Tokyo Mirage Sessions.jpg

It's that time, dear readers, for the North American Nintendo Download Update details. This week brings a few major retail releases on Wii U, while the SNES is back on the New Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console. Elsewhere there are three Pokémon games on the Wii U Virtual Console, along with a fairly diverse mix of download-only options across the eShop on both current-gen systems. Let's get to the details, shall we?

Missed the European Nintendo Download Update details earlier in the week? Don't panic, the information you need is still right here.

Wii U eShop

Rubik's Cube (Cypronia, $2.49 at launch for users who own Cube Life: Island Survival, otherwise $4.99) - The name pretty much describes this one fully; here you have a virtual 3D representation of the famous puzzle to solve. We'll match the sides and bring you a review.

Star Sky 2 (JMJ Interactive, $4.00) - A follow-up to a previous Wii U arrival, this is designed to be a relaxing, meditative experience in which you explore and soak in the atmosphere. Though it achieves this we feel it lacks substance, as explained in our Star Sky 2 review.

SPLASHY DUCK (RCMADIAX, $1.49) - The latest budget arrival from RCMADIAX, in this one you use one button to change the direction of the aforementioned duck, trying to avoid hits and collect gold coins. It seems to be another simplistic score chaser, but we'll see whether it can make a splash in our review.

Blackjack 21 (Skunk Software, $1.99) - It's a Blackjack simulation that doesn't seem to offer much else. We're not sure what we can add to that description.

Educational Pack of Kids Games (Skunk Software, $3.99) - It's all in the name, with this one including a variety of games to help young children with math, counting, colours and shapes. It's full of potential in principle, and we'll see how it stacks up in a review.

Wii U Virtual Console

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team (Nintendo, $6.99) - This first entry in the series launched on Game Boy Advance alongside Blue Rescue team, below, hence the price difference. It kicked off the dungeon crawling gameplay that's now rather familiar, and we rather enjoyed it in our review.

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team (Nintendo, $9.99) - This DS entry was released alongside its 'Red' equivalent on Game Boy Advance, utilising the dual-screen option of the last-gen handheld. As expected you battle your way through randomly generated dungeons, and this one was very similar to the GBA equivalent; we gave it a recommendation in our review.

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky (Nintendo, $9.99) - Essentially an expanded and improved version of Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness, this one also offers new Pokémon to play as over the other two Mystery Dungeon titles to arrive this week. With fresh (at the time) gameplay ideas over its predecessors this one is sure to be tempting to plenty of players; we'll get working on a review.

Wii U Retail Download

Tokyo Mirage Sessions ♯FE (Nintendo, $59.99) - A title that underwent (it seemed) a slightly troubled development and shifts in focus, it now arrives as a rather colourful and quirky RPG, incorporating Fire Emblem 'mirage' characters within the cast. With a catchy music focus and plenty of traditional RPG depth this offers a great deal of bang for your buck; we certainly enjoyed it in our Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE review. Available from 24th June.

Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games (Nintendo, $59.99) - Arriving after the 3DS equivalent, this one offers HD takes on 17 different sports, with intuitive multiplayer options if you want to battle some friends and family for the gold medal. This version also encourages friendly competition with 'Duel Events', too - we'll see whether it's a winner in a review. Available from 24th June.

Mighty No. 9 (Deep Silver, $19.99) - A game that began as a phenomenal success on Kickstarter but has suffered some setbacks, notably with delays. It's finally blasting its way on the Wii U, though, and we'll see whether Keiji Inafune and his Comcept team are on form in a review.

Wii U eShop Temporary Discounts

Citizens of Earth (Atlus, on discount until 4th July)

Another World - 20th Anniversary Edition (Digital Lounge, on discount until 7th July)

Infinity Runner (Wales Interactive, $3.99 until 7th July, normally $6.99)

Turtle Tale (Saturnine Games, on discount until 30th June)

99Moves (EnjoyUp Games, on discount until 21st July)

Super Destronaut (Petite Games, $0.99 until 14th July, normally $1.99)

Star Sky (JMJ Interactive, $2 until 7th July, normally $4)

Steel Rivals (nuGAME, $4.99 until 30th June, normally $6.99)

Vector Assault (WizByte Games, $3.99 until 30th June, normally $4.99)

Sweetest Thing (Joindots, on discount until 30th June)

3DS eShop

Unholy Heights (Bergsala Lightweight, $6) - A rather quirky title promising a mix of tower defence and 'apartment management'; monsters are moving into your building so you set rent and make sure they're happy. You then try to repel heroes when they come to slay the monsters. It sounds like it could be fun, but we'll see whether it needs to be evicted in our review.

Rubik's Cube (Cypronia, $4.99) - As per the Wii U version, though available on the go and at a lower resolution.

New Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console

Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts (Capcom, $7.99) — A SNES classic arrives on the New 3DS; it's a gruelling action game ready to test your skills and patience in the best possible way. With terrific sprite graphics and excellent music to help you along, we suspect this one will make liberal use of the portable's save state and restore point functionality. We'll review this version, but in the meantime you can check out our glowing recommendation in the Wii U Virtual Console Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts review.

3DS eShop Temporary Discounts

The Legend of Legacy (Atlus, on discount until 4th July)

Attack on Titan: Humanity in Chains (Atlus, $14.99 until 4th July, normally $29.99)

Another World - 20th Anniversary Edition (Digital Lounge, on discount until 7th July)

Snow Moto Racing 3D (Zordix AB, $3.99 until 30th June, normally $7.99)

Parking Star 3D (CIRCLE Entertainment, on discount until 14th July)

Quell Reflect (CIRCLE Entertainment, on discount until 14th July)

Turtle Tale (Saturnine Games, on discount until 30th June)

Darts Up 3D (EnjoyUp Games, on discount until 21st July)

Jewel Match 3 (Joindots, on discount until 30th June)

3DS HOME Themes

Rhythm Heaven Megamix Costumed Tebiri

Rhythm Heaven Megamix Ringside


That's everything for the North American Nintendo 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?

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