The latest Nintendo Download update for North America has arrived, and it's bringing new games galore to the eShop in your region. As always, be sure to drop a vote in our poll and comment down below with your potential picks for the week. Enjoy!
Nintendo Switch Retail
Unravel Two (Electronic Arts, Fri 22nd March, $19.99) When you cut ties to the past, new bonds form. In Unravel Two, create a Yarny of your very own. Then build relationships with other Yarnys in local co-op or as a single player, fostering friendship and support as you journey together. Begin your adventure in a cold and imposing land, then watch your surroundings blossom with new life as you chase the spark of adventure. Dive into an immersive story filled with energy, exuberance, inspiration – even monsters. Approach every challenge with positivity and fearlessness to awaken the world around you, and discover an unbreakable bond between friends.
Nelke & the Legendary Alchemists Ateliers of the New World (KOEI TECMO AMERICA, Tue 26th March, $59.99) Atelier 20th Anniversary Title. An Atelier town built together with legendary alchemists. This title aims to combine the “slice-of-life” atmosphere of living in a town and collaborating with various characters and the exaltation that comes from successfully governing a town and expanding your world.
The Princess Guide (NIS America, Tue 26th March, $39.99) Choose among four princesses on their quest to forging a world of their dreams. Will you choose to end world hunger with Liliartie, the hungry-but-happy Warrior Princess? Or you may want to help Veronica, the brash-but-talented Witch Princess, achieve world domination? Perhaps unearth family secrets and end poverty with the Rose Princess, Monomaria? Or spread words of peace and faith across the world with Alpana, the Dragon Princess? Guide your princess with "Praise" or "Scold" to make them stronger, happier, and ultimately a worthy heir to the throne. Read our The Princess Guide review.
Xenon Racer (Soedesco, Tue 26th March, $49.99) In the near future, the official racing federation has ordered a seasons pause from racing, to allow teams to ease into the transition to flying vehicles. To bridge this gap, top hybrid car manufacturers host a rogue championship for rookie drivers on the streets of cities worldwide. Their advanced cars drive on electricity and Xenon gas, resulting in crazy speeds. Get behind the wheel, keep your adrenaline in check and drift through the streets.
Switch eShop
Final Fantasy VII (Square Enix, Tue 26th March, $15.99) The world has fallen under the dominion of the Shinra Electric Power Company, a sinister corporation that has monopolized the planet's very life force as Mako energy. In the urban megalopolis of Midgar, an anti-Shinra rebel group calling themselves Avalanche have stepped up their campaign of resistance. Cloud Strife, a former member of Shinra's elite SOLDIER unit now turned mercenary, lends his aid to the rebels, unaware that he will be drawn into an epic battle for the fate of the planet while having to come to terms with his own lost past.
Blaster Master Zero 2 (Inti Creates, Wed 20th March, $9.99) The side-scrolling/top-down hybrid action-adventure gameplay returns with a brand new sequel to "Blaster Master Zero"! Experience the yet-untold story of Jason and Eve after defeating Earth's mutant scourge as they venture into the depths of space in their new battle tank, "GAIA-SOPHIA"!
Nuclear Throne (Vlambeer, Wed 20th March, $13.99) The indie Super-hit from Vlambeer, finally on Nintendo Switch! Nuclear Throne is a post-apocalyptic roguelike-like top-down shooter. Not 'the final hope of humanity' post-apocalyptic, but 'humanity is extinct and mutants and monsters now roam the world' post-apocalyptic. Fight your way through the wastelands with powerful weaponry, collecting radiation to mutate some new limbs and abilities. All these things and more you could do if only you were good at this game. Can you reach the Nuclear Throne?
Air Conflicts: Pacific Carriers (KalypsoMediaGroup, Tue 26th March, $19.99) New warplanes once revolutionized warfare — and the gripping aerial battles of the Second World War have now also found their way onto Nintendo Switch. Step into the boots of Admiral Lucas Stark (US Navy) and coordinate the defense of Pearl Harbor and the liberation of the Pacific Ocean — or win honor and glory for the Japanese empire as Admiral Hideaki Hashimoto (Imperial Japanese Army).
Air Conflicts: Secret Wars (KalypsoMediaGroup, Tue 26th March, $19.99) Air Conflicts: Secret Wars is an arcade flight game with battles spanning both World Wars, featuring seven campaigns and 49 missions that engage players in white-knuckle air battles and secret missions across Europe and North Africa. An impressive selection of famous aircraft of the era is available to the player, each showcasing specific strengths and weaknesses in the battle for air supremacy.
Alien Cruise (ORENDA, Thu 14th March, $11.30) Control four vegetable pilots to save different planets occupied by the enemy! Each planet comes with unique characteristics along with a wide variety of obstacles that block the pilots’ way! Utilize various weaponry to prove the vegetables' strength! Alien Cruise offers both single player and multiplayer game modes where two players control one vegetable pilot each. This challenging, side-scrolling shooter with a nostalgic design will give famous shooting games of the past a run for their money.
Apocryph: an old-school shooter (Bigzur Games, Thu 14th March, $14.95) Apocryph is an FPS set in a brutal dark fantasy world. It has its roots in old-school fantasy shooters, so prepare for intense sword-and-sorcery FPS action amidst forgotten castles, evil shrines and decrepit dungeons!
Arcade Archives Elevator Action (HAMSTER, Thu 14th March, $7.99) “ELEVATOR ACTION” is an action game released by TAITO in 1983. As a Spy, your goal is to infiltrate the building and escape with all the confidential documents. Use elevators to crush enemies, attack them by shooting down lamps, and more.
Assault On Metaltron (Blue Sunset Games, Wed 20th March, $6.99) First action tower defense game where you power up your towers however you like. Play as Metaltron's Defender Golem and build towers to defend your planet from the allied forces of humans and orc hordes.
Azure Saga: Pathfinder Deluxe Edition (Toge Productions, Today, $9.99) Far into the future, the human race survives through colonies scattered across the universe. One tale gives humanity’s remnants hope – one of the legendary planet, Azure, a world full of life and abundant resources that could bring humanity back from the brink of extinction.
Bargain Hunter (Gamechap, Fri 15th March, $12.49) Play as an upcoming bargain hunter looking to make your fortune turning "trash" into cash! Beginning with just a few bucks, aim to become fabulously wealthy. . . or go bust trying! - Starting off in your shabby house with a rusty old car in the garage, you'll visit lawn sales, thrift stores, flea markets and antique dealers as you try to hunt down that bargain that could make it BIG!
Block-a-Pix Deluxe (Lightwood Games, Today, $7.99) Reveal the picture by dividing the grid into smaller rectangular blocks to create a colorful mosaic. Each block must contain one clue number, indicating the size and color of the block to be painted. Block-a-Pix Deluxe contains 120 puzzles, designed by Conceptis Ltd, They produce cute, detailed pictures which have been carefully hand-crafted and are guaranteed to be uniquely solvable.
GALAK-Z: The Void: Deluxe Edition (Golem Consulting, Tue 26th March, $14.99) This critic's choice has been retooled to create the ultimate version for the Switch. 80’s spaceship anime and arcade-gaming meld with ultra-modern physics and A. I. in a skill-demanding, procedurally generated rogue-lite adventure!
Gems of War (505 Games, Tue 26th March) From the creators of Puzzle Quest comes the ultimate evolution of the Puzzle-RPG-Strategy mashup, Gems of War! Match gems and skulls to turn the tide of battle, build your team of heroes and conquer mighty kingdoms! Immerse yourself in a world of adventure as you collect heroes from across the realm and battle foes with the power of the puzzle board. Match gems and skulls to build up mana and crush your enemies!
Grand Prix Story (Kairosoft, Today, $12.00) Try your hand at managing an auto racing team! Become the boss of your own team, training drivers and acquiring sponsors before conquering the Grand Prix! Develop new vehicles and parts, and customize them any way you like! Do you have what it takes to make it to the winner's circle?
Hook (Rainbow Train, Thu 14th March, $1.99) "Hook" is a relaxing, minimal, puzzle game. It is more of a game-like experience than a challenge. No menus, no achievements, just you and a puzzle. The player is surrounded by calming sounds and music.
Inventioneers (Filimundus, Mon 25th March, $9.99) Become an Inventioneer! Solve clever and funny inventions with the help of the amazing Inventioneers! They have special powers you can use and at the same time learn about physics in a creative way.
Neon Caves (Wed 27th March, $3.99) Explore the Neon Caves, a fragile ecosystem lost to the world for centuries.
OMG Zombies! (Ghostlight, Tue 26th March, $4.99) As a lone cop armed only with bare wit, a large-calibre sniper rifle and bullets coated in a zombie-exploding pathogen, you are the last man standing at the epicentre of a zombie outbreak. Your mission? To succeed where the police and army failed by clearing the streets of 8 different strains of bloodthirsty zombies and stop Armageddon in its tracks!
Peasant Knight (Ratalaika Games, Fri 22nd March, $2.99) Peasant Knight is a challenging puzzle-platformer that you can play with only two buttons: jump and stop. All the while you're relentlessly dashing forward into traps, enemies, and hazards.
Reptilian Rebellion (Herrero Games, Today, $2.99) The Reptilian Rebellion has just started. Wait, don’t you know what reptilians are? There are thousands of these green lizard-men living amongst us, but now they have become too dangerous and want to take control of the planet. Don’t let reptilians rule the world and send them to hell. Reptilian Rebellion is a casual and challenging game, kill as many reptilians as you can, keeping an eye on your ammunition, and looking for powerups and friends. Be careful with the vehicles, find the leader of the Illuminati, unlock different characters and collect bitcoins to enter the leaderboards. Stop the New World Order!
Rogue Bit (Bigosaur, Today, $4.99) A single bit of computer memory became sentient and decided to escape from digital into the real world. Explore RAM, modify bytes and hack machine code and CPU registers to set it free. The game is about the way computers work internally. Having some programming knowledge makes the game easier, but it isn't required.
StarDrone (Beatshapers, Today, $9.99) In StarDrone, players pilot their Drones across the galaxy, collecting pieces of Equilibrix in order to restore the equilibrium of the universe and stop the evil G-Noids from taking over. However, this journey requires much more than star-gazing, as your Drone is constantly in motion and the more stellar matter you collect, the faster it will travel until you are moving at the speed of light. Along the way, key power-ups will earn you more points that will ultimately let you compete against the world on the StarDrone scoreboards.
Super Phantom Cat: Remake (VEEWO GAMES, Today, $9.99) Super Phantom Cat is a "Pawsome" retro platformer, or what we like to call "Catformer," in which you explore quirky environments, clear purrrfect colorful levels, solve the mysteries shrouding the Phantom world and rescue your kidnapped little sister, Ina.
Sushi Time! (Baltoro Games, Fri 22nd March, $4.99) Welcome to Sushi Time! Manage a sushi bar and become a tycoon of Japanese food! Try to deliver the orders on time, but be careful not to mix them up! Upgrade your bar and beautify it, so that you'll be able to create the best sushi in town! To work!
Windscape (Headup Games, Wed 27th March, $19.99) Windscape is a first-person exploration action-adventure full of exciting challenges. Its unique art style is reflected in expansive worlds and their bizarre inhabitants. On your journey you will find dark caves, ancient ruins and mysterious woods. By exploring the beautiful game world, mining resources and fighting epic monsters you collect numerous materials that can be used to craft items, weapons and armor.
Witch & Hero (Flyhigh Works, Today, $4.99) You play as a Hero accompanied by a Witch and you are seeking revenge, and justice, over the evil Medusa. Medusa turned the Witch into stone, so she is no longer able to move; it’s up to the Hero to defeat the monsters and collect their blood in order to recover the Witch for a limited period of time. The Hero leads the fight but can revive the Witch to unleash her destructive powers; as the waves of enemies become stronger they will need to work together!
3DS eShop
Horror Stories (RandomSpin, Today, $3.99) How did you imagine murders are being committed by serial killers? You find yourself in one of these situations, in which you need to not catch the eye of the killer and try to survive by killing him!
Wii U eShop
PixelMaker Studio (Nostatic Software, LLC, Today, $9.99) PixelMaker Studio is a drawing program designed specifically for making pixel art images, animations and tile-based scenes! Using easy to use tools on your Wii U GamePad, you can design images as simple or as complex as you like. Experiment, and create characters and scenes based on your favorite classic video games, or draw straight out of your own imagination!
Activities
Nintendo Splatoon 2 Ink-credible 20 Percent Discount – Take your ink-splatting skills to the next level with an ink-credible offer! Starting March 19 at 07:00 a.m. PT until March 28 at 08:59 a.m. PT, you can save 20 percent on the digital version of the Splatoon 2 game for the Nintendo Switch system when you purchase through Nintendo.com or Nintendo eShop on your device. To battle it out or cooperate with other players online, you can purchase a Nintendo Switch Online membership separately or Splatoon 2 + Nintendo Switch Online Individual Membership (12 Months).
Nintendo eShop Sales
Check out the full list of deals available this week here.
So that's your lot for this week's North American Nintendo Download. Go on, be a sport and drop a vote in the poll above, and comment below with your hot picks!
Comments 71
Got FFVII preloaded, and I may get Blaster Master 2 also. I just need to finish the first one...
Blaster master zero 2
Unvaled 2
Final fantasy 7
Wow, Xenon Racer is fifty bucks? Hmm...
Blaster master z2 all the way. Its too great a series to pass up. The first one (zero) was awesome and the 2nd one is just as cool. For those who've never played it. It's like metroid in a battle tank for half the game and then a zelda top down but shooter for the other half. The boss bottles are always fun too!
Already bought FF VII, I cant wait to play it......
Minit
Firewatch
Night in the Woods
Unravel two (physical) that is if I can find it.
Pinball FX3 Williams Volume 3 should also be out... Theatre of Magic, The Champion Pub, and Safe Cracker.
This week has 7 new Switch games beginning with the letter A.
Azure Saga for me this week. Blaster Master Zero 2 eventually (still gotta finish the first one).
Pre-ordering Cuphead.
Gonna finally give Hollow knight a go
I'm planning to get Xenon Racer physical, already got FFVII pre-loaded and Blaster Master 2 is already done and ready.
Just got Horizon Chase Turbo on sale. I`m pretty happy with my purchase! Holy Zeus, I have to finish a few games, otherwise I`ll have to delete some.
I highly recommend Nuclear Throne to all roguelike and Twin-Stick fans! I’ve put over 300 hours into the Vita version, so at $13.99 it really does represent stunning value!
FF7 preloaded and will get physical for Xenon racer
Holy hell don't use FFVII remake as a thumbnail, my heart skipped a beat before I actually read the title haha
Despite my backlog, I may have to bite the bullet for a couple of these at least:
Final Fantasy VII — Shameful as this will sound, I have never played this, or any FF past 6, so this coveted entry has been told to me time and time again how good it is. As a big advocate of FFVI, I am looking forward to finally stepping into the shoes of Cloud Strife and the polygonal FF's. Also, until I play this, I refuse to touch FFIX, FFX/X-2, and FFXII, which I will get to soon enough.
Blaster Master Zero 2 — SIIIIIIIGH -_- Where did this game COME from?? As if I don't have enough backlog worries! * Grumble, grumble * I loved Blaster Master back in the day, love Inti Creates, and absolutely loved BMZero on Switch, so there is NO DOUBT this is going to the top of the backlog, and MIGHT get purchased today (only $10 too?!). It looks like Sunsoft allowed Inti Creates to take more liberties with this as Jason and SOPHIA are way more agile with better gunplay to boot. Might have to go ahead and give up $25 to make this and FFVII happen...
Arcade Archives Elevator Action — I'll backlog this for now, but Elevator Action was my jam in the arcades back in the day. I've been relegated for years to play the serviceable but sub-par NES version, so this is a treat for me.
Gonna be a fun weekend resisting the urge to buy this stuff, but I know I will lol
$15.99 is a bit much for FFVII.
@OorWullie "This week has 7 new Switch games beginning with the letter A."
I was going to post that exact same sentence.
Followed by - That was like 6 months worth of Wii U games.
@Fake-E-Lee , never played a musou game before. Is fate/Extella Link a good starter for it?
Final Fantasy VII and Blaster Master Zero 2 for me!
NOT cool with the FFVII Remake Thumbnail!!
Probably Wizard of Legend because of it's on sale and has a nice update.
I didn't even realize Blaster Master Zero 2 was a thing. Gonna have to check that out.
OMG! OMG Zombies!
So. Much. Shovelware.
I grabbed OMG-Zombies using gold points, since it's 75% off (only $1.24) as a pre-order. I played the original PS Mini and the remake on Vita. It's a good mindless time waster. Nothing earth shattering, but there's something satisfying about setting off a chain reaction that causes an entire screen of zombies to explode.
Just FFVII for me. I pre bought it a few weeks ago. Glad to finally be able to experience this game. RPGs are best on portable platforms, in my opinion. Who has time to be tethered to a TV for 50+ hours?
Man, I am NOT used to see Final Fantasy VII on a Nintendo console, so I'll get that
Maybe some other title too...but I already got Blastermaster 2. Just need the time to play it.
I love how that FF7 Remake image (or was it from SSBU?) was misleadingly used to represent the Playstation game that’s on eShop. Gotta net a couple more clicks, eh? Clever.
@MeloMan
I wouldn’t hold off on XII, Final Fantasy games are complete stories each separate from the others so playing them in order doesn’t really mean much since the stories aren’t connected.
I love Final Fantasy VII but some of its elements don’t hold up well (some of the comedy for sure doesn’t) the materia system was pretty amazing though I do remember.
Personally I enjoyed XII because it has a “gambit” system that allows you to program your party AI as you unlock more gambits.
You can still issue manual commands but it gets cool as your party learns and begins to react as you programmed them to in battle.
Great game I’m so ready for it to come on switch, I own it through steam on Pc but I’m waiting on switch release for portable.
@Dilated the Gambit system was mind-blowing at the time. Too bad it was probably the last truly inventive entry in the franchise, from XIII onwards things got stale.
Wow a whole 20% discount. Nintendo you're spoiling us.
Regarding Final Fantasy VII, is it the original PlayStation game, or the «enhanced» PC port (that is available on PS4)?
Somehow I'm unsurprised that FF VII has the vote majority. I can't wait to try it out for myself.
@Sinton Judging from eShop screenshots and descriptions it's the PC port. They're much higher resolution screens, and I believe the description mentions features from the PS4 version like being able to turn off random encounters.
Wow...42% for FF7. I feel like that may be one if the highest % I’ve seen
@Dilated Good info there, thanks for that. Yeah, I'm aware they are self-contained stories, I just want to play them in their release order
@DockEllisD
Yeah... I know, lol. Especially when it's a game that's just that good.
Definitely getting Blaster Master Zero 2! Might get Final Fantasy VII sometime too
Final Fantasy VII is happening FINALLY. So excited about that. Also, I got Blaster Master Zero II already paid for and downloaded as soon as it went live yesterday. Let me just say that for anyone on the fence, the game is STELLAR so far. The music is improved, the gameplay is improved, and to me, it feels like perhaps the first true sequel to a game in a long time. Lots of the abilities are already present from the previous game and now you can get even more. There are lots more cool gameplay mechanics too. Honestly, this release of BMZ2 has made my ...year? It’s my favorite game series and now it’s better than ever.
@AlternateButtons
agreed
I miss when they would also give us the list of game son sale.
I think a lot of people are going to be taken back by the FF7 graphics woo boy they haven't aged well. Even playing 9 has been a bit jarring. I'm not picking up 7 because I have the original and can play it on my PS3 if I want since that's still hooked up, however last time I went to play it the graphics made it harder to get into. I will possibly be grabbing Blaster Master zero 2 though, and thinking about grabbing moonlighter that's on the indy sale finally.
@AlternateButtons thought the same thing on that art - i love how everytime i come here this site does something new to p!$$ me off - back to NintendoEverything
@Meloman I agree completely with what @Retromemories said. While I absolutely loved VII, I have to admit that it gets hyped up a lot, which may lead to very high expectations. Speaking from experience. I went into FF 6 thinking it would be some mind blowing experience, thanks to almost every FF fan on the internet, only to be met with a game that bored me out of my mind.
Anyway, I hope you, and everyone here playing it for the first time enjoy it as much as I did. Currently playing through VIII at the moment.
@Fake-E-Lee, you sold me a game
I get Gems of War on any device it comes on...sigh...seriously addicted to this game (have it on my PS4, phone, and tablet)...so this is a definite "buy" (since its free to play) on Switch. I've been wanting GoW on Switch since the thing first came out! As for others on the list...already got Blaster Master Z2...and picked up several other indie games in the sale that I didn't have before (but aren't on the list here). Also, had to finally break down and get Crypt of the Necrodancer to see what the play is going to be like in Cadence of Hyrule (which I'll definitely be getting...looks great). Still on the fence on getting FFVII again. Thinking of saving that money up for FFXII when it drops next month (since I already have Dragon's Dogma and Ace Attorney preloaded and just WAITING to go live).
@CptBiasAran Appreciate the heads up. It looks like I'm prepared then cause I never bought the hype and will strictly be playing this for the game it is... for SCIENCE!
That picture is not from the version of FF7 the Switch is getting.
@Fake-E-Lee i can get behind this
#GetFakeELeeAWritingJobonNL
I've played FF7 on the psx, PC, last year on my mobile and now this year on the Switch. I'm a sucker. Just gotta finish the last disc of FF9.
Witch & Hero for Switch? That was unexpected.
@Supadav03 well is not every week that one the best games of all time is launched...
FF VII is pre downloaded and waiting. It is a shame is has not launched this week as I am on leave but well I will play the hell of it on the flight back!!
Insanely curious to see Xenon Racer. I can't imagine it's gonna be a great port. If it was I assume they'd be showing it off.
@Balta666 re-launched (for like the millionth time, lol) but hey, I’m buying again too
FF 7 and Unravel 2 for sure. Nuclear Throne and BMZ2 also look like solid pickups.
Don't know why people are annoyed by the pic used for the article. By the time the remake of 7 comes out, the Switch 3 and PS6 will be out.
@Crono1973 Never would've figured that out, thanks for the heads up
Already have played some Blaster Master Zero 2. It's a lot tougher than the first one was. Trying to figure out how exactly some of the boss fights are supposed to work.
So far I've figured out that new lock-on attack Jason has seems to be the main mechanic to use in most situations.
Hopefully FF7 gets a physical release holding out in hopes it does!
@andrew20 getting all those plus the NISA one.
Omg Zombies was a fun game back in the day. Might plop down $1.25 for it.
I’m tempted on some nostalgia ff7
Baseball Stars 2 also came out this week!
@Retromemories Yeah when I played a little bit after picking it up for the switch the FMV's are still stunning and have held up real well. It's just the backgrounds being like a still image that puts me off a bit. I saw some gameplay from VII though and the smoothed out characters from the port are much better than the original at least, so I might pick this up eventually. My favorite FF is still 6 though and as you said above has some of the best characters in the series ( hence my shadow as my avatar, though his head got cut off )
@Retromemories I don’t hate VI or anything, and as you said, the characters are what really entertained me; Sabin and Setzer being my two favorites. I even named (Spoiler ahead) Red XIII after Sabin in my VII playthrough, and I never rename characters. It just didn’t click with me like I hoped it would, after hearing so much praise for it.
That being said, I do love the whole “World of Ruin” concept. That part was pretty great.
And another thing, props to you for representing FFIV with that avatar. IV was one I enjoyed from start to finish.
@Retromemories Haha that’s actually one thing I hear quite often about how the story falters after that point, but I had some fun finding my party.
As for IV, i’ll be right there with you. I shamefully haven’t played IV since I played it on my GBA years ago, but i’ve been meaning to get the PSP version for my Vita since I plan on playing through all of the FF’s. (Or At least the ones I haven’t played yet)
Kain and Golbez are just so cool to me.
@Retromemories I've played through and beat 1, 4-X, XII, XV. Only game I really didn't like was the XIII series. Also of course played and beat Tactics, and played both GBA tactics games though i never beat those.
@Retromemories I have a soft spot for Mystic Quest, it's SOOOO linear, but I still loved it. And I'm not a big tactical RPG fan, but I love Final Fantasy Tactics at least lol.
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