Wii U eShop - News
May2016
Review Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge (Wii U eShop)
Toying around
Beyond simply dropping amiibo into stores and saying "look, Nintendo characters as collectible toys", the big N has also been trying to produce free software to tempt Wii U and 3DS owners to pick up some figures. We've already had amiibo Tap: Nintendo's Greatest Bits, but that was an oddly flawed and arguably rubbish app - thankfully...
Review Color Symphony 2 (Wii U eShop)
I see your true colours..
As its name might suggest, REIMORY's Color Symphony 2's premise is based on the idea of colour, or more accurately "the ambiguity of colour". A platform puzzle game, Color Symphony 2 allows the player to solve various puzzles by shifting colours, affecting the world you are in. Although it brings some really good ideas, the...
News Denis Dyack Blames "Unethical" Journalists For Almost Killing Shadow Of The Eternals
Confirms project is "back from the dead"
When former Silicon Knights boss Denis Dyack revealed he was producing a spiritual successor to the GameCube classic Eternal Darkness way back in 2013, fans were overjoyed. However, confusion over the crowdfunding drive for Shadow of the Eternals led to some
Review Escape From Flare Industries (Wii U eShop)
Not up to inspection
There are some best practices that can be followed when manufacturing a puzzle platformer for the masses. A cute character, easy-to-understand controls and a simple objective are often positives, and Escape from Flare Industries does deliver these in its packaging. Unfortunately, the end product suffers from some defects that...
News It Wasn't Nintendo's Idea To Mix Minecraft And Super Mario Together
"They actually came to us with what their vision was"
Some might claim that it's too little, too late, but Minecraft is available on Wii U and is getting some pretty amazing exclusive content, too. The Super Mario skin pack recently went live and is free to download for anyone who owns the game already. It's also going to be bundled with the...
Nintendo Download 26th May (Europe)
Futuridium EP Deluxe! Cat Heroes! Mario Basketball! Tasty Discounts! More!
As another week begins we have more Nintendo Download Update details to consider for Europe. This week brings a range of promising download-only games on both Wii U and 3DS, along with another DS title on the Wii U Virtual Console. Some varied DLC is also on the cards, along...
Video Nintendo Aims to Get Down With the Kids in Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Series
"I'm serious, dude"
Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE is around a month away in the West, and Nintendo has the task of pitching the quirky Atlus-developed cross-over to a new audience. It's always appeared to be a bonkers title, though that's not necessarily a bad thing. Nintendo of America has now started a new video series that aims to show all the hip...
Review Now I know my ABCs (Wii U eShop)
The more you know
Of the three major console platforms of the current generation, none seem to be as family oriented as the Wii U. Nintendo has taken some heat for this, of course, with some enthusiasts claiming that it puts out "kiddie" platforms that no self-respecting gamer would dare to admit spending too much time with. Wherever you may stand...
News Playtonic Raises the Curtain to Show Off A Lot of Yooka-Laylee Details
"Today is just the preliminary act"
Yooka-Laylee caused a big stir when it was crowdfunded through Kickstarter, with developer Playtonic Games being formed by a group of experienced former Rare employees. When we went hands on and visited the studio we couldn't help but be excited about its potential. Playtonic Games has been relatively quiet in...
News Lynn and the Spirits of Inao Has Been Cancelled
Unpaid interns seem to be the problem
As is likely common knowledge now, Kickstarter campaigns don't always have the Hollywood endings that we wish they could have. Occasionally, unfortunate events occur along the way that effectively make it impossible for the studio to continue development, leaving the eager backers standing in the lurch. It's...
Review Sweetest Thing (Wii U eShop)
My love throws me like a rubber ball, oh oh oh
JoinDots' Sweetest Thing is a puzzle game in which you strive to rebuild the sugary realm after it has been destroyed by ants. Another mobile game which has made its way to the Wii U shop, this describes itself as a time management game, but fails to be a challenge for any fan of this genre. When you...
Nintendo Download 19th May (North America)
Minecraft and Mario DLC! PixelJunk Monsters! PokéPark! Contra III! More!
It's that time once again, dear readers, for the North American Nintendo Download Update. This week includes some rather neat free and paid DLC along with some rather promising new downloads on both Wii U and 3DS. Virtual Console games, DLC and discounts are also up for grabs,...
Video Five Super Mario Secrets in Minecraft: Wii U Edition
Blocky brilliance
As you're likely well aware by now, Minecraft: Wii U Edition has some rather neat and exclusive content - The Super Mario Mash-Up Pack is up for grabs as a free update. It features all sorts of skins and features, along with an Adventure to take on, and certainly helps the Wii U version to stand out. It's not a phoned-in effort...
Review Lost Reavers (Wii U eShop)
Keeping up with the Indiana Joneses
Nestled away in the busy excitement of a Nintendo Direct last January, Bandai Namco first announced Project Treasure; a 4 player co-op title set to release exclusively for Wii U. With famed Tekken producer Katsuhiro Harada and a team of young developers on board, their admirable goal was to create a game that...
Review Tachyon Project (Wii U eShop)
Shoot all of the things
While twin-stick shooters are relatively common on rival download stores, the Wii U eShop isn't blessed with many. Tachyon Project, then, offers to fill a gap with its arena-based stages and frantic gameplay, and it does so in decent style. Presented top-down with a flat perspective, this title is undoubtedly visually...
Review The Deer God (Wii U eShop)
Not very endearing
First impressions can be very important, and The Deer God makes an excellent first impression. It's a shame, then, that it loses momentum so quickly. Let's get that first impression out of the way first, though. The Deer God is an absolutely beautiful game. In it, you play a hunter whose soul has been trapped in a deer after his...
Reminder The Super Mario Mash-Up Pack is Live Now in Minecraft: Wii U Edition
It's-a-free, wahoo!
When Minecraft: Wii U Edition was revealed in late 2015 there was a promise of unique Nintendo content, so it's rather pleasing that it's arrived as a free update rather than paid DLC - The Super Mario Mash-Up Pack. Even better is the fact that it should be available right now, according to Nintendo, and owners of the game only...
Review REPTILIAN REBELLION (Wii U eShop)
Cold-blooded killers
Imagine you're going about your daily routine and then all of a sudden there is an uprising. Lizard-people have come out of hiding in an attempt to wipe-out humanity once-and-for-all, and now it's up to you to grab your weapon of choice and eradicate every last one of the green shape-shifting pests. Conspiracy theories aside,...
News SteamWorld Heist Dated for PS4 and Vita, Wii U Version Still "In the Works"
Gawk at some steamy HD screenshots
SteamWorld Heist has been an excellent title to date on the 3DS eShop, with 'The Outsider' DLC recently giving players a little more content. Many have been waiting for the HD version, however, and there's now been some progress on that front. In the latest episode of 'The Engine Room', Image & Form has...
"Now that I’m on my own, I have complete freedom"
While Dan Adelman had a rather grand formal job title at Nintendo of America - Head of Digital Content and Development - he was, in the eyes of many, the Indie Champion; he was highly regarded for his efforts to bring quality download games to WiiWare, and then the eShop on 3DS and Wii U. A little...
News Dual Core Blasts Its Way Onto Wii U on 26th May
Process that
Earlier this year we shared some details on Dual Core, a promising shooter from small developer Gray Fin Studios. It now has a confirmed release date for North America, 26th May, and will cost $9.99 - it's still waiting for a final date in Europe, which "will likely be a few weeks later". This colourful twin-stick shooter has robots as...
News Rynn's Adventure: Trouble in the Enchanted Forest Arrives in North America Soon
That sly fox
Arcane Four Studios is the latest development company that's planning its first foray onto Nintendo hardware. Having already arrived on PC, Rynn's Adventure: Trouble in the Enchanted Forest is arriving on the Wii U eShop in North America on 26th May, with a price tag of $9.99. It's certainly an ambitious title, with the platforming...
Random Japanese eShop Fans Can Top-Up Funds in Style With SNES-era Cards
Retro currency
For those of us with credit cards buying eShop games is a simple button press away, but there's still a market for eShop fund cards - whether as gifts or cash-bought, they're a handy option if there's a download that you simply must have. The latest range available in Japan allows gamers to top up with some extra retro style. Tweeted...
News Three New Discounts Arrive on My Nintendo in Europe
Worth your points?
My Nintendo, the loyalty / rewards programme that replaced Club Nintendo, is working a little differently between regions. In North America updates are less frequent but more sweeping, while in Europe there are changes every 2-3 weeks, albeit less new offers each time around. The European service has now had its mid-May update,...
Nintendo Download 19th May (Europe)
Fire Emblem Fates! PixelJunk Monsters! Mario in Minecraft! Much more!
Another week is underway, and as always we have the European Nintendo Download update to get us up and running. This week brings some high profile DLC and a promising download release on Wii U, while the 3DS has one of its biggest retail releases of the year alongside a couple of...
Review Midnight 2 (Wii U eShop)
Another round with a square
It's not easy to mix chill with challenge, and yet the Midnight series somehow manages to do a quite decent job of it. Petite Games has brought the twilight golf-like back for another go, providing another round of stages with next to no changes in the formula. Midnight 2 should feel right at home to those who played its...
Review Mario Party DS (Wii U eShop / DS)
Partying alone
For gamers seeking fun with friends Mario Party has long been a good series to visit. Although multiplayer is preferable for the games, there are occasions where you may play alone whether just for practice or because everyone's avoiding you after you mistook that drinking fountain for a bidet. For Mario Party DS (on Wii U at least)...
Exclusive FAST Racing NEO Update, Called 'Vertigo', Goes Live on 18th May
Makes key improvements to online play and adds a mini-map
FAST Racing NEO was a standout title on the Wii U eShop late last year, but Shin'en Multimedia encountered some delays releasing its planned update - the challenge of a global roll-out played a factor. The good news is that the update is coming very soon - on 18th May - and will make some...
Nintendo Download 12th May (North America)
Super Meat Boy! Disney Art Academy! Phantom Hourglass! DLC! More!
It's time for another batch of Nintendo Download Update goodies in North America, and this week certainly has some enticing options. The 3DS gets a relatively high profile retail release, while the Wii U has a mix of highly anticipated and promising download titles. Throw in a Legend...
News Microsoft's Phil Spencer Says Minecraft Partnership With Nintendo Has Been "Great"
"Nice to see Minecraft doing so well on the Wii U"
The head of Microsoft's Xbox division is quite a chilled out guy. Not only does he find the very concept of console wars "distasteful", but he can't stop saying nice things about Nintendo, claiming that the Japanese firm is a "bea
News 90's Arcade Racer Hits The Pits For Name Change, No Longer Listed For Wii U Release
Gentlemen, (don't) start your engines?
The long-awaiting 90's Arcade Racer has been given a new name - '90s Super GP - but it appears that the title is no longer coming to the Wii U. The product page on the Nicalis site lists the formats as Xbox One and PS4 only, along with a release date of Fall 2016 - that's three years after the original release...
Too square to be hip
Have you ever said to yourself, "I would like a game that combines elements of Street Fighter, Space Invaders and Puyo Puyo"? If you have, then you are going to love Blockara. Blockara is a puzzle game first and foremost, but it borrows plenty of successful mechanics from other games. The result of all that borrowing, however,...
News RCMADIAX Is Bringing Child-Friendly Puzzler Zoo Match To Wii U eShop This Year
And no, this isn't the unannounced title mentioned previously
RCMADIAX has revealed that it has another Wii U eShop game in the works, and before you ask, it's not the mystery title that was teased last week. Zoo Match is coming in Q3 2016 and involves matching cards by "image, sound, or spelling". The developer has stated that the title is aimed...
News Wayforward Issues an Update on Shantae: Half-Genie Hero
Retail version incoming!
A few years ago, Wayforward announced Shantae: Half-Genie Hero, a continuation of the metroidvania series that has brought the studio the most attention. After a very successful Kickstarter campaign and a lengthy development process, it seems that the game is in the last leg of its journey to release. To keep backers up to...
Feature Developer's Perspectives on the Humble Friends of Nintendo Bundle
"I would change nothing about this bundle. This bundle is pure joy."
The Humble Friends of Nintendo Bundle is, at the time of writing, in its final stretch. The final offering includes 11 games (and a neat 3DS HOME Theme) - three of which are retail titles - for $13 or more, with three tiers from which to choose. The mix of big-name games and high...
Review Queen's Garden (Wii U eShop)
Candy Crush with trowel blades
Queen's Garden takes a leaf from games like Candy Crush and Bejewelled, which is no surprise considering it was initially released for smart devices. It's a good addition to your Wii U if you enjoy match-3 puzzles but lacks in the whole 'garden' side of things, with more customization and depth needed. The difficulty...
Reminder The Humble Friends of Nintendo Bundle Ends on 10th May
Over 150,000 bundles sold so far
The Humble Friends of Nintendo Bundle has now passed 150,000 purchases, which at the time of writing brings it just shy of $1.5 million in revenue. It's far surpassed the original North America-only bundle, with a global audience no doubt helping to deliver impressive results. With the bundle due to end at 11am...
News Super Mario Mash-Up Pack Jumps Into Minecraft: Wii U Edition in Upcoming Free Update
Downloadable from 17th May, disc version hits stores on 17th June
When Minecraft: Wii U Edition arrived late last year Mojang, Nintendo and Microsoft promised exclusive Nintendo content in 2016, and now details have been confirmed. The Super Mario Mash-Up Pack will be free and available with an update on 17th May (18th May in Europe), and a disc...
News Wii U Indie Title Twin Robots Does An Excellent Chibi-Robo Impression
Ratalakia Games also reveals two other Nintendo titles
Ratalaika Games has announced that it is bringing Thinice's 2.5D platformer Twin Robots to the Wii U eShop "very soon". Looking a lot like Nintendo's own Chibi-Robo!: Zip-Lash, the game allows you to switch between two robots as they try to work together to find their way out of each level...
Review Super Meat Boy (Wii U eShop)
Although the meat’s been out for a while, it hasn’t spoiled
Super Meat Boy has been around the block. Developed by Team Meat and designed by Edmund McMillen (one of the creators of the original Flash game, Meat Boy, and designer for another well-known indie title, The Binding of Isaac) and Tommy Refenes, this is the latest in the countless ports...
Nintendo Download 12th May (Europe)
Super Meat Boy! Mario Strikers! Contra III! Discounts galore! More!
With another week comes another set of Nintendo Download Update details for Europe, and this time around there are some rather tempting options on both Wii U and 3DS. The home console has a long awaited platforming arrival along with some other interesting options, while both...
"Nintendo is showing that they are forward thinking in their approach"
The Humble Friends of Nintendo Bundle, now in its final few days, has demonstrably been a success. Unlike 2015's Humble Nindie Bundle it's been available in multiple territories around the world, with a mix of retail and download-only titles tempting eShop gamers to part with...
News Bloodstained Will Launch the Base Campaign First, Followed by Staggered Content Releases
The right way
Mighty No. 9 has finally, to the shock of many, gone gold and been fixed with a firm release window. The game was delayed after numerous delays for varying reasons, but it seems as though extra content made possible by the Kickstarter funds was the main reason for the holdup. Of course, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night also had an...
News Demongeon Promises a Hellish Platforming Challenge on Wii U This Summer
Devilishly difficult
For those that complain about modern video games being too easy, there are plenty of developers more than happy to serve up fiendishly difficult titles to buck the trend. Mobot Studios seems keen to help fill the gaps, confirming another upcoming Wii U eShop release - the studio previously published the likes of Paper Monsters...
Review PixelMaker (Wii U eShop)
For you retro art fans
Not so much a game as a creativitiy app, Nostatic Software's PixelMaker does exactly what it says in the title. Those of us with an arty side or penchant for retro gaming will enjoy creating or recreating well known pixel characters with the use of this tool, and the user interface is uncomplicated and easy to grasp. With the...
Random Some F-Zero Fans Won't Give Up on a FAST Racing NEO Crossover
Don't hold your breath
The ever-useful tools of Photoshop and similar applications mean it's hard to believe much of what we see nowadays, but they can nevertheless bring some wish fulfilment. For example what if the brilliant FAST Racing NEO was allowed to include the iconic Blue Falcon as a vehicle? Shin'en Multimedia's game is very much its own...
Exclusive Learn More About the Affordable Space Adventures Soundtrack, Now Available for Free
Nicklas Nygren introduces the album
Affordable Space Adventures is, in this writer's opinion, one of the finest download-only titles on the Wii U eShop. It's a rare example in which the GamePad is used brilliantly, and as it's part of the current Humble Friends of Nintendo Bundle there's no excuse for Wii U owners not to try it. Beyond its clever...
Nintendo Download 5th May (North America)
Pocket Card Jockey! Super Punch-Out!! PixelMaker! Discounts! More!
It's time for the North American Nintendo Download Update details, once again, and this week brings a relatively broad variety of games. The Wii U has a number of new releases vying for our attention, along with another DS Virtual Console title. The New 3DS gets a fun arrival on its...
News RCMADIAX Has Just Submitted A Mystery Wii U eShop Game To Nintendo
Such a tease
Prolific eShop developer RCMADIAX has revealed that it has just submitted an unannounced Wii U title to Nintendo of America for approval. The indie has confirmed that it will reveal more information on the game once approval has been granted. The studio's last Wii U eShop title - SUPER ROBO MOUSE - launched earlier this month, and it...
News Kick & Fennick Arrives on the Wii U eShop on June 2nd
Kicking and screaming
For the handful of you that own a PS Vita, you may remember Kick & Fennick. The action platformer made its debut on the troubled handheld in February 2015, and while the concept of it seemed interesting enough, it received mixed reviews. Kick & Fennick sees players take control of a young boy named Kick who rockets...
News PixelMaker is Getting Creative on North American Wii U Systems This Week
A budget tool for pixel art fans
PixelMaker arrived on the European Wii U eShop on 28th April, and now Nostatic Software has confirmed it's hitting the North American store this week on 5th May; it'll cost $2.99 in the US. Having previously brought us VoxelMaker, Nostatic now seems to be taking the same approach to producing pixel art. At a budget...
Review Epic Dumpster Bear (Wii U eShop)
It’s time to take out the trash
Yes. You are reading the title correctly. This is the review for Epic Dumpster Bear. A Unity-made precision platformer with a hilarious twist. Created by Log Games Ltd. (creators of the Wii U puzzle game Puzzle Monkeys), Epic Dumpster Bear takes you through the tragic life of Dumpster Bear, an unsuspecting brown...
Video Check Out the Launch Trailer for Mini Mario & Friends amiibo Challenge
Time to dust off those amiibo
A few months back, it was announced that Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge would be arriving on both Wii U and 3DS. The sort-of sequel in the long-running Mario & Donkey Kong series aims to take a free-to-play approach to things, with the caveat that you need amiibo to unlock see everything the game has to...
News Three New Titles Have Been Added to the Humble Friends of Nintendo Bundle
Two for Wii U, one for 3DS
The Humble Friends of Nintendo Bundle has enjoyed decent success so far, passing $1 million in money raised. It's now had the standard mid-bundle additions, adding three titles overall. Of the three new games two are for the Wii U eShop and one for the 3DS eShop - they are Runbow, Swords & Soldiers II and
Review Dodge Club Party (Wii U eShop)
Dot's all, folks!
Last year, Dot Arcade on the Wii U eShop simmered gameplay down into its simplest, retro arcade-like form and served it up with pizzazz. One of the three games available in that package has now busted out as Dodge Club Party, upping the number of players yet losing much of its flair in the process. Dodge Club Party operates very...
Review Star Sky 2 (Wii U eShop)
Moonlit meandering
Video games have come a long way from their humble, straightforward beginnings. They're still a form of entertainment, primarily designed to help you waste time and relax, so there will always be a mission to complete, a goal to achieve or an enemy to defeat. However, there are simpler, quieter stories to be told as well, with an...
News Super Meat Boy Arrives on the Wii U eShop on 12th May
Also, there could be a 3DS version on the way
Many of you are no doubt looking forward to the launch of Super Meat Boy on Wii U, which was recently reported to be happening "very soon". The title has had something of a troubled release history with Nintendo platforms; it was initially set to release on Wiiware, before getting cancelled due to file...
News Humble Friends of Nintendo Bundle Passes $1 Million and 100,000 Bundles Sold
More games due to be added soon
The Humble Friends of Nintendo Bundle is the second 'Humble Bundle' that has featured eShop games, and is the first to be available globally. We previously reported that it had started quickly with over 60,000 bundles sold in under 24 hours, and it's now passed another notable landmark. At the time of writing the...
Review Pinball Arcade (Wii U eShop)
FOR AMUSEMENT ONLY
When it comes to pinball games for the Wii U, there's really not a whole lot of options available. Zen Pinball 2 is obviously the first name that comes to mind, and while it certainly delivers a diverse and in-depth library of tables to choose from (along with the standalone Star Wars Pinball), one occasionally must wonder what it...
Nintendo Download 5th May (Europe)
Pocket Card Jockey! LEGO Avenger Black Panther DLC! Discounts galore! More!
It's a Bank Holiday in some countries but Nintendo has still sent out the European Nintendo Download Update details, albeit a little later than usual. This week we have some interesting new arrivals on the eShop stores and a lot of discounts, which are sure to tempt some...
News My Nintendo's Rewards Have Been Updated for May
Discounts galore
As you may have been aware, a range of My Nintendo rewards expired on 1st May, and new options have now been posted in North America and Europe. They're all discounts, which was expected as those that disappeared were equivalent deals. Due to differences in regional expiry dates the North American region has a lot of new offers,...
News A New VoxelMaker Update is Now Available
Background music! Sample models! Glowing blocks!
Some of you may remember Nostatic Software's VoxelMaker, which made its debut on the Wii U eShop last October. The game stood out a bit due to its nature of being more of a 3D modeling tool than an actual game. We gave it a solid recommendation, praising the depth and variety of its toolset, though a...
April2016
Reminder This is the Final Day for a Number of My Nintendo Rewards
The clock is ticking
My Nintendo has, so far, proven to be an interesting Club Nintendo replacement. It's been quite flexible, and with Miitomo rewards thrown in has included some quirky treats for those that like virtual outfits. Beyond that it's included full game downloads, DLC and a variety of discounts. Nevertheless the end is nigh for a whole...
Review Paranautical Activity (Wii U eShop)
Horrifying yet hard to put down
Have you ever watched a movie that's so bad it's good? One that you know you rationally should not enjoy, but do anyway? If you have, then you might understand the appeal of Paranautical Activity. Paranautical Activity is a bit like a mashup of three separate games in three disparate genres. The core gameplay...
News EB Games Display Lists Mighty No. 9 for a Summer 2016 Release
The saga continues
At this point, the journey that Mighty No. 9 has taken to development has become almost comical. After a record breaking Kickstarter, hype was at an all-time high, but things quickly began to deflate after numerous delays and an attempt at doing a second fundraising campaign. The development team has remained worryingly quiet as...
Review SUPER ROBO MOUSE (Wii U eShop)
Mousetrap
This late in the Wii U's lifecycle the low expectations for good Nintendo Web Framework games are becoming the norm. Where we were once shocked at the poor quality of a number of these low-budget indie titles, we now roll our eyes and shrug. But when a title is hyped by its developer as its pièce de résistance, the end result had better...
Nintendo Download 28th April (North America)
Xenoblade Chronicles! SteamWorld DLC! Lost Reavers! Mini Mario! More!
It's that time again, dear readers, for the North American Nintendo Download Update, and this week has some promising options. One of the Wii's finest games lands on the Wii U Virtual Console, while both eShop platforms have interesting download-only options to consider. On top of...
News Nintendo's eShop Revenues Hit a New High, Driven By DLC and Generation I Pokémon
North America likes the eShop the most...
Nintendo has, despite some hotly debated announcements, returned profits for the last financial year. Hooray! As a business it also had some positives to share in terms of sales, in particular pointing to upward momentum in key areas. One of these is in downloads, with a significant slice of sales moving...
News Xenoblade Chronicles Looks Set For The North American Wii U Virtual Console
At last!
Xenoblade Chronicles has had a somewhat troubled history in North America. It took longer than seemed fair to make its way to the region, and then was exclusive to GameStop and Nintendo's rather limited official store of the time. GameStop was criticised for pricing and stock availability, and was even accused at one point of selling...
News Humble Friends of Nintendo Bundle Passes 60,000 Sales in Under 24 Hours
Far surpassing the North America-only 2015 bundle
In the past 24 hours Humble Bundle launched the second ever Nintendo eShop offering, the Humble Friends of Nintendo Bundle. It contains a mix of retail downloads and eShop-only titles at a huge discount (with more to be announced in six day's time) and, importantly, it's available around the world...
Feature Taking a Dash at Runbow's DLC Offerings
The Colours Out of Space
It's really no secret at all that many of us at Nintendo Life are giddy for Runbow and its perilous, polychromatic platforming. We scored it a 9 in our review and it ranked on both staff and readers' digital picks for last year. The crew at 13AM Games has since released some additional c
News Humble Friends of Nintendo Bundle Offers Games at a Huge Discount
Darksiders II! Shantae and the Pirates Curse! Freedom Planet! Many more!
North American gamers may remember the Humble Nindie Bundle last year, which offered huge savings on some excellent eShop games. It was only available in that region, but now we have a new bundle announced for both Europe (including Australia and South Africa) and the Americas...
Rumour Xbox Store Listing Indicates That Mighty No. 9 Has Been Delayed Until December
UPDATE: Or perhaps not...
UPDATE: Well, this is embarrassing. Thanks to kindly people on Twitter like Prof.9, it has come to our attention that "12/02/16" is actually using the European date system (12th February 2016) and not the American system (2nd December 2016). The 12th was the original launch date for the game in Europe. It would appear that...
News Pankapu: The Dreamkeeper is Coming to Nintendo Consoles
This developer is Too Kind
Some of you may have been aware of a recent Kickstarter project called Pankapu: The Dreamkeeper. An interesting 2D action platformer that calls to mind UbiArt projects like Child of Light or Rayman Origins, this project received its funding to go into production at the tail end of last year. A Wii U port was one of the...
Review Chasing Dead (Wii U eShop)
A shambling horror
The opening of Chasing Dead sees you hurtling into the atmosphere of a newly discovered second Earth, Intel delivered to you via a short video sequence consisting of a live actress with a cheap looking OSD overlay; one could easily imagine a parallel universe where the Mega CD2 became a reality and FMV games continued to thrive...
Review Draw 2 Survive (Wii U eShop)
You Know the Lines
Have you ever seen one of those back-of-magazine art school tests? The ones that provide simple line art of, say, a turtle and ask you to turn it into something more detailed by adding on top of it? That's how Draw 2 Survive feels at the moment. It has potential, but what's currently there needs to be drawn out and embellished...
Nintendo Download 28th April (Europe)
Yo-kai Watch! SteamWorld DLC! Lost Reavers! Mini Mario! Much, much more!
With the beginning of another week we have the Nintendo Download update details for Europe, letting us know what download goodies that are on the way soon. This week's most notable arrival is a Level 5 RPG that is a phenomenon in Japan, though the overall download update is...
Review Olympia Rising (Wii U eShop)
A jump into the past
Paleozoic's Olympia Rising initially started as a campaign on Kickstarter in 2014. Fans were drawn in by the nostalgia of old 2D platformers and hoped Olympia Rising could live up to expectation. A unique mix of Greek mythology along with the classic genre, this game definitely delivers in terms of visuals and story, but is...
News The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth Coming To Wii U "In The Coming Months"
And you thought it would never happen
Once upon a time, it seemed unlikely that The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth would ever arrive on the Wii U. Nicalis' Tyrone Rodriguez tweeted back in November that he wasn't happy with the performance of the game on Nintendo's console, and many assumed the game would be skipping the platform entirely. However,...
Nintendo Download 21st April (North America)
Star Fox Zero/Guard! Pinball Arcade! Pocket Card Jockey demo! More!
It's that time again for the North American Nintendo Download Update, and the leading games this week are undoubted those that feature talking animals that fly spaceships. Beyond that we have puzzles and pinball on Wii U alongside some last-gen minigames. On 3DS there's a mix of...
News The Deer God is Gracing The North American eShop With Its Presence on 28th April
Mobot Studios is on publishing duty
The Deer God is a title we've been watching for quite some time, as it offers eye-catching visuals and bold claims as an atmospheric adventure. Publisher Mobot Games has now brought some good news, confirming that it's going to arrive on the Wii U eShop in North America on 28th April, costing $7.99 in the US...
Review Star Fox Guard (Wii U eShop)
En garde, robot scum!
Project Guard debuted at E3 2014 as part of an initiative from Nintendo to craft new experiences that could only be pulled off with the GamePad. What was then a small, weird, experimental game is now a small, weird, experimental game set in the Star Fox universe. Oh, and a pretty great — if distressing — proof of concept...
News RCMADIAX Has Three New Wii U eShop Titles On The Way
Coming in June and July
Prolific indie studio RCMADIAX has released information regarding three new Wii U eShop titles, all of which are launching in the next few months. As we've come to expect from the company, these titles present quite a mix of gameplay styles. Here are the details: MEGA WIN CASINO SLOTS - Est Release June 2016 Bring home the...
Video Nintendo Spring Partner Preview Spotlights Upcoming eShop Games
Axiom Verge! Tumblestone! Shantae! Super Meat Boy!
It's been a while since the last Nintendo Direct, and now that E3 is only a couple months away, it doesn't seem likely that Nintendo will be making any major announcements before the big event. Perhaps in lieu of a Nintendo Direct, a video was recently posted called 'Nintendo Spring Partner...
News Campaign Seeks to Spin the Tale Behind EarthBound Beginnings
Kickstart your Mother
EarthBound Beginningswas finally released on the Wii U Virtual Console last year, providing the first official western access to what is known in Japan as Mother. This is far from the whole story, however, The full tale involves an unreleased original localisation, leaked carts, and secret dealings; and a documentary team wants...
Review Chronicles Of Teddy: Harmony Of Exidus (Wii U eShop)
Cuddly but not perfect
Childhood security blankets come in many forms - a favourite stuffed toy, blankets, specific articles of clothing and imaginary friends - to name a few. In Chronicles of Teddy: Harmony of Exidus, security takes the shape of a possessed teddy bear, a sturdy shield, and a really sharp sword. Chronicles of Teddy sees a young...
News Another Former Rare Staffer Joins the Yooka-Laylee Project
Many hands make light work
Ever since the initial announcement and hype of Yooka-Laylee, it seems that new information on the upcoming title has been difficult to come by. No doubt this means that Playtonic is hard at work, polishing up what will hopefully be a glorious homage to the great N64 platformers of old. Of course, this project is being...
Video Enjoy Some Perky Music in This Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge Trailer
Toys to virtual life
Nintendo has dabbled in free-to-play amiibo experiences before now, with amiibo Touch and Play being, in this writer's opinion, a bit naff. Nevertheless Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge looks like a better free-to-play use of the toys, at least for those with a decent collection. The Mini Mario series has been a fun...
Nintendo Download 21st April (Europe)
Star Fox Zero/Guard! Mario Party! Langrisser Re:Incarnation Tensei! More!
Another week is underway, and as always we can get up and running with the Nintendo Download Update details for Europe. This week brings an iconic franchise to the Wii U, twice, along with some other download-only options and two retro party games. The 3DS has a major release...
News Chompy Chomp Chomp Party Arrives in North America on 19th May
Get ready to end some friendships
Those of you that enjoy some couch multiplayer gaming will almost certainly be familiar with Mario Party. Centered around a series of minigames, this board game-like multiplayer series rewards screwing over your friends and doing whatever it takes to get ahead. Chompy Chomp Chomp Party has continued this trend of...
Reminder Six Wii U Games Are Now Discounted to Nintendo Selects Prices in the European eShop
DK Tropical Freeze! Wind Waker HD! LEGO City! More!
It was mentioned in the European Nintendo Download Update at the start of the week, but five days is a long time in the modern world. Nintendo of Europe has released six 'Selects' budget titles for Wii U in stores, but pleasingly the discounts are also available on the eShop; there's even an extra...
Review Chompy Chomp Chomp Party (Wii U eShop)
Om nom nom nom nom
When a game has a title like Chompy Chomp Chomp Party and comes from a publisher called Utopian World of Sandwiches it is pretty hard to ignore, although with a promise of support for up to nine players locally and some truly crazy looking gameplay footage, this was never a title to be overlooked anyway. Unsurprisingly, Chompy...
Nintendo Download 14th April (North America)
Bravely Second! New 3DS VC! Lost Reavers beta! Runbow DLC! Much more!
It's the time once again for the North American Nintendo Download Update, and this week serves up a lot of enticing goodies. The Wii U offering includes a range of promising download games, a beta, DS classic and DLC for one of 2015's premium eShop exclusives; on New 3DS we have...
Review Asdivine Hearts (Wii U eShop)
Meowzers, it’s a Sassy Cat God!
Kemco has certainly released a lot of RPG mobile games over the past few years, so much so that it's hard to filter out which ones are actually worth playing. Asdivine Hearts was initially released for mobile and was a combined effort from both Kemco and EXE Create. Was it worth it? Yes. It's not going to win any...
Hosting Me, Hosting U
Nintendo consoles have been no stranger to party games over the years, and accessibility has always played into that success. Whether it was a dance-off or a quick bout of tennis, both software and hardware worked in tandem to ensure that absolutely anybody could join in on the fun. The introduction of the Wii U GamePad added...
News Run Run and Die is Bringing Cartoonish Penguin Deaths to Wii U
It's all in the title
The Wii U eShop has played host to a variety of games previously seen on PC, and can now add Run Run and Die to the list - it was also a PlayStation Mobile game. Developed by Pixel Bones Studio and being published on Wii U by EnjoyUp Games, it's a simple runner designed to make you rage. There are 24 levels in total, some...
Review Lovely Planet (Wii U eShop)
Hardcoradorable
Lovely Planet is a cutely packaged title that conceals a surprising amount of technical gravity. It's like opening a Hello Kitty backpack and finding nuclear launch codes within. Bright colours, an upbeat soundtrack and a very minimalist, very Japanese art direction make it easy to link Lovely Planet with other quirky titles such as...
News Headup Games Lines Up More Intriguing Titles for the Wii U eShop
Three on the way, and a potential fourth
Headup Games is a prolific publisher across various platforms, and recently brought Brainseed Factory's Wii U exclusive Typoman to the world. It's keen to support Nintendo's store, too, and has confirmed a number of future titles for the system that will also be on show at next week's PAX East in Boston...
News Dodge Club Party To Make Its Mark on Wii U in North America This Week
You can also try Dodge Club Pocket for free, even in Europe
Dot Arcade was one of the most intriguing Wii U eShop releases of 2015. It was unique in that it offered three stylistic 'light dot' games, where a coloured dot matrix game was lovingly created on screen. It was quirky, clever, and we absolutely loved it. Developer JAMES MONTAGNA is...
Review The Beggar's Ride (Wii U eShop)
From rags to riches?
Bad Seed's The Beggar's Ride hit the world of mobile gaming late last year, and has now made the transition to the Wii U eShop. The tale follows an unlikely hero in the shape of an old bearded beggar as he is teleported to a mysterious and desolate land, where he finds a cryptic mask which gives him the power to see and control...
