It's that time again, dear readers, for the Nintendo Download update. This week Nintendo of America is cheekily mentioning the latest mobile release (gasp!), but also has some tempting new arrivals and discounts on the Wii U and 3DS eShop stores. Let's get right to it.
Missed the European Nintendo Download Update? Don't panic, the details are right here.
Nintendo Mobile
Super Mario Run (Nintendo, free download with $9.99 unlock for full game) - Mario has finally completed the crossover to Mobile, with this title due very soon on iOS (at the time of writing). 'Play with one hand' is the core concept, with three modes on offer to keep players busy; our review will be with you later today.
Wii U eShop
Scribble (Bear Box Media, $3.99) - This takes the core aspect of the equivalent Pictionary-based minigame in U Host and expands it across multiple modes. There are five modes and over 1500 words from 17 categories, with the option to also create your own words and contests; it's potentially ideal for the festive season.
SDK Spriter (HullBreach Studios, $12.50) - An app that may be tempting for creative retro enthusiasts, this aims to be a tool for "creating retro video game assets, including character sprite sheets, tile sets, maps, and full levels", which can be shared on Miiverse or the app's official site.
Breakout Defense (nuGAME, $7.00) - Based off the classic Breakout formula, this seems focused on two paddles competing against each other, as you take on the AI or a friend locally. That seems to be the overall selling point here.
Wii U Virtual Console
Excitebots: Trick Racing (Nintendo, $19.99) - Another Wii download, and perhaps one that a number of players may have missed first time around. The second in its series on the last-gen system, this is all about racing with rather cool robotic vehicles while performing outrageous stunts; sadly online play will be missing in this download version. We enjoyed it a lot in our original Excitebots: Trick Racing review.
3DS eShop
Picross e7 (Jupiter Corporation, $5.99) - As the name makes clear, this is a series that has a long history on the 3DS eShop. This one has over 300 puzzles to tackle, including 'Mega' size options, while a new feature is the ability to mark squares of interest without being penalised.
Mercenaries Saga 3 (CIRCLE Entertainment, $5.99) - Another entry in Rideon Japan's RPG series, this one once again features a world-spanning and dramatic tale of conflict. Like its predecessors it could be another solid effort.
My Nintendo Discounts
Discounts on the following titles are available from today on My Nintendo in North America.
- Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga (Wii U) - 30% discount for 20 Gold Points
- Mario Tennis (Wii U) - 20% discount for 200 Platinum Points
- NES Open Tournament Golf (Wii U and 3DS) - 30% discount for 20 Gold Points
- Wrecking Crew (Wii U) - 20% discount for 100 Platinum Points
As always discounts on the eShop will be available to view on the platforms and the official sales and deals website; discounts this week include Soul Axiom, 3Souls and Shadow Puppeteer.
That's the line-up 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 98
For the first time ever I feel like I'm excluded from a Nintendo release. Good job Nintendo!
What a brilliant week
Wow, comparing this release list with Europe's.......
When Super Mario Run comes to Android, I'll get.
We never got Excitebots in Europe, neither originally nor as a Wii VC title.
I would so get Excitebots if only they released it for Europe. Shame.
Only owning a 3ds, this is a pretty meh week. Mercenary Saga 3 will be fun though.
Excitebots is fantastic. I have very good memories of it.
Why am I going to every site to tell them? Maybe it was last week, but where is Minecraft Story mode for retail? Came out on the 13th, sold out everywhere already, 100 dollars on Amazon. Yeah that game that everyone is acting like does not exist including Gonintendo.
I absolutely love Excitebots! Highly recommend it to all!
Wait, so Run is a free download? o.o
Nothing for me this week.
Bull crap about Mario run.i will say this it won't be as big as pokemon go since for now it's only I tunes.b y the time everyone gets to be able to down load it.noone will care because the switch will be out.so when Nintendo don't get that big of a success for Mario run they can thank themselves.glad I'm Nintendo and Sony fan.at least Sony is giving us games to play.
Yeah, just checked last weeks, you did not include Minecraft Wii U story mode there either Thomas whitehead.
@slim80 We got Minecraft Story mode, Runbow, tumblestone, Steamworld collection all recently.
@spurgeonryan I think this column is specifically for download titles, which would exclude the retail edition of Minecraft: Story Mode.
Getting Mario Run. I bought an eshop card last night and I'm already broke...sigh.
@Joeynator3000 Free to start
I demand a european release for Excitebots. Better than Mario Kart.
No Android, no buy.
If you ever played Excitetruck , Excitebots is very similar but amped up. My wife and I really liked that one. Felt like a secret that it existed. The launch on Wii was inexpensive and unadvertised. I must admit the theming is pretty weird, but it's a blast to rack up points by getting near crashes on trees.
Was thinking we'd get Pikmin 2 on the GmeCube VC today. Guess not.
@slim80 well my PS4 collects more dust then my Wii U. I admit I have only been waiting for last gaurdian. Every other game has been just prettier versions of PS3 games. Nintendo has ports too, but for some reason I keep coming back to Mario and not kratos...
@singingbrakeman Thomas includes retail all the time. I think it is being forgotten. The game had a smaller launch than Devils third it seems.
Meanwhile, Goat Simulator is $4 on PSN.
@spurgeonryan Oh, that's my bad - I'm not familiar enough with the column parameters.
Too much Wii U just drop support already
@amishpyrate I only have a new 3ds for Nintendo this gen I say it not worth getting a Wii U anymore it is dead
merc saga 3 for me soon as it hits the eshop after lunch
@spurgeonryan Hey, that's weird. I work at Target, and my store has Minecraft Story Mode - The Complete Adventure in stock. So do most local stores, and our website.
$29.99, ships today. I don't know what's up with Amazon on that item, but try Target.
@flapjackashley2 hey not so fast, don't you mean Wii VC? ;-D
And the wait for Bomberman 94' to be released on the VC continues.
Still no super Marino run. I guess they don't update at 2.oclock like the e shop does
@imgrowinglegs Hey thanks! Yeah I bought it from Target as it said sold out on walmart, game stop and was 100 dollars at amazon.
But why did Thomas skip it?
@SLIGEACH_EIRE Indeed, a real oddity that it never came to Europe.
In the good news that the last wii u good game coming next week its Shantae. After that yep I have to say it.........................R.I.P Wii U
@ThomasBW84 Oh hi, what about Minecraft Story Mode for N.A? Wii U retail edition hit the 13th.
@therealgamer Darksiders one is coming. Right?
Hmm, I'd try Super Mario Run if there were an Android version. Don't talk too long on that, Nintendo!
Weird because I JUST started playing Pokémon Picross again! I LOVE Picross I just really suck at the large puzzles... I still have to get 1-6 but I will be getting 7 eventually. Currently trying to clear the puzzles in Zelda and Pokémon Picross first.
@spurgeonryan According to Nordic THQ they said yes and they have another wii u game in works.
It is now December 16 in Japan and still no sight of Super Mario Run.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE
I liked ExciteTruck waaaaay better. I know Bots was an "upgrade" but it is very busy (less focused) feels clunky and the design of the bots are stupid -in my opinion. Trucks make way more sense and the custom soundtracks were a nice addition. An HD touchup of it would be great.
Just the Mario Run. I'll play it on my old, 2 hour play life iPhone 5 (if compatible). I'll wait till it comes out on android to put in for the $10 full game,
Do you think NOE will finally release the PAL versions of Excitebots and Trauma Center: New Blood? Review code was given out to UK magazines (I remember edge reviewing both) but they never got released.
@TheLZdragon Same thing.
@Donutman I'm a Nintendo fan.but rise of tomb raider,re5,re6,mkx,god of war 3.just preordered re7.final fantasy xv.not to much dust to collect.now come march is a different story.
@Mr_Trill_281 Go Rebels
This is the longest I've gone without picking anything up on the eshop since I got the system. Been a very half-hearted effort the last couple months. A couple of retail releases on the xmas list but the digital offerings have been non-existent even outside My Crushing Disappointment (or mynintendo, whatever you call it).
So are discounts (aside from MyNintendo) not being posted here anymore?
@ap0001 @slim80 Is it really surprising? Switch is around the corner. I just call this the calm before the storm
@spurgeonryan I'm sorry and no disrespect to you.those games mean nothing to me.darkyoshi98 is my nni.send me a friend request and you can see my collection.pretty close to 300 games on my Wii u. My ps4 im up to 156 as of yesterday
Please let Excitebots come to Europe. I really liked Excite Truck and was furious when it didn't got released here.
It was the Americans fault, because they didn't buy it, so Nintendo didn't bother with it after that. And now the Americans get blessed with this title again. Not fair
Opens weekly Download Update with poll
Inserts "Nothing for me this week"
Resumes shopping for an Android phone
Excitebots is $2 at Gamestop
Well, I'll obviously download Super Mario Run and see whether it's worth $10. Good week besides that, but nothing I'll purchase.
@TheLZdragon I agree Wii u will stay in my living room but when the switch comes out ps4 going to the bedroom.we are in the calm before the storm.
@dres and how many good vC games does Europe got that we still don't have on the vC.??? Alot more
And yet again Nintendo of America drops the ball and screws many other with lackluster VC releases on the Wii U. no wonder people do shady things with their consoles.
Nothing for me.
@mikegamer One day the bank screwed me over by not handing me more money. No wonder I robbed it the next day!
@slim80 Yeah I have over 300 as well. I got them, but don't Care about them. I will wait and see how the Switch does, if it is to my liking I will get it if not then PS4 it is.
Nintendolife still waiting for Minecraft Story mode. Why no reply?
Would I miss something in the story if I play Mercenaries Saga 3 first without playing the other two games?
@Spoony_Tech I'm used to Android users being treated like second-class customers. It's alright. I spent not a dime on Fallout Shelter when it took months to come to Android, and I'll not spend a dime on this, either.
Excitebots is a great game. Id say one of my ten WII favorites.
Super Mario Run is still not available in the App Store, what the hell is going on???? When is it releasing, today is the 15th and I still cannot download.
Has anyone been able to download it yet?
***NOTE*** I live in the US, not sure what time it's supposed to be available.
@spawn1210 I heard 1 PM EST, aka in about a hour.
@TheLZdragon It's a bit of a surprise, yeah - I did expect more indie 3DS eshop releases (not necessarily shovelware) because companies could afford to develop for it before seeing if the Switch took off or not. The Wii U, yeah, I get it.
Whoa, whoa whoa...wait just a second here. You mean Classic Games Overload: Card & Puzzle Edition is actually not on sale this week? Whoa. It's like living in an alternate reality over here or something.
I'm with the folks that don't have access to Super Mario Run...iPhone exclusivity? Isn't the Android market larger at this point?
@lillith it is. It has been for a long time. But still android users spend way less money for apps and in-app than iOS users. Add to that the higher risk for piracy.
@Ralizah that's because they are. Android users spend way less money for apps and in-app than apple users. + you have way more piracy on android.
I anticipate Super Mario Run will release at 10 AM Pacific Time (as in, about 21 minutes when this was posted).
Here's a little hint when it comes to Apple: almost everything important happens at 10 AM Pacific. Their keynotes always begin at that time. Big iOS updates are always released at that time.
@Yoshi the only flaw in your theory is...it's already December 16 in Japan and it hasn't been released yet lol...but we'll see
@manu0 @Yoshi ITS OUT!!!
I don't have an iPhone or else I'd get super Mario run
Excitebots is absolutely amazing
Scribble, SDK Spriter, & Breakout Defense! ~ I'm patiently waiting for a review.
Super Mario Run ~ I don't own a smart phone, but if I did, I'd own an Android. I feel Nintendo wanted exclusivity on Apple due to, mainly their competitive admiration for them(like how the 3DS, & WU e-shops changed over to real cash, from points), possibly lower piracy, as @manu0: just said, & most importantly, the install base.
@manu0 Interesting...I didn't think about that.
I'll pass..I don't play silly phone gaming..I'll stick to console gaming..Real gaming!
Excitebots would have been nice for christmas.
For Europe.
Come on Nintendo of Europe! If you really want us to pay ÂŁ18 for Wii game downloads, then give us Excitebots! It'll outsell the lot of em! XD
Still no news on Minecraft Story mode snub?
Kind of lagging this week.
OMG Excitebots!! It's weird it's being released before Excite Truck... However, I just hope it'll make the jump to Europe this time!
@RyanSilberman as it should be.
Maybe once Mario Run comes to Android...and doesn't require a data connection to play single player...
The only real drawback to no online in Excite Bots is it will take longer to earn coins to unlock everything.
I imported a US Wii just to play excitebots. I really hope this comes to the EU VC!!
It was an interesting game, floaty motion controls annoyed me though.
7/10
Talking about excitebots of course^
@Spoony_Tech I assume you mean "in your own region." Feeling excluded from a Nintendo release is nothing new for me...although I'll admit this feels like a new low. sigh
Did they bypass Excite Truck? Loved that title, especially playing my own tunes from the SD card.
@andrew20 I agree. Almost bought one a few times but held off too long. It'll be the first Nintendo system that I haven't owned.
$19.99 for Excitebots? That game is less than $5 used at almost all retailers.
I am shocked Half Genie Hero did not make an appearance. I just got my KS download code two days ago and currently playing it. So it's technically "available" for some!
@NTELLIGENTMAN Yeah man, Excitebots is an awesome game, possibly worth the $20 eShop credit if you got loads to spend. Otherwise just get it used on disc.
another exciting week!
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