Hot stuff

It's time for news of this week's download updates in Europe and, at long last, it's time for Wii U owners to rejoice. There's a shiny new download-only game available on the Wii U eShop, along with a discount and retail release. A welcome and puzzling sequel arrives on 3DS, while DSi and Wii also receive new titles. Let's get to business.

Wii U download software

The Cave (SEGA, €12.99 / £9.99) — A multi-platform release from the highly regarded Double Fine Productions, this is an adventure platformer that tasks you with exploring a variety of areas with a team of three, each with unique skills. This arrives in North America on 22nd January, yet it's now confirmed that it'll arrive in Europe a day later on Wednesday 23rd January. We'll be gearing up for some exploration to bring you a review soon.

Wii U eShop discount

Mighty Switch Force: Hyper Drive Edition (WayForward Technologies, €6.99/£6.29 until 7th February) — This week sees another sale on the Wii U eShop, with the enhanced re-release of a highly regarded 3DS download joining in with a 30% discount. This one provides double the number of levels and spruced up visuals, and may be even more tempting at the lower price.

Wii U retail download

Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth (Ubisoft, €49.99 / £39.99)

Wii U demo

The Cave (Double Fine Productions, free) — As the first download-only release on Wii U in 2013, there'll be plenty anxious to see whether this is worth a purchase. This free demo provides the ideal opportunity to try before you buy.

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed (SEGA, free) — This demo has been available since late last week, and offers two tracks (one race and one challenge) to try out.

3DS download software

Picross e2 (Jupiter Corporation, €4.99 / £4.49) — Picross is an old-favourite for many on Nintendo handhelds, and the release of Picross E from Jupiter Corporation last year was a welcome and, most importantly, strong entry in the puzzle genre. The sequel is now arriving with plenty more puzzles to keep us thinking, as well as an all-new Micross mode. We'll get our brains into gear and let you know whether this continues the good work of its predecessor in our upcoming review.

35 Junior Games (cerasus.media, €4.99 / £4.49) — This is a title that's emerged with few details, beyond the promise of delivering 35 exciting and entertaining games that include Tic-Tac-Toe, Solitaire, Chess, Air Hockey, Darts and more. We're always a little cautious of games that promise a bit too much, so we'll put this to the test to see whether these 35 games make one good download title.

3DS game update

Nintendo Presents: New Style Boutique (Nintendo, free) — Available to download via the eShop, this is a free update that is supposed to be available now but, at the time of writing, isn't showing on our 3DS systems. Nintendo hasn't detailed what's included in the update, but as it's free we'll be happy with whatever it gives us.

DSiWare

Snowboard Xtreme (EnjoyUp Games, 200 Nintendo Points) — While certainly seasonal — various parts of Europe are currently blanketed in snow — this title turns out to be a re-skin of Crazy Hunter and Zombie Skape, following the same basic style of play. It's functional but uninspired, while even as a budget game it's lacking sufficient content; check out our Snowboard Xtreme review for full details.

WiiWare

Babel Rising (Lexis Numérique, 500 Nintendo Points) — A surprising and previously unknown title, this new WiiWare game gives us all what we perhaps desire the most: Godly power. Humans are apparently building the Tower of Babel to reach the skies and, therefore, lose faith in you; it's your job as a vengeful God to use powers and natural disasters to crush the vulnerable subjects. We'll be trampling all over the human race and letting you know whether this one is truly heaven sent.

So there you have it, some eagerly anticipated releases and option for every platform. Let us know what you're planning to spend funds on in the poll and comments below.

What will you be downloading first this week? (157 votes)

  1. The Cave (Wii U eShop)44%
  2. Mighty Switch Force: Hyper Drive Edition (Wii U eShop discount)6%
  3. Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth (Wii U retail download)  0.6%
  4. Picross e2 (3DS eShop)24%
  5. 35 Junior Games (3DS eShop)  0%
  6. Snowboard Xtreme (DSiWare)  0%
  7. Babel Rising (WiiWare)3%
  8. Nothing for me this week22%

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