Nintendo Download: 9th March (North America)

I got Metal Slug Anthology on PSN recently for 7euro.

@Mart1ndo So am I. It's the only reason I won't buy Metal Slug 3 (and the fact that X is better)

Woohoo! I was just about to consider making a JPN NNID to get those Neo Geo games.

However, question for anyone who's played them, what "new features" do they bring to the table? I've heard something about online play, or it could've just been online leaderboards. I already own a lot of these on MVS, SNK Arcade Vol. 1, etc., so would it be worth it to have these on the go?

Blaster Master Zero for me (on 3DS for now) and ABSOLUTELY Bomberman 64.

Bomberman 64 always reminded me of Mega Man X with the ability to upgrade armor and in turn affect your appearance. I personally consider this a great week with these two titles. Nostalgia for days.

Aw are you serious?! NOW the Wii U gets Bomberman 64?? I would have definitely downloaded that before I got the Switch. Too bad VC isn't up and running there yet.

@smashboy2000
I always wanted it and there it was for 7euro. It's fun but rock hard.

Wide range of prices this week, I like the "variety for any budget" look. Don't think I've ever seen a $25 game before,though I suppose $24.95 has happened. Whether a free to start tablet game is worth $25 is besides the point.

Nice to see a demo on Switch in only it's 2nd week, seems like a game that could use it too.

I'm eventually going to get Blaster Master, but for the time being, I'm putting all my focus into Zelda.

When I'm done with Zelda (either because I beat it or I'm emotionally done with it), Blaster Master or the Shovel Knight expansion are up.

Neo Geo on Switch and I will also need that Bomberman 64 on WiiU.

I might grab Blaster Master Zero once I get some cash. I might also try Bomberman 64.

That's how to update..So many games looks like I need more money

Blaster master zero for 3ds

I'm still waiting for World of Goo, Little Inferno, Human Resource Machine and New Frontier Days that I thought was supposed to come out last Friday.

@rjejr that's been a demo since launch day lol

Sad day when NOA update comes out before NOE's.

Was new frontier days released on the NA switch eshop last week at launch? I never saw it listed in the eshop.

Bomberman 64 for me! That was one of my favorite multiplayer games to play with friends back when I was in high school. I think it got as much playtime as Smash and Mario Kart back in the day.

@Dakt I saw another site mention that Nintendo is no longer sending out their updates before Thursday for Europe, I'm hoping we will still get a reasonable update some time today, but it's frustrating to not hear anything about this change in advance (and bad timing just a week after the Switch release when new releases are key).

I was expecting SLIGEACH_EIRE to be the first comment. 0/10

All those Neo Geo games are coming to the USA Switch eshop? Wow, cool. I had no idea we were getting this classic selection. Metal Slug 3 here I come.

Bomberman 64! 2$ for me for owning Wii VC.

thankfully I haven't sold the Wii U yet so I'll purchase and play till I find a switch out in the wild.

Definitely grabbing Blaster Master Zero on Switch.

I'll be getting Metal Slug, Shock Troopers, and Nam. Can anyone recommend which of those NeoGeo fighting games is the better choice?

Is Metal Slug 3 not the one with lots of slowdown,with X being an improved version or is that MS 4?

Well, I was going to go through the hassle of downloading Waku Waku 7 through the Japanese eshop. Glad I waited.

It'd be nice if they gave solid release dates for stuff like this.

Actually a good week! A number of good options here.

Neo Geo love for North America!! I'll grab a few of those!! Good job NOA! Keep it going!!

BlasterMaster here I come. Imwill not deviate from beating Zelda first.

Obviously PINK DOT BLUE DOT.

GOTY material here, folks.

Blaster Master Zero for 3ds, is there a discount if you own blaster master NES and enemy below? Or cross buy option?

Why is the WiiU getting VC while the 3ds isn't? Star Tropics should be a given on 3ds as well as Castlevania Legends!

The Snipperclips demo has been out since launch, I believe. I downloaded it about 5 days ago or so. It didn't look like my kind of game, but my wife & I had fun with the demo. I may get it if it ever goes on sale someday, but by the time that happens I'm sure I'll have moved on by then. Also, it would have to be at least half off before I'd be tempted to bite.

I been looking for a new rhythm game, so I'll give VOEZ a shot.
Also Bomberman 64 since it my favorite Bomberman game and I haven't completed it back on the N64

@cmk8 Why? That is the more important market overall.

@HeroOfCybertron
Yes, I was planning on picking up World of Goo and the two others at launch... Tomorrow Corporation said they send them to Nintendo...

http://tomorrowcorporation.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/NintendoPipe.jpg

BoTW is a beast of a game. If I start to lose focus I will get lost and have to start from square one...will pick up blaster later. I still have shovel knight to play and RMX.

The people behind those Neo-Geo releases is doing what every major developer/publisher should be doing.

WARNING:

all the NEO GEO games have sound desync issues and washed out colors on Switch. Hamster says a patch is incoming.

Why is VOEZ so expensive?

@cmk8 not for me

Bomberman 64 for sure. Then check the discount on Etrian Mystery Dungeon.

I'll definitely pick up Blaster Master Zero at some point. I'll also consider some of the Neo Geo games, once the patch for the sound/image quality is out.

So pleased all this is coming to the Switch today! I'm having a hard time deciding what to buy. At least two games though. They shall be mine. I know I want King of Fighters. I'm torn between Metal Slug and Blaster Master Zero.

Blaster Master Zero for me!

@_ijin The Wii VC never got Bomberman 64. It got Bomberman Hero.

Picking up Blaster Master Zero!

Those Neo Geo games... Good list of games there.

@Angelic_Lapras_King my mistake. got my bombermans mixed up..bummer :/ but maybe I'll still check out 64 anyway.

I can't find a switch anywhere, but I totally want to get Voze, It's my most wanted game for it right now. I'll have to check out blaster master 0 on the 3DS too, sounds like fun though I never played the original

@Jessica286 Because it comes with 100 songs packed in.

@rdrunner1178
I've only played King of Fighters '98, and it's really the definitive Neo Geo fighting game. Though I've heard many really good things about WakuWaku7.

What I really want to know is if these are the MVS (arcade) or the AES (home console) versions of these games, or if you can switch between them a la the Universe Bios.

Bomberman 64 is a nice surprise but I still want Pikmin 2 on Wii U.

for a second there i was worried we might go a week without another epic masterpiece from RCMADIAX....PHEW!

@gojiguy Sound desync issues to go with your Joycon desync issues. Perhaps Nintendo should start marketing desyncing issues. "Nintendo Switch exclusive feature: asymmetrical sound!"

Seriously, though, thanks for the warning. I'll wait for these to get patched.

So conflicted between Master Blaster, Shovel Knight Specter, or RMX just to see how it plays. Or just stick with Bomberman that I've barely played like a wise person would do..

Playing 8 bit games on the shiny new switch seems wrong. But I need my 2D platformer fix. Shovel knight...Blaster Master...such a hard choice.

@rjejr I think people missed the details of Voez because its, well not the cup of tea most gamers are looking for on a new console. But it's kind of like P&D:Z, it's not the actual F2P version, it's a retail package with tons of the "micropurchase" components included "in the box." I won't be buying it (not interested in smearing my fingers all over my switch other than for typing my eShop password) but it's a serious eShop package rather than an F2P port. I think the $25 package contains about $100 or so of what the mobile version would sell the pieces for as F2P.

Good to the USA eshop equalizing with the European one which until this update was hands down beating the USA shop. Very tempted by a lot of these but, damn, can I bring myself to stop playing Zelda?

@NEStalgia Fast RMX is great. Did you play the Wii U original?

First time I'm checking a North American eShop update post, heh. The times they are a-changing alright.

Granted, I'm torn between the supposedly lower NA prices and wanting my games on my "primary" account whenever possible. But as far as demos and region exclusives go, you bet I'll keep an eye out. Maybe I'll eventually do that on PSN as well (it's already quite topical there, especially when you compare PS1 Classics variety by region), but I'll need at least one more Vita for that.

@SmaMan They're the MVS versions. They have settings that let you display the "LEVEL" indicator on the bottom of certain games, the L and R buttons insert coins/start, and there are common DIP switch settings in the emulation menu.

Is Blaster Master for 3DS in stereoscopic 3D? Might pick up the 3DS version over the Switch version if it is.

Reminder again for the NEOGEO titles, as it's been mentioned before, there are sound desync and washed out color issues. HAMSTER is working on a fix which should hopefully come in a week or two.

@Ralizah No, I skipped it on WiiU as well. I'm technically not a big racing fan.....it's not that I don't enjoy it but I lose interest in it fast. I enjoyed the WipEout series on Playstation (especially the Vita version) but I also barely played it for 2 weeks and moved on. So it's a debate of "I really want to play this because it looks fun" and "I know I'll lose interest in this too fast."

I want Voez, master blaster, fast racing and king of fighters... but ZELDA. I have only played bomberman for like 15 minutes (I like the game...but ZELDA) so really no reason to buy anything new.

Master Blaster Zero on 3DS. I need a nice break from Zelda.

@smashboy2000 Do you guys know if the Switch Metal Slug has limited lives, or you have unlimited virtual quarters? Reason I ask, is because arcade games with unlimited quarters bore me, I like to have a structured challenge built into the game, like the NES port of the Ninja Turtles Arcade Game.

@_ijin
Actually Bomberman 64 never came out on Wii VC, Bomberman Hero did. At least I'm pretty sure of that.

@masterLEON So you have unlimited virtual quarters? That is a bummer. I'll stick to the fighting games then. Unlimited life in run n guns and gallery shooters is boring.

I got excited when I saw Blaster Master Zero for Switch, then I got depressed when I realized I don't have a Switch. Then I got excited again when I saw that it was released for 3DS. Then I became depressed again there when I realized that the superior version will likely be on Switch. So now I don't know whether to wait until I get a Switch, or go ahead and download and play MBZ because I love both MB and IntiCreates A LOT. Decisions, decisions....

@Don yeah sorry about the mix up, I just remembered the Bomberman I played on N64 as a kid and thought of that one (Hero) not actual BM64.

I'll check out Blaster Master and VOEZ.

Nothing for me this time. Whenever my power gets restored Ive got plenty of Zelda to finish up on, though I may eventually have to cave in for Bomberman 64.

Oh man! Please excuse me in advance for your collective frown but Bomberman 64 is the bomb! That was the game that really got me into the series. I'll have to try R at some point but I'm so glad to see that game has not been forgotten.

(While I have you groaning, I would like to also mention that I have heard from a reliable source that Blaster Master Zero is a "blast".)

@Slim1999 Really, a demo at launch? Even better.

@daveh30
Ha! Yeah keep your fingers crossed for a remastered collection of all their games!

NL community,

I've never played Bomberman before...is the N64 version a good place to start? Or is the Switch version better?

Thanks!

@Agent721 both have their faults and 64 is not really a classic bomberman game
if I were you i'd actually start with '94

Blaster Master and Neo Geo. Great first week for my Switch!

@manu0

Is that SNES? Turbogrphx 16?

Hope the emulation on the VC is much better this time on Switch.

@Ryu_Niiyama This ^. A Thousand times, this.

Just got Blaster Master Zero for 3DS. As a fan of the original, I was eager to try out the same game with all-new controls and gameplay, and I so far really like it.

Aw man nobody is gonna buy the classic Candy Hoarder? Seriously, why do games like this make it onto the Wii U especially after it's losing interest because of the Switch.

Power's been out for about 26 hours.....should I unplug the fridge from the generator to plug in my electronics?

@NEStalgia I'm not really a huge racing fan either, but it provides something different once in a while and is good, arcadey fun. I mainly bought it to hold me over until Mario Kart 8 Deluxe releases.

@jbopatrick Then try to beat it using as few 'quarters' as possible, like people did with the real arcade games. See if you can beat it in under $5 (20 credits) and work your way down from there, arcade gamer style 8-)

Random question for @ThomasBW84, but since the Switch is region free, you think we should list the Japanese releases as well?

Holy crap, what an update this week. Nintendo is getting just shy of $100 from me!!!

Totally booking Bomberman 64.

Tried Switch today for the first time. Joy Cons were as 'meh' as I imagine they would be. Too small for my tastes and the right analog placement is as bad as I feared.

This got me thinking... I do wonder if the lot of folks swearing by the Joy Cons are coming in to Switch from a 3DS or Vita. To me, even just 5 minutes with Zelda in portable mode was so jarring after having sunk hours into it on my Wii U with a Pro controller.

Also, the buttons and analog sticks felt kinda on the cheap side to me.

Currently Zero percent on everything Wii U and 3DS here (except Blaster Master Zero). Haha.

Not a bad day for North America!

@Jessica286 it includes all of the music that you had to pay for on the mobile version.

Voez and Shock Troopers for me. The weekly updates are going to be fun once again with Switch releases.

@Agent721 64 isn't traditional bomberman (its really good though) but they went with 3d action adventure for the n64 series. The switch version (so far from what I've played) is good old fashioned bomberman. So I would recommend both but suggest you maybe youtube them to see where you want to start?

@gatorboi352 How big are your hands? My fingers are the same length as my father's (although more slender because I'm female) and I have found the Switch mostly comfortable. I'll admit that it took about 10 minutes to get my finger placement on the back the way I wanted it but now it is a good fit. I still swear by the gamepad all day everyday but I've not found long sessions with the switch to be uncomfortable at all. Now the vita or the 3ds XL on the other hand... both cramp my hands at some point.

This actually looks like a decent week, even for the 3DS. Mini Sports looks hilarious, so I'll probably get that for now, but obviously Blaster Master is a winner and Frontier doesn't look too bad either. Since they're both on the Switch though, I might hold off.

@gatorboi352 It's easy to find something if you're looking for it

However, as you say about the Joycons, I do love the Joycons as I've mentioned (I'm currently 50/50 split as to preferring side-by-side Joycons vs. Procon...leaning toward Joycons most of the time so far.) And portable mode is very comfortable to me. HOWEVER, my most played console this last gen was indeed my 3DS, followed by WiiU (on the GamePad, didn't use the Pro much.) PS4 was 3rd most used, and poor Vita in last place. So yes, the buttons being sized about the same as 3DS does make it feel entirely familiar, and if you didn't find 3DS comfortable to play, I imagine you might be uncomfortable with Joycons too. Vita did tend to cramp my hands after a while. The sticks were too small and placed too low. I don't have big NBA hands, so if you do, that might be a problem with them.

Shame you don't like them, though, a lot of people change their preconceptions about it once they get their hands on it, so I thought you might as well.

I highly recommend getting either Waku Waku 7, The King of Fighters '98, or Metal Slug 3. Although the commenter Gogiguy has already stated this, there are audio desync issues and washed out color palettes that should be noted. And will be patched by Hamster soon.

BMZ looks awesome. Definitely downloading that for my Switch.

BAHH! The adventure mode Bomberman64 looks way more fun than storymode in Bomberman R on the Switch. :-/

Probably too late for this question to get noticed.... but, have you guys considered doing a Nintendo Download for the Japan region? Seeing as the Switch is SO multi-region and all?

Definitely going to get Bomberman 64, that's a game I've been wanting to play for a very long time.

Still busy playing Zelda thankfully.

@jbopatrick
You clearly weren't around for the AES version of Metal Slug 3, which only gave you 5 credits. And yeah, with memory card stage select, you could start from the final 5th stage... but that 5th stage alone is looooooooong.

The final stage of Metal Slug 3 is longer than all of Metal Slug 4. I'm not kidding. But it's amazing, and alone makes it a must own.

Don't let the fact that you theoretically have unlimited continues put you off from playing one of the greatest games on Neo Geo. (and, y'know, you could just dump in 30 or something and see how far you can get on those. That's what I do.)

The second they mentioned the customization on bomberman 64 I really wanted to play that again. That was all so cool.

But i got a switch. And bomberman. Like last week. So I'm going to wait and see if they reveal Switch virtual console titles transferring.

@NEStalgia you know, I actually went into the experience a little giddy to just get my hands on it and so I don't think i was preparing for the worst. But as soon as I started to really survey the land (i was on horseback) my thumb already didn't like the positioning I was asking out of it, and reaching back for R and ZR (or whatever it's called) seemed a little clumsy.

Then again, i don't think I'd ever play Switch undocked anyways. But again, it's an extra 70 for the controller i truly want...

And still no 3DS VC. Been more than 2 months now.

@Ryu_Niiyama I don't think i have that big of hands! Also, the Joy Con buttons and sticks just felt a bit on the cheap side to me. They all had a bit of play to them even when just resting my fingers over them, and they're so tiny compared to the buttons and sticks on my Wii U Pro and XB1 controller!

Gotta love the NL ads:

@rjejr The Snipperclips Demo has actually been available on the Switch eShop since at least March 3rd. I know because Best Buy shipped mine and it arrived that day. So needless to say I downloaded it that afternoon and have since bought the full game.

Blaster Master does not support the pro controller!! 😈

@ThomasBW84 Up to you, just an idea to throw out there. xp

@gatorboi352 Well, I do understand. The first Sony controller that I've enjoyed using was the ps4 one. They (imo) finally got the size right so that it gives adequate spacing between the joysticks. I still prefer asymmetrical (thank you Switch!) joysticks but both the gamepad and the ps4 dualshock have enough spacing (gamepad obviously) that it doesn't bother me.

I do hope that you give the Switch a chance though. I may be on the "new console high" but I am really, really enjoying my time with the system. It fixed all the issues I have with portables and is a snappy little home console to boot. Best of luck to you!

The Neo-Geo titles are very welcome and it's a super healthy VC-like dose to fill up the catalog. I had the Anthology on PS4, but there's noticeable controller lag. The individual releases don't have it, so I'm interested in a review of this version.

@sleepinglion "noticeable controller lag" ... what kind of planet youre living in? Get a 20$ used tablet and connect your "whatever" controller via bluetooth and just use the "legal" emulator (its on itunes and google store) .. then when you "own" the game. play it... "noticable controller lag".. get the f out of here

@gatorboi352 Hmm, shame I certainly won't argue with ergonomics not matching, I have enough wist issues to know the results

Some of it's muscle memory, not being used to it etc. But if it's physically straining, then yeah, it's a bad idea. If it's just unfamiliarity (it sounds like you're not a big 3DS user) then the muscle memory takes a little time. The diamond buttons are pretty much stolen right from 3DS, right down to the "clickiness" so it's completely familiar to anyone that plays 3DS, but would be pretty unfamiliar coming from WiiU/PS/XB. The sticks definitely take adjusting. They're more "floppy" than the 3DS circle pad, less motion range and less recentering force than even Gamepad (which was already less than most controllers), they're more similar to Vita's sticks but not nearly as short range and floppy.

But if the angle's bad for your grip in physical terms, then yeah, it's best avoided.

Did you get to try the Joycons stand-alone with/without strap clips or gripped at all? The grip can feel "cheap" but after the Gamepad I value the feather weight of it. But holding them side by side (at first I preferred it without the strap clips, but I think I'm liking the extra width of the strap clips now) is still really cool, at least for me.

Once I decide about the strap clip, I'm really 50/50 on which to use between that and Pro. Used both today....can't decide which I like more. The one bad thing about the Joycon sticks is I'm more likely to click in on the left stick in a combat frenzy in Zelda and o into stealth mode, that sucks. OTOH, if you get a chance to try Zelda archery or horseback archery with the stand-alone side-by-side Joycon motion controls, you won't want to use anything else for that. It's just so perfect for archery. The Pro feels kind of clunky for that task.

I suppose the bright side is, for the $70 controller, it includes a battery unlike the X1 controller, and it includes a battery that's useful unlike the PS4 controller

@ironside1911 My point was that an official paid release should not have those issues. I have many emulators and use them frequently, but I also support the franchises I enjoy with actual money to encourage further releases. I'd appreciate it in the future that you reply with a little more civility. We're all gaming fans here, not angry middle school kids.

@_ijin You missed the opportunity to say, "Bummer, man." 0/10

Actually, while this is a fantastic week, I am all out of monies. My weekly bank app said I spent over $1000 last week after all the Switch stuff came in, plus other expenses. I can't afford that sort of output every week.

@Dysnomia I see, do u know how many songs are and how much each song cost in the mobile version?

@CrazedCavalier thanks for letting me know.

Been waiting forever for Bomberman 64 to get a proper VC release.

@Jessica286 you know you can search for that right? I found that there are 129 songs after searching for "how many songs voez for Switch."

@Dysnomia Do you want a medal for your achievement?

@Dysnomia first, I'm not your sweetheart. Second, yeah you did after telling me to Google it.

@Jessica286 ok well you are welcome Jessica. 128 is your answer after a simple search. I got it and it is great, recommended you try it.