Nintendo Download: 1st December (Europe)

Another week begins, and we have the European Nintendo Download Update details to get us ready for releases later this week. This time around there are multiple high profile 3DS retail releases, along with a mix of download-only titles across both systems. Let's get to it.

Wii U eShop

Frag doch mal...die Maus! (ASHGAMES, €9.99) - Only given a Euro price and likely targeted at Germany, obviously, this is based on a popular kids TV show in the country. A quiz game that was well received on PC in 2008(!), now it's on Wii U. That's nice.

SHOOT THE BALL (RCMADIAX, €1.49 / £1.39) - Previously released on the New 3DS eShop; you use the touch screen to 'shoot' the ball into space, with randomised shapes and colours that set the difficulty level.

Wii U Virtual Console

Donkey Kong Jungle Beat (Nintendo, €19.99 / £17.99) - While the original GameCube version of this platformer utilised the famous bongo accessories, this Wii iteration introduced analogue control for movement, with occasional motion controls using the Remote and Nunchuk. We were big fans of this Wii version in our original review, and it's worth noting that the GameCube original was the debut project by Nintendo EAD Tokyo 'Group No. 1' - that team's second game was the outstanding Super Mario Galaxy.

Sonic 25th Anniversary Sales - Wii U eShop

Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric (SEGA, €24.99 / £19.99 until 8th December, normally €49.99 / £39.99)

Sonic Lost World (SEGA, €24.99 / £19.99 until 8th December, normally €49.99 / £39.99)

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed (SEGA, €19.99 / £15.99 until 8th December, normally €49.99 / £39.99)

Wii U eShop Temporary Discounts

Art of Balance (Shin'en Multimedia, €6.74 / £5.36 until 22nd December, normally €8.99 / £7.15)

Word Puzzles by POWGI (Lightwood Games, €7.19 / £6.39 until 8th December, normally €8.99 / £7.99)

Dragon Skills (Joindots, €5.59 / £4.75 until 15th December, normally €7.99 / £6.79)

Sweetest Thing (Joindots, €4.89 / £3.84 until 15th December, normally €6.99 / £5.49)

3DS Retail Downloads

Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS (Nintendo, €39.99 / £34.99) - Only announced in September, this port of the excellent Wii U title takes away online sharing but introduces a new Mario Challenge mode and some portable benefits. Our review will be with you ahead of release, but until then you can check out our preview. Available from 2nd December.

Picross 3D: Round 2 (Nintendo, €34.99 / £29.99) - Europe has had to wait longer for this one, but has the added bonus of a physical retail option; this follow-up to the popular DS title arrived as a surprise in North America in early September. With colourful visuals, clever puzzles and amiibo support, we were full of praise for this one in our Picross 3D: Round 2 review. Available from 2nd December.

Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse (Deep Silver, €39.99 / £34.99) - 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.

7th Dragon III Code: VFD (Deep Silver, €39.99 / £34.99) - The 3DS is graced with a lot of top-class RPG experiences, and this is another for the list. This particular series is established in Japan but is trying to seize momentum in the West, and offers its own twists on genre norms. You can learn all about what this one has to offer in our extensive 7th Dragon III Code: VFD review.

My Nintendo 3DS Launch Discounts

Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse - 50 Gold Points for discounted price of €35.99 / £31.49, otherwise €39.99 / £34.99.

7th Dragon III Code: VFD - 50 Gold Points for discounted price of €35.99 / £31.49, otherwise €39.99 / £34.99.

New Nintendo 3DS eShop

Hyperlight EX (CatfishBlues Games, €5.49 / £4.99) - Previously on smart devices, this is a colourful and high-tempo shoot 'em up, making it a relatively rare arrival in the genre on 3DS. It has multiple modes, control options and includes stereoscopic 3D, so we'll see whether it lives up to its potential in a review.

CUP CRITTERS (RCMADIAX, €1.49 / £1.39) - This entry is all about managing gravity and manipulating balls into cups, with setting a high score being the main aim.

3DS eShop

Mercenaries Saga 2 (CIRCLE Entertainment, €4.99) - Released earlier this year in Europe, this has been re-listed courtesy of a release in some additional mainland Europe territories.

3DS DLC

Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse - Earring Set (Deep Silver, free until 8th December, normally €0.99 / £0.79)

Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse - Fall of Tokyo Promo Video (Deep Silver, free)

Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse - A Godslayer Needs Levels (Deep Silver, €2.99 / £1.99)

Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse - Ranking Program 1 (Deep Silver, free)

Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse - Asahi/Nozomi Set (Deep Silver, €0.99 / £0.79)

Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse - Green Pompadour (Deep Silver, €0.99 / £0.79)

7th Dragon III Code: VFD Bonus Item: Nagamimi Doll (Deep Silver, free)

7th Dragon III Code: VFD Quest: Seed Outbreak! (Deep Silver, free until 8th December, normally €1.49 / £0.99)

7th Dragon III Code: VFD Quest: Gold Rabi Outbreak! (Deep Silver, free until 8th December, normally €1.49 / £0.99)

Sonic 25th Anniversary Sale - 3DS eShop

Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice (SEGA, 25% off if you have downloaded any of the Sonic games currently on sale, €29.99 / £26.19 until 8th December, normally €39.99 / £34.99)

Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal (SEGA, 19.99 / £17.49 until 8th December, normally €39.99 / £34.99)

Sonic Lost World (SEGA, 19.99 / £17.49 until 8th December, normally €39.99 / £34.99)

Sonic Generations (SEGA, €9.99 / £7.99 until 8th December, normally €24.99 / £19.99)

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed (SEGA, €15.99 / £11.99 until 8th December, normally €39.99 / £29.99)

Sonic the Hedgehog: Triple Trouble (SEGA, €2.49 / £2.24 until 8th December, normally €4.99 / £4.49)

Sonic the Hedgehog (SEGA, €2.49 / £2.24 until 8th December, normally €4.99 / £4.49)

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (SEGA, €2.49 / £2.24 until 8th December, normally €4.99 / £4.49)

Sonic Drift 2 (SEGA, €1.99 / £1.79 until 8th December, normally €3.99 / £3.59)

Sonic Blast (SEGA, €2.49 / £2.24 until 8th December, normally €4.99 / £4.49)

Sonic Labyrinth (SEGA, €2.49 / £2.24 until 8th December, normally €4.99 / £4.49)

3D Sonic the Hedgehog (SEGA, €2.20 / £2.04 until 8th December, normally €4.49 / £4.09)

3D Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (SEGA, €2.49 / £2.24 until 8th December, normally €4.99 / £4.49)

3DS eShop Temporary Discounts

Fun! Fun! Minigolf TOUCH! (Shin'en Multimedia, €2.24 / £1.87 until 22nd December, normally €2.99 / £2.50)

Proun+ (Engine Software, €1.19 / £1.05 until 15th December, normally €3.99 / £3.50)

Sumico (Engine Software, €0.89 / £0.80 until 15th December, normally €2.99 / £2.69)

Word Puzzles by POWGI (Lightwood Games, €7.19 / £6.39 until 8th December, normally €8.99 / £7.99)

Escape from Zombie City (Tom Create, €2.10 / £1.90 until 29th December, normally €2.99 / £2.69)

Ninja Battle Heroes (Tom Create, €1.39 / £1.25 until 29th December, normally €1.99 / £1.79)

Runny Egg (Tom Create, €1.40 / £1.25 until 29th December, normally €1.99 / £1.79)

Smash Cat Heroes (Tom Create, €1.75 / £1.39 until 29th December, normally €2.49 / £1.99)

Real Heroes Firefighter 3D Download Version (ZordixAB, €4.99 / £4.49 until 8th December, normally €9.99 / £8.99)

Chain Blaster (Joindots, €3.49 / £2.93 until 15th December, normally €4.99 / £4.19)

Undead Bowling (Joindots, €4.89 / £3.49 until 15th December, normally €6.99 / £4.99)

Jump Trials Supreme (Joindots, €3.49 / £2.93 until 15th December, normally €4.99 / £4.19)

3DS eShop Demo

Mercenaries Saga 2 (CIRCLE Entertainment, free)

3DS HOME Themes

Miffy Dreamer By Mercis (Mercis/CPLG, €0.99 / £0.89)

Miffy's Gifts By Mercis (Mercis/CPLG, €0.99 / £0.89)

Christmas with Miffy By Mercis (Mercis/CPLG, €0.99 / £0.89)

That's everything for this week's Nintendo Download Update in Europe. Let us know what you plan to download in the poll and comments below.