Wii U eShop - News
November2015
Video New Hollow Knight Trailer Shows Off Some Ferocious Foes
Looks to be anything but hollow
The Wii U eShop is really a great place for Indie games to thrive. Affordable Space Adventures, Scram Kitty and his Buddy on Rails, and Runbow are just a few examples of the kind of creative endeavors that the storefront plays host to and - to put things in a more positive light – the lack of heavy hitting AAA third...
That'll rule New 3DS out too, then
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth ended an intriguing saga for Nintendo download gaming when it came to the Wii U and New 3DS eShop stores. Having previously been rejected by Nintendo based on its content, a gradual change in the company's approach eventually opened the door for Edmund McMillen's critically acclaimed...
News Cube Life Update to Version 1.1 is Still Due This Year
Will include custom maps for Deathmatch mode
Earlier this month it looked like Minecraft was finally coming to Wii U courtesy of a PEGI rating listing, yet that's now disappeared. Quite why the listing has done its vanishing act - or indeed why it appeared in the first place - is a mystery to all but Microsoft and PEGI, we suspect. While we wait to...
Feature A Glimpse Behind the Scenes of FAST Racing NEO - Part One
Manfred Linzner talks us through an early car and track
FAST Racing NEO is certainly set to be one of the year's biggest Wii U eShop releases. Shin'en Multimedia has established itself as a leading 'Nindie' developer capable of producing wonderful visuals and strong gameplay, while sci-fi racing is a genre that's been long-neglected on Nintendo...
Feature Our Top 10 Wii U eShop Games - Third Anniversary Edition
A Nindie bonanza
The Wii U is now three years old, having arrived in North America on 18th November 2012. Though it's struggled commercially we think history will be kind to the system in years to come courtesy of the strength to be found in its game library. Whether titles catered to dedicated fans, less experienced gamers or a mix of both, the Wii...
Nintendo Download 19th November (North America)
Mario Tennis! Pokémon! Typoman! GBA Street Fighter 2! More!
With another week comes another batch of Nintendo Download goodies in North America, and 'tis the season for major retail releases on both Wii U and 3DS. The Wii U eShop also gets an exclusive while a range of options are available across both stores - let's get to the details. Missed the...
Man of letters
Many writers daydream of their words having a powerful impact on the world; effecting change against evil and oppression. Developer Brainseed Factory has sought to adopt this concept quite literally in the form of Typoman. The bleak yet somehow achingly beautiful world of Typoman is one where letters take form and serve functions...
News RCMADIAX Announces Skeasy, Expected to Release in Q1 2016
Yet another score chaser
Only yesterday, it was revealed that RCMADIAX – the infamous Wii U eShop developer – would be bringing a new game called Avoider to the eShop in early 2016. Evidently, RCMADIAX has multiple games being worked on simultaneously, as the developer recently lifted the lid on another game that is also expected to release some...
News RCMADIAX Announces Avoider, Due Out on the Wii U eShop in 2016
Hopefully won't be one to avoid
If nothing else, RCAMDIAX has certainly been faithful to the Wii U eShop, with about a dozen titles released on the storefront in a relatively short period of time. While it may be that none of these have been rated particularly highly here on Nintendo Life, the games nonetheless offer some cheap entertainment for...
News Mutant Mudds Super Challenge Has Been Delayed Until Early Next Year
It'll be worth the wait
Mutant Mudds Super Challenge is something of an interesting entry in the Mutant Mudds series; it's not a sequel, but it's standalone and supposedly will have more content than DLC ordinarily would. It's something of a "pseudo-sequel" then, the New Super Luigi U to Mutant Mudds' New Super Mario Bros. U
Review Test Your Mind (Wii U eShop)
Better stick to Brain Age
Brain teasers and Nintendo consoles have long enjoyed a fruitful partnership; the Brain Age series proved that games could give a great mental workout while still being fun. Unfortunately, Test Your Mind doesn't fare as well. Test Your Mind is a simple title with three single-player modes and one multiplayer mode. The...
News Hover: Revolt of Gamers Will Be "Properly" Recreated For Wii U
A fusion of Jet Set Radio and Mirror's Edge
After a successful Kickstarter campaign and an Early Access release on Steam earlier this year, Hover: Revolt of Gamers is now looking towards a release on consoles – including Nintendo's system, the Wii U. Drawing inspiration from the likes of SEGA's Jet Set Radio series and EA DICE game Mirror's Edge,...
Review Girls Like Robots (Wii U eShop)
Happy happy, joy joy!
Girls Like Robots. They also like pie. They don't like nerds, but nerds like girls. And nerds also like corners. They don't like other nerds. But cows like being near people who are beside things they don't like. And sometimes, everyone is just being attacked by the bug king and no one really likes it. Girls Like Robots'...
Review Bike Rider UltraDX - WORLD TOUR (Wii U eShop)
Not so ultra
Part racing game, part platform game: Bike Rider UltraDX - WORLD TOUR is the latest title to enter the eShop, this time moving from 3DS to Wii U. At first glance it's easy to mistake Bike Rider as a side-scrolling racing game, but take a further look and it becomes apparent that it has more in common with a traditional 2D platformer...
Nintendo Download 19th November (Europe)
Mario Tennis! New Style Boutique 2! Typoman! DS Animal Crossing! More!
Another week begins, and therefore we have the European Nintendo Download Update details to consider. This week brings notable retail releases on both Wii U and 3DS, along with a surprising DS Virtual Console arrive and a particularly promising Nindie release. There are some...
News Typoman For Wii U eShop Will Be Released In North America And Europe On 19th November
The power of letters
Headup Games has announced Brainseed Factory's elegantly crafted platform game, Typoman, will be released on the Wii U eShop in both Europe and North America on 19th November. The Wii U exclusive will be priced at € 13.99 (USD 13.99, GBP 9.99), with individuals who participated in the E3 [email protected] program in June eligible...
News Mother 3 Heading to the Wii U eShop in Japan on 17th December
Will it ever be officially localised for the West?
Though we've been following the Nintendo Direct festivities in North America and Europe, the equivalent broadcast in Japan has thrown up its own unique surprise; unfortunately it's an announcement that can perhaps be considered a bit of a long shot for the West. It's been confirmed that Mother 3 is...
They just appear, as if an apparition...
The Nintendo Direct broadcasts had a few surprises included, and in a segment dedicated to The Legend of Zelda Nintendo of Europe had an extra treat in store; this is in the form of a couple of DS releases for the Wii U Virtual Console. The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass and The Legend of Zelda: Spirit...
News FAST Racing Neo Given a Release Window of December
Hopefully, racing to Wii U consoles before Christmas
Today's Nintendo Direct was a pleasing return to form, with a plethora of new games, updates, and announcements to get gamers excited for Nintendo's lineup for the near future. One of the games briefly covered in the presentation was FAST Racing Neo, the exciting futuristic racer that aims to...
News The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Is Receiving A High-Definition Face Lift
Wolf Link amiibo also confirmed
Earlier in October we reported a rumour about a popular data miner in the Nintendo scene who uncovered listings on the Wii U eShop for The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. At the time the evidence available was not entirely concrete in regards to what exactly this release would be, but now we have an official...
Nintendo Download 12th November (North America)
Stella Glow! Nintendo Badge Arcade! Contra! Girls Like Robots?! More!
It may be 'Nintendo Direct Day', but we still have a Nintendo Download Update to look forward to, even if there are rumours of blocky surprises still to come. This week's line-up in North America has some varied and quirky offerings across both Wii U and 3DS, including a...
News USK Lists "Replay: VHS Is Not Dead" For Wii U
Disc-based media killed the VHS star
The German Entertainment Software Self-Regulation Body (USK) has listed Replay: VHS Is Not Dead for the Wii U. The title was released by publisher Neko Entertainment in July on Steam and received a positive reception for being a challenging, satisfying and convincing puzzle-platformer. Taking place in a...
News A New Yooka-Laylee Support Character Has Been Revealed
Remember the good old days with Rextro Sixtyfourus
When you get right down to it, there's still not a whole lot known about Yooka-Laylee, an upcoming 3D platformer made from ex-Rare staff that worked on games such as Donkey Kong 64 and Banjo-Kazooie. After the initial buzz around the game from its successful Kickstarter debut died down, new...
Parent Trap Oft-Forgotten Wii U Features That Matter To Families
Family Gamer TV looks at the eShop, backward compatibility and more
Weighing up which console to invest in for a family is a matter of identifying which features are most important to you. I've had a repeated conversation over the last few months where I introduce friends and parents to some of the lesser known features of the Wii U. Some of these...
News Keiji Inafune is Interested in Implementing amiibo in His Games
Just don't delay Mighty No. 9 again, Inafune
Up until recently, amiibo had been exclusively first party affairs. There are already dozens of the evasive figures available for a wide array of Nintendo franchises, but the question always remained: will amiibo ever be utilized by third parties? This was answered by a rather surprising reveal by Yacht...
Video Take a Look at the New Cat Costumes Now Available In Super Mario Maker
Play custom courses as a feisty feline
If Super Mario Maker on the Wii U wasn’t already addictive enough with its extensive list of course-making tools and user-made levels, the costume collection aspect of the game is yet another reason to hang around. With the number of costumes in the game steadily on the rise, Nintendo has just added two more...
Review Harvest Moon: More Friends of Mineral Town (Wii U eShop / GBA)
Farm Fatale
If you're familiar with the original Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town, released on the Wii U Virtual console earlier in 2015, then you know just about all there is to expect out of its follow-up, Harvest Moon: More Friends of Mineral Town. In fact, you should probably skim the review of the first title if you want a rundown of the...
News Get Ready To Blast Off With Space Dave!
Dave in space
We really liked Choice Provisions recent frantic arcade-inspired platformer Woah Dave!, next up from developer MiniVisions is Space Dave! which is described as a spiritual successor to this readily-avaible eShop entry; you can think of this new title as a modern take on the fixed shooters of yesteryear. Taking a page from classic...
News Bigley's Revenge Arrives on the Wii U eShop Just in Time for Christmas
From the talented studio that brought you Meme Run
There are some developers on the eShop that - in a rather bizarre inversion – seem to be famous not because of how good their games are, but how bad. It becomes something of a guessing game as followers theorize over what the studio will do next and if this one will be even worse than the studio's...
Review Stinger (Wii U eShop / NES)
Cute, creative and cruel
Most shmups ask you to shoot your way through hordes of enemy ships while dodging gunfire. Stinger asks you to do this while juggling. The cute, goofy exterior of the game hides just how challenging it can be, as while it may be hard to take smiling shoes, flying phones and whirling donuts seriously, they're all highly...
News Free Origin Story and 'Remaster' Update Coming to Affordable Space Adventures
Origin Story to include five all-new levels
Update: This update is also live in North America on 12th November. Original Article: We're big fans of Affordable Space Adventures here at Nintendo Life - the Wii U exclusive is a collaboration between KnapNok Games and Nifflas, providing one of the best examples of innovative GamePad usage we've seen...
Nintendo Download 12th November (Europe)
Rodea the Sky Soldier! SEGA 3DS HOME Themes! Discounts! More!
With the start of a fresh week comes the European Nintendo Download Update details. This week brings a relatively rare case of cross platform retail release action, with two versions of a Yuji Naka title that some have been rather looking forward to. Beyond that we have some light-hearted...
Review Wild Gunman (Wii U eShop / NES)
You mean you have to use your hands?
Just like Duck Hunt and Hogan's Alley, Wild Gunman was one of the first games released to take full advantage of the NES Zapper, and can now be played on the Wii U by using the Wii Remote's pointer instead. Based on Nintendo's light gun arcade machine, you might even remember seeing it in the Cafe 80's in Back to...
Review Zoda's Revenge: StarTropics II (Wii U eShop / NES)
Time for Mike to make his return
For banana fans and island hoppers alike, the original StarTropics stands to this day as an under-appreciated classic of the NES library. It's the kind of imperfect gem that sadly went a little under the radar at the time of its release, but has endured as a cult favourite thanks in large part to its distinctive...
Nintendo Download 5th November (North America)
Yo-Kai Watch! Rodea! Stinger! Electronic Super Joy! More!
It's time for more Nintendo Download Update goodness, and this week gamers in North America have a high-profile retail arrival on 3DS to consider alongside a long-awaited dual release on the portable and Wii U. There are some promising download-only games on offer too, so let's get to the...
Review Octodad: Dadliest Catch (Wii U eShop)
Octo-Sad
Back in 2010 a little known freeware title by the name of Octodad was developed by a group of students. Built using the ever-evolving game development software Unity, Octodad was a fine example of what small development teams could conjure up just by using their home computers. Since then a sequel was born, with its appearance on the...
Review Electronic Super Joy (Wii U eShop)
Get out the glow sticks
A key question often lobbed at reviewers is "did you completely finish the game?" We'll answer that one straight away here - no. The reason? Because we can't, but the fact we'll keep trying says much about why we're happy to recommend Electronic Super Joy to Wii U owners. Originally developed by Michael Todd Games and ported...
News Fatal Frame Developers on Why Water was a Central Theme and How Ayane Came to be Included
Evidently, ghosts are less likely to appear in dry climates
Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water released only a couple weeks ago to generally positive acclaim. While the game may be a bit repetitive in some places, its integration of the GamePad as the Camera Obscura was a clever move that really added a whole new layer of immersion to the...
News Swapnote's Nikki is Revived as a Fan-Created Character in Shantae: Half-Genie Hero
Now known as 'Ikki' for copyright reasons, we suspect
We're still awaiting a release date for Shantae: Half-Genie Hero, the crowdfunded HD entry in the series that'll arrive either late this year or early in 2016, though WayForward is still ticking along and maintaining interest in the release. While doing so it's also fulfilling its duties to...
Review Wicked Monsters Blast! HD PLUS (Wii U eShop)
MASH, MASH, MASH, MASH, MASH…
Party-style mini-game compilations can sometimes be a treat. Many of us will have spent countless hours on games such as Nintendo Land and Mario Party, laughing uncontrollably as the same person fails over and over, or screaming hateful abuse towards those we held closest to our hearts only seconds before. These games...
Review Konami Krazy Racers (Wii U eShop / GBA)
Super Konami Kart
Konami Krazy Racers (AKA Konami Wai Wai Racing Advance in Japan) is a largely forgotten Mario Kart clone that was also one of the original launch games for GBA. If you can imagine Mario Kart Super Circuit with Konami-themed characters and courses, you'll be on the right track with what to expect from this decent little kart racer...
Feature Finding Top Speed in FAST Racing NEO
"It's been the biggest production for us. We're sure it'll pay off"
FAST Racing NEO, still due this year, is almost certainly among the most highly anticipated Wii U eShop releases of the next two months. In fact, among the hardier and most dedicated band of Wii U devotees it may be one of the most exciting upcoming releases on the system full stop,...
Review PictoParty (Wii U eShop)
Bad drawings are funny
Drawing with a time limit is a great recipe for laughter, especially among friends. PictoParty channels your inner terrible artist, letting you poorly draw cupcakes, skyscrapers and lamps as your friends desperately try to guess what it is you're trying to create. It's a simple party game that you may have seen before and is...
Review Hogan's Alley (Wii U eShop / NES)
Not exactly a bullseye
One of the earliest NES games released, Hogan's Alley is also possibly the most well-known Zapper game after the classic Duck Hunt. But does it hold up as well as its lightgun game partner? The premise of Hogan's Alley is fairly simple. You are (seemingly) some sort of police officer or soldier doing shooting practice, with...
News Monster eShop Maintenance to Run Through Most of 2nd November
It's for a major server revamp, so don't get too excited
Some of you may have had some trouble accessing the eShop today, and having assumed it was the usual short weekly session we decided to wait a short while. Then we waited a little longer. In actual fact, the eShop will likely be down for most of 2nd November due to a potential 24-hour...
Nintendo Download 5th November (Europe)
Chibi-Robo! Electronic Super Joy! Contra! Toki Tori 3D! More!
Another week begins, and Nintendo of Europe has the task of setting off some virtual fireworks in its Download Update. It does succeed in terms of delivering a first-party retail title on 3DS, while we think the download-only scene on Wii U is looking pretty encouraging this week. Throw...
October2015
Review Human Resource Machine (Wii U eShop)
Conundrums for coders
If you thought Human Resource Machine would be about a robot who hires and fires people, nobody would blame you, but you'd be wrong. Instead, you're put in the shoes of a drone at a mega corporation, helping to sort their mail using the unlikeliest of methods: computer programming. Human Resource Machine features a single...
Review Ascent of Kings (Wii U eShop)
A quick burst of old-school adventure platforming
Although Ascent of Kings, developed by Nostatic Software, has been available for a few years on other platforms (Android, iOS, Windows Phone and Xbox Live), it has only recently graced the Nintendo Wii U. It's built as a side-scrolling adventure-platformer (in the vein of Metroid or Castlevania) and...
News RCMADIAX Is Bringing Its Entire eShop Back Catalogue To Europe And Australia
New IARC rating system to thank
Indie studio RCMADIAX has revealed that it is bringing its entire back catalogue of titles to Europe and Australia. It would appear that the mooted adoption of the IARC (International Age Rating Coalition) system is to thank for this news, as RCMADIAX Michael Aschenbrenner boss hints in the official PR: Thanks to...
Review COLOR BOMBS (Wii U eShop)
Bombs away
It can be disappointing to realize that you've just lost precious time that could've been spent in a better way. If you would like to avoid experiencing this feeling, we would recommend that you stay well away from COLOR BOMBS. This title is excessively simplistic in all ways, and while it may be available for dirt cheap you're getting...
Nintendo Download 29th October (North America)
Human Resource Machine! Octodad! Harvest Moon! Spooky discounts! More!
It's that time once again, North American gamers, to look at the download goodies on the way this week. There are a few tempting options on Wii U, a whole load of discounts and a high profile retail demo among other offerings. Let's get to it. Missed the European Download Update...
Review Slender: The Arrival (Wii U eShop)
Scared, lost, alone (and maybe annoyed)
Slender: The Arrival is either going to wind you up so tight with tension that you'll feel like you'll implode from fear, or make you so angry that you split your entire game room in two. There's really little middle ground between the two. Why? Because a teleporting monster that can appear anywhere around you...
News Word Party Will Scramble Some Letters on Wii U Soon
Word up, this could be fun
Though Word Party isn't a title that'll necessarily spark huge excitement among all Wii U gamers, it certainly has an audience. After all, Lightwood Games has been releasing a range of word games on mobile and 3DS, no doubt pleasing some with each. This Wii U title is a little different in that it accommodates up to five...
Nintendo Download 29th October (Europe)
Project Zero! Resi 4! Binding of Isaac! Freedom Planet! Much, much more!
It's the start of another week, but Nintendo fans in Europe at least have the download update to cheer their spirits. This week's edition seems to be a bit of a doozy, in fairness, with a mix of in-demand titles across both Wii U and - notably - the New Nintendo 3DS / 3DS; on...
News Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition is Creeping Up On the European eShop for Halloween
Got somethin' that might interest ya'
With Halloween creeping closer Nintendo is doing its bit, particularly through the eShop, to get us in the mood. It now turns out that 29th October will have a double whammy for Wii U owners in Europe - not only will Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water finally arrive, but Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition will also...
Video New Aperion Cyberstorm Trailer Shows Off Multiplayer 'Onslaught' Play
Shoot all of the things
Aperion Cyberstorm for the Wii U eShop now has a 2016 release, but it's certainly one to watch for fans of twin-stick shoot 'em up action. We recently went hands on in a survival mode and came away rather impressed, and it could certainly fill a gap in the Wii U library. Developer aPriori Digital has now released some fresh...
Nintendo Download 22nd October (North America)
Legend of Zelda! Fatal Frame! Gunslugs 2! Slender! More!
It's time for Nintendo Download Update goodness, North American gamers, and this week actually has quite a lot to offer. There are major 3DS retail games, a much anticipated Wii U title and an interesting range of download-only games on both systems. All told it could be - whisper it - a good...
Review Cutie Pets Pick Berries (Wii U eShop)
Mandeer is Indifferent
Cutie Pets Pick Berries is a far more innocent game than its smouldering mandeer hunks might have you believe. Sure, they'll be up there posing on your tv screen the entire time you play the game, but this isn't anything like Bubble Bath Babes or Peek a Boo Poker - don't expect some sort of saucy, torrid forest affair. Just...
Video Wii U Version Of Slender: The Arrival Gets Its Own Terrifying Trailer
Out this week in North America
Cult indie horror release Slender: The Arrival creeps onto the Wii U eShop in North America this week, and to mark the occasion the Nintendo edition is getting its very own trailer, packed with jump-scares and spooky scenes. The sequel to Slender: The Eight Pages, The Arrival originally launched on PC in 2013 and...
Review VoxelMaker (Wii U eShop)
For display purposes only
It's rather difficult to judge a game / app such as VoxelMaker. On one hand it features an extremely in-depth and detailed suite for making 3D models out of a large collection of blocks. On the other hand the overall experience feels limited due to its omissions of any sort of interactivity with the models that are created...
News Electronic Super Joy Will Aim to Make Wii U Owners Happy on 5th November
Drop the beat
Update: The developer has confirmed to us that this release date is for both North America and Europe, with pricing of $7.99 / €7.99 / £6.99. Original Article: Earlier this year Wii U owners in North America got to take on Electronic Super Joy: Groove City, which we quite liked in our review. Tight platforming and a tough...
News Nintendo Outlines Its 'Nindie' Plans for Indiecade
Time to book into Hotel California
This week Culver City, California will host Indiecade - the event's running from 23rd to 25th October and will be a celebration of download gaming in addition to giving small studios a chance to show off their work. With its 'Nindie' approach at the forefront Nintendo has confirmed the games for its own booth at...
News Cutie Pets Pick Berries Brings Provocative Mandeer Action to the Wii U eShop on 22nd October
God help this game's Miiverse page
Every once in a while, you come across something that's so utterly baffling that it becomes strangely enrapturing. Nowhere is this more evident than in Yazar Media Group's upcoming eShop release, Cutie Pets Pick Berries. What initially appears to be an innocent and fairly unexceptional puzzle game quickly takes a...
News Runbow Arrives In Australia & New Zealand This Week
Finally!
After quite a long delay linked to local classification troubles, Runbow is expected to arrive in both Australia and New Zealand later this week. The title is listed for release on the local Wii U eShop on 23rd October. The Toronto-based studio behind Runbow have also confirmed the date via Twitter: [tweet Users who participated in the...
News The Latest Patch For Splatoon Is Now Available To Download
Plenty of improvements
Nintendo's squid-shooter, Splatoon, is the Wii U game that just keeps on giving. As previously reported, a massive patch was expected to drop this week, adjusting many of the finer competitive aspects of the title. The good news is, Version 2.2.0 is now available to download. Expect a number of changes to game modes, stages...
News Nostatic Software's Ascent of Kings Makes Its Regal Wii U Entrance on 22nd October
NA release, EU still TBD
Nostatic Software has been rapidly making its mark on the Wii U, making the transition to the eShop with three quickfire releases from its catalogue of games. Both The Quiet Collection and Kung Fu FIGHT! earned recommendations from our reviewers, and we're still making our way through the pixel-based creation tool...
News International Age Rating Coalition System, IARC, Set to Come to the eShop "Very Soon"
Could be a big deal in the Nindie scene
It's common for eShop gamers in different territories to have differing game line-ups to choose from, with some titles taking a while to make their way around different regions. There are multiple factors such as localisation with languages, and the fact that Nintendo of Europe and Nintendo of America operate...
Review Ninja Strike: Dangerous Dash (Wii U eShop)
These ninjas should stay hidden
Ninja Strike: Dangerous Dash is a perfect example of what sounds like a great idea being held back by poor execution. Published by Natsume, Ninja Strike: Dangerous Dash is a formulaic endless runner; in it you initially take control of Blue Shadow, a blue-clad Ninja with a red scarf. The art style is simple but...
News Octodad: Dadliest Catch Gets A Revised Release Date
You've got to be squidding me
As you'll know if you're a keen follower of this site, indie title Octodad: Dadliest Catch recently got delayed on the Wii U, with technical issues being to blame. However, if the game's Wii U eShop page is to be believed, such problems have swiftly been overcome and the title is headed to the console on October 29th...
Review The Ignition Factor (Wii U eShop / SNES)
A reality show about the lives of hot and steamy firefighters
This is the scripted story of six strangers that are picked to become firefighters, work together and have their lives played by a total stranger with a controller. Find out what happens when they stop being polite... and realize their lives aren't real. There was a time in gaming...
Review Dig Dug II (Wii U eShop / NES)
Dig in
The original Dig Dug was fairly popular, so naturally a sequel had to follow eventually. Dig Dug II ended up being not nearly as widespread as its predecessor, only seeing release in arcades and on the NES, so you'd be forgiven for not even knowing it existed! Dig Dug II takes a massive departure from the first game. True to its title that...
Nintendo Download 22nd October (Europe)
Legend of Zelda! NES light gun games! Gunslugs! Discounts! More!
It's the start of another week, and as normal we have the European Nintendo Download Update releases to consider. It's a relatively busy week ahead with a couple of retail titles and some varied downloads across both eShop stores, so let's jump straight into the details. Wii U Virtual...
News ZaciSa's Last Stand is Getting a New Update That Adds in Loads of New Features
Taking a stand
ZaciSa's Last Stand was a product of the Nintendo Web Framework, an initiative that aimed to assist in the porting of flash games to the Wii U. The Nintendo Web Framework has divided opinion because while it does mean that virtually anybody can develop games for Nintendo's console, this also leads to many low quality games appearing...
News SmileBASIC is Heading to Wii U, With Cross-Platform Support and DLC Also Confirmed
Time for advanced BASIC
SmileBoom, developer of the excellent Petit Computer on DSi and most recently SmileBASIC, has confirmed DLC and update information for the 3DS entry, and a hugely exciting Wii U version. SmileBASIC for Wii U - or PetitCom BIG - will be fully compatible with all creations from the 3DS version, with cloud-based saving allowing...
News Cosplay Dreams Come True With Zelda and Zero Suit Samus Outfits in Fatal Frame
Maiden of Hyrule
Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water - called Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water in Europe - is a hugely promising upcoming arrival that should be perfect for Halloween, even if most fans (outside of eager pre-order shoppers in Europe) will be limited to downloading the title. While it's not getting the full retail release its...
News Nintendo Network ID Going Offline Next Week During General Maintenance
Something exciting this way comes?
We're used to Nintendo Network Maintenance taking place and impacting certain features of our consoles, but next week's work could be the prelude to something very interesting. Nintendo has confirmed that there will be a bit of downtime taking place from Monday that will mean that Wii U and 3DS users will be...
News Next Splatoon Patch Drops October 20th, Rapid Blaster Pro Arrives Tomorrow
No sign of any Octolings
Nintendo's squid shooter Splatoon will very soon be receiving even more content to help users stay fresh. Starting from tomorrow, a new weapon called the Rapid Blaster Pro will be available to purchase from Sheldon's Weapon Shop. This weapon will be released at the following times: 7 PM PT 10 PM ET 3 AM in the UK...
Review Momonga Pinball Adventures (Wii U eShop)
He’s a pinball squirrel, there has to be a twist
Pinball may not be the first activity that comes to mind when thinking of possible pastimes for a squirrel, but nevertheless in Momonga Pinball Adventures we see exactly that. You take control of Momo, a Japanese dwarf flying squirrel whose preferred method of travel seems to be being whacked around...
Video Car Owners May Wince After Watching This Final Fight One Trailer
"Oh my car!"
Final Fight One launches on the North American eShop today, and to mark this occasion Nintendo has released a trailer for the game. As you'll know if you read our review, the GBA port of Capcom's seminal coin-op isn't quite perfect but is still worth a spin if you're a fan. The only part that could cause some upset is the bonus stage,...
Review Whispering Willows (Wii U eShop)
And oh yes, she sees ghosts
An adventure game needs a fitting atmosphere, and Whispering Willows sets its tone well. An undercurrent of desolation and vague unease runs through the grounds of the old mansion in which the game is set. It's a set piece worthy of exploration, but the act of doing so doesn't seem to share the same level of...
Nintendo Download 15th October (North America)
Yoshi! Momonga! SmileBASIC! WiiWare! More!
It's that time again, North American gamers, for the Nintendo Download Update. This week brings an exceptional retail release on the Wii U, some interesting home console downloads, a promising 3DS programming app, a load of discounts and even a WiiWare download. Yes, really! Let's get to it. Missed the...
News Wii U Version of Secret Files: Tunguska Sneaks Out in Germany
PEGI rating points to future release elsewhere
The point and click adventure genre is hugely popular in Germany, especially in PC gaming, and Deep Silver seems keen to give fans in the country more of what they want. As a result an updated version of Secret Files: Tunguska is arriving on the Wii U eShop today. This isn't a Virtual Console release...
Review Pocky & Rocky with Becky (Wii U eShop / GBA)
Plain & Repetitive with Boredom
There's real promise behind Pocky & Rocky with Becky, far more than the unimaginative title might suggest. Bite-size levels quickly give way to intriguing boss battles, and speedy pacing helps hold your interest throughout the campaign. However, these positive aspects quickly fade in the face of bland enemies,...
Rumour A List of Unreleased Titles for the eShop and Virtual Console Just Leaked
Prepare that salt
As many of you are aware, practitioners of particularly effective datamining techniques have recently uncovered the existence of data that seems to indicate that Nintendo is gearing up for an HD remake of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. Additionally, there seems to be similar data that suggests that there will be more
News SEGA’s GBA Version Of ChuChu Rocket! Arrives On The Japanese Wii U Virtual Console This Month
The Dreamcast port returns
Around the turn of the millennium when Sonic Team was in its prime with releases such as Sonic Adventure and Phantasy Star Online, Nintendo's Game Boy Advance was fortunate enough to receive a port of the Dreamcast title, ChuChu Rocket! Released in 2001 alongside the launch of Nintendo's latest portable system at the...
News Slender: The Arrival Will be Creeping Out Wii U Owners in North America on 22nd October
YouTube videos with screaming inbound
YouTube is a hugely powerful media resource for gamers nowadays, and does deliver some wonderfully varied content for all sorts of audiences. It can be the making of some games, too; if small Indie efforts get picked up by YouTube stars it can create viral hits and make the careers of developers. That seemed to...
News Former Sony Exclusive PixelJunk Monsters Is Coming To The Wii U eShop
What's that coming over the hill?
A German USK rating has confirmed that tower defense title Pixeljunk Monsters is Wii U-bound. Originally exclusive to Sony systems, the PixelJunk series is created by Star Fox Command and Star Fox 64 3D studio Q-Games - the founder of which is none other than Dylan Cuthbert, a former Nintendo staffer who was...
News Classic Sega Saturn Puzzler Baku Baku Animal Is Getting A Spiritual Successor
Please DO feed the animals
The Sega Saturn may have resided in the shadow of the Sony PlayStation during its short lifespan, but the system was still home to some incredible games, one of which was Baku Baku Animal. A puzzle title which involved matching animals with their preferred item of food, it was something of a cult classic back in the '90s...
Review Pumped BMX+ (Wii U eShop)
Coming in hot with a 1080 backflip kickout… and it sticks the landing!
Released at the beginning of October on the Wii U eShop (and a slew of other consoles), we've spent lots of time mastering all sorts of BMX tricks and techniques in Pumped BMX+. Originally seeing success in the mobile market, developer Yeah Us! worked closely with publishing...
Following in the footsteps of Twilight Princess HD
We recently reported on a rumour which seemed to suggest that Nintendo is currently working on a HD remake of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess for the Wii U. Since then, dataminers have discovered references to other titles, including Super Mario Galaxy,
News COLOR BOMBS Will Splat Onto the North American Wii U eShop on 22nd October
The 10th Wii U game from RCMADIAX
It's time to press that Caps Lock key, as RCMADIAX has announced a release date for its next Wii U eShop title. COLOR BOMBS will arrive in the North American store on 22nd October for a price of $1.49. As a reminder this is a chain-reaction title in which players must collect a predetermined amount of the...
News Helix Games Announces Its Latest Wii U eShop Game, Escape From Flare Industries
Going for green blob hype
Helix Games is emerging as a rather prolific Wii U eShop developer; in 2015 it's released both Don't Touch Anything Red and Neon Battle on the store in North America. Neither are out and out winners, but they're tolerable budget efforts overall. The studio has now confirmed its next game for the Wii U - Escape from Flare...
News Academic Study Highlights How the Placebo Effect Works in Video Games
Interesting ramifications for game design
Don't Starve: Giant Edition is one of a number of high quality games on the Wii U eShop, and its randomised survival gameplay has been put to an interesting academic test, indicating that the placebo effect is perfectly applicable in games. The placebo effect is when a falsely perceived advantage or benefit...
Review Rakoo & Friends (Wii U eShop)
Love is in the air
Rakoo & Friends is a strong case for the allure of beautiful presentation. From a gameplay standpoint there's nothing really special about this one, but the fact that it's a joy to watch adds greatly to the overall package. Rakoo & Friends tells the story of the eponymous critter and his quest to find true love. The game...
News Slender: The Arrival Has Received a German USK Rating
Perhaps an eShop arrival is inbound?
About a year ago, Slender: The Arrival received a rating from the PEGI board; which naturally led to an assumption that the game would soon be releasing on the eShop. The horror title featuring the infamous character released on PC and Mac about two years ago and it seemed like a good fit for the eShop, but there...
News Image & Form Is Hoping to Get SteamWorld Heist Out by Early December
No promises, though
As many of you are likely aware, SteamWorld Dig is due to receive a sequel in the near future. Taking a vastly different approach than the Metroidvania-esque gameplay of the first game, SteamWorld Heist is an interesting shooter/turn based strategy hybrid that carries a lot of promise with its spacefaring setting. It's a release...
Rumour Data Miner Uncovers Evidence Of Twilight Princess On Nintendo's Wii U eShop
The salt is on standby
When The Legend of Zelda: Twlight Princess was simultaneously released on the Nintendo GameCube and Wii in 2006, it was praised for being the mature Zelda title fans had always dreamed of. To this day, it remains a favourite – so how would you feel about it making a return? The proven data miner who operates under the...
Review Toto Temple Deluxe (Wii U eShop)
#GetTheGoat
You may be wondering, what is a Toto? No, we're not talking about the 1970s American rock band behind hit songs like 'Rockmaker' and 'Hold the Line'; Toto is amazing, but this isn't that Toto, even though this toto is also amazing. A toto is a small sentient tablet which has a strange obsession of having a goat sit on its head, and they...
Review Medabots: Metabee & Rokusho (Wii U eShop / GBA)
Meh-abots
Medabots has always been a bit of an odd case. Clearly created to hitch a ride on the Pokémon hype train, it's a series about people who - instead of capturing and fighting with creatures - collect machine parts to build and fight with robots. Unlike Digimon, which was also similar in setup, Medabots never really seemed to catch on...
Not so sparkly
Puzzle solving games with gems, jewels and shiny objects are a dime a dozen. Sometimes, it doesn't take a gemologist to determine which ones are valuable or worthless colourful bits of glass. Gemology joins this glamorous, risky world of puzzle games hoping to be discovered. But is it really worth it? How many gem puzzle games are...
