It's time for another Nintendo Download Update, and it's a very busy line-up to get through. The Switch has five retail titles to consider, and also some terrific download-only options. The 3DS stand-outs are a couple of Pokémon classics, while the Wii U Virtual Console doesn't completely miss out. Let's get to the details.
Switch Retail Downloads
Pokkén Tournament DX (Nintendo, $59.99USD) - The second 'DX' title to make the transition from Wii U to Nintendo Switch, this Pokémon fighter includes five new playable characters (four from the arcade, one new), more assist Pokémon and some new modes / online options. All told it's an expanded version of a title that was already pretty good in its original guise - we gave it a strong recommendation in our Pokkén Tournament DX review. Available from 22nd September.
Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 (Bandai Namco, $49.99USD) - It's finally arrived on the Switch in the West, a title that boasts of some unique features on Nintendo's system. In addition to online options it offers local play for 3 vs 3 battles and co-op raid boss battles for six players; it also throws in some motion controls using the Joy-Con, if that's your sort of thing. We enjoyed it in our Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 review. Available from 22nd September.
The LEGO Ninjago Movie Video Game (WB Games, $59.99USD) - Released to coincide with the equivalent movie, this will add some ninja action to the LEGO formula, with '8 action packed locations' promised along with Battle Maps in which four players can duke it out. Available from 22nd September.
Sine Mora EX (THQ Nordic, $29.99USD) - A shoot 'em up originally developed by Digital Reality and Grasshopper Manufacture, this is a stylish shooter in which you can slow down time. It has a mature, gritty story to work through, along with other modes for pick up and play sessions. Unfortunately some of the 'EX' add-ons are underwhelming (to put it mildly), but we still gave it a modest recommendation in our Sine Mora EX review. Available from 26th September.
Soldam: Drop, Connect, Erase (Dispatch Games, $29.99USD) - This is an arcade puzzle game that goes its own way, not quite doing the same thing as the likes of Puyo Puyo and Tetris. The concept has origins in the early '90s Jaleco range, though this release has various modes to keep things interesting and also multiplayer support. We gave this a whirl in some E3 impressions earlier this year.
Switch eShop
Arcade Archives Mario Bros. (Nintendo / HAMSTER, $7.99USD) - Announced in a recent Direct, essentially various Nintendo arcade games will get the 'ACA' treatment, with options to adjust displays and difficulty settings. First up is the original classic Mario Bros. arcade, in which Mario and Luigi (multiplayer is supported) flip over Koopas down in the sewers. Available from 27th September.
SteamWorld Dig 2 (Image & Form, $19.99USD) - The long awaited sequel arrives and makes its mark on the Switch, with its unique blend of digging, exploration, platforming and combat. This expands and improves upon the 2013 original and keeps the SteamWorld series up to temperature; we loved this in our SteamWorld Dig 2 review.
Thimbleweed Park (Terrible Toybox, $19.99USD) - Produced by Ron Gilbert and Gary Winnick, this is a game that will remind point-and-click veterans of the SCUMM / LucasArts days of PC gaming; that means retro visuals, cutting humour and satire, and puzzles sure to leave you scratching your head. We had a great time solving its mysteries in our Thimbleweed Park review.
Art of Fighting (HAMSTER, $7.99USD) - Yep, a Neo Geo fighting game, this one had impressive - for the time - touches like camera zooms and characters getting increasingly bloodied during battle. Unfortunately we weren't at all impressed when we reviewed this on the Wii back in 2007, but will give it another look.
Switch eShop Game Update
Flip Wars (Nintendo) - Once downloaded, this free update adds a new stage, new mechanics, local wireless multiplayer, Class Matches and a new online battle mode.
3DS Virtual Console
Pokémon Gold and Silver (Nintendo, $9.99USD each) - Originally released on the Game Boy Color these games hit Japan in 1999, with the North American and European launches taking place in 2000 and 2001 respectively. These versions support local wireless battles and trading, while also being compatible with Pokémon Bank. Available from 22nd September.
New Nintendo 3DS eShop
36 Fragments of Midnight (Ratalaika Games, $2.99USD) - A procedurally generated platformer in which each attempt consists of finding and collection 36 fragments, all while dodging various dangers. We considered this to be quite average in our review of the Switch version.
Frutakia 2 (Crazysoft, $3.95USD) - Part slot machine, part puzzle game, in this one you try to match three or more animals as you have control over moving rows up and down.
GUIDE THE GHOST (RCMADIAX, $1.49USD) - In this game you control a yellow diamond on the bottom screen in order to avoid dangers such as white squares and lines.
Wii U Virtual Console
Shockman (Konami, $5.99USD) - The consistent run of TG-16 games on the Wii U continues with this action platformer, and a nice touch is support for local co-op. It's a decent game all told, though in our Wii review we don't think it stands up to the greats of its era.
Chew Man Fu (Konami, $5.99USD) - Another TG-16 arrival, this is a game that not many will be familiar with. At heart it's a top down puzzle game, as you try to push coloured boulders into the correct spot, while there's also a multiplayer mode and puzzle editor. We quite enjoyed this in our Wii Virtual Console Chew Man Fu review back in 2007.
As always Nintendo of America wants you to browse the eShop and check out the official sales and deals website for discount details.
Some interesting options for you this week - let us know what you'll be downloading in the poll and comments below.
Comments 102
Wowwww, this week RULES.
Quite a few Switch games there. But guess what? They're largely ports. SteamWorld Dig 2 and The LEGO Ninjago Movie Video Game are new.
I dig the offerings this week.
(See, it's not only NL staff who can write cringe-worthy game related puns.)
Mario Bros doesn't have koopas. Those are something different. (NERD ALERT!)
@SLIGEACH_EIRE SteamWorld is new and Thimbleweed is making its console debut, at least. Those two are the ones I’m most pumped about.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE
You're a lot of fun aren't you?
@imgrowinglegs I said SteamWorld Dig 2 is new but Thimbleweed Park first came out in March for XB1 and came out last month on PS4.
@SuperTeeter64 I believe they are called Shellcreepers.
I'm getting SteamWorld Dig 2 and picking up the physical version of LEGO Ninjago Movie Video Game from GameStop tomorrow.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE Oh yeah, you’re right. It even hit iOS a few days ago. That game is in more places than I thought.
I’m still gonna get it on Switch though.
Maybe Gold or Silver, as I really didn't play either as much as I did the first gen games.
@SuperTeeter64 I'm a realist and say things as they are.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE
Two ports for the wii u this week. Ohh no!
This is a great batch of games and Sine Mora EX heads the list for me. I am curious how well Mario Bros. will sell . . . sure wish they started with Punch-Out!!
DBZ and Pokemon Gold/Silver for me
Not that it really matters but here we go again with the game thumbnails. SWD2 is nothing but a white background with D2 written in it.
Woha $30 for Sine Mora EX? It's $10 on Steam. I'm not saying it has to be $10, but 3x times that ... for what? Oo Goes into the same category as Cave Story+ then, good game, but hopelessly overpriced on the e--shop. =(
Still, SteamWorld Dig 2 makes this a good week!
Why not Pokemon Crystal? I got pokemon soulsilver but i definitely enjoyed the GBC games much more.
What a great week! I'm getting Steamworld Dig2, one of the Pokemon games (never played silver or gold!), and a physical version of Xenoverse2 tomorrow.
"Arcade Archives Mario Bros --- Available from 27th September"
Sooo next wednesday....they gotta plan these releases a little better >_>
@SuperTeeter64 There basically the same turtle, just redesigned when Super Mario Bros came around.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE
Really not trying to start an argument but more interested in what you have to say about how when both ps4 and xbox1 launched hiw they flooded the market with ports and enhanced "HD" editions?
Pokken Tournament, Steamworld Dig 2, Sin Mora Ex - Is the retail of Sin Mora really going to be available on the 26th?
Pokken Tournament DX and Xenoverse 2 for me. Can't wait to find the latter in the mail
@Rafx Justifying a wrong with another wrong doesn't make it right.
@crackafreeze yeah not surprised since I've been keeping an eye on their website which has no listing. I'm going to ask them when I pick up Pokken Tournament tomorrow.
Other than red and blue I'd always go with the remakes instead. I'll play HG/SS when I want to revisit Johto.
Chew Man Fu has a cringey name (I don't know why they couldn't stick to the JP name, Be Ball) but is lots of fun. It's vaguely sokoban-esque and has hundreds of levels, plus an editor if you really play through all of them (like I did).
@SLIGEACH_EIRE
If nothing else your consistent.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE
I feel like this Switch/ps4/xbox one era is all about ports,remakes,remasters, bundled collections or 4k upscaled games.
you wanted to play Final Fantasy iX on your ps4? sure! why offer the ps1 classic you own on psp,ps3,and vita when you can rebuy it.
I don't see this game being worth $60 unlike Mario Kart 8 deluxe which was worth it
Ey, plenty of retails!
I owned Soldam since the Japanese release. It's...alright. Content is rather lacking compared to Puyo Puyo, though. All this international version adds is the online play.
My eyes are currently set on Sine Mora. Could probably tame my shoot em up cravings a la Strikers1945.
@crackafreeze Right, the good ol' December 31st release date. Hopefully they just haven't updated it yet or got the memo of the shipment. lol
@SLIGEACH_EIRE I prayed for ports. I pray for more ports.
PORTZUZU! HEAR MY CALLS!
Rubs Port Wine all over my body using a pork roast
SD2 for me for sure, a maybe on the Lego Ninjago. If I got the Ninjago it would be a physical copy. Haven't seen any reviews on it so not sure if its something I'd like. I don't think I can hold out for a physical copy of SD2, or I would.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE
Lego Ninjago Movie is also on PS4.
What's wrong with PORT ?
If we got ports from another consoles, that's a BENEFIT !
Are they a SIN for you ?!
@BraveFencerZan Yeah, NoA mention it, NoE didn't because it's 6 days away. I think it's Wednesday because Nintendo Japan said so (I believe that's the DL update day there).
@SLIGEACH_EIRE
You were WRONG here !
SHUT UP and enjoy the Ports !!
Since I am always griping about prices, nice to see DBXV2 at $50. Sure it's a year old but it's still $60 digital on PS4 and $50 on PC. So no "Switch tax" and it's not $60. And it's not so old that it's done yet, DLC pack 5 is due out soon, my kid was hoping for it to release - he owns in on PS4 - same day as the Switch version.
Lego Ninjago at $60 seems too high, but it will probably drop $1 per day for the next 40 days, be $20 Black Friday. Once Lego Marvel Superheroes 2 comes out in 6 weeks they'll have to drop the price.
Thursday update but half the games come out Friday or next week. Well ok then.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE
“I’m a realist and I say things as they are.”
LAUGHABLE!!!!
Great week for the Switch!!
$30 for Soldam: Drop, Connect, Erase. That can't be right?
@RyanSilberman
Didn't the Japan version of Soldam get an update? One feature being extra languages.
@crackafreeze
And people think I'm crazy for wanting to get a physical copy, which are usually cheaper.
SO bummed out that Golf Story isn't out this week, but this week's offerings aren't too shabby.
Nothing for me, download-wise. But, possibly a physical copy of Dragon Ball or Pokken. Hard choice.
Mario Bros. Arcade & Tumbleweed...time to scratch that retro itch!!
Great week!!
getting pokken retail and maybe steamworld dig 2.
Does anyone else remember the time when the Wii U got five retail games in a single week? No? Me neither. I'm so glad the situation is so radically different with the Switch.
Solid week!
Dragon Ball, Steamworld, and Pokemon Gold for me
Where the bleep is Golf Story?
This is an exceptional week for the Switch, really I feel like nearly every week since the Switch came out has been better than almost all the weeks the Wii U had, the easier development and porting process that the Switch offers has never been more evident. We will be getting more games than ever because of this.
This is a great week. I am still playing my MHS on 3DS. Steamworld, Pokemon, and Thimbleweed Park. I still haven't decided on DRagon ball. Wow. So many games, so little time.
@RadioShadow The update allowed for it to be in English and stuff, but no online play. And yes, it is $29.99 rather than $14.99.
These are not the WiiU days.
Anyone know the file size for Lego Ninjago Movie game?
Arcade Mario, Thimbleweed Park, and Pokémon Gold it seems for me.
Grabbing Pokkén Tourney physically and already downloaded 36 FoM on my Switch. :3
Pokemon Silver for me, since Crystal is my favourite Pokemon
i know somebody who has "ports!" tourette's
I'm just over here waiting for Odyssey.
preloaded gold last week after having silver as a middle-schooler, tomorrow can't get here fast enough
Art of Fighting, Shockman, and Mario Bros. for me. Old-school week.
On the Japanese eShop, Pengin-kun GiraGira Wars looks crazy!
Don't need Gold or Silver VC games when I have a perfectly playable and infinitely better HeartGold version that plays just as well on my 3DS.
Also, PS4 and XBox ONE get SAMURAI SHODOWN 2 for their ACA title this week! AAARGH!
Umm... 8 dollars for a port of a very old, bare bones arcade game?
I mean, it's included in Super Mario Bros. 3 which released for 5 dollars on other consoles. Really don't know what they were thinking, I was expecting these arcade ports to be like 2 dollars each.
sine mora ex and steamworld dig 2 for me. maybe that arcade one too.
@N8tiveT3ch @HeroponRiki @Lalivero @MonkiPlays @Agent721 Is Arcade Mario Bros different from the Mario Bros NES VC I bought on Wii U?
@SLIGEACH_EIRE Quite a few PS4 & Xbox One games available. But guess what? They're largely ports. You [removed] that the Switch gets ports and then you [removed] that games like Octopath Traveler aren't "big name games". If they had announced Final Fantasy XV for Switch, you'd [removed] that it's a port. Must suck never being happy.
Ah, good to see RCDMADIAX is still at it. I wonder how he is these days?
Darn, I missed the vote for Arcade Mario Bros. but... wait, it doesn't come out for another week? So... why announce it today then? What I miss lol?
Thimbleweed Park I'm going to try for it, but I "might" wait for a price drop. I forgot I have to prep for Fire Emblem Warriors and Super Mario Odyssey in October (my poor wallet! >_< )
@Amsterdamsters
Or if I say, Sligeach eire is wishing the games that will NEVER do Exist.
He just ONLY looking for Delusive games with AAA Titles, AAA Graphic, AAA 3rd party, NO Ports, NO Remakes, NO Remastered, NO Portability, MUST be on Nintendo ONLY, MUST be CHEAPEST, MUST be Hooked on TV, MUST be 5 - 10 AAA games every months or every weeks, MUST be on machine with Wii U gamepad + ALL Apps, etc. And even the games came out, He STILL Complain for Unnecessary Matters. Basically, He Complain Every Single things.
He is just such a GREEDY STUPID Nintendo Fan with No Brain, No Manners, No Shame, No Logic, Pesting for games created by GOD.
I have NEVER met with SOOOO Stupid , Bitchy and Greedy gamer like that.
If nothing else, then gen 2 pokemon games
Gold and Silver for me. I wish it was another Neo Geo game besides Art of Fighting.
I'll get Dig 2 at some point just maybe not right now. Too busy for new games, and Samus Returns is already taking up all of my free time.
Got Gold prepurchased on my 3DS and waiting for my physical copy of Pokken Tournament DX to ship. Next month is my crazy month for games, got SuperStar Saga, Etrian Odyssey 5, Fire Emblem Warriors 3DS, Assassin's Creed Origins and the Super Mario Odyssey bundle preordered (my dad is giving the money back for that since he was supposed to get it for my son's birthday).
@HeroponRiki It's the original arcade version that's never been released and not the ports missing things.
@Anti-Matter Tell me about.Every weeks it seems that people complain that nothing came out this week for them.It gets anoying. People are so down.
@Anti-Matter if his comments make you that upset why not just ignore him. The button is the for a reason
@NandN3ds
About Sligeach eire ?
Well... he's such a Complainer for every single things.
Gold/Silver MAYBE....limited on money here, and aiming towards more expensive/importantish stuff right now.
I'll probably get Sine Mora, although to be honest I'm most excited about the SNES Classic and a chance to try Star Fox 2 in just over a week.
I bought Silver because it's one of my favorite games and Yumi's Odd Odyssey on Natsume sale
13% for Silver vs. 11% for Gold over 959 votes.. i wonder if that's a similar ratio universally or if this is just a small sample size
POKEMON! Lord, have I missed you!
Also, I picked up Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 a few weeks ago on the PS4, good stuff. Have fun with that you guys!
So excited for Steamworld dig 2
@Anti-Matter I'm not sure if you know this but Nintendolife have implemented a feature where you can ignore him. Just click the comment and you can ignore him.
It seems as though your getting really angry with his comment. Try and take a deep breath and relax or have a cuppa tea, it should help😉
I'm having a really hard time keeping up with all of these quality releases on Switch, but at least I'm not buying an ACA Neo Geo game this week ... I seem to download almost all of them except for the fighting games.
Steamworld Dig 2, Sine Mora and Mario Bros for me this week ... as long as Mario Bros has online leaderboards like the ACA Neo Geo games. That's a huge selling point for me for arcade ports... takes me back to my youth. Too bad the two Psiyko games don't have that feature.
SteamWorld Dig 2! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!
I've got Lego NinjaGo pre-ordered on Amazon as well...can't beat those 20% pre-order discounts.
I'm not sure about Thimbleweed Park on Switch...it seems as if PC would be the better choice, but I'm open.
Technically, I've already downloaded Pokemon Gold and am just waiting for the time lock on it. Either way, really looking forward to it.
Not a bad week in terms of what's available. Props to those who may be playing Gold/Silver for the first time!
Awesome week, especially for puzzle game lovers like me!
@BraveFencerZan
I don't see why they don't just include it in next week's update... what's the point?
Pokemon G/S and Steamworld 2 make this a good week for me. I have Silver preloaded, can't wait!
Pokken and DBX2 for me. Gonna end up spending a good hour or 2 on customization in both games xD.
@lillith I played through Thimbleweed Park when it was released for PC and I wish I'd waited for Switch, simply for the mobility factor as I didn't want to put it down! It's really fantastic, no matter which platform you decide on.
Just Steamworld Dig 2 for me this week. Would have been Thimbleweed Park as well if I didn't already have a Steam copy.
I mean I will probably buy Xenoverse physical copy but yeah, same thing. Plus Pokemon G/S and maybe even the Mario Arcade game too. Why spend my Friday nights going out on the town when I can waste my money on video games!
@SLIGEACH_EIRE Doesn't this just mean that at some point the Switch will offer everything the Wii U can and more? Kind of foolish to mock ports when in the long run, they'll only end up adding further value to the Switch. Why get a Wii U when the Switch gets all of those games ported, along with new games and better third party support?
Not many people bought a Wii U, so you also have to account for the fact that to most people, these are basically all-new games.
Strongest week we've had in a while!
While I'm glad the original arcade "Mario Bros" is on Eshop finally, (which looks better then the NES game) $8 is kinda pricey for such a simplistic retro game. (You can get Mrs. Pac-Man officially on your phone cheaper then that!) Kinda makes me less excited for the other upcoming arcade Nintendo games, if they're going to cost as much as 16-bit titles.
Pokémon Soul Silver was my favorite Pokémon game of all. I beat that about 6 years ago and then started a new game of it last summer. I think one of my favorite aspects of that game is the pokewalker because I can get all the free items, rare Pokémon, and easily level mine up with a short walk or some taps of that on my leg. It's hard to imagine playing Pokémon silver/gold without that handy little gadget.
@Webheadd Thank you for your thoughts. It's true, taking it on the go is the biggest draw ... and there is touchscreen support ... might as well just hand my purse over to Nintendo this week!
@itslukec Yes! I want to know, too.
Really don't wanna fall into the trap of buying steam world 2 now ONLY for it to appear retail down the road! Happened to me on PS4! I'll hold back. So Mario Bros, Sine Mora and Soldam for me!
@Beau_Skunk price is to high....but I'm still getting it. This is classic Mario Bros that I had on my Atari 5200 when I was a kid! 😃 Have to do it! Lol
@SLIGEACH_EIRE man, I like your comments and vibe but this port thing is getting silly. Do you go and see an X-men film and lament it's a port from the comic?
IT DOESN"T MATTER IF IT IS FUN!
@crackafreeze Thanks, Is that October 11 or November 10th?
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