It's that time, North American gamers, to cast your eye over the new downloadable eShop treats that are available this week. There are diverse offerings, including a highly anticipated and delayed action platformer, a creation tool, BMX stunt action and more; some discounts are also rather tempting. Without further ado let's get to the details.
Missed the European Nintendo Download details earlier in the week? Oh no! Wipe that sweaty brow dry, though, as the information you need is right here.
Wii U eShop
Freedom Planet (GalaxyTrail, $14.99) - Though this started out as a Sonic fan game it expands on its source of inspiration, introduces its own world and makes adjustments to give itself an identity of its own. It was also included in the Nindies@Home E3 promotion, and we enjoyed it in our first impressions - our own Thomas Jones said that despite the Sonic references it "manages to be a wonderful and individual platformer". This release was delayed at the last moment in the past, but we're pleased that it's finally making its Wii U bow.
Pumped BMX+ (Curve Digital, $7.99) - Originally developed by Yeah Us! - a one-man indie studio - this is a title that draws much of its inspiration from that studio's smartphone title Pumped BMX 2. It challenges gamers to tackle a whole load of courses and pull off plenty of stunts - it looks rather like a blend of Joe Danger and Trials. We'll get working on a review but until then you can check out our hands on impressions.
Toto Temple Deluxe (Juicy Beast Studio, $9.99) - A frantic local multiplayer game, in this one you take on three friends in a host of arenas and try to hang onto a goat while the others attempt to steal it. By the looks of it this one's manic and very colourful, and we'll check it out in a review.
The Rivers of Alice: Extended Version (Delirium Studios, $7.99) - This one is certainly interesting on paper, pitched as an adventure title that can be tackled at your own pace. It serves up beautiful graphics with watercolours, ink and graphite effects, and has a soundtrack composed by the "indie-rock group, vetusta morla". We rather enjoyed this in our The Rivers of Alice: Extended Version review.
VoxelMaker (Nostatic Software, $4.99) - A 3D art studio that's centred around creating models and environments with 3D blocks, which can then be rendered with realistic lighting and shadows. There seems to be a decent-sized tool-set here, so we'll get creative and let you know what we think in a review.
Gemology (BMC Studios, $6.99) - Announced well over a year ago and now finally making its mark, this is a falling block puzzle game that aims to apply its own twists and reward patient players. We'll dig into this for review, while in the meantime you can learn a little more about it in our interview with the developer from last year.
Wii U Virtual Console
River City Ransom (Arc System Works, $4.99) — This attempts to blend basic beat 'em up action with some simple RPG elements, as you bash in faces while buying items to help you on your way. It's basic and linear but also a lot of fun, while local multiplayer is an option; we gave it a recommendation in our River City Ransom review.
Wii U eShop Temporary Discounts
Citizens of Earth (Atlus, on discount from 5th October until 19th October)
Spy Chameleon (EnjoyUp Games, on discount until 29th October)
Rock 'N Racing Off Road (EnjoyUp Games, on discount until 29th October)
Puzzle Monkeys (Log Games, $0.99 until 22nd October, normally $2.99)
Zumba Fitness: World Party (Majesco, $9.99 until 12th October, normally $29.99)
Midnight (Petite Games, $1.49 until 22nd October, normally $1.99)
Don't Crash (RCMADIAX, $1 until 14th October, normally $1.49)
Pixel Slime U (RCMADIAX, $2 until 14th October, normally $2.99)
Vector Assault (WizByte Games, $3.99 from 5th October to 30th October, normally $4.99)
Wii U eShop Permanent Discount
Stealth Inc 2: A Game of Clones (Curve Digital, $9.99, was $14.99)
3DS eShop
Chronus Arc (Kemco, $9.99) - A retro-styled RPG developed by Hit-Point Co., your team need to find mythical fragments for a once-a-decade event, which sounds like a pretty normal weekend. This looks promising in terms of its pixel-based visuals and a handy map on the touchscreen, and with class changes being joined by dungeon areas it could be a welcome dose of RPG gaming on the eShop. We'll see whether it's an adventure worth taking on in our review.
3DS eShop Temporary Discounts
Shin Megami Tensei IV (Atlus, $14.99 from 5th October until 19th October, normally $19.99)
Citizens of Earth(Atlus, on discount from 5th October until 19th October)
Tappingo (CIRCLE Entertainment, on discount until 22nd October)
European Conqueror 3D (CIRCLE Entertainment, on discount until 22nd October)
3DS eShop Permanent Discount
Battleminer (Wobbly Tooth, $5.99, was $7.99)
3DS HOME Theme
The Legend of Legacy: "The Chibi Adventurers"
That's the lot for North America this week. Let us know what you plan to download in the poll and comments below.
Comments 88
If Freedom Planet were $10, I'd give it a go. I'll be waiting for a sale.
I can't wait for 3D Sonic 2 next week!
I hope Freedom Planet has the discount when it comes out today.
Not interested in Freedom Planet, and according to the review Alice has bugs, which means nothing for me.
Another boring week full of crappy selections, lame. Nothing for me this week.
Once again, NOTHING!
Nothing. Looking forward to Dementium and Fatal Frame.
A few things I'll be waiting for reviews on, and might finally pick up Citzens of Earth on discount. Still mad at myself I didn't get a new eshop card at Best Buy a few weeks back when they were on sale.
Oh sweet. Freedom Planet! Anyone that is passing it up is definitely missing out. Especially if you like retro titles.
Will definitely be picking it up.
Awesome! A 3DS Virtual Console game....just kidding. As usual, nothing for me this week. I am wondering why I even bother to check anymore, Nintendo doesn't want my money!
Freedom Planet is very good for a retro style 2D platformer, I would definitely recommend it! It's too bad to hear the Wii U version may have some bugs, though. Anyone who likes older styles of JRPG would probably like Shin Megami Tensei 4, and $15 down from it's original $50 is a steal! (Not physical, though...) I haven't gotten around to finishing it yet, but I'm in the middle of it. Lots of interesting mythological and theological references.
3ds gets discounts, theme and the occasional game, while the wiiu owners get more. #foreversalty
No games for me. Next week I'll be charged for my preorder of Legend of Legacy which I am so looking forward to.
Freedom Planet! If I had a American Wii U. Hopefully a EU release will come soon.
Snooze.
TouchArcade gave the Chronus Arc iOS version a good ranking, so it might be work a look, otherwise this is a pretty lame 3DS list.
Still waiting for Nintendo to change its mind on GBA VC support — seriously, the original 3DS can handle it, and they proved it could handle it, so why is there still no GBA on the 3DS?!
Freedom Planet and River City Ransom for me. Been waiting on those for quite some time.
getting freedom planet, river city ransom and citizens of earth.
@GloryQuestor
I think it's because the original 3DS can't handle GBA games plus the 3DS UI extras but that shouldn't stop them from putting GBA and SNES games on the New 3DS.
Freedom Planet. They worked hard squashing those bugs, and probably aren't done yet. So lets play it soon, because I loved the demo. I'll try to make time for it.
Yikes 3 weeks with lackluster VC games. Cmon Nintendo...
FREEDOM PLANEEEEEET!!!!
@Crono1973 @Crono1973 the GBA can run SNES so that should not be a issue. They can make the 3DS more lite weight OS.By removeing features from the OS(like themes and folders and alot of junk)
@Chendo
River City Ransom is one of the best Nes games and a still great brawler. Unless you were typing about the 3DS in which case I get that statement.
Nothing. Null. Nadda. Never been thrilled by River City Ransom, and while there's certainly a variety of games on the Wii U this week, none of them really interest me.
Glad to see that it looks as though the 3DS eshop at least has a somewhat decent RPG coming today.
If you want something good on sale, give Spy Chameleon a chance. It's a fun little game.
Nothing again and again and again.....
Good thing I bought a Xbox One, now I have something to spend my money on.
@Crono1973 the old 3ds can handle gba games. The ambassador gba games were made available when there were no other 3ds models on the market . So yes, it can handle gba games its just obviously nintendo deciding its not a financially wrthwhile thing to do.
No Medabots means crap week for me.
Nothing for me. At least Sonic 2 will be available next week.
RCR for me so I can beat the snot out of many guys named Ferguson!
"BARF"
Nothing this week for me, though I did get around to buying Runbow yesterday and am thoroughly enjoying it. Aside from that if I didn't already have Citizens of Earth I would have bought that on this week's sale, such a great game.
Another Thursday, another week of nothing for me. At least Sonic 2 comes out next week.
Freedom planet.
Would give Chronus Arc a shot if it was 3-5$, not sure if it's worth the 10
I can't check the eshop right know, does Freedom Planet have a discount for those who downloaded the demo that was out during E3?
I might get Freedom Planet, since I did download the demo. I never took the time to play it though.
@HeroOfCybertron yes
@faint Thank's for the reply, I'll be downloading Freedom Planet later when I come home.
Definitely buying Freedom Planet. I was more than impressed with the demo.
Looks like it's gonna be a Sonic kinda month, what with Freedom Planet this week and Sonic 2 3D next week.
We'll see if Persona 4: Dancing All Night, Mario Maker, LBX and MGSV will let me play though.
I would try that 3DS rpg but Monster Hunter won't let me.
How much is Citizens of Earth discounted?
Did anyone buy Pumped BMX? I already have OlliOlli and I don't see the point of getting another, very similar game (at least it looks that way). The other games don't interest me.
Wow. There was a time when the 3DS could do no wrong. Time's up, I suppose.
Nothing. Awful week.
@Ralizah have an Wii-U? play Freedom Planet!
nothing, but I've got lots to play.
@Sergio151 I'd rather have amiibo than VC games, really...
@freaksloan That's what you said last week; frankly, I don't think anyone cares about your XBox One. I mean, it's not like Nintendo is gonna read your comment, and say, "Oh, no, one of our customers also plays one of our competitor's systems! We should start doing whatever they want!"
Finally, Freedom Planet!! Also, why happened to 3DS VC? Have they forgotten about it? Would be awesome if they returned with some Virtual Boy VC titles on 3DS
@bofis: Agreed. I doubt we will ever see VB titles on the 3DS VC though:(
3DS VC is dead, people. Just let it go.
@JaxonH How is persona dancing all night? I love music games and my vita is a paperweight right now so I could use a new game. Do you know if it works on the vita tv?
Guys, what really matters is that SMT IV has a discount. Get on it!
I'm shocked sometime a week or so ago I wrote an email to Kemco and asked them if they would consider bringing some RPG's to the 3DS Eshop. Now I know my letter had Nothing to do with Cronus Arc being released. But maybe Kemco is about to open the floodgates for us 3DS owners . I know I will enjoy it.
I use to get excited for Thursdays but now it's just another day.
Freedom planet is the best sonic game.
@Handy_Man I can!
@KnightRider666 yeah its pretty safe to say VC might be finished on 3DS. But kemco released a retro RPG today. Hopefully they open their RPG floodgates on 3DS. I guess Japan gets to keep those PCEngine games they have in their VC
No zero mission, no interest. Only other game I want is MMZ 4, and that won't come for a while, I think. If at all. The zero mission thing is ridiculous. It's already translated in english from the EU release, so what's the holdup??
@heyzeus002 Like I said, they want to be able to also run the VC UI and I've heard that it won't run GBA games with the UI added on.
The New 3DS should be able to do it though.
Freedom Planet, Alice, and I'm interested in Chronus Arc. I heard about the bugs in Alice, but I'm so starved for a decent point-and-click I may be able to overlook it. I had the FP preview, so I'll get that at a discount. Chronus Arc I heard about but still would like to see a review. The first thing that will be done though is downloading DLC pack #4 for SSB as soon as I get more cash.
River City Ransom and the new Smash stages over here. It would take really stellar reviews to convince me to get Freedom Planet because although I did enjoy the demo I already have an abundance of platformers in my backlog.
Yesterday I saw a guy with a freedom planet t-shirt on, I guess it was a sign of good things. Can't wait to download!
@KickButt_Gaming
River City Ransom is awesome! Great memories with this game!!
VoxelMaker is also tempting me. I've been wanting to make Trains and train stations for Cube Creator but I think this would serve that kind of creation better
Freedom Planet is a great game. If I hadn't already played it on Steam I'd get it for Wii U. It felt like it belonged on a Nintendo (or Sega) console.
@Ryu_Niiyama
It hath resurrected my Vita from a cold, dead slab to breathing life again!
Persona 4: Dancing All Night surprised me. It's a really great rhythm game, even better than actual rhythm games, and with the benefit of a good Persona story. In fact they did such a great job of writing the plot that it doesn't even seem strange to be dancing off against monsters lol.
Sleeper hit all the way- a real gem.
Currently wish I had a US Wii U just to play Freedom Planet. Even though I've played through it several times on Steam I wanna play it on a console so badly. Its a true labour of love of action platformers of the 16 & 32 Bit eras with one of the greatest soundtracks I've listened to.
I hope for a good review to entice more people to give it a shot. The demo was fun but personally it really is the subsequent levels that brings out the best in the game. Plus with hours of content its worth $15 in my opinion.
@JaxonH If only there wasn't so much plot (plodding, even, given I keep shouting, "Isn't this obvious?" to their winding deductions...only for there to me something else I overlooked that the script brings up) between dances. Got through the first team split, but then some freeplay last night, in which I saw a stage and boss before seeing them in-story. Whoops.
But, ah, as for Ninty systems? I'm obscenely strapped at the moment, but Freedom Planet if I have particularly excess cash, having played previously on Steam. River City Ransom being out, with co-op support, also catches my eye.
@Windy: Yeah it looks that way. I'm pretty ticked off about that too. At least We're getting Sonic 2 3D next week:) I'm going to wait for a review and maybe a price drop on that new rpg. I just started playing Bravely Default about 2 weeks ago, I'm hooked. Hope you're doing well brother.
Seems like a good week. I'm enjoying the Legend of Legacy demo quite a bit, but I will have to look into Chronus Arc, I hadn't heard of it.
@KnightRider666 Doing good I've actually been playing a lot of Wii-U lately. I picked up Year Walk and Lone Survivor both excellent games. It's weird but I'm liking what Indies have to offer on Wii-U more so than what we are getting retail. However Zenoblade will definitely change that for quite a while.. I'm also waiting on Final Fantasy Explorers in January for 3DS . It bums me out to lno end that Nintendo has no interest in VC for 3DS and that they don't listen to gamers on these boards every week begging for VC games. I'm still waiting for PCEngine games to be ported over here on VC but I think that ship has sailed with Konami going the way of the dodo.
Freedom Planet definitely has that classic Sonic feel. I'll be giving it a go for sure.
It's already translated in english from the EU release, so what's the holdup??
...VC games don't need translating again. Its already in english from the original cartridge release. Nintendo of America are likely saving it for a specific time, maybe Christmas Eve.
The virtual console for Wii u continues to suck ass!! Thanks NOA!! I'm all pumped up for River City....😡 Should be 99 cents!
Someday Nintendo might release something of interest to me
Unless they release Style Savvy 3 in the USA, I'm actually never buying any more Nintendo games ever again. I got the last good one (Animal Crossing Happy Home Designer), so I'm done now.
@Kiyata_Hamasaki No Zelda U? If you're going out you might as well do it with a bang.
Freedom Planet looks so godawful. The absolute worst Sonic-pandering fanwank I've ever seen. It looks like it was made by a 15 year old with a forum handle like "BlaztedgexXthexXFoxwolfhog" or something.
@Kiyata_Hamasaki It's like you actively try to avoid having good taste.
Japan could be completely wiped off the face of earth and they'd still get more VC games than NOA ever will.
has anybody noticed that the legend of legacy home theme isn't on the theme shop yet?
I have no money right now to buy games so I'll just have to enjoy my Happy Home Designer for now.
Pokefanmum82 - I can't find the legend of legacy home theme either. I looked through every damn page in the theme shop. A search function would be nice!
@Superryanworld ehh I never wanted/bought a Wii U. Just play 3ds and DS.
@MrRight on the contrary. I have over 500 games between just my DS and 3DS, not to mention what I have across other systems. And yes I really said 500. I've been gaming longer than most people's parents have been alive lol.
@Kiyata_Hamasaki I didn't say anything about how many games you own or how long you pretend you've been gaming, I said you have bad taste.
Pretend. Ha! If you only knew. Lol. Just because I don't like the garbage that some people do, does not invalidate my 38 year history of gaming.
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