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It's Monday morning, Europe, which doesn't mean dreary skies and the beginning of another week's working drudgery, it actually represents Nintendo Download news day. The goodies due to arrive on Thursday this week are all on the Wii U and 3DS, with a Capcom classic on the home console and some promising new download-only releases coming to the portable, among others. Let's get to the details.

Wii U Virtual Console

Mega Man X (Capcom, €7.99 / £5.49) — A few months after its arrival delighted Blue Bomber fans in North America, this popular Super NES release finally hits the European Wii U store. This franchise represented quite a departure from the 'Classic' series of games when released, but had such an impact that it spawned plenty of sequels of its own. Don't let any of the iffy later sequels put you off, as this one is the real deal — our Mega Man X review gave it a strong recommendation. This is the 60Hz US version of the game.

Wii U Retail Download

Game Party Champions (Warner Bros., €29.99 / £19.99)

Wii U Temporary Discounts

Chasing Aurora (Broken Rules, €4.89 / £4.19 until 3rd October, normally €6.99 / £5.99)

Kung Fu Rabbit (Neko Entertainment, €2.49 / £2.24 until 3rd October, normally €4.99 / £4.49)

3DS eShop

Star Wars Pinball (Zen Studios, €6.99 / £6.29) — As the Wii U eShop version prepares itself for a new set of tables, the long promised release finally arrives on the 3DS. Two previous entries have done a solid job on Nintendo's portable, and this entry of three tables is sure to keep sci-fi fans happy. We'll see whether it has Hollywood quality in our upcoming review.

AiRace Speed (QubicGames, €4.99 / £4.49) — The third in this download-only series, this 3DS entry is aiming to live up to its name with high-tempo tunnel flying. With 18 tracks, five different jets and some impressive gameplay footage shown to date, this one certainly seems to have potential; we'll get prepped and bring you a review.

Rage of the Gladiator (Gamelion Studios, €6.99 / £6.29) — Originally a well-regarded WiiWare title, this 3DS version includes improved visuals, two additional difficulty settings and a new in-game shop to buy and upgrade weapons. We'll go a bit Russell Crowe for a review, and in the meantime you can read our enthusiastic recommendation in the WiiWare Rage of the Gladiator review.

3DS Retail Downloads

Harvest Moon: A New Beginning (Zen United, €34.99 / £29.99) — Available in North America since November 2012, Zen United has thankfully done the honours to bring the latest in this popular series to Europe. If you want to know more about this one you can check out our Harvest Moon: A New Beginning review.

Super Street Fighter IV 3D (Capcom, €19.99 / £17.99)

3DS Temporary Discounts

Mutant Mudds (Renegade Kid, €5.99 / £5.39 until 3rd October, normally €8.99 / £8.09)

Super Little Acorns 3D Turbo (Pixel Toys, €2.49 / £2.49 until 3rd October, normally €4.99 / £4.99)

3DS Permanent Price Reduction

Bike Rider DX (Spicysoft, €2.99 / £1.99, was €5.99 / £4.99)


That's another week, with quite a few promising titles lined up this time around. Let us know what you plan to download in the poll and comments below.

What will you be downloading first this week? (174 votes)

  1. Mega Man X (Wii U Virtual Console)21%
  2. Game Party Champions (Wii U retail download)  0.6%
  3. Chasing Aurora (Wii U eShop temporary discount)1%
  4. Kung Fu Rabbit (Wii U eShop temporary discount)8%
  5. Star Wars Pinball (3DS eShop)5%
  6. AiRace Speed (3DS eShop)6%
  7. Rage of the Gladiator (3DS eShop)3%
  8. Harvest Moon: A New Beginning (3DS retail download)3%
  9. Super Street Fighter IV 3D (3DS retail download)3%
  10. Mutant Mudds (3DS eShop temporary discount)2%
  11. Super Little Acorns 3D Turbo (3DS eShop temporary discount)1%
  12. Bike Rider DX (3DS eShop permanent reduction)7%
  13. Nothing for me this week38%

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