It's time once again for the North American Nintendo Download Update details. This week includes some tempting and - in some cases - high profile download-only releases on both systems, while the 3DS also has two retail releases to consider. Throw in some rather exciting Nindie DLC and there's quite a lot to think about, so let's get to it.
Missed the European Nintendo Download Update details? Don't sweat it, they're still right here.
Wii U eShop
Soul Axiom (Wales Interactive, $14.99 or $12.74 until 15th October for those that have the Nindies@Home demo) - Similar in stylistic approach to Master Reboot, this nevertheless has its own story and twists on puzzle-based stages. With a relatively surreal style and the ability to phase objects in and out of existence, this certainly has plenty of potential. We'll explore its mysteries for our upcoming review.
Quest of Dungeons (Upfall Studios, $8.99 or free if you own the 3DS version on the same Nintendo Network ID) - A turn-based dungeon-crawling roguelike, this one has the choice of four character classes, with the key challenge being to tackle randomly generated dungeons, accumulate loot and then boost your abilities. Throw in boss encounters, permadeath and multiple difficulty levels and it offers a lot; we gave this a strong recommendation in our Quest of Dungeons review.
Dreamals: Dream Quest (XINESS, $9.99) - Three cute animals return for more puzzle platforming after a thoroughly decent debut release. In this sequel the animals can combine together while trying to make it through a promised 100 stages.
Archery by Thornbury Software (Thornbury Software, $19.95) - This appears to be just what the name suggests: an archery game with increasingly tricky challenges. We feel obliged to say that it looks rather 'basic' in screenshots, and certainly comes with a premium price tag.
Wii U Virtual Console
Pikmin (Nintendo, $19.99) - This is the 'New Play Control' Wii version that was released (originally) to promote Remote and Nunchuk controls. Weirdly it's just called 'Pikmin' on the eShop, perhaps because Nintendo didn't want to confuse newcomers. In any case we enjoyed this re-release in our original Pikmin review.
Wii U DLC
FAST Racing NEO: NEO Future Pack (Shin'en Multimedia,$4.99) - This will include eight new tracks, ten new vehicles and 18 new music tracks; we'll check this out and share some impressions. Available from 30th September.
Wii U eShop Temporary Discounts
BIT.TRIP Presents... Runner 2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien (Gaijin Games, $7.49 until 3rd October, normally $14.99)
Art of Balance (Shin'en Multimedia, $5.20 until 20th October, normally $8.99)
Queen's Garden (Joindots, on discount until 6th October)
ZaciSa's Last Stand (ZeNfA Productions, $1.99 until 1st November, normally $3.99)
KEYTARI: 8-bit Music Maker (Famous Gamous, $3.99 until 5th October, normally $4.99)
Epic Dumpster Bear (Log Games, $4.49 until 27th October, normally $7.49)
Blackjack 21 (Skunk Software, on discount until 30th September)
Super Hero Math (Skunk Software, on discount until 30th September)
3DS eShop
Azure Striker Gunvolt 2 (Inti Creates, $13.49 with launch discount, normally $14.99) - A much-anticipated sequel to a critically acclaimed eShop release, this looks set to include more of the same enjoyable gameplay with a few extra twists, including Copen as a playable character. We'll let you know what we think soon.
Ninja Usagimaru - The Mysterious Karakuri Castle (Aksys Games, $5.99) - We rather enjoyed this one's predecessor, which blends a lovely Japanese aesthetic with tricky and clever puzzles. 60+ levels are promised in this new entry, and it'll be interesting to see whether it matches the quality of the original.
Quest of Dungeons (Upfall Studios, $8.99 or free if you own the Wii U version on the same Nintendo Network ID) - The same game but on the go, albeit with StreetPass included; the idea is that if you pass others you may come across the ghost of one of their failed attempts, which you can try to kill and loot.
3DS Retail Downloads
Yo-kai Watch 2: Bony Spirits & Fleshy Souls (Level-5, $39.99) - There's been a big push with merchandise and more to give this series a breakthrough in the West, and now the second entry in the series arrives in North America. This one includes some time travelling and comes in two versions, and it'll be interesting to see how well it sells. Available from 30th September.
Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice (SEGA, $39.99) - The Sonic Boom brand is tainted in some eyes by its disastrous Wii U game, but an initial 3DS release and the TV series are reasonable (and in the latter case popular) efforts. This 3DS sequel gives Sonic and friends the ability to switch between fire and ice elements, and features some solid (and occasionally pacey) gameplay. We gave it a modest recommendation in our Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice review. Available from 30th September.
3DS eShop Temporary Discounts
Art of Balance TOUCH! (Shin'en Multimedia, $5.20 until 20th October, normally $6.99)
Epic Word Search Collection (Lightwood Games, on discount until 6th October)
Epic Word Search Collection 2 (Lightwood Games, on discount until 6th October)
Parking Star 3D (CIRCLE Entertainment, on discount until 20th October)
Swords & Soldiers 3D (CIRCLE Entertainment, on discount until 20th October)
3D Game Collection (Joindots, on discount until 6th October)
3DS HOME Themes
Pokémon: A Sinister Organization—Team Galactic
Pokémon: A Sinister Organization—Team Rocket
Shantae Beach
Pirate Pop Plus
YO-KAI WATCH Komasan – Available Sept. 30
YO-KAI WATCH Komajiro – Available Sept. 30
YO-KAI WATCH Robonyan – Available Sept. 30
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.
Comments 56
For those wondering, although SteamWorld Heist is out on Wii U in the SteamWorld Collection and eShop in Europe this week, there's still no final release date for the eShop version in North America. The latest Image & Form press release says "America gets the game and the physical release in October".
Yesssss Fast Racing Neo
@Captain_Gonru Nope, my mistake, I'll edit my original comment.
Why Heist is not released yet for Wii U?
@H_Hunter We encountered a few last minute troubles with the US version of the game right before launch. We're aiming to have the game out in America in early October
I already have Sonic Boom Fire & Ice, and really enjoying it! I plan to get Gunvolt 2 soon as well, but I want to finish Sonic first.
This week is still to much Wii u.
forever waiting on animal crossing wild world to drop.
Gunvolt 2 for me, though I haven't finished the original. I enjoyed the first 3DS Sonic Boom game, but I'm really ready to say goodbye to Sonic Boom forever after that.
@imageform Wait so the Steamworld Collection isn't coming out on October 11th anymore?
A welcome break for the week. I've spent way to much and have like 20 games on back log. I should finish a one or 2 this week now.
I always did prefer using wiimote controls on Pikmin. And I really wanted to like azure striker, but mega man collection is on my back log and I really couldn't get into the first azure game.
A Team Galactic theme?! Sweet! Gen IV is my favorite!
Forever waiting for Super Princess Peach to drop on the Wii U VC.
Very excited for Yo-Kai 2! What a great week!
Neo Future pack for me. I don't think I enjoyed the first Gunvolt enough to get the sequel.
Nothing for me. I'll be playing Dragon Quest 7 for a looooong time. Which as a side note, seeing this DQ7 remake shows me it IS actually possible to remake Chrono Trigger from the ground up. It's not hard to imagine since the same artist did both games........
End up downloading SEVERED last night, so nothing else for me this week.
What a great week
just the themes for me. I just got Dragon Quest VII last week and I have both versions of YoKai Watch 2 coming tomorrow via retail. My son and I are really excited for the games. Plus I'm still working through Dragon Quest 7. I have to backtrack because I missed two of the green fragments from Greenthumb Gardens.
Obviously Azure Stiker Gunvolt 2! I'll also probably buy Ninja Battle Heroes with the money I have left.
Azure Striker Gunvolt 2 and Phoenix Wright: Spirit of Justice DLC for me.
Nothing for me this week 😛
I want to purchase Pikmin, but I not sure when I would ever get to play it. It's the same thing that has prevented me from picking up Skyward Sword. It is just too hard to get time with the single TV kn the house for playing with the work schedule I am on now.
Shouldn't that River City Ransom game for 3DS be launched today as well?
Fast Racing Neo DLC as well as a Pokemon theme (Team Rocket for the win).
@andrew20 are you kidding?
@bezerker99 Waiting for VC titles NOT from the Wii library also. This has been the third or fourth week now we've gotten a Wii game consecutively.
Gunvolt 2 and a couple themes for me. Glad to see it's getting good reviews!
Soul Axiom I've been waiting for that one for a while.
Fast DLC for $5 a great deal! Very excited!
Maybe Pikmin. I'll be getting the Azure Striker Gunovlt Striker Pack next week when it releases.
/counting down the time to noon in seconds
It's not New Play Control Pikmin because Wii Remote+nunchuck is Old Play Control now.
Ah poo! Nada for me. Back to Dragon Quest
@invictus4000 Oh, that'd be unbelievable. (Although DQVII was making me want a Terranigma remake, your idea is better because Chrono Trigger)
I'm currently playing through some stuff and should be studying for an exam, but this week I might get the Pirate Pop Plus theme if it features that trailer music to be quite honest.
Nothing for me, again...
Nothing for me this week
Omg a team rocket theme.
Damnit! Ugh, Soul Axiom, Gunvolt 2, AND FAST Racing NEO DLC? Oh my wallet! >_<
The Fast Racing Neo DLC is tempting, but I wanted to see if we'd ever get the physical release in North America as I would much rather own a physical copy of the game than stick to digital...
I forgot the DLC wasn't releasing until tomorrow! Well, I have the money on my account, at least. Gonna be a bit of a tough wait, though.
No N3DS VC, no thank you.
Guess we're not gonna see anymore Classic Vc titles for Wii u? It's all Wii retail downloads now!😡😡
Everyone who is interested, please give Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice a chance. It's miles better than both Boom games combined in my opinion.
Will be getting the Team Rocket Pokémon theme as soon as I can. Looks like I need to prepare for trouble and make it double.
Gunvolt 2 will be mine soon as well.
I would have thought a lot more people would be purchasing Yo-Kai Watch 2.
Soul Axiom looks good, but will wait for review(s).
Slightly interested in Pikmin, but already have Pikmin 3, so not sure on this.
Rest, not for me, but a few themes yes.
As mentioned by a few, would like more VC games (especially TG16 ones)!
$5 'Neo Future Pack' DLC for me! 😃
Not a bad week at all! I'll be grabbing Yo-Kai Watch 2 in physical format soon (likely Fleshy Souls). I'll pick up Pikmin at a later date.
@NTELLIGENTMAN
Was thinking exactly the same thing.
Only 7% for Yokai Watch including physical purchases too? Did people not like the first game or... ?
I didn't expect Ninja Usagimaru's sequel to be localized already, perhaps I may pick it up then. I was originally thinking of waiting for a sale on the Japanese eShop, but now I will probably just download it from the NA store.
And I think I will probably get the Fast staving NEO DLC as well.
The lack of SteamWorld Heist makes me sad. Hopefully it comes out within the next two weeks, I've been looking forward to playing it on Wii U for some time.
a team rocket 3DS theme!? yes please!
Got Quest of Dungeons on 3DS so I'll start that later. Still on Dragon Quest VII which I'm loving so far.
@BispoSnake
River City Ransom: Tokyo Rumble is already out since last week for North America. If you want a physical copy, you'll need to purchase from select online retailers.
@JaxonH
I think Yokai 2 will do fine - just because it shows 7% here tells me that the Nintendolifers who post here aren't the game's target market. I'll likely be buying the game for my kid this Christmas. He loves the game and likes collecting the discs for his big toy Yokai watch that makes sounds and music from the show.
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