It's Nintendo Download Update time, and the North American line-up is has been fully confirmed. It has some decent options, with the Wii U and New 3DS Virtual Consoles offering a few varied titles from the Wii and SNES. The Wii U eShop has an intriguing new download-only release, while the 3DS standouts include two new retail releases. Check out the details below.
Missed the European Nintendo Download Update? Fret not, the details are right here.
Wii U eShop
Dungeon Hearts DX (Wolfgame, $9.99) - A strategy puzzle game (with musical elements) that made its mark on Android and Steam in past years, and was originally expected on Wii U at the start of this year. This Wii U-exclusive console version should offer a revamped interface, Miiverse stamps, off-TV play, a new tavern "hub", free post-launch updates, new songs and additional mini-games.
Wii U Virtual Console
Rhythm Heaven Fever (Nintendo, $19.99 / CAD$28.19) - This Wii entry in the series threw in some motion controls and new minigames, though also replicated some content from previous games. That makes this one a bit of a toss-up as Rhythm Heaven Megamix is available on 3DS and is jam-packed with old and new minigames. Nevertheless, despite some flaws we enjoyed Rhythm Heaven Fever in our original review, so it's not to be easily dismissed.
Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles (Capcom, $19.99 / CAD$28.19) - There was a spell in the Wii days when light-gun games were all the rage, and Capcom made two Resi Evil shooters in the genre. This is the first one, which plays out a range of scenarios from the earlier games and before Resident Evil 4. We were fans of this when it was originally released.
3DS Retail Downloads
Harvest Moon: Skytree Village (Natsume, $29.99) - A return of the 'official' named series in the West, this includes the Minecraft-inspired terra-farming gameplay seen in The Lost Valley, along with the sim-elements many love from the series. When we went hands on at E3 we were pleased to report on improvements over its predecessor, and hope it delivers a strong experience in the final build.
Cartoon Network: Battle Crashers (GameMill Entertainment, £29.99) - A multi-platform side-scrolling brawler that mashes up a range of popular IPs, including characters like Finn, Mordecai and Clarence.
3DS eShop
Dangerous Road (Starsign, $2.99) - This appears to be based on Crossy Road, with four characters that have one unique skill each. In terms of gameplay it seems to be a copy of the mobile smash hit, with two modes that consist of reaching a specific target or surviving as long as possible.
The following are a series of small games released as inexpensive downloads, seemingly targeting a young audience. Kutar is a mascot that's "not a dog, cat or bear", with each short 'quest' supposed to be easy to play for young gamers:
Kutar Apple (CIRCLE Entertainment, $0.99)
Kutar Burger Factory (CIRCLE Entertainment, $0.99)
Kutar Concert Staff (CIRCLE Entertainment, $0.99)
Kutar End Credits (CIRCLE Entertainment, $0.99)
Kutar Jump Rope (CIRCLE Entertainment, $0.99)
Kutar Magic Ball (CIRCLE Entertainment, $0.99)
Kutar Powder Factory (CIRCLE Entertainment, $0.99)
Kutar Quiz (CIRCLE Entertainment, $0.99)
Kutar Ski Lift (CIRCLE Entertainment, $0.99)
Kutar Tube Rider (CIRCLE Entertainment, $0.99)
New Nintendo 3DS eShop
SHOOT THE BALL (RCMADIAX, $1.49) - You use the touch screen to 'shoot' the ball into space, with randomised shapes and colours that set the difficulty level.
New Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
Mega Man X3 (Capcom, $7.99 / CAD$11.29) — A game that represented the end of an era as Mega Man departed from Nintendo hardware to other platforms. As a farewell it's perhaps disappointing, and we considered its merits and flaws in our most recent Mega Man X3 review.
3DS HOME Theme
Animal Crossing: Falling Leaves
As is now the norm Nintendo is encouraging eShop users to check the stores and the official offers web page for details on discounts. So far titles like Gunman Clive, Midnight 2 and Dan McFox: Head Hunter are confirmed to have discounts.
That's everything for this week's Nintendo Download Update in North America. Let us know what you plan to download in the poll and comments below.
Comments 45
Well at least it's better than Europe.
Weak week.
See what I did there?
Maybe Umbrella Chronicles, but nothing for me.
If Jim Morrison wouldnt have written "The End" back then, someone would have this week
I'll be picking up at least one of the Kutar games. That trailer didn't entirely convince me that the games will be good, but they'll be good for a laugh which is almost the same thing for a $0.99 game.
looks at the picture
Did Tingle jump franchises to assimilate more innocents?
Overall, a neat update. Which you Yanks kind of need right now.
I still deliberate about Skytree Village. Compared by Trio of Town (ToT), ToT looked so pixelate, almost looks like NDS games. I was disappointed with ToT, not just lack of crisp image but also the unsatisfied character design. Almost all villagers from Man and woman have no photogenic looking, instead they have weirdo looking (Bishonen boys with long hair, Weirdo villagers with gaudy accesories, Too Flashy outfits, etc) . When I compared with Skytree Village, the graphic looked crispier than ToT, but the characters just still not so many, compared with ToT. Also, the Minecraft style of farming and lack of different places can't make me want to engage the game. Skytree Village has better character design than ToT but some of them still weirdos for me. I need more gameplay preview from Youtube to learn more about Skytree Village, so far I still can't consider that for my shopping list.
Yall, snag Umbrella Chronicles. It's fantastic.
I'm on the fence about getting Dungeon Hearts DX. Got it for less than $1 during a humble bundle sale but because of mouse and touchpad controls, I couldn't really enjoy it. I want to play the Wii U version but I'm too cautious to buy without knowing more.
Also on the fence with Rhythm Heaven Fever, but that's just me fighting nostalgia, a messed up Wii Menu, and price (small effect).
Great to see that VC games is boasting up.
You lucky people.
Good weak for the people of the states
already downloaded Skytree Village. I'm having fun with it. The only other I want is the AC theme.
Next week is a big week for me, with Sun & Moon out and then two weeks after I'm getting Final Fantasy XV, plus the guides for both.
I recommend Umbrella Chronicles if you don't already own it like myself.
Otherwise, don't see much unless a review wows me.
Ugh... over $30 CAD for digital versions of Wii games that will get locked to hardware that is officially on the way out? Do yourselves a favor and buy physical. It's much cheaper (~$10) and gives you much more flexibility than Nintendo's digital rights system.
(I understand that digital re-releases aren't a bad idea if the game is expensive or hard to find. Paying $30 for Xenoblade Chronicles might be worthwhile for many people because that's less than the going rate for a retail copy. But these games aren't rare or expensive, at all...)
Still no Half Genie Hero, the last quality game on Wii U...unless it was canned too...
Warning: Do not get Cartoon Network Battle Crashers. It is bland, boring, and each level lasts way longer than it should.
Better yet, never get anything from Game Mill
Sadly, the VC releases on New 3DS probably won't last much longer, if the past is any indication. For the original 3DS, Nintendo quietly killed VC support in Japan a few months before doing the same thing both PAL and NA regions. If you look at Japan, they haven't received any new releases since August 27th. Based on the fact that you have three companies offering support (Capcom, Konami, and Nintendo themselves), you're basically running out of games to release. I doubt that Square Enix is going to offer up any of their catalog (unfortunately), which sucks because I would kill to have the snes version of Final Fantasy VI. I'm starting to think that, save for emulation, it will never happen.
Meh, another week of nothing classic on VC.
@BanjoPickles I have wanted final fantasy vi for years now for wii u VC or new 3ds VC. Japan got it for wii u VC. I am probably better off playing it on my retron 5. If we ever get a snes mini it better be on there.
Nintendo will get none of my money until they release Pokemon Snap in North America!!!
Rhythm Heaven Fever for me!
I think we're missing the the biggest game this week- ANOTHER RCMADIAX GAME!
That shoot the ball game sounds way too simplistic to be New 3DS exclusive, I wonder why it's not on the regular 3DS.
I just picked up the physical copy of Skytree Village. Which is my 5th game bought in 5 days, I dabbled in it a little last night had to pull myself from SAO:Hollow Realization. And getting Pokémon and Moon next week. So many games, so little time.
'Tis the season.....to go broke
I bought Harvest Moon as retail.
Well glad to finally see MegaMan X3 but otherwise disappointing.
I play X3 almost every week it's probably one of my favorite mega man x games.
@Mega_Yarn_Poochy Shhh. Don't summon him.
Skytree Village looks horrible. Keep trying Natsume.
@Mr_Trill_281 GO RAIDER!
@Ryu_Niiyama I have to admit they should probably stop using "t-pose character art in basic background" for their promotional material.
Thankfully, the game looks better than the art.
@Meowpheel I watched a 30 min playthrough and while it looks much better in motion (I think I last saw some early screenshots) it isn't quite "there" for me. Plus I am waiting on the new SoS. I may double back and get this after my move. As I do want Natsume to do well since the farming/rpg genre that bokumono occupies is pretty niche. I am grateful for any additions especially now that Rune Factory is dead. I am such a big fan of Stardew for that reason...(well that and the same sex marriage. One day I'll be able to play all games that feature a romance aspect as my natal sex...I can dream.)
@ejamer Yeah, the Canadian prices for wii downloads seem outrageous. The only wii games worth paying that much for are Prime trilogy (which most should have gotten for 10$ when it released), Xenoblade, and maybe Skyward Sword.
i'm just waiting for the thanksgiving/black Friday eshop sale.
@Mr_Trill_281 Go Brownies!!!
@Mr_Trill_281
Go Pittsburgh Penguins! (sorry, I only love hockey... )
@Mr_Trill_281
go cleveland steamers!!!
@AlexSora89 Dear Lord, yes.
I need to drown my sorrows in some Wind Waker.
Finally released MegaMan X3.
Wonder if/when Fire Emblem Shadow Dragon will release on Wii U VC.
What? Rhythm Heaven Fever didn't have ANY motion controls... Except if you count the possibility of navigating the menu with the pointer.
Very very bad.......prices on crappy software is going up too. Pretty bad
@Ichiyama
Rumor has it that in the remake you can get Tingle to confess you he got his start in business by getting a small loan of a million rupees.
Tingle knows more about maps, than...than...the cartographers, believe me.
Of course, he is a cartographer, so that kinda went thud.
@AlexSora89 his father's photo-taking challenge business was more prosperous than it looked like.
A Rockman X3 prototype with early sprites, different tweaks, colourations etc was released not long ago.
Source: http://www.rockman-corner.com/2016/11/rockman-x3-prototype-version-released.html
List of differences: http://www.rockman-corner.com/2016/11/rockman-x3-prototype-version-released.html
@Acein210 It might interest you.
@Meowpheel
It must have to do with the kind of photos you manage to sell.
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