Journey in suburbs #1 Vol.3 (Sonic Powered Co., $3.99) - This one goes from Minami Kariyasu Station to Yamada Station in Gifu prefecture.

Japanese Rail Sim 3D Journey in suburbs #1 Vol.4 (Sonic Powered Co., $3.99) - This one goes from Yamada Station to Hokuno Station in Gifu prefecture.

New Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console

Donkey Kong Country (Nintendo, $7.99) — One of the all-time classic platformers, this title from Rare made stars of DK, Diddy Kong and Cranky Kong, while using graphical technology that was mind-blowing in the 16-bit era. We argue that it's barely aged a day, as a gaming experience, in our Wii U VC Donkey Kong Country review.

Super Mario Kart (Nintendo, $7.99) - 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 is a classic let down a little be the lack of multiplayer on New 3DS.

EarthBound (Nintendo, $9.99) - A title that was raucously received on the Wii U Virtual Console in Summer 2013 now takes its bow in portable form. This much-loved RPG is well known for its witty and quirky script, and for being an all-round terrific RPG experience - we gave this a perfect score in our EarthBound review on New 3DS.

3DS Retail Download

Hyrule Warriors Legends (Nintendo, $39.99) - A game that caused quite a stir when it originally arrived on Wii U, Koei Tecmo has now brought its Warriors / Legend of Zelda mash-up to the portable with extra characters and a new Linkle storyline included; naturally there'll also be a lot of DLC. We gave it a recommendation in our review. Free 3DS HOME Theme with eShop purchases.

3DS / Wii U Retail DLC

Hyrule Warriors: Legends: Legends of Hyrule Pack: 3DS only (Nintendo, US$14.99 / CDN$21.19) - Get four AOC packs as they are released, and a costume for Ganondorf to enjoy now! (Nintendo 3DS only.) This includes the Master Wind Waker Pack (exclusive to Nintendo 3DS), the Link's Awakening Pack, the Phantom Hourglass & Spirit Tracks Pack, and the A Link Between Worlds Pack. Plus, you'll receive the "Wind Waker Robes" costume for Ganondorf as soon as you purchase.

Hyrule Warriors: Legends: Legends of Hyrule Pack: 3DS / Wii U Bundle (Nintendo, US$19.99 / CDN$28.19) - Get a full breakdown of the Hyrule Warriors DLC here.

Fire Emblem Fates: Hidden Truths 1 and 2 (Nintendo, $4.49) – The secret prologue to the world of the Fire Emblem Fates games. Also available in Map Pack 1 ($17.99).

3DS eShop Temporary Discounts

3D Gunstar Heroes (SEGA, on discount until 4th April)

Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai DX (SEGA, on discount until 4th April)

Resident Evil Revelations(Capcom, on discount until 29th March)

Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D (Capcom, on discount until 29th March)

Stella Glow (Atlus, on discount until 4th April)

Etrian Odyssey 2 Untold: The Fafnir Knight (Atlus, on discount until 4th April)

Harvest Moon: The Lost Valley (Natsume, on discount from 25th to 31st March)

SpongeBob SquarePants: Plankton's Robotic Revenge (Activision, on discount until 20th March)

SpongeBob HeroPants (Activision, on discount until 20th March)

Jett Rocket II: The Wrath of Taikai (Shin'en Multimedia, $6.70 until 14th April, normally $8.99)

Aqua Moto Racing 3D (Zordix AB, $3.99 until 31st March, normally $7.99)

Epic Word Search Collection (Lightwood Games, on discount until 4th April)

Japanese Rail Sim 3D Journey in suburbs #1 (Sonic Powered Co., $3.99 until 7th April, normally $7.99)


That's your lot for the North American 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 can select up to 15 answers)