It's that time again, dear readers, for the North American Nintendo Download Update. We'd suggest that this week is a good 'un - there are promising download-only titles on both Wii U and 3DS, while the Virtual Console also has some tasty options. There are also two major retail releases on the 3DS along with some broader eShop discounts, so all told it's a solid offering. Let's get to the details.
Missed the European Nintendo Download Update details earlier in the week? Don't fret, the information is still right here.
Wii U eShop
Tumblestone (The Quantum Astrophysicists Guild, $22.49) - An action puzzle game that aims to make a big splash in the genre, this one aims to reinvent the match-3 genre while including plenty of content; there's a story mode, local and online multiplayer, an Arcade mode and 'quests', as examples. It seems extremely promising, but we'll see whether it stacks up in a review.
REPTILIAN REBELLION (Herrero, $2.99) - This is a relatively simplistic isometric-view shooter, in which you control a central character shooting at slow-moving enemies coming from the left and right. We considered it to be rather average in our Reptilian Rebellion review.
Chroma Blast (WizByte Games, $1.49) - It appears that this title is a relatively simplistic arena-based shoot 'em up, as you tackle waves of enemies and try to put modifiers to work. We'll blast some foes and let you know what we think in a review.
JACKPOT 777 (RCMADIAX, $1.49) - We've seen plenty of virtual casino games on the eShop in North America and now we have another jumping into the fray. This one is 'classic slot machine action at its best', apparently. We'll take a bet and bring you a review.
Wii U Virtual Console
R-Type (Konami, $7.99) - The first of a triple arrival of TurboGrafx-16 titles on the Wii U Virtual Console, having previously been part of the extensive VC on Wii. This is a very decent port of the classic arcade shoot 'em up, which is regarded both as one of the greats of its genre and as an extremely challenging title. You can check out our Wii Virtual Console R-Type review while we work on a fresh perspective on Wii U.
New Adventure Island (Konami, $5.99) - Another TurboGrafx-16 title, and another good 'un. It can be argued that this is one of the best titles featuring Master Higgins; it has bright visuals and smooth controls, along with a clever mechanic in which your health depletes with the passing of time, making every move count. We praised this a great deal in our Wii Virtual Console New Adventure Island review.
Bonk's Adventure (Konami, $5.99) - A third TurboGrafx-16 release, originally brought to the Wii VC by the now defunct Hudson. A rather colourful and conventional platformer in which you headbutt enemies, it also has some humour for extra flavour. We enjoyed this in our Wii Virtual Console Bonk's Adventure review and will take another look on Wii U.
Wii U eShop Temporary Discounts
Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition (Drinkbox Studios, $7.49 until 21st July, normally $14.99)
OlliOlli (Curve Digital, on discount from 15th July until 22nd July)
Nova-111 (Curve Digital, on discount from 15th July until 22nd July)
3DS Retail Downloads
Monster Hunter Generations (Capcom, $39.99) - The latest entry in this series finally makes its way to the West, introducing multiple villages and characters from previous releases along with new Hunting Styles and Arts that shake up gameplay. We gave this a strong recommendation in our detailed Monster Hunter Generations review. Available from 15th July.
7th Dragon III Code: VFD (SEGA, $39.99) - The 3DS is graced with a lot of top-class RPG experiences, and SEGA has pitched in with another. This particular series is established in Japan but is trying to seize momentum in the West, and offers its own twists on genre norms. You can learn all about what this one has to offer in our extensive 7th Dragon III Code: VFD review.
3DS eShop
Journey to Kreisia (KEMCO, $9.99) - This is, unsurprisingly, another retro-styled JRPG that KEMCO is bringing across from its range of releases on iOS and Android. Some of these ports have been better than others, and we'll see whether this tale of world-saving in a fantastical setting is worth the virtual journey.
New Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
Final Fight (Capcom, $7.99) — This is one of the earlier arcade conversions to the Super NES, and an iconic beat 'em up that's certainly welcome on the New portable's Virtual Console. Though this beat 'em up port lacks the co-op play that made the arcade a classic it's still a lot of fun, as we explained in our Wii U Virtual Console Final Fight review.
3DS eShop Temporary Discounts
Azure Striker Gunvolt (Inti Creates, $9.99 until 31st July, normally $14.99)
OlliOlli (Curve Digital, on discount from 15th July until 22nd July)
Quell Memento (CIRCLE Entertainment, on discount until 4th August)
The Legend of Dark Witch 2 (CIRCLE Entertainment, on discount until 4th August)
3DS HOME Themes
Monster Hunter Generations: Glavenus
Monster Hunter Generations: Gammoth
Monster Hunter Generations: Astalos
Monster Hunter Generations: Mizutsune
Monster Hunter Generations: Felynes
Monster Hunter Generations: Standard Theme
That's everything for the North American Nintendo Download Update this week - let us know what you're planning to download in the poll and comments below.
What will you be downloading this week? (671 votes)
- Tumblestone (Wii U eShop)
- REPTILIAN REBELLION (Wii U eShop)0.5%
- Chroma Blast (Wii U eShop)0.3%
- JACKPOT 777 (Wii U eShop)0.5%
- R-Type (Wii U Virtual Console)
- New Adventure Island (Wii U Virtual Console)
- Bonk's Adventure (Wii U Virtual Console)
- One or more of the Wii U eShop temporary discounts
- Monster Hunter Generations (3DS retail download / cart)
- 7th Dragon III Code: VFD (3DS retail download / cart)
- Journey to Kreisia (3DS eShop)
- Final Fight (New 3DS Virtual Console)
- One or more of the 3DS eShop temporary discounts
- One or more of the 3DS HOME Themes
- Nothing for me this week
Comments 66
Not a bad week!
yes that and R-Type!
....Nothing, figures...then again I'm getting Monster Hunter tomorrow afternoon, so whatever.
@Tsurii I 2nd that, and I don't even normally like 2D platformers.
So what's up w the wird prices this week?
Tumblestone $22.49. I can see that as a weird 33% off price or something, but the normal price? Guess they couldn't decide between $19.99 and $24.99 and split the difference?
And why is 1 TG16 game $7.99 and the other 2 $5.99?
Guess the only thing that really matters though is MH.
Nothing for me this week. Wake me up when we get the Pokémon Ranger games on the VC.
Pretty good, considering MH, but nothing for me.
I wish we had SNES 3D classics, a la what SEGA/M2 have done again and again with the Genesis...
Any discounts for those who downloaded Wii VC versions of TG16 games?
Terrific week! Still no AC:WW but still......I'm definitely getting MonHunGens!!!
I may grab some of the TG-16 games. I'm mulling it over anyway. Gotta save some cash to get Hot Rod Racer next week though. I won a $20 eShop card from the developer back in December so I need to back his games. Plus ZaCisa's last stand was well worth what I paid for it so hopefully Hot Rod Racer is just as entertaining.
I bought Tumblestone when it was released on Tuesday -at a lower than listed price. LOVE IT, been waiting years for the next step forward in puzzle game. Though some great puzzlers have come along like Lumines, a few Wiiware classics(!) like Bittos+ and some of the Art Style series, Chime, and Puzzle & DragonsZ (X looks really great too)... Tumblestone uses a true puzzle method but also the competitive side that gives me the feeling of multiplayer SmashBros when it gets close.
Also grabbing Guacamelee!, I had been looking into that one lately craving that clean slate (a game I know nothing of the character or story helps it feel more new to me than a Mario spin-off, for example) indie games are good for that.
A very rare good week on the sShop, 'bout damn time they earned my money.
R-Type and Monster Hunter Generations, for sure. Good week. Too bad we couldn't get a discounted Mega Man X, though.
Just spent my money on dark witch 2 yesterday. Shoot. Solid week and get dark witch 2 BTW.
How many games does Kemco have to port?
Feels like we get one every other week.
Nothing for me this week.
Hyped for that Mon Hun. I noticed there was a pre-purchase options on the internet but the eshop doesn't show the option.
Nothing for me since I already got 7th Dragon III Code : VFD and getting my son Monster Hunter Generations next week along with a New XL.
@rjejr they kept the same prices as the Wii vc. On the Wii vc games that released as Japanese only are sold for a buck or so more as a import price.
Best week of the year due to Monster Hunter Generation. Have my preorder hopefully on its way to arrive tomorrow. And I'll be getting the pre order 3DS theme with it.
Do eventually want top ick up 7th Dragon III Code since its getting great reviews.
@ThomasBW84 Just a heads up: I noticed a 404 on the "Reptilian Rebellion review" link.
Been playing 7th Dragon.
So far, so good. I've been enjoyiing my time with it.
The only issue is a bit of the frame rate issues, but that's not a problem for me, as it seems only certain times it happens.
Wow, Wii U is still throwing punches with one foot in the grave.
You go Wii U, and your bad self...
Dat Tumblestone price tho. Funny how the one game on this list that I've seen the most advertisement for is also the highest price. Sure it sounds like it has plenty of content, but it's still a basic puzzler.
Such a shame the TG16 games are going to WiiU VC just another idiotic VC move by Nintendo.
@msvt I like my puzzle games too,I play Dr Luigi online probably a bit too much.Before that it was Dr Mario haha.I'm more than ready for a new competitive puzzler.I look forward to the review. Hopefully there'll be enough players online to make the most of it.As for Guacamelee,it might just surprise you at how good it is,I know it did with me.Loved every minute of it.I actually played through it again a few weeks ago and enjoyed it as much as the first time.Enjoy!
Are the TG16 games reduced if already owned on Wii?
At least one of the TG-16 games. <3
@SMW Whoops, I'll look into that.
OMG. MH Themes, MH badges, and MH Gens!!! So many coolness and awesomeness today!!!!!
Getting the game physically, just bought a ton of badges, and I'm going to get at least one theme. Yay!
Nothing for me this week.
@OorWullie
Trust me: Buy it, don't wait for a review you will love it - I tried holding out for the retail version next month or so.... give it a few runs and it will click.
Check out some of those others I listed as well! Wiiware was a goldmine for a few real gems: Bittos+, Cubello and Rotohex, MaBoShi (more arcade than puzzle), Liight, Puzzle League is obviously a classic and I wish for new updated one daily haha! Lumines Live is my all-time favorite. Child of Eden (love that developer) which to me is a shooter puzzle (on 360). I like Puzzles&DragonsZ which will be useless when X is released because it is so much better.... Groovin' Blox was good too, and Chime (for 360 and others). Cheers.
I'll see you guys on Hunter ! Look out for Gameday Baby ~
Nothing this week but I'll be picking up VFD some time once my backlog is cleared out, and I need to get RH Megamix at some point though I still wish it was retail.
Yet another bad week
@booker_steve I don´t know. We need someone to tell us if Turbografx in Wii U has discount if we have the Wii version.
@booker_steve @Don @DarkEdi
Yes, the games are discounted at 2.99 each for games at 5.99, if you own them on the original Wii. That is a bit of a low discount considering N64 which costs 9.99 are discounted at 2.00.
Konami did a fantastic job emulating these games. There is control mapping, screen options including screen scaling for both screens separately. The games are not filtered on default, although there isn't any filter options which I can do without anyways. This is how to emulate virtual console game properly, something Nintendo fails at.
@MortalKombat2007 $2.99 seems a bit pricey for an upgrade, no? For that price, you could choose to upgrade 3 NES games, 2 SNES games, or 1 N64 game and an NES game!
…That's okay, Konami. I was never in a hurry to give you more money anyways.
@allav866
I was just editing my post with that thought when you replied.
@MortalKombat2007
Thanks for the info
@MortalKombat2007 Lol! Yeah, it just seems weird when you compare Konami's 50% discount to Nintendo's 80% discount. If SEGA is to follow suit and bring Genesis/Master System VC games to Wii U, I hope they make a better offer than Konami. The only reason I'll pay half the price of a Sega game just to upgrade the one I already have is if all the SEGA games have a new "& Knuckles" add-on.
@faint Well that's good, I like a simple explanation for things, thanks.
When do they usually put the themes up? I don't see them
F**K YEAH R-TYPE!!!
Wooooo TG16 games on WiiU VC, I never thought I'd see the day! Now I hope they bring Bonk's Revenge next. Also, while the upgrade pricing seems high, at least there is any discount if you had it already...maybe one day Nintendo will handle saving purchases by account and having more-universal cross-buying but I'm not holding my breath...
was hoping for those outrageous discounts that europe got
@bofis
#41.
@OutCold At night usually. They never come out same time as the games.
I'd love some TG-16 games on the 3DS. Blazing Lazers anyone?
Never thought they'd add another system to Wii U's VC
@Freelance
I'd like more VC on 3ds period, not some SNES new 3ds exclusive! Why they continue to shun their biggest audience I don't know.
Waiting for the Gunvolt Striker pack; nothing for me this week.
Wait what? No Star Fox demo? I was actually very much looking forward to that =( This is regional thing Nintendo keeps doing, is so incredily tiresome ... if they can't work this out until the NX launches, I fail to see how they would even deserve something else than a commercial failure. In 2016/7 this kind of stuff is unacceptable.
I spent 2.40 on eshop and got surprising 50 gold points.
Olliolli
Swapper and bmx +
I try to avoid downloading games when I can get a physical copy...
but I did pick up 7th Dragon. I've been looking forward to this game for a long time and I'm excited to play it. (^_^ )
oh, and I don't care if it doesn't have 3d. Fun/story > 3D
I'm upgrading Bonk's Adventure.
I love Bonk.
Been thinking of getting MHG digital, that demo felt great.
The only words I see on this page are "Monster Hunter."
Bonk's Adventure and R-Type for me! Love those games!
Also, who said they're going to pick up Slots777? Serious question. >:^(
Wow! This is awesome to see Turbo Grafx 16/PC Engine games on the Wii U. I hope they bring out more games like Neutopia 1 & 2. Maybe some of the CD Games as well.
7th dragon anyone. Yes.
Just beat Bonk on Wii U! TG16 has some nice screen options and turbo customization in the VC menu! The Konami jingle plays when you start the game up. I think all the TG16 games we'll be getting will be tied to Konami in some way. I could be wrong, but its exciting!
Why are the Turbo Grafx 16 file sizes so big? Bonk's Adventure and New Adventure Island are both over 130 MB a piece. On the PS3, both games are only about 20 MB in size.
R-Type!!! Also, I never got a lot of the TG-16 games. I'll try to get Bonk and New Adventure Island the next time I'm looking for a platformer.
Since we're getting TG-16 games, I do hope we'll get Genesis games and Commodore 64 games again.
The Curve Digital sale is up, and there are more games than listed here. It's the same as the European sale, minus Ultratron and Stealth Inc 2, so it includes:
The Swapper
Thomas Was Alone
Lone Survivor: Director's Cut
OlliOlli
Pumped BMX+
Nova-111
Titan Attacks
All for a buck each. I'm not super interested in all of these, but I'll be getting all of the ones I don't have to support the developer/publisher (Curve's been great for Nintendo fans), get some Gold coins on MyNintendo (you get coins for the regular price despite the sale), and, of course, get a bunch of games!
So we can expect Castlevania Rondo of Blood sooner or later?
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