Heist.jpg

Well, today is dominated by Nintendo's next system, but as always we do have a Download Update for the Wii U and 3DS. It's rather good this week too, with some fantastic Nindie games on both systems along with a few intriguing options. A couple of much-admired games arrive on the Wii U and New 3DS Virtual Console, too, so there's plenty to consider. Let's get to it.

Missed the whopper of a Download Update for Europe earlier in the week? Catch up on all the good news right here.

Wii U eShop

SteamWorld Heist (Image & Form, $14.99 for first two weeks, an extra 10% off if your own Wii U or 3DS versions of SteamWorld Heist or SteamWorld Dig, normally $19.99) - The follow-up to breakthrough title SteamWorld Dig, this adopts a turn-based 2D strategy approach for the highly stylised steambot IP. A lengthy campaign is delivered along with plenty of weapons and hats, because robots wearing hats are surely irresistible; we loved this in our SteamWorld Heist review.

Pirate Pop Plus (13AM Games, $4.99 or free if you own the New 3DS version on the same Nintendo Account) - The title takes inspiration from Mitchell Corp's classic bubble-popping title Pang; with Game Boy-style visuals and an excellent chiptune soundtrack, it certainly looks the part. The gameplay involves popping bubbles and blasting enemies, but at certain points the gravity changes, placing you on the sides of the screen or even upside down on the ceiling. We loved this in our Pirate Pop Plus review.

Super Destronaut 2: Go Duck Yourself (Petite Games, $1.99) - Looking very much like a clone of Taito's seminal Space Invaders, the game involves blasting oncoming enemies, collecting power-ups and grabbing coins to boost your score multiplier. Classic, Time Attack, Hardcore and "Invaders" modes are promised, and there's a multiplayer option as well.

Mr. Pumpkin Adventure (CIRCLE Entertainment, $3.99) - This looks remarkably quirky, and it includes 50 scenes to explore and investigate, with a number of puzzles to tackle. It doesn't seem short of uniqueness and creativity,

Retro Road Rumble (Sketchy Coyote Interactive, $3.99) - This is a game that aims to recreate tabletop arcade gaming, with basic gameplay for one or two players. It looks rather simplistic in screenshots, but that doesn't mean it won't be fun.

Shooting Range by Thornbury Software (Thornbury Software, $12.95) - This looks like a rather simplistic carnival-style shooting range simulator. There's not much more to say.

Wii U Virtual Console

The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (Nintendo, $9.99) - The second DS entry in the series to adopt a top-down view with touchscreen controls, this one sees Link embark on an adventure in his own train, which is a couple of fantasies rolled into one. It has smart ideas and delivers an enjoyable adventure, and despite some issues with our GamePad microphone (those darn blowing mechanics) we gave it a strong recommendation in our review.

3DS eShop

Fairune 2 (CIRCLE Entertainment, $6.99) - Another retro-styled RPG for the eShop, though we quite liked the original and its take on combat. This one will hopefully be similarly worthy of a recommendation, and a world five times bigger than in the first game is also promised.

New Nintendo 3DS eShop

Pirate Pop Plus (13AM Games, $4.99 or free if you own the Wii U version on the same Nintendo Account) - As per the Wii U iteration, but handily on the go and perhaps fitting the Game Boy aesthetic even better.

New Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console

Breath of Fire (Capcom, $7.19) — The Super NES wasn't short of RPG titles, and here's one of Capcom's more prominent efforts from the era; you play as Ryu (and companions) who has the ability to transform into a powerful beast, which must be handy when saving the world. Our reviewer did feel that this is rather dated compared to its 16-bit contemporaries, a point we explained in our previous Breath of Fire review.

Once again Nintendo of America isn't giving specific details on discounts, simply advising gamers to check the eShop and the official Sales and Deals website.

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 may select up to 10 answers)