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It's that time, once again, for the North American Nintendo Download Update. This week celebrates the Birthday of a certain pink puffball with a few retro treats, while there are some varied and intriguing new download-only releases on both Wii U and 3DS. There are some promising options this week, so let's get to the details.

Missed the European Nintendo Download Update details? Don't fret, they're still available right here.

Wii U eShop

Vektor Wars (Super Icon Ltd, $7.99) - A first-person shooter with stylised vector-based visuals, this has '9 world zones' in which you blast away at a variety of robot foes. It certainly looks full of potential, so we'll let you know what we think in a review.

3Souls (Red Column, $3.90) - An intriguing episodic release (part one of three is out now, two more to come as DLC) that aims to put the GamePad to work, utilising the second screen to show a character's emotions along with some other uses. This title also includes co-op, and we'll see how well it delivers on its ambition in a review very soon.

Dracula's Legacy (Joindots, $7.99) - This one's story involves a character being trapped and trying to escape from monsters, all wrapped within a hidden object game previously found on PC. Although not perfect this is actually one of the stronger releases in the genre that we've seen on Nintendo hardware in recent times; we gave this a recommendation in our Dracula's Legacy review.

BLOC (Cragworks, $2.99) - Adopting the table-top game approach seen in Wii Party U, in which players share a GamePad and play on its screen, this appears to contain a variety of extravagant twists on Pong gameplay, supporting up to four player on the hefty Wii U controller. The concept looks interesting, and we'll see whether it's worth a look in our review.

Wii U Virtual Console

Kirby's Epic Yarn (Nintendo, $19.99) - This was Good-Feel's first dabble in platforming with the yarn effect, taking its idea and applying it to the typically cute Kirby franchise. It proved to be a true gem on the Wii and we're pleased to see it make its way to the eShop; we absolutely loved this in our Kirby's Epic Yarn review.

Kirby Mass Attack (Nintendo, $9.99) - Kirby has had his share of spin-off concept games, and this was another that graced the DS. Utilising the portable's touch screen this one's all about using lots of Kirby characters to get by, and we enjoyed it in our review.

Wii U eShop Temporary Discounts

Sketch Wars (Wildcard Studios, $3.99 until 11th August, normally $4.99)

STEEL LORDS (nuGAME, $7.50 until 18th August, normally $14.99)

3DS eShop

Gotta Protectors (Ancient Corp, $12.99) - Known as Protect Me Knight 2 in Japan, this co-operative action / tower-defence has plenty to it, with six quirky classes of characters with items that can be heavily customised, along with a promised 100 stages with four difficulty settings for each. In addition it supports local co-op for up to four players - including Download Play - and has a feature where you can create your own maps and share them as QR codes. Oh, and retro-style music by the likes of Yuzo Koshiro. It looks to have a lot of potential, so we'll see whether it delivers in a review.

New Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console

Kirby's Dream Course (Nintendo, $7.99) — It's golf, Kirby style, with the pink one being a ball that can take out enemies and absorb abilities en-route to the cup. The crazy golf approach is also fun with a friend in multiplayer using the pass-and-play option that's included here. We gave this a recommendation in our Kirby's Dream Course review.

3DS Demo

Kirby: Planet Robobot (Nintendo, free)

3DS eShop Temporary Discounts

Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2: Record Breaker (Atlus, on discount until 8th August)

Shin Megami Tensei IV (Atlus, on discount until 8th August)

Epic Word Search Collection (Lightwood Games, $5.99 until 4th August, normally $7.99)

Sadame (Rising Star Games, $7.99 until 25th August, normally $14.99)

Snow Moto Racing 3D (Zordix AB, $3.99 until 4th August, normally $7.99)

Ninja Battle Heroes (Tom Create, on discount until 26th August)

Runny Egg (Tom Create, on discount until 26th August)

Glory of Generals (CIRCLE Entertainment, on discount until 18th August)

Samurai Defender (CIRCLE Entertainment, on discount until 18th August)

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?

(You can select up to 11 answers)