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It's Nintendo Download Update time, dear readers, and the North American line-up has some gems this week. The latest major RPG release from Atlus has arrived, with an enticing localised retail title from Natsume coming later in the DL week. On the download-only front we have an anticipated title from Drinkbox Studios, a download of one of the Wii's finest platformers, some intriguing efforts and two SNES titles on New 3DS. There's lots to cover, so let's get on with it.

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

Wii U eShop

SEVERED (Drinkbox Studios, $13.49 until 29th September, normally $14.99, cross-buy available on 3DS when released on the portable) - A title previously released on Vita, it offers a twist on first-person dungeon crawling with touchscreen-based combat. You swipe at enemy limbs and weakspots with the stylus, and outside of combat there's character customisation to consider. We'll get working on a review, but in the meantime your can see our hands on impressions from earlier in the year.

Wings of Magloryx (Arbelos Interactive, $14.99) - A throwback in concept, as you fly a dragon through multiple stages to unleash havoc, collect treasure and tackle bosses. Footage shows relatively simplistic visuals, but it has its own sense of style at least; we'll see whether it's hot or not in a review.

Laser Blaster (Petite Games, $1.99) - This sounds like a modern take on an '80s arcade classic, as you aim and fire rockets from the ground to take out waves of enemy lasers coming down from the sky, in this case using the GamePad.

Double Breakout (nuGAME, $7.00) - It seems we're seeing a mini-revival of Breakout games; this effort from nuGAME promises to blend elements of Breakout and Pong over 20 stages (with support for two players).

TITANS TOWER (RCMADIAX, $1.49) - This one seems to be all about jumping your way up a tower, grabbing loot and power-ups to accumulate a big high score.

Wii U Virtual Console

Donkey Kong Country Returns (Nintendo, $19.99) - One of the Wii's finest platformers, this was a triumphant revival of the franchise by Retro Studios, with gorgeous visuals and impressive mechanics coming to the fore. It's also a real challenge, and we gave this a glowing recommendation in our Donkey Kong Country Returns review.

Wii U eShop Temporary Discounts

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (Activision, on discount until 30th September)

Wipeout: Create & Crash (Activision, on discount until 30th September)

Word Party (Lightwood Games, on discount until 29th September)

Dual Core (Gray Fin Studios, $6.99 until 2nd October, normally $9.99)

Grumpy Reaper (EnjoyUp Games, on discount until 20th October)

The Quiet Collection (Nostatic Software, $2.99 until 26th September, normally $4.99)

3Souls (Red Column, $2.90 until 29th September, normally $3.90)

Hold Your Fire: A Game About Responsibility (Alkterios Games, $0.99 until 3rd October, normally $1.99)

Steel Rivals (nuGAME, $5 until 12th October, normally $6.99)

3DS eShop

Noah's Cradle (CIRCLE Entertainment, $5.00) - An action flying game that brings the Ace Combat series to mind. It promises six levels and has a heck of a backstory, so could be promising.

3DS Retail Downloads

Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse (Atlus, $49.99) - This long awaited title offers a different spin from its predecessor, with a new protagonist and some gameplay tweaks. As is standard for the series it's a high quality, atmospheric and engrossing RPG; you can check out a detailed assessment in our Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse review.

River City: Tokyo Rumble (Natsume, $29.99) - A title that originally seemed to be destined as a Japan-only release, credit is due to Natsume for bringing this to the West. This side-scrolling brawler is the latest in a diverse series that's been known as Renegade, River City Ransom, Street Gangs, Crash 'n The Boys, and Double Dragon depending on region, and this modern day iteration continues some of the traditions seen in games like those; it also has two minigames, a free-for-all arena brawler and a dodgeball game. We'll check it out in a review, but until then you can learn more about it in our first impressions article from E3. Available from 27th September.

New Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console

Final Fight 2 (Capcom, $7.99) — This second SNES series entry rights some wrongs of the first, including multiple playable characters and two-player co-op, though perhaps disappoints with some gameplay elements. Minus local co-op on New 3DS we deemed this one to be 'average' in our Final Fight 2 review.

Final Fight 3 (Capcom, $7.99) — Rounding off the Super NES trilogy, this one includes more brawling on the streets but also the option of an automatic two player mode where you play with the CPU. By our reckoning this third entry may well be the best of the group; you can get the full lowdown on how this stacks up on New 3DS in our Final Fight 3 review.

3DS eShop Temporary Discounts

Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2: Record Breaker (Atlus, $24.99 until 3rd October, normally $39.99)

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (Activision, on discount until 30th September)

Wipeout: Create & Crash (Activision, on discount until 30th September)

Real Heroes Firefighter 3D - Download Version (Zordix AB, $4.99 until 29th September, normally $9.99)

Dan McFox: Head Hunter (Lightwood Games, on discount until 29th September)

Toys vs. Monsters (EnjoyUp Games, on discount until 20th October)

3DS HOME Themes

Sonic series: 25th Anniversary (Free)

Sonic series: Boom Style

Sonic series: Classic Style

Sonic series: Sonic Style

Sonic Bundle #2

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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