It's that time once again, dear readers, for the North American Nintendo Download Update. This week includes a first-party retail release on 3DS, while a couple of tempting Virtual Console games arrive on Wii U. Beyond that there are a variety of interesting download-only games to consider on both systems. Let's get to it.
Missed the European Nintendo Download Update details earlier in the week? Don't lose your head, the information is still right here.
Wii U eShop
Twisted Fusion (Leuvsion, $5) - This Wii U-exclusive adventure / platformer has been long in the making, having been successfully funded on Kickstarter back in Spring 2014. It utilises the GamePad for a second display for those that want it (but also supports single-screen gaming), and offers a fair bit of freedom in approach, with added extras like monster breeding also included. We recently interviewed the developer and will bring you a review soon.
Gravity+ (Nitrolic Games, $7) - A puzzle game 'suitable for all ages', you guide a robot through over 20 stages while manipulating gravity to avoid traps and obstacles; it also includes challenges and online leaderboards.
Pinball Breakout (nuGAME, $7) - As the name suggests this one combines block-breaking gameplay with pinball mechanics, throwing in a multiplayer mode for good measure.
Wii U Virtual Console
Donkey Kong Jungle Beat (Nintendo, $19.99) - 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.
Mario Hoops 3-on-3 (Nintendo, $9.99) - Basketball on the DS that's about as Nintendo as it gets, throwing in Mario tricks and tweaks along with stylus-based controls. We enjoyed its charms in our Mario Hoops 3-on-3 review.
Wii U DLC
Hyrule Warriors: A Link Between Worlds Pack (Nintendo, included with season pass, $4.99 Wii U only or $8.99 with 3DS version)
Gravity+ Level Editor (Nitrolic Games, $3.99)
3DS eShop
Ice Station Z (Wobbly Tooth, $3.99) - A survival game set in the Arctic, this surprisingly budget-priced game seems ambitious in concept, setting you the task of scavenging and surviving in a dangerous location. It seems interesting, and we'll be sure to check it out in a review.
Unlucky Mage (KEMCO, $9.99) - Based upon the description of this one, which features kingdoms in conflict and a mysterious loner who can save the world, and considering KEMCO's modus operandi on 3DS, we expect this one to be a retro-inspired RPG. We shall see, and that doesn't necessarily have to be considered a bad thing, either.
3DS Retail Download
Mario Party Star Rush (Nintendo, $39.99) - The second entry of this series to arrive on 3DS, though this one aims to address some criticisms of recent editions. Players now all move separately and at the same time to speed up games, while the free 'Guest' download allows groups to enjoy the full multiplayer game even with only one player owning a full copy. We quite enjoyed this in our Mario Party Star Rush review. Available from 4th November.
3DS DLC
Hyrule Warriors Legends: A Link Between Worlds Pack (Nintendo, included with season pass, $6.99 3DS only or $8.99 with Wii U version)
As always Nintendo of America wants you to check the eShop and the official Sales & Deals website for discount details - confirmed discounts for this week include Elliot Quest, Olympia Rising and Word Party.
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 51
Unusually good week. Twisted Fusion looks promising, and DK Jungle Beat along with MH3-on-3 are something I've been curious about.
Combined with the AC:NL:Wa update, I'm going to be kept pretty busy this time.
Nothing for me this week. I have Dragon Quest 7, Bravely Second, and Disney Magical World 2 on the way thanks to Target's B2G1 free deal.
If you're interested in Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat it's available to buy on Ebay for half the price of the VC release. It's a great game.
Not a bad week.... curious about Twisted Fusion.
I'd like to see Pikmin 2 with new play controls. I have jungle beat it's brilliant.
I have pre-ordered Mario Party Star Rush. Can't wait for that game.
Just getting the amiibos. next week on the 8th I'm getting Harvest Moon Skytree Village. My mom and stepdad are coming down this weekend for my daughter's and my birthday and I'm getting a gift card which is paying for my Sun & Moon copies and Skytree Village.
Thought Shantae: Half Genie Hero was releasing this week. Guess I gotta wait a little longer.
I might get that Ice Station Z game. I like 3D games on 3DS, and this is probably one of the last of them.
I will likely get twisted fusion and gravity. I know I'm getting jungle beat because I never got the gc or wii version.
I'm ok skipping a week. My wallet needs a break and I'm still trying to beat 4 games right now.
I'm gonna try ice station z. For that price, even if it sucks I should get some amusement out of it.
I may give Mario Party Star Rush a try
@Pokefanmum82
I saw from Youtube about Skytree Village First play. Maybe you can check out.
I've got money this week, so I'm buying Lost in Shadow now. For physical stuff, I am awaiting shipments for Waluigi & Diddy Kong v2 amiibos, and a Scoot amiibo card. (Yes, I bought a single card. He was my best bro back on the GCN!)
Nothing this week for me, and if I am honest the last time I turned on the Wii U I just bounced around the menu for a few minutes before turning it back off.
Guys please trust me as a Mario partier since day 1...Star Rush is truly the best ever!
I love it way more than 2 or 4! Really really brilliant and I highly recommend it.
Been out a month in UK and I'm still playing it daily!
Pinball Breakout seems like a great idea... but looks very cheaply executed... I would love to see Gaijin make a game like that.
Star Rush, baby!
Star Rush!
@BinaryFragger Excellent! I like long games with lots of content.
Ice Station Z. 8 players online and voice chat. Don't fail me now game.
Isn't there Monster Hunter DLC tomorrow?
How do you play Donkey Kong Jungle Beat is the only controller option the Wii mote + nunchuk?
Here's hoping Star Rush will make up for the disappointing sales elsewhere in the world.
Twisted Fusion looks like the gem of the week.
Maybe other indie games if they review well.
Retail release for 3DS is just sad and not worth naming. Ever heard of online play Nintendo?
i'll be downloading the hyrule warriors dlc because i already paid for it.
@Handsomistic15 Wayforward has confirmed that the Shantae half genie hero;still doesn't have a set release date via twitter,when the game is released I'm sure the Nintendolife staff will let us know.
Donkey kong jungle beats good but damn that price. People from uk can get this from 7 pounds physical. eBay is your friend
So they are going to make us wait a month or more between Breath of Fire and Breath of Fire II.
Got the Hyrule Warriors DLC from the season pass (Yuga's fun to play as, Ravio's a bit meh) and bought Animal Crossing (I'm a bit late to that party)
I guess we will see a couple more months of this nothingness until spring. They could have at least dialed it up a bit with VC releases and some decent sales once in a while. Just to show, that Nintendo is not hibernating ... alas, they really seem to be hibernating sigh
I'll go for Donkey Kong Jungle Beat since I never got around to getting it back on the Wii. I would of gotten it physical months ago, but my Wii U's Wii channel works half the time (data corrupt bla bla) and I data transferred everything from my Wii console long ago.
I want to get Mario Party Star Rush, but I'll save that for my Christmas list.
Unfortunately, nothing for me this week.
star rushhhhhhhhhhh
Oops. Said nothing, likely downloading the Mario Party Guest play.
Nothing for me this week.
of course we don't get f-zero x...
i'll probably check out Twisted Fusion and get the HW dlc...
Looking good, Nintendo downloads! Would without a doubt either get Star Rush or convince someone to get it, but Pokémon...
Lol all the weeks I think are great, people complain about it.
And this week I find incredibly dull, everyone's celebrating
Does Donkey Kong Jungle Beat for Wii tire you out? Because I keep getting blisters playing the original and the controls don't seem to be as responsive as normal controls. Is there any flicking of the stick? Because I found that annoying when using normal controls in the GameCube version.
"As always Nintendo of America wants you to check the eShop and the official Sales & Deals website for discount details "
Uhhh... This weekly post of new releases and discounts is one of the main draws of going to NintendoLife. Why the change after 7 years? It seems silly to have to click through to another site to find that content.
Oh, Nintendo... it's a good thing I love you so much. I play my Wii U more than my PS4, no contest, but Sony knows how to run a proper digital storefront.
Got the warriors dlc, when will I ever play the adventure map? we may never know, at least the characters are fun.
Jungle Beat is my favourite Donkey Kong game. Combo chasing is so much fun.
Nothing
Another terrible Thursday at the Nintendo ranch! Please fast forward us to the point in time where the weekly updates will include the switch!! 😜
@sleepinglion Microsoft as well. There's been sooo many new games the last few weeks on those systems its insane! I hope Nintendo REALLY picks up the pace with the Switch!!
Getting Twisted Fusion and maybe DK, although the price is high.
@McGruber For you and other people interested in the Ice Station Z game, I have played a couple hours and here are my impressions on some things they really need to patch:
The game has too many zombies in single player.
The game has no zombies in multiplayer online. I've been playing for a couple hours in different games and I haven't found one.
The game needs more resources and buildings. There are just a few and the distances between houses and other bases is way too big.
It needs more vehicles.
It needs to have resources distributed in a better way. They concentrate too much in certain areas, specially weapons, and people that practice pvp camp there so that no one else gets a weapon. It makes sense that you can find a lot of resources in a base, but there should be a few others in many parts of the map, like in corpses or something.
The mini game where you cut logs is a bit weird, it doesn't detect well the cuts.
The game has potential, specially for that price, but right now it isn'y working properly in my opinion.
@PORYGON
I agree with Porygon as well, it was very helpful when you listed all the eShop sales. Especially helpful that those sale titles were linked to the reviews.
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