Wii U eShop News
News WarioWare Smooth Moves Arrives on the North American eShop This Week
Smooth like butter
The WarioWare series is easily one of the weirdest in Nintendo's stable, centered around a broad array of crazy minigames created by Wario and all his weird friends. After its initial debut on the GBA, it's had an entry on every console since – with the notable exclusion of the 3DS. It's certainly a series unlike anything else,...
Video Nintendo Gives Us All a Taste of This Year's Nindies@Night PAX Event
Showcasing the talent
One of the pleasing progressions in this generation of hardware has been Nintendo's increasingly open and supportive stance towards indie developers, particularly those producing rather high quality efforts that earn the term 'Nindie'. There are always improvements to be made, but we've seen the big N support Humble Bundles,...
News Yacht Club Games Reveals Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment
That's the spirit
Yacht Club has been fairly quiet for some time now, and it's been easy to forget that Shovel Knight is still due to receive more free content. About a year ago we got the first expansion, Shovel Knight: Plague of Shadows, which showed us a parallel storyline featuring the scheming Plague Knight. After that, the Shovel Knight amiibo...
Feature Future Nindie Hits for the eShop - October to December
A look at the titles that Nintendo is keen to promote
September has already proven to be a good month for high quality Nindie downloads, and there are more to come. The 'Summer Jam' promotion has already delivered games like Axiom Verge and Jotun: Valhalla Edition, and we still have Noitu Love: Devo
What is art?
140 - created by Jeppe Carlsen (lead puzzle designer, LIMBO) with music by Jakob Schmid - is a minimalistic rhythm-based puzzle-platform game that has clearly been inspired by the Bauhaus artistic movement. For those who aren't great lovers of art, Bauhaus was a school of art located in Germany that combined crafts with fine arts, and...
Review Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky (DS)
The sky's the limit
Though the core series still delivers by far the most popular kind of Pokémon games, the Mystery Dungeon series has still done a good job of establishing its own identity and setting itself apart. As the third and final game in the DS set of games for the series, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky provides a charming...
News Soul Axiom Arrives on Wii U in Late September, at a Reduced Price
An extra 15% off for those with the Nindies@Home demo
Master Reboot, by Wales Interactive, is a particularly intriguing title on the Wii U eShop, and it's been quite a long wait for its spiritual successor - Soul Axiom. It now has a firm release date, and patient Wii U owners will also pay a little less to try it out. It's coming on 29th September...
Nintendo Download 15th September (Europe)
Dragon Quest VII! Futuridium on New 3DS! Gear Gauntlet! More!
It's the start of another week, and that means we can check out details on the Nintendo Download Update goodies heading to Europe in the coming days. The stand-out is a long awaiting localisation coming to retail on 3DS, while the Wii U Virtual Console adds a first-party DS game to its...
Review Skunky B's Super Slots Saga #1 (Wii U eShop)
An unintended anti-gambling PSA
Throughout the history of video games, players have discovered that some real-life events and ideas translate better into interactive experiences than others. Playing football, marching into battle and exploring a dense forest are all exciting in their own ways, but others aren't quite as suitable when it comes to...
Review TAP TAP ARCADE 2 (Wii U eShop)
Double tapped
RCMADIAX returns, this time with TAP TAP ARCADE 2 for the Wii U eShop. Don't let the name fool you, as promising as it may sound this one doesn't quite live up to the name. With such a title naturally one would expect a compilation of games. Oddly, though, TAP TAP ARCADE 2 only includes two - just like the original TAP TAP ARCADE. The...
News Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night Has Been Delayed To 2018
Ouch…
It could be said that Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is one of the most highly anticipated Kickstarter projects bound for Nintendo platforms. We absolutely loved what we saw of it at E3, and it seems as though development has been progressing quite well. The game was set to launch in March of 2017, but it seems now that fans will have to...
Review Jotun: Valhalla Edition (Wii U eShop)
The Gods are definitely pleased
Quietude is not a word synonymous with videogames. Most of the time there are peaks and valleys - an ebb and flow of exuberance and bombast, quickly followed by a period of downtime filled with storytelling and world building. Sometimes they eschew one focus for the next, either by being filled with a constant barrage...
Nintendo Download 8th September (North America)
Ace Attorney! Jotun! Mario Strikers Charged! Futuridium on New 3DS! More!
Here we are, once again, with the North American Nintendo Download Update. This week most certainly has some tempting options; on 3DS we have the latest in an iconic Capcom series and a welcome port on New 3DS, along with a Konami classic on the Virtual Console. Wii U is led...
News Wii U Version Of Hyper Light Drifter Is Officially Cancelled
Adrift
Heart Machine's Alex Preston has confirmed that the Wii U version of Hyper Light Drifter has been officially cancelled, along with the PS Vita edition. The title was previously described as being "in limbo" following development issues and Preston cites problems regarding the porting process as the reason for its ultimate demise...
News Grand Prix Rock 'N Racing Gets Close to the Finish Line on Wii U
Good enough for a podium place?
A little while ago EnjoyUp Games confirmed that it'd be bringing Grand Prix Rock 'N Racing to the Wii U eShop, the latest entry in the top-down racing series. It now has firm release details; it'll be getting off the grid in Europe and North America on 15th September, priced €7.99 / $7.99. In terms of features for...
Interview Will Dubé on Mythology, Art and Big Bosses in Jotun: Valhalla Edition
"We want to make beautifully powerful game experiences"
If you haven't already, do yourself a favour and take the time to look at some screenshots and trailers for the upcoming Wii U release of Jotun: Valhalla Edition. It's a beautifully crafted adventure game that pulls its story right from the pages of Norse Mythology. Not long ago we posted a...
News A Samus Costume Was Almost in the Wii U Axiom Verge Port
Nintendo axed the idea, of course
Despite its popularity, the Metroid series has fallen on hard times as of late. Nintendo has done little to address the series over the past several years, and while we got a pretty good spinoff on the 3DS this year, it's struggled greatly commercially. Axiom Verge, while not a Metroid game, was obviously made as a...
Review Tadpole Treble (Wii U eShop)
Pretty sharp
Fans of video game-themed webcomics have no doubt seen or are familiar with the Nintendo-inspired Brawl in the Family strip. Though the comic has concluded now, its creator – Matthew Taranto – went on to create a music themed game featuring the art that made his comic so popular. Tadpole Treble is a wonderfully charming experience...
News ACT IT OUT! is Bringing Charades and Shenanigans to the Wii U eShop
Photogenic players are optional
The Wii U has a handful of group party games of various types, from mini-game collections to budget quiz releases and more besides. Now ACT IT OUT! is coming to the system, a 'Game of Charades' - previously seen on PS4 - that also throws in aspects of Pictionary and singing. For starters the trailer below gives you a...
Review Tallowmere (Wii U eShop)
Deeper into the dungeon we go
Roguelike games — where you journey through procedurally generated levels with the risk of losing everything if you die — can be a hard sell to some players. While some gamers live to get just a bit further in each subsequent playthrough, others are turned off by the idea of having to start from the beginning every...
Nintendo Download 8th September (Europe)
Ace Attorney! Jotun! 140! Final Fight trilogy! Much more!
With the start of another week we have the European Nintendo Download Update details, and this time around there's plenty on offer. We have some highly promising options on the Wii U, while the 3DS has a major release from Capcom and a trilogy of SNES releases on the New 3DS Virtual Console...
Review Tetraminos (Wii U eShop)
Now with new shapes
Tetris was created by Russian game designer Alexey Pajitnov and originally released in 1984. It wasn't until the title's debut on the Nintendo Game Boy in 1989 that the tile-matching puzzle game became a truly global sensation and established itself as one of the most popular video games of all time. To date, Tetris and more...
Feature Exploring the Licensed Content in RCMADIAX Games on the Wii U and New 3DS eShop
Origins on asset stores
In recent days we've had multiple readers and colleagues direct us to licensed game assets available to buy online that appear to have been utilised extensively for games sold on the eShop. The developer in question is RCMADIAX, a studio that has produced a substantial volume of releases over the past year, in particular...
Video Here's Some Pointers on How to Get the Most Out of Axiom Verge
Axioms to live by
Axiom Verge launched today on Wii U, much to the anticipation and excitement of many Nintendo fans. We thought it was an absolutely outstanding piece of game design, praising its innovative gameplay and gorgeous visuals. Of course, as with any 'Metroidvania', it's a pretty dense game by design, and there's no doubt many things...
Nintendo Download 1st September (North America)
Axiom Verge! Picross 3D Round 2! Skyward Sword! Much, much more!
Well, it's later than normal thanks to Nintendo holding off until after its Direct broadcast, but here are the North American Download Update details. It's a whopper of a week, with a surprise retail download (though it's technically eShop-only) on 3DS, a Legend of Zelda Virtual...
News New Play Control! Pikmin Out Now on the Wii U eShop in Europe
Get a discount if you also buy Skyward Sword
During today's Nintendo Direct festivities it was confirmed that a new Pikmin game is coming to the 3DS in 2017, and it adopts a 2D side-scrolling approach. In Europe there's an extra treat available on the Wii U, to celebrate the news. New Play Control! Pikmin is available now on the Wii U eShop in...
News The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is Out Today on the Wii U eShop
Just flown in
Update: In Europe (not North America, sadly) this is part of a promotion where you can get this and New Play Control! Pikmin with 50% off the second title downloaded, until 15th September. Original Article: Today's Nintendo Direct had a few surprises on offer, and in a segment around The Legend of Zelda both European and North...
News Kickstarter Launches for Futuristic Racing / Rhythm Game - Flight of Light
It's a world in motion on Wii U
A little while ago we had a brief play of an early Wii U build of Flight of Light, the next project from Cystalline Green. The studio released Totem Topple, which had some notable post-launch updates to improve the experience, and is also publishing the Wii U port of Gear Gauntlet. Flight of Light has a fairly neat...
News Gear Gauntlet Arrives on the Wii U on 15th September
In Europe and North America
Announced earlier in the year for Wii U, Gear Gauntlet is a challenging - but potentially addictive - title in which you try to keep up a relentless pace through tricky courses. Previously released on Xbox One, developer Drop Dead Interactive now has a firm release date for the eShop - it'll arrive on 15th September in...
Review Axiom Verge (Wii U eShop)
Welcome to the Minus World
"It's not a bug, it's a feature." This is a phrase that's often thrown around in a lighthearted manner, but there's some truth behind the words. Programming errors can often lead to fascinating results that were never intended, creating a sense of excitement when one stumbles across a curious glitch that's obviously not...
News Shantae: Half-Genie Hero Has Been Delayed by Six Weeks
Bug testing is the reason for the hold up
Many have no doubt been looking forward to the release of Shantae: Half-Genie Hero, the latest in WayForward's flagship action platforming series. The build we played at E3 a few months back was top notch, and there's little doubt that the rest of the game will hold to the series' standard. Previously the...
News Quest of Dungeons Confirmed for 29th September Release on Wii U
3DS release date is close
A little while ago we reported on some details for Quest of Dungeons, a rather interesting turn-based dungeon crawler that uses procedural generation. It has a neat retro look, and it was confirmed some time ago that $8.99 will get you both the Wii U and 3DS versions courtesy of cross-buy. In that article it had a release...
News Capcom is Putting on a Sale on the North American eShops
Whaddya buyin'?
Over the past few weeks, several publishers have been running some pretty tempting sales on the eShop and now Capcom has joined them in the giveaways. Though many of these games are older and likely already in your collection, it's a welcome opportunity to catch up and grab maybe a game or two that you missed at launch. The...
Review PANDA LOVE (Wii U eShop)
A short-lived romance
Nintendo's eShop has become a home for aspiring indie developers; admittedly, the situation on the Wii U and 3DS is not much different on any other rival digital platform. Since the inception of mobile app stores, Valve's Early Access & Greenlight programs on its Steam platform as well as the likes of Kickstarter, releasing...
News Yooka-Laylee To Make Playable Debut At EGX 2016
Hands-on with the dynamic duo
Highly anticipated 3D adventure Yooka-Laylee will be playable by the public at this year's EGX event in the UK, it has been revealed. Created by a team of former Rare staffers and published by veteran firm Team 17, Yooka-Laylee is a 3D platformer which takes inspiration from the likes of Banjo-Kazooie and the Donkey...
Review Shadow Archer (Wii U eShop)
Follow the arrow
So many games today are focused on being jam-packed with content that it can sometimes feel like a chore just to play through one. When you feel overwhelmed by big games, a classic pick-up-and-play retro arcade experience is the perfect antidote. Shadow Archer is the latest eShop title that aims to bring you back to that arcade...
Nintendo Download 1st September (Europe)
Metroid Prime: Federation Force! Axiom Verge! Tetraminos! More!
It's the start of another week, so we get a look once more at the download treats on the way to Europe; the information is later than normal due to a bank holiday in the UK, so at this point we only have the prices in Euros (a huge thanks to Daan Koopman for sharing his translation of...
Review Letter Quest Remastered (Wii U eShop)
Words are your weapon
It's not uncommon to detest the idea of a video game designed to educate. This may sound like a huge generalisation, but take a moment to consider a time when you played even a mildly educational computer game. Maybe it was a complete mistake on your behalf, or somehow was a sense of relief from your regular schedule. Either...
Reminder One Week Remains to Grab Nintendo of America's eShop 'Summer Savings'
Zelda! Mario! Nindies! Just Dance?! More!
As Summer drifts towards Fall in the Northern Hemisphere, time is running out for game publishers to use the hot season for seasonal sales. For Nintendo of America that particular promotional gravy train ends soon, with its 'Summer Savings' eShop discounts set to expire on 1st September. If you haven't yet...
Nintendo Download 25th August (North America)
Ace Attorney demo! Street Fighter x3! Mario! Legend of Kusakari! More!
It's that time again, dear readers, for the North American Nintendo Download Update; this week certainly has some enticing options. The New 3DS Virtual Console has a triple whammy of Street Fighter titles, while the Wii U's retro service has a rather fun DS title. Beyond that are...
News Nintendo of America Unveils Nindies Summer Jam Promotion and a Tasty Sizzle Reel
Launch discounts and fresh release details
Nintendo is gearing up, as is always the case, to make a splash at PAX West in Seattle. Download games will be at the core of that again, with another Nindies@Night event leading the way among other goodies. Nintendo of America has now announced the 'Nindies Summer Jam', which will bring a notable release...
Review Surfin' Sam - Attack of the Aqualites (Wii U eShop)
No waves today, dude
If you were around for the 16-bit era, you surely remember the influx of mascot-driven platformers at the time, such as Bubsy and Awesome Possum. Most of these games were nothing more than copies of popular games like Sonic the Hedgehog that wanted a piece of the popularity pie. Surfin' Sam: Attack of the Aqualites feels like it...
News Dan Adelman on Why the Wii U Axiom Verge Port is the Best Version
Looks like the GamePad is showing its usefulness
Axiom Verge launched about a year and a half ago for basically every gaming platform that wasn't Nintendo. This was due largely to the engine in which it was built being incompatible with the software architecture Nintendo uses, but the issue was circumvented for Wii U when the whole game was...
News Super Mario 64 DS Heading to the North American Wii U Virtual Console This Week
Wahoo!
As is now the norm, Nintendo has updated its official website with one of the games that's coming in the North American Download Update - this time around it's Super Mario 64 DS on the Wii U Virtual Console. Regular NL tipster Ryan Millar got in touch earlier today to highlight an ESRB rating for this title, and sure enough its game page now...
Review Collateral Thinking (Wii U eShop)
Let's think about something else
Games used to be a lot simpler back in the arcade days, and that's the idea behind Astrosaurus Games's first foray into the Wii U eShop, Collateral Thinking. Taking cues from the simpler games of yesteryear like Donkey Kong, Mario Bros. and Wrecking Crew, Collateral Thinking gets back to the basics as a new...
Video Check Out The Action On Offer In Twisted Fusion
Another Wii U eShop exclusive
We've just got word from Leuvsion - a studio led by UK-based developer Lewis Pugh - that work on the ambitious "open platformer" Twisted Fusion is progressing nicely and is now aiming to launch in early October for reasonable price of £4 / €5 / $5. Way back in Spring 2014 this was one of a number of eShop projects...
Video Check Out This FAST Racing NEO DLC Trailer
The dream of F-Zero lives on
Shin'en Multimedia has been a loyal Nintendo developer for many years now, consistently putting out good-looking, high-quality titles. The latest of these was FAST Racing NEO, the latest in Shin'en's futuristic racing series. We absolutely loved it in our review, declaring it as a product that's on par with the quality...
News Nintendo eShop Selects Games Go Up for Pre-Order on the Official UK Store
Printed premium
Back in late July it was confirmed that Nintendo of Europe would be releasing both FAST Racing NEO and the SteamWorld Collection as Wii U disc games under the 'Nintendo eShop Selects' banner, both due on 30th September. It's certainly an exciting development for Shin'en Multimedia and Image & Form, seeing their eShop games...
In Space Nobody Can Hear You Point-and-Click
With the introduction of Telltale's The Walking Dead a few years back, the long dormant adventure genre came back with aplomb. Telltale took a curiosity of yesteryear and brought it back with the necessary accoutrements to make it more palatable for a broad range of modern day gamers. It worked out so...
Nintendo Download 25th August (Europe)
Armikrog! Ace Attorney Demo! Legend of Mystical Ninja! Much more!
It's the start of another week, and Nintendo of Europe has juicy Download Update details showing which games are on the way to the eShop. This offering includes a high profile demo, a much-loved SNES game on 3DS and some rather promising new games on both Wii U and 3DS. Throw in a...
Can one robot bring humanity back to life?
Poncho is a puzzle platform game by Delve Interactive (published by Rising Star Games) that explores what life would be like without the existence of humanity. Players take on the role of Poncho, a robot wearing a poncho (naturally), who wakes up to discover humanity has been extinct for several centuries...
Video Earthlock: Festival Of Magic Still Coming To Wii U, Looks Prettier Than Ever
Scratch that JRPG itch
Earthlock: Festival of Magic has been in development for what seems like forever, but it's finally coming out next month - on the Xbox One and PC, at least. However, developer SnowCastle Games has stated that the Wii U eShop release is still happening - alongside a PS4 version - and will take place "as soon as possible" after...
Video This Fast Racing Neo DLC Footage Will Melt Your Eyeballs
Fresh from Gamescom 2016
Fast Racing Neo has to rank as one of our favourite Wii U titles and has successfully scratched that "F-Zero" itch - which is good, because Nintendo has shown very little interest in resurrecting its legendary anti-grav racing series for the modern age. If you've also enjoyed this superb title then you'll be pleased to know...
Video Check Out Six Minutes of Yooka-Laylee Footage
Like the 90's platformer never vanished
Playtonic has opted to use the Gamescom conference as a means to show off all the work that it's done on Yooka-Laylee so far, and it looks like things are coming along quite well. We already got a new trailer, showcasing some polished environments and new transformations, and the game appears set to hit its...
Video Yooka-Laylee's Gamescom 2016 Trailer Contains Transformations, New Enemies And Farting
A Rare combination?
Yooka-Laylee's Q1 2017 launch seems like so far away, and the latest trailer for the game - shown off at Gamescom 2016 today - makes the wait even more difficult. Not only does it showcase some gorgeous level designs and new enemies, it gives us a look at one of the duo's transformations - a massive truck with a snowplough on...
News A Nicalis Sale is Live on the North American 3DS and Wii U eShops
Get 'em while they're hot
With summer slowly but surely drawing to a close, many young gamers are no doubt scrambling to clear out as much of the backlog as possible before school resumes in fall. Unfortunately, Nicalis has just put on a sale on the eShop in North America, so that backlog could be in great danger of being lengthened even more. The...
News Axiom Verge Heading to the Wii U eShop on 1st September
The wait's almost over
Axiom Verge has been critically acclaimed on a host of platforms, a reward for years of solo effort by creator Tom Happ. Now the 'retro-style action-platform-exploration game' that's drawn comparisons to a range of 16-bit classics is heading home, as it were - it's landing on the Wii U eShop on 1st September for $19.99 /...
News Pokémon Snap Confirmed For Wii U Virtual Console Release This Week
Todd Snap is back in business
One of the most beloved entries in the Pokémon series is finally making its way to the Wii U Virtual Console this week. Originally intended for the 64DD add-on, Pokémon Snap launched in 1999 (2000 in Europe) on the Nintendo 64 and for many fans presented the first look at Pocket Monsters in 3D. The game plays like an...
Review Vektor Wars (Wii U eShop)
Explosive robot annihilating fun
When you hear word that a game is retro-inspired, what's the first thing that comes to mind? Pixelated homages to platformers long past? The type of title that takes stalwart mechanics and filters them through decades of proven formulas to make them palatable to today's gamer? Something that straddles the line...
Nintendo Download 11th August (North America)
Tadpole Treble! Mega Man X! Wave Race 64! Ambitious slimes! More!
It's that time again, dear readers, for the North American Nintendo Download Update details. This week has some promising download-only titles across Wii U and 3DS, while it all gets rather sporty on the Wii U Virtual Console. The New 3DS VC gets a rather fun SNES title from Capcom,...
Review Rynn's Adventure: Trouble in the Enchanted Forest (Wii U eShop)
You Rynn some...
Nintendo is certainly no slouch when it comes to platformers. Mario, Kirby and DK all provide superlative experiences, but there's still plenty of room for newcomers. Rynn's Adventure: Trouble in The Enchanted Forest has the colour and whimsy to fit in with a top class of platformers at first glance, but could stand to be a bit more...
Nintendo Download 11th August (Europe)
Super Paper Mario! Frankenstein! 2 Mega Man games! Discounts galore! More!
With the start of another week we have the European Nintendo Download Update details, giving us the heads up on what treats to expect. Highlights this week include a puzzle adventure game with some potential on Wii U, an enjoyable Wii download and a couple of SNES Mega Man...
Review R-Type (Wii U eShop / TG-16)
More like our type
You can't have a conversation about shoot-'em-ups, or shmups, without mentioning R-Type. Back in the late '80s and early '90s the game was synonymous with the genre. Unfortunately for Nintendo fans at the time one of the best ports of the arcade classic was on the TurboGrafx-16, an also-ran console that never found its place in...
Review Metroid Prime: Hunters (Wii U eShop / DS)
A bit past its Prime
The year was 2004. The Metroid series had been brought roaring back to relevance a couple years prior with the excellent Metroid Prime, and its sequel was due out soon. At E3, Nintendo opted to unveil its newest platform, a bizarre device that featured two screens. Many were skeptical as to whether or not the device would be...
Video Playing Yooka-Laylee Properly With a Nintendo 64 Controller, Sort Of
Because we can
A little while ago Playtonic Games released the Yooka-Laylee pre-alpha 'Toybox' build to Kickstarter backers - it's a large area in which you can run around, do a bit of jumping and generally mess about with the game's mechanics. Naturally it has a handful of secrets to discover too. Our video man Alex happens to have a copy, and...
News Wii U Exclusive, Collateral Thinking, Promises Retro-Style Action Platforming
With 100+ quickfire levels
Current-gen Nintendo systems have their share of titles that owe much to '80s gaming, with pixel-based visuals and simple gameplay hooks. Collateral Thinking seems to be another title with that approach, with some slightly more modern touches thrown in. Developed by Astrosaurus Games and due on 11th August in North...
Nintendo Download 4th August (North America)
More Pokémon Ranger! Dragon Skills! Stickman Athletics! Demos! Stuff!
It's that time, once again, for the North American Nintendo Download Update. This week brings another retro Pokémon game to the Wii U Virtual Console, while there are some new download games to consider on both the home console and 3DS. Throw in a couple of demos and some...
News The Fall Part 2: Unbound Confirmed for Wii U Release in Q1 2017
Continuing ARID's story
The Fall stands out as one of the most intriguing download-only releases that has graced the Wii U eShop. Developer Over The Moon originally secured Kickstarter funding for the puzzle-driven experience, with its innovative and atmospheric approach earning praise in our review. The good news is that the second part of the...
Feature Over The Moon on Lessons Learned With The Fall and Continuing ARID's Story in Part 2
"We try to have something that appeals on lots of levels"
As you may have seen, the Wii U eShop is thankfully being included in the line-up of platforms that'll receive The Fall Part 2: Unbound in Q1 2017. A follow-up to The Fall, an intriguing adventure game with a strong narrative that blended action and puzzles, this title with a focus on a...
News Just Dance 2017 Demo Set for the eShop With Bieber's "Sorry" Track
Interesting song choice...
Just Dance 2017 will be a unique title in at least one way, as it's going to span three generations of Nintendo hardware. It'll land on the Wii U and Wii in October (likely missing some features on the latter) and is also coming to the NX. If you like to dance and happen to have Nintendo systems, you're in luck. Ubisoft...
Review Dragon Skills (Wii U eShop)
A brick break game like no other?
Brick break games aren't all that common nowadays. One of the modern standouts with a fantastic twist is PopCap Games' long-running Peggle series, which is exceptionally addictive and sets a considerably high standard for the classic genre. Like Peggle, Dragon Skills draws on arcade gameplay inspired by well-known...
Nintendo Download 4th August (Europe)
Alien on the Run! Stickman Athletics! Pinball discounts galore! More!
It's the start of another week, and with that come the details for the upcoming European Nintendo Download Update. This week only has a couple of new arrivals on the 3DS, with much of the update dedicated to discounts and HOME Themes; if you're a pinball fan there's plenty to...
Review New Adventure Island (Wii U / TG-16)
An old-school endless runner
It's often said that there's no such thing as a bad idea, that it just needs the right moment to shine. More than any other medium video games like to rehash what's come before, retrofitting old concepts into new titles for something that can feel wholly unique while paying tribute to what's come before. For instance,...
Review JACKPOT 777 (Wii U eShop)
More like 666
It seems that many developers have a difficult time translating casino games to a video game format. When you take away the stakes of having your own hard-earned cash on the line, the experience can come across as feeling hollow and pointless. One would think that this could be easily sidestepped by introducing some kind of in-game...
Review Tumblestone (Wii U eShop)
Block party
A few generations ago, puzzle games had a prominent presence on home consoles. Brimming with individual personality, many could be relied upon to offer some fun single- or multi-player play. You don't see as many of these games any more. Puzzle games have migrated more towards mobile platforms, a large number swirling together into a...
News Quest of Dungeons Confirmed for 1st September Wii U Release in Europe, Includes Cross-Buy
StreetPass also confirmed for 3DS version
A while ago we told you about Quest of Dungeons, a turn-based dungeon crawler that utilises procedurally generated environments. It has permadeath, too, so that when you die you start again with a new hero - yep, with a retro look it offers a retro-style level of challenge. The Xbox One version's trailer is...
Review Style Savvy (Wii U eShop / DS)
Retro Chic
If there's one thing that's true in style, it's that what's old is new again. That's as true in fashion games as it is on the runway, and now, after two excellent turns on the 3DS in Style Savvy: Trendsetters and Fashion Forward, Nintendo's going back to basics by bringing the DS original Style Savvy to the Wii U's Virtual Console. Style...
Welcome to the world of Mustland
One of the biggest criticisms the Wii U has faced during its lifespan is that not enough games released on the system have utilised the full potential of Nintendo's unique GamePad controller. Red Column's three-part episodic game 3Souls aims to fill the void, providing an inquisitive 2D puzzle platform experience...
Nintendo Download 28th July (North America)
Lots of Kirby! Gotta Protectors! 3Souls! Vektor Wars! More!
It's that time, once again, for the North American Nintendo Download Update. This week celebrates the Birthday of a certain pink puffball with a few retro treats, while there are some varied and intriguing new download-only releases on both Wii U and 3DS. There are some promising options...
Review Chroma Blast (Wii U eShop)
Palette swap
If you want colourful battles, video games have long been a good place to find them - at least in many cases. Colour has long shown us which barrels explode, which enemies take more hits, and where exactly our turf is. Chroma Blast takes the colour of competition and strips it down into a simple, abstract package. Players control a...
News Tadpole Treble Releases on Wii U on 11th August
Music to our ears
Some of you may remember Tadpole Treble, a fascinating rhythm action game created by Matthew Taranto, the creator of Brawl in the Family. The game officially released on other platforms this past spring, but the Wii U version didn't materialize. This was clarified later on to be the result of struggles getting the game through...
Review Hot Rod Racer (Wii U eShop)
A complete write-off
In Hot Rod Racer you take on the role of a reckless driver with the need for speed. Selecting from a car or a motorbike as your main mode of transport, you put the key in the ignition of your vehicle of choice and take to the track with the intention of speeding along until you run out of gas. Hot Rod Racer seemingly aims to...
News Minecraft: Wii U Edition is Receiving Another Patch Soon
Map packs, bug fixes, and more
Roughly a month ago, Minecraft: Wii U Edition received a fairly substantial update where a new multiplayer competitive arena mode was added in. A few updates followed to fix issues with this, among other things, and it's been several weeks since the last update was pushed out. Now, a new update is due out sometime this...
Review SpaceRoads (Wii U eShop)
Take a higher road
How do games like this get released in 2016? Wurd Industries' SpaceRoads is a mess. From the Microsoft Office-style Word art "Wurd Industries" logo to the horrendously optimized introduction video, to the amateurish visuals and loose gameplay, everything about SpaceRoads recalls the worst of 1990s shareware. There is no reason to...
Review Minecraft: Story Mode - Episodes 2-5 (Wii U eShop)
Once upon a time...
After months of waiting, Telltale Games has finally gotten around to releasing more episodes of Minecraft: Story Mode content on Wii U. The question on everyone's mind, then, is whether or not it was worth the wait. Overall, the storytelling has some pacing issues and the performance sometimes isn't up to snuff, but it's...
Zig-a-zig-ahhh
We open into a tale of a young wizard apprentice readying up to take the challenge of the Ziggurat, a rite of passage consisting of a series of tests inside a multi-floored labyrinth. As usual, many have tried but most have failed (and died in the process). Now it's your turn to prove your worth and earn the right to become one of the...
Exclusive RIVE Delayed for Wii U and Could Switch to NX, Two Tribes Tells Us Why
"A better RIVE is preferable to an early sub-par RIVE"
In the steadily decreasing list of enticing titles still coming to the Wii U and its eShop, RIVE was among the most anticipated in the download scene. The final game from Two Tribes, it made a favourable impression as one of the demos in the E3 2015 'Nindies@Home' promotion, and we rather...
Nintendo Download 28th July (Europe)
Secret Files Tunguska! 3 Street Fighter Games! 3 TurboGrafx-16 games! More!
We're a little later than normal with the European Nintendo Download Update details today thanks to a bit of confusion, but in any case our pals at Nintendo Insider have helped us out, so a big hat-tip to them. This week brings plenty of Virtual Console goodness across both...
Review Buddy & Me: Dream Edition (Wii U eShop)
Is this endless runner a dream to play?
Imagine as you're nodding off to sleep one night, you realise there is a big furry creature with long ears outside your bedroom window staring at you. Why didn't you purchase curtains? This is pretty much the premise of Buddy & Me: Dream Edition. The "Dream Edition" part of the title is derived from the...
Review Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs (Wii U eShop / DS)
New features and more circle-capture adventures
The Oblivia region has tidy beaches, clear seas and lots of sunshine; it's a pleasant place to be whether a human or one of the many free-roaming Pokémon. Things have changed recently, however, with many Pokémon abducted by a villainous gang known as the Pokémon Pinchers (no, really) and it's up to...
Nintendo Download 21st July (North America)
Pokémon Ranger! Buddy & Me! Star Fox demos + Battle Begins! More!
The time has come, dear readers, for the North American Nintendo Download Update details. This week has a range of promising download-only releases on both the Wii U and 3DS, while some high profile demos also nudge their way into view. Throw in some discounts (including some that...
Review Dracula's Legacy (Wii U eShop)
This one' s got bite
Dracula's Legacy doesn't waste any time in getting on with proceedings - thrusting the player straight into a spooky hidden object adventure. The story focuses on a young woman named Isabella who is haunted by frightening dreams about her forgotten past. With an eagerness to find a solution to her problems, she travels to an old...
Interview Jason Behr on Buddy & Me: Dream Edition, Going Independent and His History With Nintendo
"We just needed some space to prove we could carefully craft our own world"
Along with the regular slew of digital releases in the weekly update of eShop downloads, today marks the release of Buddy & Me: Dream Edition. Starting life as a mobile game born of a Kickstarter campaign, Dream Edition takes the best of the endless runner and...
Review Futuridium EP Deluxe (Wii U eShop)
Psychedelic shooting
If you blend on-rails conventional Star Fox action with the Death Star run from the first Star Wars, then drop in some psychedelic visuals, you're starting to get a feel for Futuridium EP Deluxe. MixedBag makes its Wii U debut with its colourful shooter that's done the rounds on multiple platforms, and it's a welcome slice of...
Review Hurry Up! Bird Hunter (Wii U eShop)
One dead duck
Let's be upfront about this, Duck Hunt knock-offs never do very well. Hurry Up! Bird Hunter is disappointingly no different from the rest. The title by EnjoyUp Games aims to recreate the practice in a fun arcade manner, and all it does is fall flat on its face. It's hard to tolerate what is presented in this game, because every aspect...
Codes being given away seems to be the issue
It's no secret that Nintendo has been behind the times with online services for quite some time. While the company has made fantastic leaps ahead over this past hardware generation, and the new My Nintendo system points towards a bright future, there's definitely been some glaring issues that will have to...
Review Bonk's Adventure (Wii U eShop / TG-16)
The third (stone) wheel
Woe is the child who grew up with a TurboGrafx-16. Whereas battles of words and wills cropped up endlessly in the schoolyard by stalwart Nintendo and Sega fans in the great console wars of the early 90s, anybody with NEC's home rendition of the PC Engine was the gaming equivalent of Switzerland, a neutral entity that was more...
Review Prism Pets (Wii U eShop)
Find your zen
Those of you who enjoy playing the odd puzzle game on your smartphone will no doubt remember 2048. The viral "It" game of 2014, 2048 was centered around the very simple idea of consolidating like numbers on a grid by swiping in any direction. Naturally, dozens of clones began to arrive on digital storefronts shortly after, hoping to...
Review Blackjack 21 (Wii U eShop)
Bust
Skunk Software seems to have a thing for making casino-style games for the Wii U eShop, and unfortunately they're not strong releases. After two shoddy attempts at poker games and a similarly unappealing slot machine title, the studio has opted to make a Blackjack game. For what it's worth Blackjack 21 stands as the best casino game to come out...
Nintendo Download 21st July (Europe)
Buddy & Me! A Shadow's Tale! Wind-up Knight 2! Demos! FE DLC! More!
With the start of another week we have the usual batch of details for the goodies due in the European Nintendo Download Update. Coming up on Thursday we have a range of promising download-only titles across Wii U and 3DS, including a New 3DS exclusive. We also have a new Wii...
