Don't miss the shot

It's Nintendo Download update time, North America, with so much packing the eShops and DSi store that we even had the information earlier than normal — all the more time to soak it up. Quite a few high profile retail downloads are joined by some demo action, a new 30 cent retro classic, a handheld Mega treat and more; let's get to it.

Wii U Virtual Console

Punch Out!! Featuring Mr. Dream (Nintendo, $0.30) — Available from 20th March, this will be just $0.30 for one month as part of the Famicom Anniversary promotion on the Wii U eShop. This is an iconic NES classic, and we'll get the gloves on to let you know how well it translates to the Wii U Virtual Console.

Wii U Download Demo

Chasing Aurora (Broken Rules, free) — This launch download-only title recently had a major update to improve gameplay and overall performance, and Broken Rules is releasing a demo to show off the final result. It's free, so why not?

Wii U Retail Downloads

LEGO City Undercover (Nintendo, $49.99) — The Wii U-exclusive LEGO title arrives on the eShop alongside the high street release on 18th March. We rather like its approach to a new franchise, with an open-world and a huge amount to do, awarding 8/10 in our LEGO City Undercover review

Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate (Capcom, $59.99) — Available for download and in stores from 19th March, this is an expanded version of the Wii original with additional content and upgraded HD visuals. Our review will be with you very soon.

Need for Speed: Most Wanted U (Electronic Arts, $59.99) — With lead development by Criterion — the team that produced last year's popular release on Xbox 360 and PS3 — as well as exclusive features, there's certainly optimism that this will be a racing title worth owning on Wii U. It arrives on the eShop and in stores on 19th March, and we'll also be reviewing it to let you know what we think.

The Croods: Prehistoric Party (D3Publisher, TBC) — Based on the big budget animation movie, this is a collection of mini games and challenges for the family to enjoy.

3DS Virtual Console

Mega Man 3 (Capcom, $4.99) — The gradual release of all six NES Mega Man titles continues this week with the third entry, a title that showed the series was well and truly getting into its stride. You can expect the usual running, jumping and blasting, while it's worth figuring out those Robot Master weaknesses. We rated this very highly in our Mega Man 3 Wii Virtual Console review, and we'll gear up for more action in this 3DS release.

3DS eShop Discount

Ketzal's Corridors (Nintendo, $4.99 until 21/03 / normally $6.99) — The latest in the weekly promotion of discounted 3DS eShop software, this one is an action puzzle game where you guide shapes of various sizes through ever-increasingly difficult gaps. It's an enjoyable slice of download fun, at least we said so in our Ketzal's Corridors review.

3DS Download Demo

HarmoKnight (Nintendo, free) — Arriving in two weeks and developed by Game Freak, this is an action-rhythm title that sees you venturing across various lands while sticking to the beat. It's looked like a lot of fun in previews and trailers, and now you can sample it for yourself.

3DS Retail Downloads

Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate (Capcom, $39.99) — This 3DS release of Capcom's blockbuster offers the same level of content as the Wii U equivalent and also arrives on 19th March, but without online multiplayer (unless you use a Wii U LAN router workaround), though it does include StreetPass and supports local multiplayer with other 3DS players and also someone playing the Wii U version. Our review of the handheld version will arrive alongside the Wii U equivalent very soon.

Rayman Origins (Ubisoft, $29.99) — Not exactly the Wii U title expected last week, but it's Rayman's latest platformer arriving belatedly on the 3DS eShop. While the home console version is regarded as a classic by some, this handheld port doesn't reach quite the same heights, as our Rayman Origins review explains.

Reel Fishing 3D Paradise (Natsume, $19.99) — This is the full retail release of Reel Fishing 3D Paradise Mini, which has been available in stores since last year.

The Croods: Prehistoric Party! (D3Publisher, $39.99) — This 3DS version of the movie tie-in similarly offers family friendly mini-games and challenges, though this is listed as single player only.

DSiWare

Forgotten Legions (Cypronia, 500 Nintendo Points) — A side-scrolling real-time strategy title, this is set in a fantasy world and is said to include 30 campaign levels, 18 unit types and an endless mode. We'll be preparing our armies for battle to bring you our review.

Goony (CIRCLE Entertainment, 200 Nintendo Points) — This is an endless runner from a top-down viewpoint, where you simply use one button to change direction from left to right. The levels are randomly generated, though you can place assist Special Blocks and then share them via QR codes, while there's also an option of multiplayer with two players using the same system. It seems like a bit of arcade fun at a budget price, but we'll see whether it's worth your loose change in our review, soon.

Phew, quite a lot of retail and download-only options to choose from this week; let us know if any of these offerings will drain your funds in the poll and comments below.

Some prices have not yet been provided by Nintendo, these will be updated as soon as possible.

What will you be downloading first this week? (353 votes)

  1. Punch Out!! Featuring Mr. Dream (Wii U Virtual Console)29%
  2. LEGO City Undercover (Wii U retail download)7%
  3. Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate (Wii U retail download)9%
  4. Need for Speed: Most Wanted U (Wii U retail download)1%
  5. The Croods: Prehistoric Party (Wii U retail download)  0%
  6. Mega Man 3 (3DS Virtual Console)13%
  7. Ketzal's Corridors (3DS eShop discount)3%
  8. Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate (3DS retail download)5%
  9. Rayman Origins (3DS retail download)  0.6%
  10. Reel Fishing 3D Paradise (3DS retail download)  0%
  11. The Croods: Prehistoric Party (3DS retail download)  0%
  12. Forgotten Legions (DSiWare)  0.3%
  13. Goony (DSiWare)  0.3%
  14. Just freebies for me22%
  15. Nothing for me this week10%

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