Wii U eShop - News
February2017
Nintendo Download 23rd February (North America)
forma.8! Ghost Blade HD! Harvest Moon 64!
It's that time, once again, for the Nintendo Download Update details for North America. This week offers up a few interesting choices, so let's get to it. Missed the European Nintendo Download Update? Turn that frown upside down, the details are still waiting for you right here. 3DS eShop: Go! Go!...
News Harvest Moon 64 Heading to Wii U in North America This Week as Part of Anniversary Celebrations
More surprises promised throughout 2017
This week's European Nintendo Download Update details included the happy news that Harvest Moon 64 will be heading to the Wii U Virtual Console; that was a welcome surprise as the title originally skipped the region and it was previously thought that plans to release it as a download had been dropped. North...
News 2013 Kickstarter Success Soul Saga Is Still Coming To The Wii U eShop
No news on Switch version, though
Soul Saga was successfully funded on Kickstarter way back in 2013, with 5,631 backers pledging $195,528 to make Disastercake's love letter to classic titles like Final Fantasy a reality. A Wii U version was secured even before the campaign had ended, with the developer outlining some fairly bold plans for how the
Nintendo Download 23rd February (Europe)
forma.8! Harvest Moon 64! Vaccine! Much more!
As a fresh week begins we have the European Nintendo Download Update details to consider, showing us the digital goodies on the way later this week. This time around it's the Wii U that gets most of the new content, with some DLC and discounts also on the list - let's get to it. Wii U eShop: forma.8...
Nintendo Download 16th February (North America)
Tanks, Beds, Balls, Cubes and Ogres!
It's that time, once again, for the Nintendo Download Update details for North America. This week offers up a few interesting choices, so let's get to it. Missed the European Nintendo Download Update? Turn that frown upside down, the details are still waiting for you right here. 3DS eShop: Tank Troopers...
Interview Preparing for Adventure in forma.8 on the Wii U eShop
"We can't wait to work on Switch, it's such a lovely bit of kit!"
MixedBag rightly earned praise for Futuridium EP Deluxe, which brought its colourful and high tempo gameplay to both the Wii U and New 3DS. Yet forma.8 was the first project we heard of from the Italian studio - it emerged in early 2014, was part of the [email protected] demo promotion...
News Vaccine Will Bring '90s Horror to the Wii U eShop Very Soon
No ink ribbons that we can see
RNC (Rainy Night Creations) is a young development studio that's already delivered a fairly accomplished effort with FreezeME, a 3D platformer that drew heavy inspiration from the N64 era along with some modern aspects. The studio's next title also looks to add its own twist to an established genre, in this case the...
Nintendo Download 16th February (Europe)
Tank Troopers! Dragon Ball Fusions! Breath of the Wild Themes! More!
Another week begins, dear readers, which means it's time for a look ahead to the Nintendo Download Update goodies coming to Europe. This week has a first-party eShop download and a long awaited retail release, while a huge upcoming Switch / Wii U title gets a couple of 3DS HOME...
Review Gradius (Wii U eShop / TG-16)
Arcade-style pew-pew
Gradius will forever be considered a definitive game in the shoot 'em up genre, held up as a key example of what makes these kind of games truly special. It's a game familiar for its iconic NES version, of course, but the release of the TurboGrafx-16 iteration on the Wii U Virtual Console is a welcome one - after all, it was a...
A nice day in the garden
Sometimes it can be nice to simply relax with a peaceful, calming game, that doesn't demand great skill or dedication. That is exactly what Plantera delivers. It is centred around growing a garden and selling produce in return for money, with which more plants and animals can be bought, and so on. The gameplay isn't...
News Mutant Alien Moles of the Dead is Bringing Its Awesome Name to the Wii U eShop
A 'game of reflexes' that shakes things up
EnjoyUp Games is likely a familiar name to some eShop aficionados, with the developer and publisher being prolific on the 3DS and Wii U. It's now announced another project as part of its publishing activities - Mutant Alien Moles of the Dead by Pixel Bones Studio. It looks rather colourful and could...
Nintendo Download 9th February (North America)
Plantera! Mario vs. DK! Azure Striker Gunvolt anime! More!
It's that time, once again, for the Nintendo Download Update details for North America. This week offers up a few interesting choices with a dual release, a sequel to a surprise gem of 2016 and a Virtual Console arrival among the most promising. There are a few options whether you're rocking...
News Swap Fire Update in the Works, Currently on Discount Ahead of Valentine's Day
EU release also on the agenda
The Wii U eShop has the tendency to throw up some surprising and clever games, and Swap Fire aimed to deliver just this in 2016. Primarily a local multiplayer game - though you can play it solo - its hook is that when you shoot an opponent you swap places with them, setting up the potential for some chaotic and...
Review Toby: The Secret Mine (Wii U eShop)
Shady stuff
The Wii U eShop has played host to some wonderful indie titles over the years, and despite the console's impending retirement there's still room for another sleeper hit to offer a charming send off. With its distinctive art-style, intriguing level design and enigmatic story, Toby: The Secret Mine seemed set to impress when first...
News Metroidvania forma.8 Launches This Month On The European Wii U eShop
Better late than never
MixedBag has revealed that its Metroidvania title forma.8 is coming to the European Wii U eShop - as well as other platforms - later this month. The game has been on our radar since 2014, and the developer lavished praise on the Wii U's unique controller in an exclusive interview
Nintendo Download 9th February (Europe)
Plantera! Ogre Battle 64! Swapdoodle DLC! More!
With the start of another week we have a look at the downloadable treats heading to Europe in a few days, and this time around there are some interesting new downloads to consider. We have a few Nindie releases, DLC from Nintendo and a slice of N64 gaming on Wii U, while the 3DS also has some notable...
Nintendo Download 2nd February (North America)
Fire Emblem Heroes! Poochy & Yoshi! TurboGrafx-16 games! More!
It's that time, once again, for the North American Nintendo Download Update. We'll be so bold as to say it's a decent week - there's an excellent retail arrival on 3DS, a high-profile mobile release, two TurboGrafx-16 games on Wii U, and also some interesting download-only offerings on...
News Nintendo Has Finally Pulled The Plug On Project Giant Robot
System failure
Nintendo has cancelled the experimental Wii U title Project Giant Robot, it has been confirmed. The game was originally shown off at E3 2014 alongside Project Guard as a showcase for the unique potential of the Wii U's GamePad controller. While Project Guard would become part of the Star Fox serie
January2017
News SDK Spriter to Add New Level Modes in Free and Paid DLC
Platformers and turn-based battles on the way
SDK Spriter has been an interesting title on Wii U eShop, though it hasn't yet fought through our backlog for a review. It's understandable why the concept is appealing - it's an app that promises a whole lot of tools for creating retro game art for maps, sprites, tiles and levels. There are then some...
Review Zombie Brigade: No Brain No Gain (Wii U eShop)
Brainless
A Miiverse post for Zombie Brigade: No Brain No Gain wrote, "Better than Meme Run." That's about the nicest thing that can be said about this horrendous title from Cypronia. An endless runner that you will want to end after about five minutes, Zombie Brigade is in the upper echelon of terrible eShop games. And to be clear, that's not a...
Nintendo Download 2nd February (Europe)
Poochy & Yoshi! Punch Club! Lifespeed! Bomberman '94! Much more!
Another week begins, and that means advance warning of what to expect in this week's European Nintendo Download Update. It's a fairly busy line-up this week, with a retail Good-Feel release on 3DS leading the way. There are also promising download-only releases on the Wii U and 3DS...
News Earthlock: Festival of Magic Is Close to Its Wii U Release
Switch version "is still an uncertainty"
Earthlock: Festival of Magic has been a significant project for Snowcastle Games since it launched its Kickstarter way back in 2014, though the ambitious RPG did eventually arrive on PC and Xbox One last year. The Wii U version was handed over to a third-party and was targeting a similar release window to the...
Nintendo Download 26th January (North America)
Three Culture Brain NES games! Candy, Please! Word Search 10K!
It's that time once again, dear readers, for the North American Nintendo Download Update. This week is relatively light in content, though may have enough to tempt you into a download or two; there are three Culture Brain NES releases on the Wii U, while the 3DS has some word searching...
Video Fresh Shovel Knight: Specter Of Torment Footage Stalks The Earth
Altogether spooky
Yacht Club Games has released new gameplay footage for the forthcoming Shovel Knight expansion, Specter of Torment. As the title suggests, you'll be controlling Shovel Knight's foe Specter Knight in this prequel DLC. The action follows the evildoer as he attempts to form The Order of No Quarter, against which Shovel Knight faces...
News Kerbal Space Program Developer Reevaluating Proposed Wii U Port
"The industry landscape changed since we made that announcement"
If you'd clean forgotten that Kerbal Space Program had even been announced for the Wii U, don't worry - so had we, to be perfectly honest. We've heard pretty much nothing since it was revealed the game would be ported to Nintendo's current home console, but now developer Squad has...
News Ghost Blade HD Is Bringing Intense Bullet Hell Action To The Wii U eShop
Not dead yet
North American publisher 2Dream is bringing Hucast's bullet hell shooter Ghost Blade HD to the Wii U eShop this year, it has been announced. This vertically-scrolling blaster is the latest title from Germany's Hucast Games, previously responsible for the similarily manic Redux: Dark Matters. It boasts a two-player local co-op mode, 5...
Nintendo Download 26th January (Europe)
Castlevania: Dracula X! Inchworm Animation II! More!
We're not quite sure why, but the Nintendo Download Update details for Europe have been elusive today; thankfully the ever generous Daan Koopman has forwarded the Dutch press release that finally came through, and Kenneth Jensen then provided UK prices. In any case, this week comes with an...
Review Mega Maze (Wii U eShop)
Not so amazing
Do you remember that mesmerising screen saver from the '90s? The one that was an endless loop of twists and turns through a red brick maze? Well, Mega Maze is sort of like that, except everything is blue or white and it's just not all that entertaining. Mega Maze is exactly what its name implies; a game about solving mazes. There's...
Nintendo Download 19th January (North America)
Dragon Quest VIII! Star Fox 64! Punch Club! Yoshi demo! More!
It's time for another Nintendo Download Update for North America, and this week has shaped up rather nicely. On 3DS there's a huge retail release and a tempting demo, while a notable download arrival brings a bit of punch to proceedings. On Wii U there are some interesting Nindie options...
Review Spheroids (Wii U eShop)
It's time to break some balls
Spheroids has a simple plot that is well-suited to a platform adventure game. Giant alien blobs known as "the Spheroids" are attempting to take over the world, and it's up to a brave Canadian boy named Lucas - with the assistance of a crazy scientist known as Otto - to save the day. Based in a comical science-fiction...
Nintendo Download 19th January (Europe)
Dragon Quest VIII! Poochy and Yoshi Demo! Toby! More!
Another week begins, and the latest Nintendo Download Update details are out for Europe. There's a major retail release on 3DS, while a notable demo and 'Nindie' release also stand out; let's get to the details. Wii U eShop: Toby: The Secret Mine (Headup Games, €9.99 / £6.99) - A rather...
Video Ladies And Gentlemen, We Might Have Found The Worst Game On Wii U
Alex suffers for his art
Like any console, the Wii U has seen its fair share of stinkers. Not every game can be like Splatoon, Super Mario 3D World or Bayonetta 2; some will invariably fall short of greatness and make you wonder exactly what compelled you to hand over your hard-earned cash in the first place. However, if you've ever wondered...
News F-Zero X Comes to the North American Virtual Console Tomorrow
Hopefully it's the patched version
F-Zero X has had a bit of a rough time on the Virtual Console this generation. The high-speed racer ran into some serious control issues when it made its Wii U VC debut in Europe, and these issues actually rendered it nigh unplayable. Fortunately, Nintendo listened to fan outcry and fixed the issue a bit later, and...
News CIRCLE Entertainment Dips Into New Territory With Koi on Wii U
Koi blimey
The Wii U eShop has been a platform for some rather left-field releases, and we think that the upcoming Koi from CIRCLE Entertainment will be another one for the list. It appears to take place within a Koi pond - obviously - with missions, customisation and more involved in the gameplay. A trailer and some screens showing different...
News Toby: The Secret Mine Arrives on the Wii U eShop Very Soon
It's about Toby and a secret mine, obviously
Late last year Headup Games, a publisher familiar for also developing and releasing Typoman on the Wii U eShop, confirmed that it was publishing another game on the system. That title is Toby: The Secret Mine, which is the work of Lukáš Navrátil, an independent developer from Czech Republic. It looks...
News The Next Penelope Cancelled On Wii U, But Nintendo Switch Version Could Happen
"The game was made for a Nintendo console from the beginning"
You might recall that we covered The Next Penelope a while back, and were quite excited about the fact that it was being ported to the Wii U. Playing like a cross between F-Zero, Micro Machines and the classic French/Japanese cartoon Ulysses 31, this combat racer was the work o
Review Teslapunk (Wii U eShop)
More like meh-slapunk
The Shmup genre is one that was quite popular in the halcyon days of pre-3D gaming, but it seems that the addition of the extra dimension largely rendered this style of gaming obsolete. Nowadays you may see new entries every now and then, but it seems that many are simple games designed for smart devices, or are otherwise too...
News Hex Heroes Still Coming To Wii U, Dev Hints At Nintendo Switch News
Well, that's refreshing
While other developers are dropping Wii U support and shifting projects over to the forthcoming Switch, the team behind Kickstarter project Hex Heroes are bucking the trend by standing by Nintendo's outgoing home system. An update has just been posted on the project's Kickstarter page which shows the game running on a Wii U...
Nintendo Download 12th January (Europe)
Mercenaries Saga 3! Shift DX! Discounts!
Nintendo Switch week is here, but the Wii U and 3DS eShop still have the usual updates on the way. In Europe this week's Nintendo Download Update has two new arrivals on the portable, while there are some tempting discounts across both systems; let's get to it. Wii U eShop Temporary Discounts: SEVERED...
Video Gorillas, Mechs And Lightning Bolts, Wii U FPS Draw The Line Has It All
"Give us your heart"
Way back in July last year we reported on the development of Draw The Line by indie studio Nexis Games, previously famous for the as-yet-unreleased Minecraft clone UCraft. Billed as the first in the The Dance of the Damned series, this FPS title is something of a melting pot of ideas. Your role is to protect a scantily-clad...
News Check Out This New Village Area in Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
"The afternoon sky was dark as night and red as blood"
Though Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is unfortunately quite some time away from being in the hands of gamers, Koji igarashi and his team have been doing a good job of communicating progress to their Kickstarter backers and showing how the game is shaping up. In the last post, we got a look...
Nintendo Download 5th January (North America)
Pokémon Snap! Spheroids! Quiet, Please! More!
It's the first Nintendo Download Update of the year in North America, and the headline release is a much-requested N64 title on the Wii U Virtual Console. Beyond that there are some interesting Indie options to consider, so let's get to it. Missed the European Nintendo Download Update? No need to wail...
News Pokémon Snap Listed for North American Wii U eShop Release on 5th January
Picture perfect
One common topic that's come up in North American Nintendo Download comments sections has been "where's Pokémon Snap?" It arrived on the Wii U Virtual Console in Europe back in August 2016, so there's been an unsurprising desire to see the much-loved N64 title in NA. Well, the wait seems to be almost over, with Nintendo's game page...
News Activision's Amazing Spider-Man Games Make A Sharp Exit From The Wii U eShop
The web-slinger runs out of time
Activision's two Amazing Spider-Man games for the Wii U have been yanked from the Wii U eShop. While neither title could be considered a solid-gold classic, The Amazing Spider-Man and The Amazing Spider-Man 2 presumably had an audience thanks to the licence alone - and it would seem that is also the reason for their...
Nintendo Download 5th January (Europe)
Spheroids! Quiet, Please! Shin Megami Tensei DLC! Discounts! More!
It's the first Nintendo Download Update of the year, but as this is a public Holiday the European details have been slow in coming. At the time of publication no UK press release has come through, but the ever-generous Daan Koopman has passed us the Dutch PR. This week includes a few...
December2016
Nintendo Download 29th December (Europe)
Happy New Year Sales! Videos! Erm... more discounts!
For most it's still a Holiday period, which might explain the rather quirky distribution of Nintendo Download Update details for Europe. There's been no UK press release that we can see, but the ever-generous Daan Koopman has sent us a press release from Nintendo's Dutch subsidiary. The offering...
Review Back to Bed (Wii U eShop)
Would you prefer to walk off a ledge?
Sleepwalking can be dangerous. It can result in people exiting their homes in the middle of the night and falling off a ledge. Back to Bed by Bedtime Digital Games plays on such fears by introducing us to Bob the sleepwalker and his subconscious guardian named Subob - a four legged creature that must guide him...
Review Swap Fire (Wii U eShop)
Halt and swap fire
It's an exciting time in the games industry. There are AAA games from big publishers, mid-tier downloadable games and even tiny indie experiences, all of which have the potential to be memorable, interesting experiences. Midnight Status has the makings of one such experience in Swap Fire, a first person shooter with an interesting...
Feature 30 Essential Wii U eShop Games
Because it's cold outside
Oh, the weather outside is frightful, But the fire is so delightful. And since we've got no place to go, Let it download, let it download, let it download. (Tsk, must do better, Ed.) So yeah, we're too much into the festive spirit to really make that opening 'bit' work, but in any case we thought the timing was good for...
Review Soul Axiom (Wii U eShop)
It's got soul, man
Soul Axiom is a spiritual successor to Master Reboot, a rather decent and interesting Wii U eShop title from Wales Interactive. They're not directly tied together, but thematic and stylistic crossovers deliberately nudge and wink at those with experience of the previous release, while Soul Axiom also goes its own way. Ultimately,...
News Toby: The Secret Mine is Digging Its Way to Wii U in Early 2017
Headup Games steps in with publishing
Headup Games is a publisher that made its Nintendo debut in this Wii U generation with the rather smart Typoman. The company is a prolific publisher on various platforms, and in pleasing news one of its closest new releases will also be coming to Nintendo's system. The work of Lukáš Navrátil, Toby: The...
Nintendo Download 22nd December (North America)
Shantae: Half-Genie Hero! Mario Party 2! Geki Yaba Runner Deluxe! More!
It's the final North American Nintendo Download Update before Christmas, and there are some solid options available on Wii U and 3DS. There's a standout on Wii U, but there's also a fun retro party game and some tempting and affordable options on 3DS. Let's get to it. Missed...
Review Radiantflux: Hyperfractal (Wii U eShop)
Become a master hacker and uncover the truth
In any crime-ridden story, hackers are often depicted as a quick solution to a series of complicated problems. Sometimes in these plots they willingly cooperate with law enforcement, but often they are portrayed as social outcasts who are leading the fight against huge corporations and government...
News Pic-a-Pix Color Will Brighten Up Picross-Style Challenges on Wii U and 3DS
Try for free in Lightwood Games' interactive Holiday card
There are various ways to announce games, but we want to doff our festive hats to Lightwood Games for its latest approach. It's announced Pic-a-Pix Color for the Wii U and 3DS eShop, out in 2017 with more details to come in January, and has given us all a chance to try it out. The concept is...
Fun for the whole family
Have you ever experienced a moment when you've attempted to draw an object or animal and your family or friends identify it as something else? The odds are very good as, in a nutshell, that's what Pictionary is all about. Scribble, by indie developer Bear Box Media, is essentially an enhanced digital version of the classic...
Nintendo Download 22nd December (Europe)
Shantae: Half-Genie Hero! Picross e7! Discounts galore! More!
Another week begins, but it's a little bit more special as the festive season is just around the corner. The European Nintendo Download update promises a notable Wii U release along with plenty more besides, including more Picross, downloadable videos and another ridiculously long list of...
News The Era of Meme-Filled 'Parody' Runners on Wii U Isn't Over - Here's Zombie Brigade
Oh no
Who remembers Meme Run? Go on, search in your subconscious, dredge up those memories; therapists can be hired later for extravagant fees. As the name made clear it was a runner that was full of memes, and it had an interesting history. So, you thought the era of meme-filled runners was over on Wii U, and that we could all lead richer, more...
News Minecraft Is Getting Fallout DLC And It's Coming To The Wii U
Taking the nuclear option
While Nintendo fans have been cruelly denied the chance to play the recent entries in Bethesda's Fallout series, there's some good news on the horizon - no, Fallout 4 isn't confirmed for the Nintendo Switch before you get too excited - but the Wii U version of Minecraft is getting Fallout-themed content via a new DLC...
Nintendo Download 15th December (North America)
Super Mario Run! Excitebots! Picross! My Nintendo discounts! More!
It's that time again, dear readers, for the Nintendo Download update. This week Nintendo of America is cheekily mentioning the latest mobile release (gasp!), but also has some tempting new arrivals and discounts on the Wii U and 3DS eShop stores. Let's get right to it. Missed the...
News 3Souls Episodes 2 and 3 to Now Arrive as Free Updates
Festive discount of part one also on the way
3Souls has been an intriguing release on the Wii U eShop, utilising the GamePad for dual-screen gaming and plotting out a three-part release schedule. Though we found faults with part 1 in our review, we appreciated some of the ideas and intent behind the title. Those interested in taking a punt on it...
News Koji Igarashi on How Bloodstained Will Utilize Procedural Generation
It'll handle all the environmental detail
Though Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night has been delayed until 2018, we can rest assured that Koji Igarashi and his team are doing everything they can to polish the game to the nth degree and make it all worth the wait. In a previous update, Igarashi mentioned how he would be utilizing procedural generation...
News Radiantflux: Hyperfractal Will Be Hacking Your Wii U Later This Month
Hack the planet
TACS Systems has announced that its next Wii U eShop title will launch this month. Radiantflux: Hyperfractal is a unique combination of adventure, action and puzzle-solving all presented in a faux desktop computer environment. You assume the role of a "neo-hacker" who delves into "data-fractal hyper structures" after receiving a...
Review Exile's End (Wii U eShop)
Good enough to avoid being exiled
Metroidvania fans have had some great luck over the past few years; with solid indie titles like Guacamelee! and Axiom Verge, a once-quiet genre has inched back into the spotlight. Though the game's description claims that Exile's End isn't a Metroidvania game, it should indeed be counted in that category. Let's...
Nintendo Download 15th December (Europe)
Minecraft Complete Story! Pikmin 2! Teslapunk! Loads of discounts!
The European Nintendo Download Update details arrived a little later than normal, giving us a look at what to expect this week. It's a packed line-up, with lots of Minecraft storytelling, a well-regarded Wii re-release of a GameCube sequel, a number of 'Nindie' titles, discounts...
Feature The Nindie Christmas Celebration - Affordable Space Adventures Edition
A journey best shared
With Christmas just around the corner, many a Nintendo gamer is perhaps asking "what should I buy?" Alas, there isn't a whole lot to look forward to in terms of new releases, so in this series we'll be spotlighting a menagerie of quality indie games that have shown up on the eShop over the years. In this edition, Tom Whitehead...
Review Excitebike 64 (Wii U eShop / N64)
Hold onto your handlebars
Of the sports games in the N64 era, Excitebike 64 feels left out of conversation more often than siblings such as Wave Race 64 and 1080° Snowboarding. Perhaps its release later in the console's life cycle didn't give it as much time to gain traction in people's memories, or maybe it's drowned in the limelight of its...
Nintendo Download 8th December (North America)
Metroid Other M! Fire Emblem Shadow Dragon! Demon's Crest! Teslapunk! More!
It's that time again, dear readers, for the North American Nintendo Download Update. This week brings a few new download-only titles to the Wii U and New 3DS eShop platforms, along with some varied and tempting Virtual Console options. With a couple of themes and a...
News Shantae: Half-Genie Hero Arrives on Wii U on 20th December
Just in time for Christmas
A couple weeks ago, it was announced that development on Shantae: Half-Genie Hero had been completed and that a release date was forthcoming. Fortunately, it has now been confirmed that the wait won't be much longer, the game releases in just a couple of weeks. WayForward recently updated the Kickstarter to announce that...
Nintendo Download 8th December (Europe)
Excitebike 64! Retail DLC! Discounts! More!
Another week begins, and the European Download Update details are available to show what's on the way to the eShop in the coming days. There's a promising Virtual Console release, a whole lot of DLC for recent retail releases and more besides, so let's get to it. Wii U VIrtual Console: Excitebike 64...
Feature The Nindie Christmas Celebration - Runbow Edition
Mitch Vogel on one of the multiplayer highlights of the eShop
With Christmas just around the corner, many a Nintendo gamer is perhaps asking "what should I buy?" Alas, there isn't a whole lot to look forward to in terms of new releases, so in this series we'll be spotlighting a menagerie of quality indie games that have shown up on the eShop over...
Review Octocopter: Super Sub Squid Escape (Wii U eShop)
What has tentacles, spins and shoots missiles?
In an unlikely but plausible(?) scenario an octopus and a submarine have lost their way and sunk to the bottom of the deep blue sea during an epic battle. With the octopus still latched onto to the spinning watercraft, the two enemies must now unite in order to escape from the deadly depths. This...
News F-Zero X Wii U Update Improves Controls and 'Deadzone' Issue
About "75% better", according to our resident F-Zero veteran
Back in early November we wrote about a problem with the Wii U Virtual Console release of F-Zero X in PAL territories. The buzz around a release of the 60Hz North American version was quickly lost when it was discovered that there was a notable 'deadzone' in the analogue controls. Our...
Nintendo Download 1st December (North America)
Super Mario Maker 3DS! Advance Wars: Dual Strike! Hyperlight EX! More!
It's that time, once again, for the North American Nintendo Download Update. This time around there's a major retail arrival on 3DS, a DS classic on the Wii U and some interesting 'Nindie' efforts. Let's get right to it, shall we? Missed the European Nintendo Download Update?...
November2016
News The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+ Won't Be Coming to Wii U
However, the Switch is a good possibility
For the past year or so, The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth has been in something of a "will it, won't it" status on the Wii U. Though a port was initially unlikely, rumours began circulating that it would indeed be happening, and a confirmation came in April. However, this confirmation mentioned that the port...
News Stardew Valley is Cancelled for Wii U, But It's Heading to Nintendo Switch
"Switch’s unique capabilities could create some exciting opportunities"
Back in June it was announced that Stardew Valley would make its way to the Wii U eShop along with other console platforms; developer Concerned Ape expressed enthusiasm about utilising the GamePad's second screen, for example. It seemed like a good fit for Nintendo's system;...
Review Retro Road Rumble (Wii U eShop)
Steer clear
Retro Road Rumble is neither retro nor a rumble, but at least it takes place on roads. The concept behind it is very much like Crazy Taxi; drive from point to point in the time allotted to gain points, with some music to keep you company. The difference is that it's presented in an isometric view, with visuals far worse than the 1999...
News Nintendo To Hold Special eShop Sale During The Game Awards 2016
Dazzling digital discounts?
The Game Awards take place this week and host Geoff Keighley has revealed that Nintendo is going to hold a special eShop sale to mark the event. It's not known exactly which titles will be included in the sale but it would be fair to predict that all Nintendo-related Game Award nominees should be featured. Fire Emblem...
Nintendo Download 1st December (Europe)
Super Mario Maker for 3DS! Picross 3D Round 2! Sonic discounts! More!
Another week begins, and we have the European Nintendo Download Update details to get us ready for releases later this week. This time around there are multiple high profile 3DS retail releases, along with a mix of download-only titles across both systems. Let's get to it. Wii U...
Nintendo Download 24th November (North America)
Majora's Mask! Dragon Ball Fusions! Citadale! More!
It's Thanksgiving in the US, and for everyone else a reminder that the festive season is right around the corner. We have the usual Download Update details for North America, and this week there are tempting Virtual Console options on both current-gen systems, a couple of Nindie efforts on Wii U...
Video DICO and Monobit Will Be Contributing to Bloodstained's Development
Bringing in reinforcements
It came as a bit of a tough pill to swallow when Koji Igarashi announced that Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night would be delayed into 2018. All the same, this has been done to ensure that the final product is of a sufficient quality; which is reassuring in light of certain other mighty disappointments on Kickstarter. Early...
News Nintendo Marks Sonic's 25th Birthday With Digital Sale In North America
Save up to 60 percent on select titles
Sonic turns 25 this year and Nintendo is marking the occasion with a sale on selected Sonic the Hedgehog titles, no doubt inspired by the Black Friday madness which is currently gripping the planet. The titles - all digital versions, of course - are: 3D Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (3DS) - $2.99 (no
Video Get a Good Look at Exile's End in Its Wii U eShop Trailer
Retro cool
Already out in North America and out this week in Europe, Exile's End is an intriguing release on the Wii U eShop. Localised by Marvelous USA and XSEED (depending on your region), it adopts a neat retro aesthetic and seems to have some fantastic music. We're still working away at a review, but an eShop trailer for the EU release caught...
News Development on Shantae: Half-Genie Hero Has Been Completed
Now if we could just get a release date…
Fans of the Shantae series have no doubt been waiting with bated breath for WayForward to hurry up with development of Shantae: Half-Genie Hero. The latest in WayForward's flagship series, Half-Genie Hero was Kickstarted three years ago and has been in the making ever since. Originally, the game was...
Review Wings of Magloryx (Wii U eShop)
Not a magic dragon
The font of this bold title would have you believe this game is about the most edgy of dragons out there; it encourages visions of a hardened, battle-weathered hero. Tales of Yore. Destruction. Wings of Magloryx has these elements, but the game's executed too poorly for it to matter. Dragons - benevolent or nasty - should be the...
News Nintendo of Europe Confirms eShop Cyber Deals Are Coming on Black Friday
Hope you've saved some Rupees
With Black Friday just four days away, Nintendo of Europe's Twitter account has announced that the region will be celebrating the high-savings event with special 'Cyber Deals'. Starting on 25th November, Nintendo fans can find these offers on both eShop pages for Wii U and 3DS; savings of up to 40% have been promised,...
News Spheroids Mixes Mutant Mudds And Pang, And It's Coming To Wii U Next Year
Might also be 3DS-bound
Eclipse Games has confirmed that it bringing its new title Spheroids to the Wii U eShop. The game mixes the bubble-popping mechanics of Pang / Buster Bros. with the 2D plain-swapping gameplay of Mutant Mudds to create a unique platforming adventure in which you have to save the world from the titular Spheroids. Here's the...
Nintendo Download 24th November (Europe)
Pokemon Sun and Moon! Beat the Beat! Exile's End! More!
Another week begins, and brings with it the European Nintendo Download Update details for the goodies we can expect this week. The 3DS has huge retail arrivals, while there are some tempting download-only options to be found on the Wii U in particular. Let's get to the details. Wii U eShop:...
Nintendo Download 17th November (North America)
Pokémon Sun and Moon! Excitebike 64! Swapdoodle! More!
It's time for another Nintendo Download Update, and this week's North American offering has one (or two, depending on your point of view) huge arrivals at retail on the 3DS. Beyond that we have a fantastic Wii game available for download alongside a surprise N64 title, some promising Nindie...
News Beat the Beat: Rhythm Paradise Coming to Wii U eShop in Europe
Time to warm up
Can you feel the Rhythm? Nintendo of Europe has announced that Beat the Beat: Rhythm Paradise will be making its way onto the Wii U eShop before the end of the month. This hidden gem was a critical success in the last generation, helping the series become more of a presence in the west. [tweet Recently, of course, we had Rhythm...
Video Check Out the Official Launch Trailer for Mekazoo
Hopefully it's still coming to Wii U
In the vacuum left behind by major third party developers, indie games have been the lifeblood of the Nintendo eShop, filling the digital storefront with all sorts of unique and interesting games. One game that caught our eye is Mekazoo, a neon-centric platformer that seems to be equal parts Donkey Kong Country...
Nintendo Download 17th November (Europe)
Lionel City Builder 3D! A retail demo! An aquarium thing! Um...
Another week begins, and as always we have the European Nintendo Download Update details to kick things off. Last week was a bit underwhelming in the region, and we're not going to lie - it's not exactly a barnstormer on the way this week either. Nevertheless there may still be one or...
Defy gravity
Gravity+ by Nitrolic Games is a puzzle title for the Wii U eShop that's all about gravitational pull; the plus sign featured in the game's title makes reference to the game's use of the directional pad to manipulate gravity. In reality, you are actually just rotating the game's maze-like environments in multiple directions in order to...
Nintendo Download 10th November (North America)
Harvest Moon: Skytree Village! Umbrella Chronicles! Rhythm Heaven! More!
It's Nintendo Download Update time, and the North American line-up is has been fully confirmed. It has some decent options, with the Wii U and New 3DS Virtual Consoles offering a few varied titles from the Wii and SNES. The Wii U eShop has an intriguing new download-only...
News Ohayou! Beginner's Japanese Aims to Help Budding Language Students on Wii U
Arriving soon at a budget price
Finger Gun Games previously made its debut on the Wii U eShop with Stone Shire, a Minecraft-style title, but has gone in an entirely different direction for its next release. Ohayou! Beginner's Japanese aims to help users gain the building blocks for learning the language. The basic premise is that you use flash...
Review Blasting Agent: Ultimate Edition (Wii U eShop)
Everything old is new again
A recipe for a good old-fashioned shooter is actually quite straightforward. Take a vaguely sinister terrorist organisation with a remote base of operations (genetic experimentation is always a plus), stir in a brightly pixelated art style, sprinkle weapon upgrades, and always serve with a buff hero who shoots before he...
The '70s just called, they want their game back
Just the other day, this writer happened to encounter a page loading error on Google Chrome and got an opportunity to play that hidden dinosaur platforming game, where the T-rex has to jump over rocks and cacti as it runs through a desert. You know the one. This 'game' is simple, something that's just...
Exclusive Scribble to Bring Pictionary-Style Party Gaming to Wii U This Holiday Season
Let's draw out some details
Earlier this year U Host came to the Wii U eShop, a debut effort by Bear Box Media. A party quiz game, it also gives players the ability to create their own competitions, and we were impressed by how fun it can be when played in groups, awarding it a 7 - 'good' - rating in our review. The developer has now given us...
News Earthlock: Festival of Magic Still On Track for Wii U, With Third-Party Producing Port
"We will release on Wii U as soon as the game is ready"
It was quite some time ago that the ambitious Earthlock: Festival of Magic was crowdfunded on Kickstarter. Snowcastle Games earned plenty of fans for its comprehensive campaign, along with ambitious plans for the RPG that features turn-based combat, base building and development, in addition to...
Nintendo Download 10th November (Europe)
SHOOT THE BALL, discounts... erm, that's it
A fresh week is upon us, and as usual Nintendo of Europe has sent out details for the Download Update that's to come. In truth it's extremely slim pickings this time around, with one new game and some discounts. There's no particularly positive spin we can give, so let's just get on with it. Wii U eShop...
Review EctoPlaza (Wii U eShop)
You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave
Though it seems all too likely that history won't be too kind to the Wii U, it's difficult to dispute the fact that it has been the couch multiplayer console of the generation. Aside from featuring highly polished iterations of classic Nintendo franchises with games such as Mario Kart 8...
