Wii U eShop News
September2014
News Warlocks Battles For Final Funding Push, With Wii U Version Planned
Fast-paced pixel action
In the absence of our Kickstarter update, which will return in the coming days, it seems like a good time to highlight Warlocks, a campaign close to closure that is targeting Wii U. A fast paced action platformer with pixel graphics, at the time of writing it's raised nearly $19,000 of its $25,000 goal, with around 60 hours...
News Nexis Games is Developing U Craft, a Minecraft Clone, for the eShop
Aiming for before Christmas
The continuing absence of Minecraft from Nintendo systems — a release even less likely following Microsoft's acquisition of Mojang — continues to frustrate some, especially considering the phenomenal popularity of the game. In recent days news emerged of a Minecraft clone on the way to Wii U, though we were...
Nintendo Download 2nd October (Europe)
Smash Bros., a double dose of Street Fighter and more
Another week begins, yet this time around the customary Nintendo Download news for Europe includes one of the most anticipated titles of 2014. As well as that smashing arrival we have a retro double header across the Wii U and 3DS, along with a new arrival on the home console and a couple of...
Review Cubemen 2 (Wii U eShop)
Multi-sided gameplay
While Pure Chess became the first cross-platform multiplayer title on Nintendo eShop stores, Cubemen 2 arrives with a far more complex and potentially rewarding setup. Developer 3 Sprockets and publisher Nnooo have done an admirable job on a technical level, but importantly have also served up an entertaining real-time strategy...
News Bayonetta on Wii U Bewitches as the Best Version
Outshines the Xbox 360 version
Bayonetta will arrive in October alongside its Wii U-exclusive sequel — Bayonetta 2. Included as a free extra in North America and available in select bundles or separately on the eShop in Europe, it'll give Nintendo gamers all of the context and lore they need before jumping into the new release. Naturally, the...
News You'll Definitely Want to Try Out Stealth Inc 2's Level Editor
Editing for the masses
Stealth Inc 2 is a puzzle platformer of a different kind coming to Wii U later this year, and it's been known for a while that the game would feature a level editor, but the level of freedom is probably greater than you expected. Speaking to us at EGX, Rob Clarke gives a deeper look into the editor's capabilities: The tools...
News Actos Games Announces Wii U eShop Exclusive psyscrolr
psysing up the opportunities
Burlington, North Carolina-based Actos Games, the creator of APEXICON - Fantasy Puzzle Combat, has returned with the recently announced Wii U exclusive psyscrolr, a platformer that features a strong narrative, epic boss battles and mini-epic mid-boss battles with integrated puzzle mechanics. Players take on the role of...
News Two Tribes Confirms That RIVE is Definitely Coming to Wii U
Let there be no doubt
During the summer period Two Tribes, the studio best known for its Toki Tori titles that also restructured and started again earlier in the year, announced its new 2D shooter — RIVE. At the time Two Tribes told us that it was "gunning" for Wii U development, and the studio has now confirmed on Twitter and to us at EGX in...
News Nintendo Confirms Final Week Details For Its Super Smashing eShop Sale
Donkey & Diddy Kong! Kirby! Pac-Man! Fox! More!
In the past three weeks Nintendo of America has run a series of discounts across the Wii U and 3DS eShop stores to celebrate characters from Super Smash Bros. For Nintendo 3DS, and it's now confirmed the final set before the brawler arrives on the portable. This week's selection includes some...
News Two Castlevania Classics Confirmed for Wii U Virtual Console Débuts
Coming in the next two weeks
Details for Nintendo's Download Update in North America have been announced, and as is now tradition the company has provided a teaser of titles coming soon. This week's reveals are arguably the best yet of these previews. We have two iconic Castlevania titles coming to the Wii U Virtual Console in the next two weeks,...
Nintendo Download 25th September (North America)
Hyrule Warriors, Mario Golf Advance, discounts and more
It's that time again, North America, and a little later than normal this week. There's a major Wii U retail release for Zelda and action fans, an enjoyable slice of Game Boy Advance goodness along with some discounts and assorted other goodies. Let's get to it. Missed the European Nintendo...
News Meme Run is Coming to Troll Your Wii U Very Soon
So impress. Wow such tempt. Much memes.
Following on from their Wii U eShop debut with mediocre brain bamboozler IQ Test, Ninja Pig Studios has revealed some early details of Meme Run, which will be their next game developed in Unity and promises to be one of the more subversive games in the short time that Nintendo has welcomed indies using Web...
Review KickBeat: Special Edition (Wii U eShop)
The first Wii U title to feature Papa Roach!
After reviewing the newest tables for its meticulously-detailed Zen Pinball 2, we were in for a totally different experience from Budapest-based Zen Studios when KickBeat: Special Edition hit the eShop. Rather than a realistic recreation of a real-life activity, KickBeat is a zany martial arts rhythm
News Nintendo Rolling Out New In-Store Digital Distribution Service For The UK And Europe
Pick your game and DLC, get a unique download code
For some time now, you've been able to walk into your typical European high street games retailer and buy download cards — like the ones shown above — for 3DS and Wii U eShop titles. However, Nintendo is looking to dramatically expand the remit of this in-store service by offering an even more...
Bully for you
Many reading this may be aware that this title was previously released on the 3DS as Darts Up 3D, and you might be expecting a more fleshed-out experience on the Wii U’s considerably more powerful hardware. As it stands, this version of the pub-game simulator is largely the same as the portable instalment. You aim with the...
Review Wild Guns (Wii U eShop / SNES)
True Bit
The Wild West is a fantastic setting for a video game. Rugged gunslingers, drunken shootouts, limited presence of the law and a surplus of criminals lend to a volatile and rowdy backdrop for a tense, controller-gripping time. In the case of Wild Guns it takes the Steampunk route, injecting hostile machinery and advanced weaponry into the...
News Shovel Knight Triumphantly Exits Final Testing Phase For International Release
"We’ll be shipping up and shipping it out the door!"
North American players have been playing — and enjoying — the excellent Shovel Knight for what feels like an eternity now, but the game still hasn't launched in other parts of the world. Thankfully, the wait for non-Americans is finally drawing to a close, as developer Yacht Club Games has...
Nintendo Download 25th September (Europe)
Fantasy Life, Art of Balance, FIFA(!), loads of discounts and much more
It's time to brighten our Mondays with the European Nintendo Download Update, once again, and this week serves up a lot of options across the Wii U, 3DS and even DSi. There's a major retail arrival on 3DS, new titles on both eShop platforms along with Virtual Console entries,...
Review Gargoyle's Quest II: The Demon Darkness (Wii U eShop / NES)
It's good to be bad
Although many people are familiar with the Red Arremers, the notoriously persistent enemies from the Ghosts 'n Goblins games, not many seem to be aware that one particular Arremer also starred in several games of his own. The first Gargoyle's Quest was released on the 3DS Virtual Console a while back, and now we've finally...
News Giana Sisters 2 In Development, Could Be Coming To Wii U As Early As Next Year
Black Forest Games fills us in
Nintendo Life editor Tom Whitehead is currently lording it up at the Reeperbahn Festival in Hamburg, but fear not — in-between consuming vast amounts of alcohol from a beer stein and gorging himself with tasty bratwurst, he continues to have the best interests of Nintendo Life at heart, and to that end has been...
News Nintendo Reveals Details on the Third Week of its Super Smashing Sale on the NA eShop
Pokémon! Metroid! Wii Fit! Oh my!
Nintendo of America is continuing its promise of low, low prices for its Super Smashing eShop sale, a four-week string of promotions set out to celebrate the upcoming release of Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS. Be sure to make the most of what Nintendo has to offer for this week. The following games are...
Review SPIKEY WALLS (Wii U eShop)
Feeling a bit Flappy
It's difficult to review RCMADIAX's new title SPIKEY WALLS in a rational fashion – without any context, one could easily write, "This is a Flappy Bird clone," and it would be exactly correct. SPIKEY WALLS accomplishes everything it sets out to do. You control a flappy bug by pressing the A button to navigate a never-ending...
Review Bayonetta (Wii U eShop)
Back to the start
With Bayonetta 2 around the corner as a Wii U exclusive, a reality that caused quite a stir when announced in 2012, it may be important for Nintendo-focused gamers to consider diving into the fresh port of the original Bayonetta, a title that skipped Wii when released in the last generation. Whether it's a worthwhile double-dip...
News Immediate DLC Reinforcements Arriving Soon On The Hyrule Warriors Battlefield
Let the onslaught of additional content begin!
Whether you love or hate DLC, it’s fast approaching the latest Wii U release, Hyrule Warriors. But seriously, with Koei Tecmo’s history were, you expecting anything less? With this in mind, a Koei Tecmo live stream at the 2014 Tokyo Game Show has revealed a new batch of playable characters are on...
Review Chimpuzzle Pro (Wii U eShop)
Monkeying around
Chimpuzzle Pro is CW-Games’ first offering on the Nintendo Wii U eShop, building on the company’s previous Chimpuzzle (for PC/Mac/Linux) by adding five new levels. In Chimpuzzle Pro, the object is to save the auto-walking monkey Bobo from hazards by building up a partially completed obstacle course using Tetris-style block...
Review Mega Man 7 (Wii U eShop / SNES)
Bigger sprites, bigger fun?
Mega Man 7 is in an awkward place; while most big NES franchises made huge leaps to the Super Nintendo, the mainline Mega Man series' 16-bit thunder was stolen by its Serious Business spin-off, Mega Man X. Released after X and its sequel Mega Man X2, Mega Man 7 is Capcom's attempt to bring its classic platforming roots to...
Review Super Mario Ball (Wii U eShop / GBA)
Balls to the wall
It's no secret that Nintendo's iconic red-wearing plumber has had a number of vocations. From referee to painter to kart racer to hotelier, Mario's been through a lot and shows no sign of actually doing some plumbing. Keeping that in mind, let's take a look at a game where he becomes a pinball. Super Mario Ball's plot revolves...
News Thomas Was Alone Will Look For Company on Wii U
Curve Studios is keeping busy
Curve Studios is currently finalising Stealth Inc 2 as a Wii U exclusive, but it's also a company that publishes and ports some excellent download games across multiple platforms. The positive news is that it's bringing another highly-regarded title in its range to Nintendo's home console eShop — Thomas Was Alone...
Feature We Go Hands On With SteamWorld Heist, The Next Image & Form Game
“A game about space adventure and survival”
Image & Form, the Swedish development studio that shot to prominence with the success of SteamWorld Dig on the 3DS eShop, which was subsequently ported to Wii U and other platforms, has announced the next game in the SteamWorld franchise. This isn’t a straight-up sequel, however, but a spin-off...
News First Image Of Wii U Wipeout-Beater FAST Racing NEO Speeds Into View
Speed demon
Shin'en Multimedia's FAST - Racing League was one of the best titles to grace the Wii's WiiWare service, and when the German developer announced that it was producing a sequel for the Wii U eShop back in 2013, fans were predictably excited. There's been little news on FAST Racing NEO since then, but Shin'en has ended the dro
News Armillo Update Arrives in Europe
Roll up, roll up
Armillo is a rather enjoyable title on the Wii U eShop, exclusive to the platform at present, and certainly has some keen fans throughout the Nintendo community. The launch day version wasn't without problems, however, and developer Fuzzy Wuzzy Games recently released a patch in North America to resolve issues with the framerate,...
News Wii U Art Of Balance Release Date Confirmed For Europe
Balancing act
Shin'en has confirmed that the Wii U version of Art of Balance will be coming to Europe later this month — September 25th, to be exact. The physics-based puzzler is based on the WiiWare original — which was then updated for the 3DS in the shape of Art of Balance TOUCH! — and will feature 200 different challenges in its...
News Carbon Fire Studio Launching Frenchy Bird On Wii U eShop
Is this the Wii U’s answer to Flappy Bird?
Following the overnight success of iOS sensation Flappy Bird, newly founded French indie developer Carbon Fire Studio has announced that its first game — Frenchy Bird — will be released on the Wii U eShop in North America before the end of the year, with a release likely within other regions. Players...
Nintendo Download 18th September (Europe)
Hyrule Warriors, Theatrhythm, KickBeat, original DK and lots more
Monday morning doesn't have to be a time of gloom, European gamers, as Nintendo brings us details of this week's Download Update to enjoy. This week's pretty hot, it must be said, with major retail releases on Wii U and 3DS, some promising download-only games and more discounts than...
Hands On Exploring the Four New Tables of Zen Pinball 2
The Walking Dead! Guardians of the Galaxy! Deadpool! Doctor Strange!
It's tough for comic book fans these days – movies based on superhero comics are more popular than ever, but the comic books themselves are often lost in the shuffle. Everyone loved The Dark Knight, but have you been reading Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's fantastic run on...
News Little Orbit Bringing Falling Skies: The Game To Wii U as eShop-Only Release
Fight for humanity’s survival
Following news back in June that Little Orbit was bringing a video game adaption of DreamWorks’ critically acclaimed sci-fi television series Falling Skies to the Wii U, the publisher has now revealed that the system's version will be released on the eShop, not at retail as with PS3 and Xbox 360. The initial...
News Mega Man 7 Storms onto North American Wii U eShop
Tears fall for Europe
Nintendo has revealed via its current Treehouse live stream that the coveted Mega Man 7 is available right now on the North American Wii U eShop! The SNES classic joins over half a dozen other Mega Man games on the eShop. Thanks should be aimed towards Capcom for bulking out the Virtual Console so effectively. There's no...
News Image & Form Teams Up With Zoink In Self-Publishing Partnership
"Together, we’ll be a real powerhouse"
Two highly respected Scandinavian download developers, Image & Form and Zoink!, have announced a formal publishing collaboration. Image & Form is best known for SteamWorld Dig on 3DS and — recently — Wii U, while Zoink released the excellent Stick It To The Man on Wii U. This formal partnership...
News Rhythmic Rail Shooter Cosmophony Is Coming To The Wii U eShop
Let the music guide you
If you’re a fan of the techno beats, high speed and drum & bass, then Cosmophony by Bento Studios might just be the game for you. Thanks to the assistance of Moving Player, the title will be coming to the Wii U eShop at some point in the near future. Cosmophony was originally announced in 2012, and will be released on...
News Nintendo Confirms Week Two Details for Super Smashing eShop Sale
Featured characters like Link! Mega Man! Captain Falcon! Pit! More!
Last week Nintendo of America caused a fair amount of buzz when it launched the first week of its Super Smashing eShop sale, which is a series of promotions over a four week period to celebrate the fighters in the upcoming Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS. The initial batch has...
News Stealth Inc 2 Sneaking Onto the Wii U eShop on 23rd October
Curve Studios' Wii U exclusive creeps closer
Stealth Inc 2 was a slightly surprising announcement as a Wii U eShop-exclusive title earlier this year, especially as its predecessor has never been available on Nintendo hardware. On the other hand developer Curve Studios has recently confirmed more titles — The Swapper and Lone Survivor — for the...
News Mario Golf: Advance Tour Tees Off on the North American eShop on 25th September
No longer out of bounds
Nintendo of America has provided its download update for the week, and has also continued its fine tradition of revealing a select title that's on the way soon. The latest announcement is sure to please Game Boy Advance fans and those that think Mario needs to get a bit more exercise. It's been announced that Mario Golf:...
Nintendo Download 11th September (North America)
Teslagrad, KickBeat, The Keep, discounts, demos and more
It's time once again for the Nintendo Download Update, North American gamers, and this week brings a variety of treats to the Wii U and 3DS. The home console has a highly regarded new title, some rhythmic action and a retro platformer, while the main arrival on the 3DS is a dungeon-crawling...
Review Teslagrad (Wii U eShop)
Alternating current, direct fun
We seem to love Scandinavian games here at Nintendo Life. We began our glowing SteamWorld Dig review last month by espousing the virtues of the Swedish indie gaming scene, but Sweden's neighbour to the west is not to be forgotten: hot on the heels of SteamWorld comes Teslagrad, an equally impressive Metroidvania-style...
News Darts Up Lands On The Wii U eShop In Europe Next Week
You can’t beat a bit of Bully
If you've ever fancied yourself as the next Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor or just wanted the excuse to have friends and family gathered around, drinking yard glasses of ale and wearing silly outfits, EnjoyUp Games has you covered (as if you needed an excuse). The Spanish developer has recently announced a Wii U version...
From the Forum To Buy or Not to Buy? SPIKEY WALLS Fires Debate as Developer Defends Project
"If you don't like a game...THEN DON'T BUY IT"
As you may — or may not — be aware, we have our own Forums here on Nintendo Life that allow discussion on Nintendo platforms, gaming as a whole and even life in general. It's often a source of lively debate on various topics, and occasionally developers that are active in the community will pop up...
News Rock Zombie Is Bringing Hard Rock And Side-Scrolling Combat Action To The Wii U
The dance of the undead
EnjoyUp Games has announced that it will be publishing Quaternion Studio's Rock Zombie on the Wii U eShop. Billed as a tribute to classic arcade combat titles like Final Fight and Golden Axe, Rock Zombie features three playable characters — all members of a female rock group — who have to brawl their way through hordes...
"I get knocked down, but I get up again..."
The Wii U has had a diverse range of artistically-driven download games ported to its eShop lately, from Another World to Master Reboot to the news that the critically-acclaimed Gone Home will be arriving later this year, and Vancouver-based
Review Mario Golf: Advance Tour (Wii U eShop / GBA)
Like Golden Sun, if all the weapons were golf clubs
Mario is a surprisingly active fellow. We've said it before and we'll say it again — the doughy little guy is a total sports nut, and he owes much of this to the kind developers at Camelot, who have a gift for creating really solid titles that allow him to strut his stuff. Like previous titles in...
News September's Club Nintendo Reward Details Are Confirmed
Another eight games after your coins
It's that time again, as Club Nintendo in North America has updated its rewards for September; once again there are eight downloads that you can pick up with some hard earned coins. This batch follows the same trend as the August equivalent, with six Virtual Console games and two DSiWare titles; the eight...
News SPIKEY WALLS is Flapping Its Way Onto the eShop on 18th September
Appy now?
SPIKEY WALLS is the latest title from RCMADIAX, a developer that was the first to publish a game on the Wii U eShop using the Nintendo Web Framework with BLOK DROP U. The block capital-loving developer has been prolific in the North American store, releasing a series of budget GamePad-centric titles that have, more often than not,...
Nintendo Download 11th September (Europe)
Teslagrad, Zelda discounts, Comic Workshop, Mega Man and much more
The start of another week means one thing for eager Nintendo gamers in Europe — Nintendo Download Update details. This week's list brings us a huge range of options, including new titles and Virtual Console entries on Wii U and 3DS, along with Zelda discounts, a host of Rising Star...
Review Mega Man X3 (Wii U eShop / SNES)
A less than fitting farewell
In 1996, the Mega Man X series parted ways with Nintendo hardware. Mega Man X3 is how it ends. Not with a bang, but a whimper. The first Mega Man X game got things off to such a solid start that it was almost inevitable that a letdown would come sooner rather than later. After all, with so little room for improvement,...
News Armillo Patch Rolls Onto Wii U to Fix Framerate and Completion Issues
Out now in North America, Europe needs to wait
Armillo is a solid 'rolling platformer' on the Wii U eShop that's earned some loyal fans, though developer Fuzzy Wuzzy Games was quick to acknowledge that the release wasn't quite at its best on day one. Work has been ongoing on an update, as a result, to improve the framerate and to resolve some issues...
News Nintendo Confirms Details of Its Super Smashing eShop Sale
Four weeks of exciting discounts
Earlier today Nintendo of America announced in its Download Update that it'd be offering some tasty discounts to celebrate Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS. Details have emerged, confirming that there'll be four weeks of discounts to celebrate the various challengers from the upcoming brawler. To start off below...
Nintendo Download 4th September (North America)
Cubemen 2, Tappingo 2, Nobunaga, forgotten Street Fighter and more
It's time again, North American gamers, for details on the Nintendo Download treats that'll be available this week. We have new titles on both the Wii U and 3DS, while both Virtual Consoles also receive one game each; in addition there are some tempting demos and discounts to...
Interview Six Miles Under Developer Discusses Bringing Post-Apocalytic Brawling to Wii U
"We believe there is great potential for Nintendo's Wii U"
Kickstarter remains a source of multiple titles — current and on the way — for Nintendo's eShop platforms. Another that's potentially coming to the system, having just launched its own crowdfunding campaign, is Six Miles Under, which is shaping up to be a rather moody action brawler. It...
News Shovel Knight Rated By The Australian Classification Board
European release moving into final testing phase
Nintendo fans across Europe and down under in Australia will know how painful it’s been waiting on the release of Shovel Knight while certain other regions have been enjoying the game on various platforms for some time now. The good news is both of these regions have been making progress –...
Feature Kickstarter's Wii U and 3DS Campaigns - 3rd September
Lots of close calls
In the past few weeks we've produced some Kickstarter summary articles highlighting intriguing projects that are recent successes and currently seeking funding. The Wii U in particular is still, it seems, a relatively popular target for developers on the crowdfunding platform. As before we are showing projects with attainable...
Review Donkey Kong Jr. Math (Wii U eShop / NES)
Summin' it
In among the Excitebikes, Super Mario Bros., and Ice Climbers of the NES’s North American launch sat Donkey Kong Jr. Math, an edutainment title seemingly designed so that hopeful tots could point to it on the shelf and Trojan-horse Nintendo’s new Duck Hunt-playing powerhouse into the family home, parents unsuspecting, under the guise...
News Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition Has One More Secret Beyond 100% Completion
The "Super Secret Meme Room" is the final destination
We're big fans of Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition here at Nintendo Life, awarding the colourful action-platformer Metroidvania adventure 9/10 in our review. A major part of the appeal with the Wii U eShop title is that even when the adventure is defeated there's more to do, with...
News Teslagrad Artist Makes a Cheeky Addition to Nintendo's Wii U Line-Up Infographic
Fair enough, we say
Teslagrad, after a fairly lengthy wait, will be bringing its magnetic charm to the Wii U eShop soon; it arrives on 11th September in North America and Europe priced at £13.99 / €14.99 / $14.99 — there are also plans for an eventual physical retail release. The developer is clearly excited that the Wii U version is finally...
News Super Street Fighter II: Turbo Revival Is Dragon Punching Its Way To The Wii U Virtual Console
Australian classification rating gives the game away
Capcom's Game Boy Advance port of its classic Super Street Fighter II: Turbo arcade machine is headed to the Wii U Virtual Console. The source of this news if the good old Australian OFLC, which has recently rated the game. Super Street Fighter II: Turbo Revival
News Dahku Creations Announces Departure From Game Development
Two Wii U eShop releases didn't sell enough
While the Wii U eShop has been the home of some success stories in recent times, there have also been releases and developers that have struggled to make an impact. An example that has emerged recently is Dahku Creations, which has stated that it is leaving game development; the studio recently brought...
News New Mighty No. 9 Trailer Builds The Hype as Keiji Inafune Talks of a Retro and Modern Fusion
Same old pew-pew, but faster
As the weeks and months drift by we get closer to the release of Mighty No. 9, so close that certain Kickstarter backers will be receiving playable beta builds on PC right about now. The title seems to be making solid progress ahead of its arrival next year, which is sure to have action platformer — and Mega Man —...
News Nintendo UK Outlines September's Dazzling Zelda eShop Discounts
Plenty to be saved on the run up to Hyrule Warriors
If you've already consulted our European Nintendo Download report this morning you'll be aware that Nintendo is running a discount promotion to mark the release of Hyrule Warriors later this month. The promotion runs for the majority of September and will see Zelda games across the 3DS and Wii U...
Nintendo Download 4th September (Europe)
Cubemen, Xtreme Mega Man, Gargoyle's Quest II, Zelda discounts and more
It's Monday, which means it's Nintendo Download Update news for Europe. There are quite a few offerings on the way this week, with games on both Wii U and 3DS along with a rather good DSiWare app; in addition there are a host of Zelda-themed discounts, joined by some other price...
August2014
Review Jett Tailfin (Wii U eShop)
The art of drowning
So far this year, the Wii U eShop has allowed us to submerge our imaginations in the ocean with titles like Squids Odyssey and Abyss, two games we found to be rather charming and worthy of your investment. Yet, as we all should know, the ocean and the eShop are also filled with predators ready to take a big juicy bite out of your...
News Trashmania Trilogy Shooting For A Q1 2015 Release On The Wii U eShop
Three games in one!
Jonathan Bont, best known for his indie development efforts on the Ouya, has announced via his Twitter page that Trashmania Trilogy will be coming to the Wii U eShop early next year. The Trashmania Trilogy will include Trashmania, Trashmania: Remix, and Trashmania: After Dark – with all games playable in an original and...
News Nintendo's Unity Presentation Confirms Critically Acclaimed Gone Home for Wii U eShop
Interesting details on the Wii U's demographics, connectivity and more
Last weekend a sizeable number of developers and industry professionals descended upon Seattle for Unite 2014, a major gathering focused on the widely used Unity development engine. Nintendo's Unity support on Wii U — in which developers on the system receive a free license for...
Review Life Force (Wii U eShop / NES)
Forcefully fun
Konami's 1985 hit Gradius is one of the most influential scrolling shooters of all time, so it was pretty tough to follow up. Rather than make Gradius II right away, the company decided to create a spin-off; Life Force — originally known in Japan as Salamander — hit arcades in 1986 and the NES two years later. Space shooters were...
News Nintendo Confirms Two More Virtual Console Titles Coming in the Next Week
'Street Fighter' with an odd release date and Nobunaga's Ambition
As is now the norm, Nintendo of America's most recent Nintendo Download Update also confirmed two additional titles on the way soon. In this case there are a couple of surprises and an uncommon release date. Both of the confirmed releases are for the Wii U Virtual Console, and...
Nintendo Download 28th August (North America)
SteamWorld, The Fall, Azure Striker Gunvolt, Mega Man X3 and much more
It's that time again, North American gamers, as we learn what download treats will be joining the eShop stores today. There's plenty on offer, too, with enticing new titles on both Wii U and 3DS, alongside a range of DLC and discounts. There's a lot to consider, so let's get on...
News Fret Not, A World of Keflings Is Still On Its Way To The Wii U eShop
Will include visual enhancements and all three DLC packs
We might not have heard about A World of Keflings since the start of this year, but the folks at NinjaBee Games have recently reassured Wii U owners via their official Twitter page that the eShop title is indeed on its way to Nintendo’s latest home console. In addition to the news, Keflings...
News Patch 1.01 For ZaciSa’s Last Stand On The Wii U Goes Live
Half-price to celebrate!
Wii U owners familiar with the 2D tower defence title ZaciSa’s Last Stand — released last month on the eShop — will be pleased to hear the latest patch adds extra meat to the game, bringing many improvements such as refined balance – helping ensure the experience remains challenging – and a plethora of new content...
News September Update for Hyrule Warriors Adds New Challenge Mode, Retro Sword, and BGM Settings
A few bug fixes thrown in for good measure
While the western world is still waiting on the release of Hyrule Warriors, it appears Nintendo and Tecmo Koei already have many of the future updates for the Wii U title well and truly laid out. Due out on the 1st of September in Japan, the incoming update adds a new challange mode, a new weapon, BGM...
Video This Moody Trailer for The Fall Sets The Scene
Available now in North America, coming to Europe in the future
Crowdfunding on Kickstarter has brought us a select group of enticing games on the Wii U eShop, one of which has arrived this week in North America. The Fall seems to be a stylish adventure title that cites Super Metroid as a major influence; it arrived in North America on 26th August...
Nintendo Download 28th August (Europe)
SteamWorld, Mercedes, Zen pinball DLC, Advance Golf and more
It's Monday, which means the start of another week, though European Nintendo fans at least have the benefit of the Nintendo Download Update news to brighten the day. This week brings us some excellent titles, old and new, across both the Wii U and 3DS, while there's a major game update...
Review SteamWorld Dig (Wii U eShop)
Groundbreaking!
The two hottest properties in indie gaming right now are Sweden and spelunking. From Amnesia to Hotline Miami to Goat Simulator to that DotA song, a hugely disproportionate number of big independent releases the last few years have come from Swedes; whether it's Cave Story, Shovel Knight,
Feature Kickstarter's Wii U and 3DS Campaigns - 24th August
The list grows again
Just recently we revived our Kickstarter summary, as a means of sharing the progress on some current projects that may make it to Nintendo hardware through the crowdfunding platform. It's time for another go around, with some new projects and updates on those previously highlighted. We are generally targeting those with...
News BLOK DROP X TWISTED FUSION Coming To The Wii U eShop Soon
A block capital crossover
Hot off the heels of announcing Flappy Bird clone SPIKEY WALLS for the Wii U eShop, our CAPS LOCK addicted friends over at RCMADIAX are back to announce BLOK DROP X TWISTED FUSION to an unsuspecting world. This upcoming Wii U eShop title is due to land this Fall and is a crossover between RCMADIAX's
Review Mega Man Battle Chip Challenge (Wii U eShop / GBA)
The chips are bringing us down
Adding RPG elements to a beloved side-scrolling franchise may seem like a stroke of insanity, but Mega Man has enjoyed more than a few titles that play off this idea while still retaining the atmosphere and challenge of the core series. Even a certain red plumber has proved that the transition can pay off, fleshing out...
News Alphadia Genesis Set to Begin at the Beginning in North America
Natsume releasing the RPG on Wii U eShop this Fall
Natsume has released more information on Alphadia Genesis, an upcoming RPG release that will hit consoles exclusively on the Wii U eShop. According to the publisher, the story takes place 15 years after the Energi Wars, a torrid affair where clones were used as weapons. The kingdoms of Augustine...
Interview Zen Studios Outlines Its Ongoing Support for Wii U
"We are aiming for Wii U parity in the future with updates and new tables"
The Wii U eShop has seen a growing library of games from various publishers and developers since the console launched in November 2012, and among the most supportive studios — in terms of the number of titles released — has been Zen Studios. Zen Pinball 2 is one of very...
News Zen Studios Announces Another Three Tables for Zen Pinball 2
Guardians of the Galaxy, Deadpool and Doctor Strange
Zen Pinball 2 remains a unique app on the Wii U eShop, as it's free to download and then offers a range of packs and individual tables to buy. Fans of the game on Wii U have perhaps been frustrated that a number of new tables released elsewhere have failed to materialise, but following up news of...
Nintendo Download 21st August (North America)
Free Disney Infinity, Mega Man, Demon's Box, BlazBlue, Discounts and more
That time has come once again, North American gamers, for details of the downloadable treats coming to Wii U and 3DS this week. There's a major surprise with a retail freebie on Wii U, while there are a couple of new titles on the 3DS eShop and some excellent Virtual Console...
News Cubemen 2 Hits the Wii U eShop on 4th September
Impressive cross-platform support included
Cubemen 2 has long been one of the most interesting projects coming to Wii U. It's the first third-party game that'll be published by well-known Australian developer Nnooo, which has been working with developer 3 Sprockets on the ambitious title. Its defining hook is that it'll support a substantial range...
News Nintendo Confirms Loads of "Veteran Fighters" eShop Discounts to Celebrate Super Smash Bros.
Fire Emblem! Mario! Donkey Kong! Pokémon! Sonic! Kirby!
Last week Nintendo of Europe announced a huge range of eShop discounts to celebrate Super Smash Bros., with a focus on newcomers to the fighting line-up. As promised it's now unveiled more Super Smash Bros.-themed discounts that'll run from 21st August until 28th August, this time celebrating...
News Fire Emblem Bringing The Battle to the Wii U in Europe This Week
Launches at discount price
The growing Game Boy Advance library on the Wii U Virtual Console has already brought us some excellent titles, but the latest announcement will no doubt have strategy fans rather excited. Fire Emblem — the Game Boy Advance version that was the first in the series released outside Japan — will arrive in this week's...
News "Mystery Travelers" Are Waiting to be Found in Wii Street U
Hints point the way
Wii Street U has perhaps been forgotten a little since its initial arrival as a free download in early 2013, though the fact it was a freebie helped to make it the most downloaded Wii U eShop title ever in some regions — Google really is taking over the world. We suspect that downloads of the Google Maps / Street View-inspired...
News Armillo Update Rolling Through Nintendo Approval Process
Shouldn't be too long now
Armillo has been another solid addition to the Wii U eShop library in recent times, earning a positive 8/10 in our review. Developer Fuzzy Wuzzy Games has acknowledged that some aspects of the experience could be better, however, and has been diligently working on an update. A Miiverse update has confirmed that this v1.1...
News SteamWorld Dig Wii U Release Date and Pricing Surface
We're digging that HD resolution
SteamWorld Dig is one of the most popular games on the 3DS eShop, and for good reason, so it's unsurprising that news of the HD iteration coming to Wii U was greeted with some delight. After previously outlining a release date on Twitter, Image & Form has now shared full details of the ever-closer HD release. To...
News Ghost Song Developer "Prepared to Move Heaven and Earth" for Wii U Release
Time needed to port Open FL project to the system
Ghost Song was a Kickstarter project that certainly caught the eye in 2013, with an obvious source of inspiration being Super Metroid, while its mechanics, setting and sense of style were certainly appealing. While it reached its funding goal for PC / Mac, it unfortunately fell short of its Wii U...
News Check Out Project Colour Park - Heading to Wii U eShop
Rainbow rhythms
Crystalline Green Ltd. has revealed a new Wii U eShop exclusive to Nintendo Life, and today we get to share it with you. Project Colour Park (working title) is an unusual game for the Wii U which has you flying along a set course coming into contact with brightly coloured cuboids at various intervals. Whilst this doesn't sound...
News Typoman Hoping to Get it Right on the Wii U eShop
Not a game about the perils of games writing, sadly
Typos are the curse of any writer, especially those that'll get metaphorically clubbed over the head and told off whenever they slip up in published articles. Thankfully these typos aren't actually important in a life and death sense, which seems to be the premise behind Typoman. Set to come to...
News illo: birth of the cool is Getting Ready to Chill Out on the Wii U and 3DS eShop
So cool that capitalisation isn't needed
While Gamescom in Germany may have been dominated by major presentations from Sony and Microsoft, in particular, the massive event had plenty more on show besides the headline grabbing games. One of these titles was illo: birth of the cool from Raylight Games, an intriguing cross-platform puzzle platformer...
News Dolphin Up is Joining the Sea of Wii U eShop Games Soon
Is there an ecco in here?
The Wii U eShop is gradually building a collection of accessible, quickfire gaming fixes, particularly in North America. Some of these are ports of iOS and Android titles, and we can add Dolphin Up — from Rawkins Games — to that growing list. The origins of this title appear to be in Dolphin Olympics and its sequel,...
Review Double Dragon II: The Revenge (Wii U eShop / NES)
Double draggin'
There was a period from the late-'80s to the early-'90s when side-scrolling beat 'em up games were all the (streets of?) rage – from Double Dragon to Final Fight to Streets of Rage, we just couldn't get enough of punching hooligans in the face down long straight paths. Perhaps the most fun aspect of these titles was the multiplayer...
Nintendo Download 21st August (Europe)
Double Dragon's back, classic portable Mega Man, demos, discounts and more
Monday morning can be a slightly bleak time, but it is brightened up by the European Nintendo Download Update that shows us what's on the way in the coming week. It seems like a fairly modest line-up this week, though there are some enticing retro options, demos and some...
Review Cybernator (Wii U eShop / SNES)
Run-n-gun in space
Konami's Cybernator isn't as well-known as run-and-gun titles such as Contra, but this SNES game is a quality offering with plenty of challenge, personality and replay value. The Virtual Console exists to let gamers relive (and experience for the first time) classic games, and Cybernator will be a breath of fresh air for anyone...