Wii U eShop - News
November2016
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...
Review Twisted Fusion (Wii U eShop)
(Don't) Do the twist
Kickstarter has given budding game developers a chance to shine that never existed in the early days of gaming. Twisted Fusion is one of the most recent titles to be supported by the service, but does it fare well from its crowdfunded roots? Let's find out. We're a little light on story in Twisted Fusion. The main character,...
Soapbox Captain Falcon, We Have A Problem With F-Zero X on Wii U
Controls are off course on Virtual Console (Updated)
Update: We've been asked quite a few times if this issue is the same on the Wii version of the game. As a test I've just used the exact same Wiimote + Classic Controller on both the Wii U and Wii Virtual Console versions available. The Wii version does not appear to have the same issue and the...
Review Fire: Ungh's Quest (Wii U eShop)
Are you still fascinated by the concept of fire?
We're all taught about fire at a young age. It's dangerous, and without it humanity would likely not have developed as it has. So how about a game where you are transported to the Stone Age and take control of a Neanderthal who is on a journey to locate fire? This is the basis of the eShop title that...
Nintendo Download 3rd November (North America)
Mario Party! Twisted Fusion! DK Jungle Beat! Hyrule Warriors DLC! More!
It's that time once again, dear readers, for the North American Nintendo Download Update. This week includes a first-party retail release on 3DS, while a couple of tempting Virtual Console games arrive on Wii U. Beyond that there are a variety of interesting download-only games...
News Donkey Kong Jungle Beat Hitting the North American Wii U eShop This Week
The Wii version, obviously
Though we often wait until the full Download Update is issued before going into too much detail on the line-up for any given week, it's worth changing it up to confirm that North American gamers are in for a treat - Donkey Kong Jungle Beat (the Wii New Play Control version) is heading to the Wii U eShop on 3rd November,...
News Here Are Your New My Nintendo Rewards
Get your lovely discounts here
A bunch of new My Nintendo rewards have gone live today, and as has been the case previously, these are all related to software discounts across Wii U and 3DS. There are different rewards for Europe and North America, which can be viewed below: Europe 30% off Typoman (Nintendo Wii U eShop): 250 Platinum Coins...
October2016
Interview Learning More About the Adventure in Wii U Exclusive Twisted Fusion
"I think the Nintendo audience is perfect for this game"
The list of Wii U exclusives is getting rather short as the system heads into its twilight, perhaps ahead of its time, but there are still intriguing games to keep us busy. One of them is Twisted Fusion, a title that emerged from a successful Kickstarter campaign back in Spring 2014 and is...
News Nintendo Confirms That Upcoming European Release of F-Zero X is the 60Hz Version
Sweet, sweet speed
If you grew up in the '90s and early noughties playing games in North America, you may wonder why gamers in PAL territories obsess over whether Virtual Console releases are PAL 50Hz downloads or NTSC 60Hz equivalents. It's all about speed, ultimately - different TV standards between regions at that time meant that games ran faster...
News Wii U Version Of Slain: Back From Hell Looking Doubtful
"Sales on that platform are just too weak to justify the port"
The Castlevania-inspired Slain: Back From Hell may not be making its way to the Wii U after all. The PC version was delayed earlier this year due to its intense difficulty, and that had a knock-on effect on the confirmed console ports - which included the Wii U. However, Developer Wolf...
Nintendo Download 3rd November (Europe)
F-Zero X! SEGA 3D Classics Collection! Hyrule Warriors DLC! More!
As we head towards the end of 2016 we still have a number of Nintendo Download Updates to enjoy on Wii U and 3DS. The European details for later in the week are here, and include some top-notch retro gaming, much-anticipated DLC and some intriguing Nindie downloads. Let's get to the...
News Sneaky Ninja Stealthily Targets Wii U eShop Early Next Year
"The stealth game Nintendo would make"
For Wii U eShop fans wondering what's still coming in 2017, there's good news as 2D stealth platformer Sneaky Ninja is planned to land on the store early next year. We're assured that the game plays like something between Mario and Mark of the Ninja, combining lighthearted platforming with tactical stealth...
Review Mr. Pumpkin Adventure (Wii U eShop)
Not the sort of pumpkin you'd expect
Mr. Pumpkin Adventure, developed by small indie developer Cotton Game and published by CIRCLE Entertainment, is described as a point and click puzzle title about a pumpkin that has lost its memory. Previously released on computer and mobile platforms, the intriguingly bizarre title has now graced the Wii U eShop...
Nintendo Download 27th October (North America)
Corpse Party! Just Dance 2017! Ectoplaza! Inchworm Animation II! More!
It's the final North American Nintendo Download Update before Halloween, so naturally there are a few spooky options this week. On 3DS there's a much anticipated retail release, while the portable's eShop has a couple of enticing options for creative gamers. The Wii U eShop has a...
Review Defend Your Crypt (Wii U eShop)
Tomb sweet tomb
Curiosity is the folly of man. Those pesky humans tread where they do not belong, steal what isn't theirs, and dig into dark realms beyond their imagining. Their greed is a plague, and there's only one cure – giant smashy blocks! Tired of people raiding your elaborate tomb in search of treasure? Don't get mad; get even, with Defend...
News Nintendo Is Refusing To Let Project Giant Robot And Devilish Brain Training Die
"TBD"
Nintendo's recent financials contain all kinds of interesting information, including a rough release schedule for the coming months. While this is naturally looking a bit on the light side as the 3DS and Wii U come to the end of their lifespans and Nintendo continues to keep its Switch cards close to its chest, it does throw up some...
News Minecraft Spooky Bundle is Coming to Wii U
Get in the spirit of Halloween
Minecraft: Wii U Edition has been receiving pretty decent post-release support, with several map and skin packs being released to pad out the experience further. With Halloween being less than a week away, Mojang has opted to get people in the spirit by putting out a Halloween themed 'Spooked Bundle' with plenty of...
Interview Learning More About Ectoplaza, A Spooky Wii U Multiplayer Game for Halloween
"Nintendo of America have been tremendously supportive "
With Halloween approaching there are some appropriately themed discounts currently on offer for eShop fans. Ectoplaza, though, is an award winning upcoming arrival on Wii U that's perfect for the season - it's exclusive to Nintendo's system and features chaotic multiplayer action, with...
Nintendo Download 27th October (Europe)
Corpse Party! Just Dance! Gurumin 3D! Discounts and Themes Galore! More!
Another week begins, and we start off with the usual routine of the European Nintendo Download Update details, which give us a look at what goodies are on the way. The Wii U offers a couple of Nindie efforts, a retail release from Ubisoft, some tempting DLC and a lot of...
Review Ninja Pizza Girl (Wii U eShop)
Eww, lukewarm pizza
You can probably count on one hand the number of video games where the premise revolves around delivering pizza. Aside from Spider-Man 2 from the GameCube era, which involved delivering some pies as Peter Parker, not much else comes to mind. Ninja Pizza Girl aims to be the pizza-delivering game to end all of them; let's see if...
Nintendo Download 20th October (North America)
SteamWorld Heist! Pirate Pop Plus! LoZ Spirit Tracks! More!
Well, today is dominated by Nintendo's next system, but as always we do have a Download Update for the Wii U and 3DS. It's rather good this week too, with some fantastic Nindie games on both systems along with a few intriguing options. A couple of much-admired games arrive on the Wii U and...
News Twisted Fusion Hits The Wii U eShop Early November
You're twistin' my melon man
We've just got word from Leuvsion - a studio led by UK-based developer Lewis Pugh - that work on the ambitious "open platformer" Twisted Fusion is now all wrapped up; the game will be available on the Wii U eShop in Europe and North America on the 3rd November and will cost £4 / €5 / $5. Way back in Spring 2014 this...
Review Pirate Pop Plus (Wii U eShop)
Let's rumble, bubble butt!
In an industry focused on creating increasingly complex games and pushing the boundaries of what can be done with the gaming medium, it can be nice sometimes to take a step back and play something that's just… simple. Pirate Pop Plus is one such game; there's not much to it on the surface, but it's one of the most...
News Mr. Pumpkin Adventure is Shaping Up to be a Quirky Wii U eShop Title
New Fairune 2 trailer released, too
CIRCLE Entertainment is one of the most prolific publishers on the 3DS eShop, and has also been making some strides on the Wii U eShop. It's got two titles on the way this week in North America (20th October) and next week in Europe (27th October), one each for Nintendo's home console and portable stores. Mr...
Nintendo Download 20th October (Europe)
Pokemon Sun / Moon demo! Rhythm Paradise! Halloween Discounts! More!
With the start of another week we have the European Nintendo Download Update, letting us know what download goodies are on the way this week; it's a corker, too. The most high-profile arrival is likely to be a freebie on 3DS, though there's also a retail release on the portable...
Nintendo Download 13th October (North America)
Disney Magical World 2! Chase Investigations! Gurumin 3D! More!
It's that time again for the North American Nintendo Download Update, and this week has some tempting options. The Wii U eShop line-up includes a roguelike that we rather, well, like; in addition the home console has two rather nice DS arrivals on its Virtual Console. The 3DS has a high...
News Antipole DX Has Been Pushed Back to 2017
Well, that's a bummer
Some of you may remember Antipole, a great action platformer that released on the DSiWare service back in 2011. Saturnine Games has been hard at work developing Antipole DX a remake of sorts for the 3DS and Wii U eShops, one which will feature additional levels, leaderboards, Miiverse stamps and more extra goodies. It all looks...
News 13AM Games Reveals More Information About Runbow
Runbow Pocket's release info! Free updates! Physical copies!
Runbow launched on the Wii U eShop last August to critical acclaim, cementing itself as a real gem for the storefront. Since then, 13AM Games has been keen to keep the game updated with fresh content, and has since announced that a portable edition will be on its way to the New 3DS, while...
Nintendo Download 13th October (Europe)
Disney Magical World 2! Chase Cold Case Investigations! More!
With the beginning of another week we have the Nintendo Download Update details for Europe, showing us what goodies are coming to the eShop later this week. It's a short list this time, with all new releases on 3DS along with the usual batch of discounts across both current-gen platforms...
News SteamWorld Heist Releases on the Wii U eShop on 20th October in North America
The heist begins
Just earlier this week, it was announced that the SteamWorld Collection would be coming to North America on 1st November. Not only would it offer up a chance to have both of the latest SteamWorld games in a physical disc, but up until now, that was also to be the first chance that North Americans would have at playing SteamWorld...
Nintendo Download 6th October (North America)
Paper Mario: Color Splash! Mega Man X2! Mario vs. DK 2! More!
It's that time of the week, once again, when we take a look at the new downloadable goodies to be found on the Wii U and 3DS eShop in North America. This time around there's a major retail release on Wii U, while both eShop stores have a variety of interesting new arrivals. The Wii U and...
News Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis Arrives on the Wii U eShop this Week
Just a year behind Europe
The Mario vs. Donkey Kong series has undergone a rather bizarre change in identity. What originally began as a continuation of the classic 1981 platformer that started it all, slowly morphed to become a Lemmings style puzzle series wherein you guide miniaturized of various Mario characters to exits. Though it could be...
News Koji Igarashi on the Wii U Port of Bloodstained
"As timelines move on, certain pieces of hardware become irrelevant"
Early last month, Koji Igarashi made the announcement that Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night would be delayed until sometime in 2018. Though his reasons for this were sound, it still came as quite a blow to those who were expecting to play it earlier; an unexpected extra year for...
News Pirate Pop Plus Arrives on Wii U and New 3DS on 20th October
Nope, we can't think of a piratey pun for crossbuy
One of our highlights of PAX West, from a Nintendo gaming standpoint, was Pirate Pop Plus. Developed by Dadako and published by 13AM Shipping Solutions, it brings Pang / Buster Bros. to mind and has a huge amount of retro charm; we certainly enjoyed our hands on time with it. It's a game that's...
Review Paper Mario: Color Splash (Wii U)
Colour us impressed
For any long-running series, innovation is key to keeping fans coming back for more without getting too bored. Gameplay tweaks and changes to the setting can work wonders in refreshing a stale format, but some might argue that if an idea ain't broke, then don't keep trying to fix it. The Paper Mario series has been no stranger to...
News Yooka-Laylee Will Be Getting a Boxed Release
Yesssss…
In just a few short months, Yooka-Laylee will be available on all the major console platforms, but the wait couldn't feel any longer. The highly anticipated 3D platformer aims to scratch an itch that's been mostly left untouched since the days of the Nintendo 64, and it looks like it'll be quite the adventure. Recently, it was announced...
Review SteamWorld Heist (Wii U eShop)
Now in steamy HD
Though Image & Form's most notable sales and critical breakthroughs have been on the 3DS, its games often cry out to be played in HD. The SteamWorld titles evoke an utterly charming steampunk aesthetic, with clunky and scrappy robots shining at full resolution on a TV. SteamWorld Heist was another hit for the studio on 3DS, but...
Nintendo Download 6th October (Europe)
Paper Mario: Color Splash! Mario Party Star Rush! My Nintendo reward! More!
With the beginning of another week we have the European Nintendo Download Update details, letting us know what treats are on the way soon. This batch includes major retail releases on both Wii U and 3DS, some DLC, intriguing download-only games and even a My Nintendo reward...
The game touch screens were made for
A little while after the Metroidvania-esque Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition, developer Drinkbox Studios has returned with its latest title, SEVERED. Released earlier this year on PlayStation Vita, does this unique title reach must-buy status on the Wii U eShop? The story of SEVERED is light. You...
Review Word Logic by POWGI (Wii U eShop)
Word Up!
Puzzle game developer Lightwood Games has been rather prolific on the eShop, and continues to bring word games to the store. Bringing six new puzzles to tease your brain, Word Logic by POWGI follows in the same vein as some previous titles from the studio. It goes without saying that unless you're really into word puzzles, this might not be...
September2016
Feature Taking the FAST Racing NEO Future Pack DLC for a Test Drive
YOU GOT BOOST POWER
Has it really been nine-or-so months since FAST Racing NEO first graced our consoles? This writer finds it hard to believe and yet here comes an incessant rattling that many might consider to be an opinion on its DLC pack we've been dying for. To say that we at Nintendo Life are fans of Shin'en and the games they produce is no...
News Teslagrad Developer Rain Games Hints At NX Release For World To The West
"It will show up on additional platforms, but our lips are sealed"
Teslagrad developer Rain Games is currently hard at work on World to the West, which is already confirmed as coming to Wii U. Rain's Ole Ivar Rudi has been answering questions about the title, and having already shot down hopes of a 3DS edition, he was (perhaps unsurprisingly)...
News The FAST Racing NEO Soundtrack is Now Available to Buy
DRM-free and pay what you want
FAST Racing NEO, a standout Wii U eShop release in late 2015, got a little more enticing this week with the release of the NEO Future Pack DLC, with a price of $4.99 / €4.99 / £4.20. The gameplay is naturally a major part of the appeal, but another strength of this game (and various others by Shin'en Multimedia) is...
News Hex Heroes Still Alive, Studio Issues Combat Engine Update
"Wii U development is tough"
"Party RTS" Hex Heroes launched on Kickstarter back in 2014 and was originally scheduled to arrive last year. However, developer Prismatic Games has run into some stumbling blocks which have not only delayed production but also forced them to entirely rebuild parts of the game. Thankfully, the studio hasn't thrown in...
Nintendo Download 29th September (North America)
Yo-kai Watch 2! Sonic Boom! Azure Striker Gunvolt 2! FAST DLC! Much more!
It's time once again for the North American Nintendo Download Update details. This week includes some tempting and - in some cases - high profile download-only releases on both systems, while the 3DS also has two retail releases to consider. Throw in some rather exciting...
Video Image & Form Talks SteamWorld Heist on Wii U and States Its Next Project Will Be in the Series
Keep an eye out for an NX gag, too
SteamWorld Heist is out this week on the Wii U eShop, and is also coming to stores as the SteamWorld Collection. Quite a number of players have been waiting for the HD version, and now will have the chance to play it on Nintendo hardware. The latest 'Engine Room' video from Image & Form talks about the Wii U...
News Ryuichi Nishizawa Seems Pretty Pleased With Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap Remake
"It would be a good idea to add more doors in the remake!"
In July BitSummit 4th took place in Japan, and Lizardcube's Omar Cornut and Ben Fiquet were in attendance showing off Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap, a HD remake of the Master System classic. During the show the team recorded a development diary which not only shows off the public reaction...
News Super Destronaut 2: Go Duck Yourself Is Blasting To The Wii U eShop In October
Fowl play
Petite Games is bringing the excellently-titled Super Destronaut 2: Go Duck Yourself to the North American Wii U eShop on October 20th, it has been revealed. Looking very much like a clone of Taito's seminal Space Invaders, the game involves blasting oncoming enemies, collecting power-ups and grabbing coins to boost your score multiplier...
Review Quest of Dungeons (Wii U eShop)
Isn't it dangerous to go alone?
For some individuals, roguelike games are a lifestyle. For others, it may be a case of playing one and ignoring the rest. Either way you look at it, this genre is as popular as ever on the indie development scene, with these types of games released on a regular basis across multiple platforms. While the Wii U eShop...
Review Gear Gauntlet (Wii U eShop)
Is this the gears game we've been waiting for?
Too often, spinning cogs are portrayed as a danger in video games. Consider a lot of platform levels in the earlier Mario and Sonic titles, and dangerous spiky gears would normally make an appearance a few levels in - ready to slice the famous mascots to shreds. So how about a game where gears are for...
Video Fresh Yooka-Laylee Footage Emerges From EGX 2016
We also speak to Chris Sutherland about the Wii U version
Those of you in the UK will know that EGX 2016 - the UK's biggest gaming show - took place last weekend and there were plenty of lovely games to gawk at. Sadly Nintendo sat it out this year, so there wasn't a lot for us to report on specifically, but we did get some hands-on time with...
News New Play Control! Pikmin Arrives on the North American eShop This Thursday
The defintive version of Olimar's debut
Though the Pikmin series made its debut on the GameCube, it always felt more at home on the Wii. The style of gameplay that Pikmin employs just seems like a natural fit for pointer controls, so it was quite nice when the first two games were redone for the Wii. Perhaps in light of the recent announcement of...
Interview Shin'en Multimedia Explains How FAST Racing NEO's Future Pack DLC Got on the Grid
"We see it as a fan service"
This week there are certainly some high profile arrivals due on the eShop, one of which is the NEO Future Pack DLC for Wii U exclusive FAST Racing NEO. It looks set to be a good deal, too, confirmed with a price tag of $4.99 / €4.99 / £4.20; as the racer is fondly regarded by many, the opportunity to jump into eight...
News Multiple Discount Options Coming with SteamWorld Heist on Wii U
Launch and loyalty deals
Earlier today we shared the usual Nintendo Download Update details for Europe, which included the details for SteamWorld Heist arriving on Wii U. Well, some of the details. Though its full price will be $19.99 / €19.99 / £14.99, Image & Form has passed on details of launch promotions it's running when the game...
News Chinese Mythology Mash-Up Coming To Minecraft: Wii U Edition Next Week
41 new skins, 13 songs and a new Battle Mini Game map
October 4th will see the release of a new mash-up pack for Minecraft: Wii U Edition. It follows the introduction of the Tumble Mini Game and a mysterious update, both of which went live recently. The Chinese Mythology
Nintendo Download 29th September (Europe)
SteamWorld Heist Wii U! FAST Racing NEO DLC! Nintendo Selects! Much more!
Another week begins, and as always there are the European Nintendo Download Update details to tease us about goodies on the way. This week has some potential beauties, it must be said, across both Wii U and 3DS. Download-only games, retail downloads and DLC all feature, and...
News Shovel Knight Confirmed for Surprise Role in Yooka-Laylee
We dig it
Shovel Knight is a stand-out game on Wii U and 3DS, and the hero sure gets around. The character's had a handful of fun cameos confirmed to date, and has now secured what may be his most high-profile gig yet. It's been confirmed that Shovel Knight will appear in Yooka-Laylee, showing off some some chunky armour in the 3D world. You can...
Review Aenigma Os (Wii U eShop)
Far from a perfect match
Indie tile-match games normally feature a unique twist in order to stand out among well known competition. Aenigma Os by Akies Games tries to deliver on this expectation - the problem is, it's nothing we haven't already seen before. After selecting from one of the many game modes, you are presented with a grid filled with...
Video Pick Up Some Key Tips and Tricks for SEVERED on Wii U and 3DS
Stylus slashing
The latest Nindies 'Summer Jam' release is out today, with DrinkBox Studios releasing SEVERED on Wii U and 3DS. It supports crossbuy and is out on both systems in Europe, though only the home console version is out in North America today; the 3DS version is expected soon. In any case, it's a title that Nintendo has been keen to...
Nintendo Download 22nd September (North America)
SMTIV: Apocalypse! SEVERED! River City: Tokyo Rumble! DKCR! More!
It's Nintendo Download Update time, dear readers, and the North American line-up has some gems this week. The latest major RPG release from Atlus has arrived, with an enticing localised retail title from Natsume coming later in the DL week. On the download-only front we have an...
Random The First Skunk Bundle is Free on the North American eShop Right Now
In other words, 30 free Gold Coins on My Nintendo
Many of you have no doubt heard of Skunk Software by now, a somewhat recent developer that has drawn plenty of criticism on the Wii U eShop. If you'll take a look at the company's page, Skunk Software's average review score is sitting at a solid 3. Whether or not you think that score is merited, it...
Review Free Balling (Wii U eShop)
Gonna free fall, out into nothin'
Some people consider video games to be art, but there are also games that let gamers make art. Titles like Mario Paint (and the more app-like Art Academy titles) allow you to create straight-up paintings, while WarioWare DIY gives players the tools to create their own microgames. Skunk Software's Free Balling tries...
News Axiom Verge Dev Tom Happ Opens Up About The Challenge Of Raising A Son With Special Needs
"My work is directly correlated with my son's well being"
A short time ago we were lucky enough to chat with Axiom Verge developer Tom Happ about the challenges of making what many consider to be a spiritual successor to the iconic Super Metroid; a massive, open-ended 2D adventure which exercises your trigger finger and tests your grey matter at the...
Review Super Hero Math (Wii U eShop)
It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... a lousy game
Educational games typically aren't contenders for "best games ever" lists, but occasionally one rises above mediocrity and provides a fun gaming experience for kids while also offering some knowledge to take away. However, the majority of "edutainment" games come off as textbook problems slapped onto a...
Nintendo Download 22nd September (Europe)
SEVERED! Noitu Love: Devolution! Ace Attorney DLC! Polara! More!
Another week begins, and we have the Nintendo Download Update details of the goodies coming to Europe later this week. Wii U and 3DS are sharing a couple of big name 'Nindie' titles, while there are also a number of other download-only arrivals to consider. There are some discounts,...
Save yourself, princess
Damsels in distress are becoming less of a common theme in video games nowadays. Instead we see plenty of titles with independent women who are more than capable of solving their own problems and even saving the day. Not every princess needs someone to come to their aid - as Rorrim illustrates. Players take control of the...
Interview Learning More About Tom Happ and the Making of Axiom Verge
Getting to know the man behind the masterpiece
Have you ever been so wrapped up in a project that it began to seep into your personal life? What if your passion became your day-to-day? Imagine spending so much time and energy working on something that it eventually outgrew your expectations and became your bread and butter. It's the dream of so many...
Review Games For Toddlers (Wii U eShop)
By toddlers, for toddlers
While many gamers fall into a certain age demographic, there are plenty of players younger and older than the average age. For games aimed at the young, the tradition has been to either create an educational experience or something dumbed-down and almost insulting to kids' intelligence. If you've got a young one who is...
"For evil to win all that is required are good people doing nothing"
The original Castlevania game released on the Famicom in 1986 offered a dark and challenging action-platform adventure, the likes of which had not previously been seen before; to this day, Konami's classic continues to inspire developers. Citadale, by Ezekiel Rage and Nitrolic...
Feature 13AM Games and Its Next Hits - Runbow Pocket and Pirate Pop Plus
Testing out the latest and greatest from the developer and publisher
Beyond playing new games, seeing your industry heroes and getting tons of swag, one of the most rewarding aspects of going to a convention such as PAX is being able to share your passion for video games with like-minded individuals. Sometimes, when you're really lucky, those...
Review Noitu Love: Devolution (Wii U eShop)
Do the Evolution
Although you can't seem to walk down the street these days without tripping over a retro-revival of some sort, it's refreshing to see a game that harkens back to play styles you thought were gone or, as is probably more likely, you just simply forgot about. Noitu Love: Devolution feels like a love letter to the likes of Gunstar...
Nintendo Download 15th September (North America)
Dragon Quest VII! Yo-kai Watch 2 demo! Noitu Love: Devolution! More!
It's that time, once again, for the North American Nintendo Download Update details, and this week has some enticing options. The 3DS has a huge retail release and a high profile demo, along with some interesting download-only titles. The Wii U shares a particularly promising...
Review TOUCH SELECTIONS (Wii U eShop)
You might want to AVOID[ER] this one
Hot off the heels of TAP TAP ARCADE 2, RCMADIAX has released TOUCH SELECTIONS; this title is a two-in-one game purchase, much like the existing ARCADE series. The games on offer this time are PEG SOLITAIRE and AVOIDER - which have been previously reviewed by other writers. The first offers a basic puzzle...
News New Patch Goes Live For Minecraft Wii U Edition
But no details on what's included
Minecraft: Wii U Edition got a pretty significant update a while back which introduced the Tumble Mini Game, and another patch has just gone live. "Patch 12" wasn't pre-announced and 4J Studios hasn't revealed any details on what's included in the update. Until those details are forthcoming, it's fair to assume...
News WarioWare Smooth Moves Arrives on the North American eShop This Week
Smooth like butter
The WarioWare series is easily one of the weirdest in Nintendo's stable, centered around a broad array of crazy minigames created by Wario and all his weird friends. After its initial debut on the GBA, it's had an entry on every console since – with the notable exclusion of the 3DS. It's certainly a series unlike anything else,...
Video Nintendo Gives Us All a Taste of This Year's Nindies@Night PAX Event
Showcasing the talent
One of the pleasing progressions in this generation of hardware has been Nintendo's increasingly open and supportive stance towards indie developers, particularly those producing rather high quality efforts that earn the term 'Nindie'. There are always improvements to be made, but we've seen the big N support Humble Bundles,...
News Yacht Club Games Reveals Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment
That's the spirit
Yacht Club has been fairly quiet for some time now, and it's been easy to forget that Shovel Knight is still due to receive more free content. About a year ago we got the first expansion, Shovel Knight: Plague of Shadows, which showed us a parallel storyline featuring the scheming Plague Knight. After that, the Shovel Knight amiibo...
Feature Future Nindie Hits for the eShop - October to December
A look at the titles that Nintendo is keen to promote
September has already proven to be a good month for high quality Nindie downloads, and there are more to come. The 'Summer Jam' promotion has already delivered games like Axiom Verge and Jotun: Valhalla Edition, and we still have Noitu Love: Devo
What is art?
140 - created by Jeppe Carlsen (lead puzzle designer, LIMBO) with music by Jakob Schmid - is a minimalistic rhythm-based puzzle-platform game that has clearly been inspired by the Bauhaus artistic movement. For those who aren't great lovers of art, Bauhaus was a school of art located in Germany that combined crafts with fine arts, and...
