Mystical Ninja.jpg

It's time, once again, for the North American Nintendo Download update, and this week goes heavy on Virtual Console offerings in particular. The Wii U has two Culture Brain titles, including one that hasn't previously had a VC release, while the New 3DS gets a classic SNES game. The home console also has two new download-only titles to consider, along with discounts across both systems - let's get to it.

Missed the European Nintendo Download update earlier in the week? Don't fret, the details are still right here.

Wii U eShop

STEEL LORDS (nuGame, $14.99) - A title that promises a blend of strategic board-game play with fighting, in principle it sounds promising. We hope this will be an improvement over the disappointing STEEL RIVALS, and will let you know what we think in a review.

TAP TAP ARCADE 2 (RCMADIAX, $2.99) - This second mini collection includes SKEASY and also a new arrival called VOLCANO. We gave the former a modest recommendation in our review, and we'll see whether its companion in this bundle is red hot or rather dormant in fun.

Wii U Virtual Console

Flying Dragon: The Secret Scroll (Culture Brain, $4.99) - A NES title that blends sidescrolling stages and one-on-one fights, with some origins in the 1985 arcade Shanghai Kid. We didn't think the pieces came together particularly well in our Flying Dragon: The Secret Scroll review.

Baseball Simulator 1.000 (Culture Brain, $4.99) - Here's an interesting little twist, a Wii U Virtual Console game from the NES era that didn't have an equivalent release on the Wii service. As the name suggests this is an early effort in the sports sim / management genre as you try to lead your team to a divisional pennant. It throws in some wacky features as well, and we'll see whether it's a home run or a strike in our review.

Wii U eShop Temporary Discounts

Color Zen (Cypronia, on discount until 29th July)

Hold Your Fire: A Game About Responsibility (Alkterios Games, on discount until 28th July)

Explody Bomb (Alkterios Games, on discount until 28th July)

Totem Topple (Crystalline Green, $1 until 14th July, normally $5)

New Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console

The Legend of the Mystical Ninja (Konami, $7.99) — When you mention Goemon to fans of retro games, especially Konami enthusiasts, you're likely to prompt a wave of nostalgia. This Super NES title is certainly well loved, an action game full of creativity that can also be enjoyed in co-op; we gave this a strong recommendation in our Wii U Virtual Console The Legend of the Mystical Ninja review.

3DS eShop Temporary Discounts

Dan McFox: Head Hunter (Lightwood Games, $1.99 until 21st July, normally $2.99)

Glory of Generals: The Pacific (CIRCLE Entertainment, on discount until 28th July)

Mercenaries Saga 2 (CIRCLE Entertainment, on discount until 28th July)

Color Zen (Cypronia, on discount until 29th July)

My Style Studio: Hair Salon (Cypronia, on discount until 29th July)

Gardenscapes (Joindots, on discount until 14th July)

Murder on the Titanic (Joindots, on discount until 14th July)

3DS HOME Themes

The Legend of Dark Witch 2 Rudy Theme

The Legend of Dark Witch 2 Sola Theme

The Legend of Dark Witch 2 Zizou Theme


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 8 answers)