Wii U eShop News
April2015
News Avengers: Age of Ultron DLC Rolling Out to Zen Pinball 2 Soon
We're going to show you something... beautiful
Excited cinema goers will be rushing in droves to see the latest instalment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Avengers: Age of Ultron hits the silver screen in Europe later this week. (Sorry North America, you'll have to wait until 1st May). Of course, every cinematic blockbuster such as this has a...
News Challenge Mode to Accompany Shovel Knight's Plague of Shadows Update
Japanese localization also on the way!
As exceedingly rad as Shovel Knight is, the radness velocity only climbs upon the realization that Yacht Club Games is still digging up free add-ons, updates and treats that will keep the game fresh for quite some time. We previously learned that the Plague of Shadows expansion is on its way, but Yacht Club has...
News Image & Form Announces 'SteamWorld Ambassador' Challenges
Play SteamWorld Heist before anyone else
SteamWorld Heist is due to start arriving in Fall this year, with the 3DS and Wii U eShop stores on the list of supported platforms. A spin-off from SteamWorld Dig, its blend of a steampunk aesthetic with 2D turn-based strategy is certainly full of potential. Developer Image & Form is now launching a set...
News Space Hulk Will Be Docking With The Wii U eShop On May 2nd
Stealer's Kiss
Turn-based tactical strategy game Space Hulk will be hitting the North American Wii U eShop on May 2nd. Based on the Games Workshop board game, Space Hulk sees you taking control of a team of Space Marine Terminators tasked with boarding derelict spaceships and ridding them of the alien Genestealer menace contained within. The...
Gallery Feast Your Eyes On FullBlast, An Old School Vertical Shooter For The Wii U
Two player action promised
Following the PEGI rating we reported on a while back, EnjoyUp Games has confirmed that it will be publishing UFO Crash Games' FullBlast on the Wii U eShop. A vertically-scrolling shooter with 3D visuals and a heavy metal soundtrack, FullBlast calls to mind the likes of Raiden, Battle Garegga and DoDonPachi. It offers...
Nintendo Download 23rd April (Europe)
Double Mario Kart delight, Kirby week, discounts and more
A day later than is custom, we finally have the European Nintendo Download Update details to pore over. It's a week with one particularly notable DLC pack on Wii U to be excited about, along with some Virtual Console offerings, a special Kirby-themed promotion ahead of the arrival of Kirby...
Review Klonoa 2: Dream Champ Tournament (Wii U eShop / GBA)
Sweet dreams
Klonoa's never really gotten the recognition he deserves, has he? The floppy-eared hero's original adventure, released for PlayStation in 1997 and given a superb Wii remake in 2008, was an extraordinary 2.5D platformer that forced players to take a different perspective on the action. Following this, Klonoa got multiple releases on...
Review Guac' a Mole (Wii U eShop)
Worth dipping into
When the Wii U was unveiled back at E3 2011 much was shown off in the way of its special abilities and functions, especially when regarding the system's controller. Unfortunately, the GamePad's many perks (such as its impressive use of motion controls) have been relatively untapped in the years since, and use of its built in...
News Mario Kart Super Circuit Arrives on the Wii U eShop This Week in Europe
Yes, we're still waiting for the download update information
We're not sure why, but at the time of writing we're yet to receive the usual Nintendo Download Update news for Europe; we've enquired to see what's happening, in any case. Yet Nintendo of Europe does have its line-up at least partially confirmed, stating on Twitter that Mario Kart Super...
Review Yoshi's Island DS (Wii U eShop / DS)
Swap-a-bye baby
The challenge of having to follow up such a hot act as Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island is staying true to the original while simultaneously feeling fresh and exciting. The original Yoshi's Island was a pioneer in its design; that design can be straight-up copied again, sure, but the sense of surprise that the first possessed...
Review Word Search by POWGI (Wii U eShop)
Finding words, one letter at a time
Sometimes, a game's title tells you very little about its content. What do titles like "Bayonetta" scream to you when read? Meanwhile, a game with a title such as Word Search by POWGI pretty much tells you everything you need to know about this download. Within each of the 300+ levels you're given a grid filled...
News New FAST Racing Neo Footage is Set to be Revealed in Summer
"The biggest, and most beautiful game we ever did."
Remember FAST Racing Neo? You'd be forgiven for forgetting about it, as Shin'en has been rather reluctant to release much information about the racing extravaganza. The sequel to the popular Wiiware hit, FAST- Racing League, it promises to deliver a blisteringly fast experience in glorious 60 FPS...
Review Yoshi Touch & Go (Wii U eShop / DS)
Fleeting fun
Between the DS, 3DS and Wii U, Nintendo has delivered many touch screen gaming experiences throughout the years. While some are genuinely creative and/or mechanically deep, others have ended up feeling like little more than an experiment or a tech demo rather than a full-fledged game; Yoshi Touch & Go falls into that latter...
News Nintendo Australia Lists eShop Offerings Redeemable Via Club Nintendo Stars Catalogue
65 items to select from
In a similar fashion to other regions, Nintendo Australia will soon offer loyal fans a range of eShop content redeemable via the Club Nintendo Stars Catalogue. While Nintendo is still hard at work making this content available as soon as possible, it has now revealed the full list of Wii U and 3DS downloadable titles for...
Nintendo Download 16th April (North America)
StreetPass DLC, Smash Bros. DLC, DK 64, 3D Fantasy Zone II and much more
It's that time again, North American gamers, for the Nintendo Download Update to bring more treats to Wii U and 3DS. This week we have some Rare action on the Wii U, Smash Bros. DLC, StreetPass extras, another Sega classic and much more besides. Let's get to the details...
Review Tilelicious: Delicious Tiles (Wii U eShop)
A bittersweet treat
There has been much debate over Nintendo opening up the eShop to a wider array of developers and allowing what some would consider to be lesser experiences to be featured. The main argument being that consoles justify better, higher quality games than the relatively shallow offerings that can be found on smartphone markets, and...
News Diddy Kong Nerfed In Latest Super Smash Bros. Update
Fans rejoice
The troublesome Diddy Kong has reportedly been nerfed in yesterday’s Super Smash Bros. for Wii U & 3DS update which saw the highly anticipated return of Mewtwo and introduction of costume DLC for Mii Fighters. Donkey Kong’s side kick has caused mayhem in competitive Smash for some time now due to his over-powered nature, and...
News Citizens of Earth Update Halves Wii U Load Times And Adds Retro Soundtrack
Also includes improved stability and minor bug fixes
Atlus and Eden Industries have updated the JRPG-inspired role-playing game, Citizens of Earth, with added and improved functionality. The update which applies to both the Wii U and 3DS eShop versions of the game includes the addition of a retro chiptunes soundtrack menu option to relive the glory...
Review Suspension Railroad Simulator (Wii U eShop)
Suspended Disbelief Simulator
When Coffee Stain Studios originally released Goat Simulator back in 2014, public reaction went from trying to grasp why a game based around simulating a goat could ever be fun, to countless YouTube videos of sadistic users abusing and creating unparalleled carnage with one of life's most unassuming and innocent...
Review psyscrolr (Wii U eShop)
Scroll right past this one
Critics are sometimes given a reputation for their occasional harshness. You might hear a critic accused of "wanting to hate something" or "looking for things to nitpick." While there are exceptions to every rule, it should be understood that most highly enjoy the medium they've chosen to review; as such, these complaints...
Video Shovel Knight, Scram Kitty, CommanderVideo And More Are Headed To 9-Player Platformer Runbow
Everyone's invited
13AM Games' forthcoming Wii U eShop title Runbow is shaping up nicely - as you'll no doubt be aware if you read our early impressions of the game - and it has become even more appealing thanks to the addition of special guest characters from a whole host of other Wii U indie titles. Shovel Knight (from Shovel Knight, obviously),...
News The Scrappers Will Be Out to Get You in SteamWorld Heist
Details of enemy types are shown off
SteamWorld Heist could be a download highlight of 2015, with the follow-up - not sequel - to SteamWorld Dig heading to Wii U and 3DS alongside a host of other platforms. 2D strategy takes the place of digging and jumping, while steampunk will be heading into outer space. The Image & Form blog is posting...
"Shovel Knight, Meat Boy, and CommanderVideo would hold their own"
Choice Provisions remains one of the most admirably eclectic yet successful developers currently plying their trade in the download scene. After coming to prominence with the BIT.TRIP series on WiiWare and other platforms, the studio changed its name from Gaijin Games and has begun...
News Super Doomed'n Damned to Channel Retro Capcom Action on Wii U This Year
16-bit gameplay with modern touches
Action platformers were arguably the bread-and-butter of the 16-bit generation - though RPG fans will likely disagree - and considering the positive reaction to classics on the Virtual Console and new titles inspired by retro experiences, we're still suckers for some challenging running and jumping. Super Doomed'n...
News Ubisoft Announcement Suggests More Child Of Light 'Universe' Games Are On the Way
Child star
Child of Light was an intriguing release from Ubisoft, utilising the UbiArt engine that originated with Rayman Origins and delivering a detailed, and rather popular, download gaming experience. It appeared to be a success, with some physical releases also making it to market, and placed well on the Wii U eShop's own charts. We're rather...
News Choice Provisions Considering a Release for Tharsis on Wii U
Ground control to Major Tom
In case you missed the memo, Choice Provisions is what was once known as Gaijin Games, the studio that graced the Wii with the BIT.TRIP games and brought the snappily titled BIT.TRIP Presents: Runner 2 Future Legend of Rhythm Alien to the Wii U eShop. Choice Provisions is also a publisher, too, with Woah Dave! a recent...
De-Minishing Returns
Remember Midora? It's a Zelda-inspired action-adventure which was successfully funded via Kickstarter to the tune of $73,470, and while it didn't meet its Wii U and 3DS stretch goals, developer Epic Minds insisted that it would still come to those machines - it would just take a little longer. However, there are doubts the
Nintendo Download 16th April (Europe)
StreetPass extras, Elliot Quest, SEGA 3D goodness, Smash DLC and much more
Another week begins, and that means Nintendo Download Update news for European gamers. This week has plenty to offer, with Super Smash Bros. DLC arriving on 3DS and Wii U, a high profile indie effort on the home console, a SEGA 3D Classic, demos, another Wii title and much...
Review Donkey Kong 64 (Wii U eShop / N64)
He's finally back, but does he still kick some tail?
At the mere mention of Nintendo's first 64-bit console, many of us find it difficult not to get swept up by a wave of nostalgia. We drift through countless memories of flickering TV screens and eye-popping graphics, washing up on the shores of 3D gaming's first bold steps onto a Nintendo platform...
Video The Importance of Co-Op Gameplay in Modern Gaming
Featuring Affordable Space Adventures
It's no lie that due to the popularity of the ultra-competitive gaming scene that co-operative gameplay has taken rather a sideline in recent years. Luckily all is not quite lost, and a handful of developers are still keen to provide this style of gameplay for the fans who crave it, and there's no example better...
Review Mega Man Zero 3 (Wii U eShop / GBA)
(Mostly) Zero changes
After releasing the previous two Mega Man Zero titles and having them almost universally liked, it would've been crazy to end the series there; so, naturally, Capcom produced Mega Man Zero 3 for the Game Boy Advance. Just as before, the game follows the events of the previous instalments pretty directly. Picking up two months...
News Nintendo's Super Spring Sale Shines Light on Some Top Wii U and 3DS eShop Deals
If you're in North America check them out
In addition to discounts announced as part of Nintendo's Download Update for North America, there are a range of enticing offers also available as part of a 'Super Spring Sale' in the region. It's Spring Break season, so there's that bit more time for games. The discounts stretch across Wii U and 3DS retail...
Video Trine 3: The Artifacts of Power is Shaping Up Rather Nicely
Fingers still crossed for a Wii U version
Trine 2: Director's Cut, a launch Wii U eShop release back in November 2012, remains one of the best-selling download-only titles on the store, while Trine Enchanted Edition was a recent release. The presence of those two games, and the fact they run rather well, has given us cautious optimism that...
Nintendo Download 9th April (North America)
Xenoblade, Etrian Dungeons, Affordable Space Adventures, DS treats and more
It's that time again, North American gamers, for the Nintendo Download Update details. This week brings a Wii U exclusive that makes interesting use of the GamePad, major retail releases on the New Nintendo 3DS XL and wider 3DS 'family', more free-to-play Pokémon on 3DS,...
Community Interview Affordable Space Adventures - The Developers Answer Your Questions
"All types of game making are risky"
Affordable Space Adventures arrives in the eShop today in both North America and Europe, a Wii U exclusive that makes impressive use of the GamePad and suits either solo play or co-op for three players. It's a unique arrival in various ways, and we were full of praise for it in our Affordable Space Adventures...
News NES-Style Adventure Alwa’s Awakening Could Be Casting Its Spell On The Wii U
Inspired by NES classics like Battle of Olympus and Solstice
Yesterday saw the announcement of Alwa's Awakening, a gorgeous NES-style platform adventure for "modern systems" which takes inspiration from 8-bit gems like Battle of Olympus and Solstice - and, if we're lucky, it could be coming to the Wii U. The work of Alexander Berggren, Kevin...
News Natsume Has Eight Game Boy Advance Titles Prepped For The Wii U Virtual Console
Medabots! Medabots DX! Pocky & Rocky with Becky! More!
Publisher Natsume has eight GBA titles ready for launch on the Wii U Virtual Console, according to director of operations Graham Markay. Markay dropped the news during the latest Fragments of Silicon podcast, adding that the company had been planning its Virtual Console attack for quite some...
News The Man Who Created Trollface Wants A Cut Of Meme Run's Earnings
"I don’t think he knows what the consequences of ignoring me are"
Remember Ninja Pig's Meme Run? The game hit the Wii U eShop recently and caused quite a stir, not only for its pretty terrible quality but also because it apparently used the popular "Trollface" Meme without the permission of the original creator. The end result was that the game...
Review WarioWare Touched! (Wii U eShop / DS)
A Touch of Magic
Nintendo's initial Nintendo 64 and Nintendo DS Wii U Virtual Console titles certainly are an eclectic mix - with WarioWare Touched! perhaps being the most unexpected inclusion of the bunch. Having been initially released on the Nintendo DS in February 2005, WarioWare Touched! is one of the DS's earliest titles, coming from an era of...
Review Super Mario 64 (Wii U eShop / N64)
Platforming perfection
There are two types of gamer – those who have played Super Mario 64 and those who should. Regularly placing towards the high end of 'best game ever' lists, Super Mario 64 has become a standard name-drop in many a classic gaming debate. Since launching in 1996, there have been a number of successors and contenders for the...
Nintendo Download 9th April (Europe)
Affordable Space Adventures, free Pokémon Rumble, Quell Memento and more
A day later than normal courtesy of a public holiday, we now have this week's full Nintendo Download Update details for Europe. There's a Wii U eShop exclusive, the next free-to-play Pokémon title on 3DS, an excellent 'zen' puzzle experience and more. Let's get to the...
“Experience possible only on the unique hardware of the Wii U console”
Last year indie developer CHUDCHUD Industries announced the dungeon-crawler adventure, Temple of Yog, was on its way to the Wii U eShop. Since then, we haven’t heard all that much about it, but it appears the creators are now gearing up for the title’s official launch...
Review Affordable Space Adventures (Wii U eShop)
Three players for the price of one
Affordable Space Adventures is one of relatively few Wii U eShop exclusives, and is unsurprisingly a particularly unique arrival on the store. A collaboration between KnapNok Games and Nifflas, it brings a fusion of the former's expertise in user interfaces and control mechanics, and the latter's surrealist visual...
What a $*!$!*!$ of $*!$
Any game based on the hugely popular AVGN web-series is going to be full of profanity, of course - Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures, being relatively faithful to the source material, is therefore a mature game. We acknowledged this in our review for the game, with the following observation / warning. Expletives and...
News Actos Games Announces a New DLC Content Update For Psyscrolr - Reign of the Twig King
Free update is poised to inject some Metroidvania goodness into the puzzler
Wii U eShop release psyscrolr is a recent puzzle platformer title from Actos Games, a new start-up based in North Carolina, USA. The game revolves around the exploits of a traveler with psychic powers called the Scrolr as he's guided along by The Narrator. While we're still...
Video Donkey Kong 64 Tumbles Onto Wii U Virtual Console
Don't even think about that rap
The avalance of Wii U Virtual Console games continues with a game that is new to the Virtual Console service, having never previously received a re-release. Rare's Donkey Kong 64 has achieved infamy thanks to THAT intro song, but is the gameplay worth talking about? As someone who missed out on the game the first...
Review Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures (Wii U eShop)
Better than a buffalo diarrhoea dump in your ear
Making a game that is in itself a callout to awful games has to be like preparing fugu: you definitely want to retain the essence people are paying for, but leaving the wrong parts in is going to be lethal. You have to be crappy without being crappy, and if anyone can pull this off with zen-like...
Review Mario Kart DS (Wii U eShop / DS)
Flawed perfection
The 2005 hit, Mario Kart DS, marked a new era for Nintendo and its long-running racing series. This particular iteration was released during a transitional phase for the company, with Nintendo beginning to rethink the conventions of gaming. Mario Kart on the DS mirrored this fresh approach, incorporating a portable online...
Video WarioWare Touched! Arrives On Wii U Virtual Console
We check out Wario DS mayhem on the Wii U
The WarioWare series is an excellent detour into the absolutely mad world of Wario and his friends, so it's great to see this DS game released on Wii U Virtual Console. We thought we'd show you how great this game is via the medium of video. Watch and enjoy! [ Like this video? Subscribe to our channel...
Video Mario Kart DS Skids Onto Wii U Virtual Console
We dig into DS settings for Wii U and classic racing
Nintendo DS games are finally getting their full chance to shine on the Wii U Virtual Console. The first of two games to be released at launch in Europe is Mario Kart DS, an excellent entry in the long-running racing series. All of your favourite Super Mario characters take to the roads once more...
Video Super Mario 64 Leaps Onto Wii U Virtual Console
We show off the Wii U features for this classic
Nintendo brought us all a treat during the most recent Nintendo Direct, when it announced the long-awaited arrival of Nintendo 64 games to Wii U Virtual Console. Available now on your Wii U, one of the first available games is the legendary Super Mario 64. We took the time to play and capture some...
News Game Freak's GBA Title Drill Dozer Rated By The Australian Classification Board
Konami's The Adventures of Bayou Billy is also on the way
The Australian Classification Board has revealed Game Freak's GBA hit, Drill Dozer, will be arriving on the Wii U Virtual Console in the near future. The critically praised action platformer previously released in Japan in 2005 and North America in 2006 has players take control of a...
News It's Not An April Fool, The Binding Of Issac: Rebirth Really Is Coming To The New 3DS And Wii U
Completely uncensored, apparently
Yesterday was April Fool's Day, and that meant plenty of joke news pieces which caused a few chuckles but were otherwise ignored as false. However, one story slipped through even the Nintendo Life "Fool Filter", and that was the revelation that The Binding of Issac: Rebirth is coming to the Wii U and New 3DS...
News Buy Three Nintendo 64 and DS Virtual Console Games and Get the Fourth Free in Europe
Knocks the average price down a little...
During this week's Nintendo Direct we had the news that Nintendo 64 and DS games are coming to the Wii U Virtual Console in force. In the madness then and since we didn't notice a particular deal that's running in Europe as a result of the region having four games available right from the off. As was...
Nintendo Download 2nd April (North America)
Nintendo 64 and DS on Wii U, AVGN, BOXBOY! and much more
It's that time again, North American gamers, and this week's Nintendo Download Update has some exciting treats following the Nintendo Direct shenanigans of 1st April. Nintendo 64 and DS arrive on the Wii U Virtual Console, while there are a whole load of new games and discounts across both the...
News Nintendo Shows Off More eShop Games, With Cross-Buy and Promotions On the Way
2-for-1 with Don't Starve, Mutant Mudds cross-buy
The most recent Nintendo Direct broadcasts certainly had plenty of details, and as per tradition there was a segment dedicated to the eShop. In Europe there was the welcome news that Azure Striker Gunvolt will arrive today (2nd April), and the charming Mighty Gunvolt will be free until 2nd July with...
News Pandora's Tower And Sin And Punishment Coming To The European eShop This Month
Early bird discount applies, too
It has been confirmed during the recent European Nintendo Direct that the Wii classics Pandora's Tower and Sin and Punishment: Successor of the Skies will be coming to the Wii U eShop in Europe on the 16th and 30th April respectively. Both games will be subject to a 25 percent discount during their first week on...
News Nintendo DS And Nintendo 64 Games Finally Coming To The Wii U Virtual Console
Update: Four games available in Europe right now
If you feel that the Virtual Console on Wii U has been a neglected of late then today's Nintendo Direct should have put a big smile on your face. Nintendo not only reconfirmed its commitment to bringing Nintendo DS titles to the service, but also revealed that N64 games are on the way, too. DS titles...
March2015
Video Extended SteamWorld Heist Gameplay Trailer Shows Off Latest Build
Due from Fall onwards, including Wii U and 3DS
SteamWorld Heist, the anticipated follow up to SteamWorld Dig, has evidently been progressing well in development. Image & Form took a new build of the title to various expos in March, and has today released a fresh trailer to show off the strides its made since its initial reveal in 2014. Very...
News New Star Wars Rebels Table Announced For Star Wars Pinball
Hopefully, its release date isn’t far, far away
Zen Studios has had a historically spotty release schedule when it comes to its pinball tables on the Wii U. In both Zen Pinball 2 and Star Wars Pinball, tables and packs can usually be expected to arrive either later than all other platforms or not at all. Unfortunately, today’s announcement...
News Wii U eShop Exclusive psyscrolr Heading to North America on 2nd April
Looks dramatic
This week will bring another download exclusive to the Wii U eShop in North America, with psyscrolr due in the 2nd April download update. With stylised pixel-based visuals, this is an action platformer that also aims to utilise the GamePad extensively in gameplay. As you can see in the trailer below, this fantasy tale is certainly...
Nintendo Download 2nd April (Europe)
Xenoblade Chronicles on New 3DS, KAMI and loads of discounts
Another week begins, and as always we have the Nintendo Download Update for Europe to kick it off. The major arrival this week is the first New Nintendo 3DS exclusive, while there's also a rather zen puzzle experience on the 3DS eShop. There are plenty of discounts to consider too, so...
Review Dot Arcade (Wii U eShop)
Tripping the light fantastic
Judging games for review brings some challenges. How can a tiny indie game compare with a Nintendo-developed blockbuster? We thought about this a lot when playing James Montagna and Andrew Lim's Dot Arcade, a small, highly focused experience that keeps things simple in the name of fun and longevity. While there's not...
News RCMADIAX Takes to Twitter to Outline New Strategy, Release Changes and Move Away from Wii U
"There is a stigma attached to my name on the Wii U eShop"
Earlier this year RCMADIAX, who published the Wii U eShop's first Nintendo Web Framework game, announced that he was planning to step away from the Wii U. The developer has now taken to Twitter to provide a series of updates that indicate a quicker than expected move away from Nintendo's...
Review Super Destronaut (Wii U eShop)
Nice space ya got there…
Copies of other games are nothing new on the eShop - in more ways than one. If there is classic retro style or a suddenly popular gamefad, you can expect someone to throw their own version of it into the ring as well. Whether it comes off as a respected homage or a cheap cash-in is left to the developer, but Super...
Review PENTAPUZZLE (Wii U eShop)
PENT-UP PUZZLE
There's nothing inherently wrong with simplicity. When used well, a minimalist approach can be a refreshing way to get back to gaming basics; the recent 50 Pinch Barrage!!, which charmed us with its intuitive and straightforward approach to Pitfall-style platforming, stands as an excellent example of this. However, with the popularity...
News Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures Looks Set For Wii U on 2nd April
Was originally due back in the past
It's been quite a wait for Nintendo fans of the YouTube trailblazer AVGN, with Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures arriving on PC in 2014 and pegged as being due "very soon" last July. Set for Wii U and 3DS, it will at least apparently utilise the second screen options on both systems. The Wii U version seems to...
News FullBlast Shooting for the Wii U eShop, According to PEGI Rating
Shmup previously on iOS, Android and Ouya
Earlier this week we welcomed the news that twin-stick shooter Tachyon Project is coming to the Wii U, helping fill out a genre that's somewhat under-represented on the home console's eShop. The classic vertical shoot 'em up (shmup) is also largely unfulfilled outside of the Virtual Console, but it seems...
Nintendo Download 26th March (North America)
Dot Arcade, LEGO Ninjago, retro Namco goodies, discounts, demos and more
It's that time once again, North American gamers, for details of the Download Update delights heading to the region this week. The Wii U eShop is host to an intriguing Indie effort and some retro Namco goodies, while the 3DS welcomes a retail LEGO Ninjago title and some...
Community Interview Give Us Your Affordable Space Adventures Questions for KnapNok Games and Nifflas
What do you want to know?
Affordable Space Adventures is one of our most eagerly anticipated Wii U exclusives of 2015, and the eShop title isn't far away - it arrives on 9th April in Europe and North America. It makes extensive use of the home console's GamePad for dual screen play, and can be tackled alone or in co-op for up to three players...
News Tachyon Project Blasting to Wii U for Some Twin-Stick Shooting Action
Shoot all of the things
Considering humanity's fondness for destruction, it's surprising that we're not bombarded with more space-based twin-stick shooters on the Wii U. It can be satisfying to destroy alien things with an explosion of pixels and particle effects, yet we're not given enough opportunities to do so. Eclipse Games, which previously...
News Elliot Quest Developer Talks About a 3DS Port
No plans yet, but the desire is there
Several of you have already played Elliot Quest, the new side scrolling adventure game from Ansimuz Games that takes several design and gameplay cues from the likes of Zelda II and Kid Icarus. We awarded it an 8/10 in our review, citing minor performance issues and frustrating pacing as main issues. Whatever way...
Surgical strike
Grendel Games has confirmed that its Wii U title Underground will be hitting the North American eShop on April 2nd, following on from the title's European launch in January. In addition to this news, Grendel Games has also confirmed that it will be releasing a special controller for the game. As we mentioned in our 8/10 review,...
Review Elliot Quest (Wii U eShop)
Quest for glory?
The Nintendo Web Framework has opened the floodgates for indie developers on the Wii U, and while the HTML5-based system is flexible and user-friendly, the games that have been released so far have been mediocre at best and atrocious at worst - until now. Ansimuz Games and PlayEveryWare's Elliot Quest, created with the Impact...
Nintendo Download 26th March (Europe)
Trine, Mega Man, RPGs and discounts galore!
It's time to brighten up Monday mornings in Europe, with the latest Nintendo Download Update having decent odds of achieving that goal. There is a whole smorgasbord of games and discounted goodies to consider, so let's get to it. Wii U eShop: Trine Enchanted Edition (Frozenbyte, €12.99 / £10.99) - Its...
Review Trine Enchanted Edition (Wii U eShop)
First time Trine
The Trine series is a bit of an anachronism on the Wii U. The first game we received, Trine 2: Director's Cut, was not only the sequel, but an expanded version of it. Over two years later we now receive an enhanced edition of the original in Trine Enchanted Edition. Chalk it all up to magical dimensional tiddlywinks if you wish, but...
News Elliot Quest Patch Adds Several Additional Control Options and Fixes a Graphical Bug
It’s always nice to have more options
Elliot Quest is a new Metroidvania title on the Wii U eShop developed by Ansimuz Games. The 8-bit adventure sees players controlling a character named Elliot (who bears several similarities to Pit) on his race to find an ancient demon that can cure a curse placed on him that keeps him from dying, and will...
News Dot Arcade Lights Up the North American Wii U eShop on 26th March
Three FULL COLOR games!
For those of you who may remember, we previously reported on a secret solo project coming from James Montagna, a key Wayforward employee. We now know that the project is called Dot Arcade and will feature three extremely simplistic arcade style games meant to remind gamers of the golden age of arcades. The first game on...
News Zelda Lookalike Oceanhorn: Monster Of Uncharted Seas Could Be Sailing To Consoles
Game shares a link with the Sega classic Landstalker, too
Oceanhorn: Monster of Uncharted Seas is an iOS adventure title which has recently crossed over to PCs, and is clearly influenced by Nintendo's Legend of Zelda - more specifically, the Wind Waker instalment which came to GameCube and - much later - Wii U. With the game branching out to other...
Interview Dan Marshall on The Swindle, Cancellation and Its Rebirth
"Here we are thirteen months later and it's expanded"
The Swindle is planned for the Wii U eShop this Summer, and it brings an interesting blend of action, platforming, strategy and humour. With a steampunk aesthetic, procedurally generated levels, its combination of styles and design approaches left us impressed in our first impressions. When...
Exclusive Affordable Space Adventures Pricing Confirmed, Aims to Retain Value Of Wii U Exclusive
"We have to earn all our revenue in the eShop"
Affordable Space Adventures, a collaboration between KnapNok Games and Nifflas, is a much anticipated Wii U-exclusive eShop title. It'll utilise the GamePad for both single-player and co-op, with the second screen of the controller being used to control the mechanics of the ship itself - we listed it as...
News eShop Games Added To The European Club Nintendo Store
Rewarding rewards
Club Nintendo shall soon close its doors. This heartbreaking news was announced earlier this year, revealing that Nintendo would close the program to make way for a new rewards system. Following this announcement the company flooded its users with a variety of new rewards, promising more to come leading up to the closure. Today the...
Nintendo Download 19th March (North America)
Mario Party, Elliot Quest, KLONOA, Fossil Fighters and much more
A little later than normal courtesy of a few Goombas causing havoc with our servers, we have the Nintendo Download update details for North America. This week brings some interesting options across both Wii U and 3DS, with both systems having major retail releases and some anticipated...
Feature We Catch Up With Four Nindies at EGX Rezzed
Say hi to Image & Form, aPriori Digital, Dreadlocks and Delve Interactive
Last week we headed down to a lovely gaming event by the name of EGX Rezzed, which was held in London's charming Tobacco Dock venue. The event, hosted by our friends at Gamer Network, is a PC and developer-focused show, unlike the more mainstream and larger EGX which takes...
News République's Creator Worked On Metal Gear Solid And Halo, And Says The Game Could Come To Wii U
Unity 5-powered adventure may find its way to Nintendo's system
Ryan Payton is a man with a pretty impressive CV. He started his career at Microsoft in Japan before joining Konami and working alongside Hideo Kojima on Metal Gear Solid 4. From there, he became the creator director on Halo 4, and has since gone independent with Camouflaj, his own...
News Hyper Light Drifter Might Not Hit Wii U Until 2016, Will Cost You Twenty Bucks
"We don’t want to release a bad game"
Hyper Light Drifter was one of Kickstarter's early success stories, raising $600,000 via crowd-funding back in 2013 - considerably more than the $27,000 that was originally asked for. Billed as a fusion of Zelda and Diablo, the game has already been confirmed for release on the Wii U eShop, but the bad news is...
Review Don't Touch Anything Red (Wii U eShop)
Really though, don't touch 'em
Games are not often as straightforward in their titles as Don't Touch Anything Red. This simple infinite-runner style puzzle game is a test of cunning, reflexes, and one's ability to avoid touching red things. Though the premise and presentation are simple, and there's not a lot here, this self-explanatory title is...
"There's always something exciting about games on a console"
The Swindle is planned for release on the Wii U eShop this Summer, and it brings an interesting blend of action, platforming, strategy and humour. With a steampunk aesthetic, procedurally generated levels, its combination of styles and design approaches left us impressed in our first...
Nintendo Download 19th March (Europe)
Mario Party 10, Tipping Stars with DK, Aria of Sorrow, DLC and more
It's that time again, Nintendo Download fans, with the European update now available for your perusal. We have a dual arrival across both the Wii U and 3DS, classic Castlevania and a new first-party retail release on Wii U, along with some DLC and discounts. Let's get to it. Wii U...
Review Sky Kid (Wii U eShop / NES)
Bombs away
Originally an arcade game, the 1986 Namco NES title Sky Kid draws hard battle lines from the start, though exactly who the warring parties are is unclear. This quirky game is iconic of Namco's early days and even earned a song and a cameo in Super Smash Bros. for 3DS and Wii U. The action here is a combination of unforgiving and short,...
News Elliot Quest Has Fresh Release Dates for Both North America and Europe
The adventure begins very soon
Elliot Quest is a Wii U title that's been championed a great deal by Nintendo, identified along with other select games as being a positive example of the content coming to the eShop. That's been quite a coup for developer PlayEveryWare, and it'll see soon whether that buzz will convert to sales success. This...
Video Nintendo Minute Interviews Several Prominent Indies on Their Upcoming Releases
Also, see which one of them is the best at Mario Kart 8
Indies play a vital role in Nintendo's lineup for the Wii U. With major third party developers all but deserting the console, the responsibility to keep gamers engaged on their Wii U in between major Nintendo releases falls to Indie developers. Some may see this as a weakness of the platform,...
News Two Tribes Co-Founder Doesn't Think He Would Have Bought His Own Game
"I think we were trying to please everybody"
Toki Tori 2 was one of the Wii U eShop's first big exclusives, a puzzle platformer which built on the previous two games - one on Game Boy Color and the other on WiiWare - to offer one of the console's first big download releases. However, Two Tribes Collin van Ginkel has revealed that sales have been...
News Mario Kart 8 Misses Out at BAFTA Game Awards, Though Indie Releases Earn the Spotlight
Upcoming Wii U release Never Alone wins Debut award
The BAFTA Game Awards do occasionally celebrate and reward the best of what Nintendo offers, but can also leave us scratching our heads. This year, notably, the Mobile / Handheld category didn't have a single 3DS game, which we certainly found baffling. Nevertheless Mario Kart 8 was nominated in...
Gallery The Natives Are Most Definitely Hostile In Cube Life's Survival Mode
Minecraft-inspired Wii U eShop title gets some new screens
Cypronia has kindly sent us some more screens from its forthcoming Wii U title Cube Life: Island Survival, this time focusing on the game's Survival Mode. We've already seen what the game's Creative Mode looks like, but the following screens detail the many dangers that exist within the...
Review Metroid: Zero Mission (Wii U eShop / GBA)
From zero to hero
First things first, Metroid: Zero Mission is not a straight remake of the original NES Metroid with GBA quality graphics. It's a complete retelling and retooling of Samus' first 2D space adventure, including remixed areas, new power-ups and over a decade of refinements added to the formula. Nintendo has freshened the experience...
Interview Yacht Club Games Talk Drawing in 8-bit and Aspirations for Shovel Knight 64
Game's "success is due to the brilliant designs of the 8-bit generation"
In this short interview Nintendo Life features contributor Alan Lopez caught up with David D'Angelo of Yacht Club Games, who spoke on behalf of the entire Shovel Knight creative team. Shovel Knight is a download-only 8-bit platformer. Alone, these qualifiers hardly separate...
News Shapes of Gray Set for Spring Release, With Wii U Enhancements on the Way
Arcade Mode, visual improvements and more for the console version
Shapes of Gray arrived on PC last year in its first form, prompting a mix of positive reactions and some criticism. An aesthetically simple game, it places you in 10-second battles within small areas - the developer describes it as "Hotline Miami meets WarioWare". The aim is to give...
Nintendo Download 12th March (North America)
Code Name: S.T.E.A.M., Trine, 3D Out Run, retro F-Zero, discounts and more
It's that time, North American gamers, for the weekly news on the download goodies coming to Wii U and 3DS. This week brings the latest retail offering from Intelligent Systems, retro F-Zero, a much-anticipated Wii U eShop adventure platformer and a stone-cold classic in the...
News F-Zero: GP Legend Rated For North America Wii U Virtual Console, Arrives This Week
You got boost power!
The Wii U Virtual Console iteration of the GBA title, F-Zero: GP Legend, was already released in Europe earlier this year, and now it's speeding its way towards North America this week, after an official ESRB rating was locked in. The original title released in the west in 2004 took F-Zero on Nintendo's portable device of the...