Azure Striker Gunvolt

It's that time again, North American gamers, as we learn what download treats will be joining the eShop stores today. There's plenty on offer, too, with enticing new titles on both Wii U and 3DS, alongside a range of DLC and discounts. There's a lot to consider, so let's get on with it.

Missed the European Nintendo Download Update earlier in the week? Don't panic! The details are right here.

Wii U eShop

SteamWorld Dig (Image & Form, $9.99 / $10.99CAD) — The 3DS eShop favourite finally hits the Wii U this week, with improved visuals and animation contributing to the enhancement of the excellent exploration title. With a great soundtrack and impressive gameplay hook this joins the list of must-haves on the Wii U's store, as our SteamWorld Dig review explains.

The Fall (Over The Moon, $9.99 / $9.99CAD) — Released earlier this week, this is a retro-styled 2D exploration adventure title that draws heavy inspiration from Super Metroid. We'll see whether it lives up to its potential in our upcoming review.

Wii U Virtual Console

Mega Man X3 (Capcom, $7.99 / $7.99CAD) — The final entry in Capcom's Mega Man August extravaganza, this is the first appearance of this third X title on Nintendo's Virtual Console platform, having skipped the Wii. We can expect more of the X brand moveset and stylish visuals, and we'll let you know what we think in our upcoming review.

Donkey Kong Jr. Math (Nintendo, $4.99 / $4.99CAD) — Be afraid, it's retro edutainment. It may not be the most exciting idea but can have its uses, though control issues meant we gave this a damning appraisal in our Wii Virtual Console Donkey Kong Jr. Math review; we'll crunch some numbers for another review.

Wii U DLC

Mario Kart 8 (Nintendo, free) — The modern Mercedes-Benz GLA, the 300 SL Roadster from the 1950s and the legendary Silver Arrow of the 1930s will be added as available DLC following the game's update on 27th August.

Zen Pinball 2 (Zen Studio) — Details listed below, all of these tables have a free trial available.

  • The Walking Dead — $2.99
  • Doctor Strange — $2.99
  • Deadpool — $2.99
  • Guardians of the Galaxy — $2.99

Wii U eShop Permanent Discount

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Blacklist (Ubisoft, $19.99 / $19.99CAD from 1st September, used to be $39.99 / $39.99CAD)

Wii U eShop Temporary Discounts — Capcom

Dungeons & Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara (Capcom, $6.75 / $6.75CAD until 4th September, normally $14.99 / $14.99CAD)

DuckTales: Remastered (Capcom, $7.49 / $7.49CAD until 4th September, normally $14.99 / $14.99CAD)

Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate (Capcom, $15.99 / $15.99CAD until 4th September, normally $39.99 / £39.99CAD)

Resident Evil Revelations (Capcom, $19.99 / $19.99CAD until 4th September, normally $49.99 / $49.99CAD)

Street Fighter II: The World Warrior (Capcom, $4.99 / $4.99CAD until 4th September, normally $7.99 / $7.99CAD)

Super Street Fighter II: The New Challengers (Capcom, $4.99 / $4.99CAD until 4th September, normally $7.99 / $7.99CAD)

Street Fighter II' Turbo: Hyper Fighting (Capcom, $4.99 / $4.99CAD until 4th September, normally $7.99 / $7.99CAD)

Street Fighter Alpha 2 (Capcom, $4.99 / $4.99CAD until 4th September, normally $7.99 / $7.99CAD)

3DS eShop

Azure Striker Gunvolt (Inti Creates, $14.99 / $15.99CAD) — There's plenty of excitement around this 2D action title, with stylish visuals, a retro style and the input of Keiji Inafune all prompting optimism. We'll get cracking on a review, while those that pick up this game also receive the spin-off Mighty Gunvolt for free.

Thorium Wars: Attack of the Skyfighter (Big John Games, $7.99 / $7.99CAD) — A follow-up to the thoroughly enjoyable DSiWare original, this is an aerial combat action title that can perhaps scratch a little of that retro-styled Star Fox itch. Solid controls and arcade fun are only a little undermined by its brevity, but we gave this a recommendation in our Thorium Wars: Attack of the Skyfighter review.

Outback Pet Rescue 3D (TREVA Entertainment, $19.99 / $19.99CAD) — You run an animal rescue station in Australia, tasked with rescuing, caring for and managing various animals from the country. It's jostling with plenty of other pet-sims / resource management titles, and we'll see whether this one makes its mark or not.

3DS Retail Download

Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (Nintendo, $29.99 / $34.99CAD) — This much anticipated mash-up of the Level-5 and Capcom franchises finally arrives in North America, combining puzzle solving and exploration with courtroom drama. A relatively lengthy story with free DLC on the way combines for a fun and charming experience on 3DS, as we explained in our Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney review.

3DS eShop Temporary Discounts

Super Little Acorns 3D Turbo (Pixel Toys, $3.95 from 3rd September to 24th September, normally $7.99)

Soccer Up 3D (EnjoyUp Games, $1.99 / $1.99CAD until 17th September, normally $6.99 / $6.99CAD)

3DS eShop Temporary Discounts — Capcom

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies (Capcom, $17.99 / $17.99CAD until 4th September, normally $29.99 / $29.99CAD)

Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate (Capcom, $19.99 / $19.99CAD until 4th September, normally $39.99 / $39.99CAD)

Resident Evil Revelations (Capcom, $8.99 / $8.99CAD until 4th September, normally $19.99 / $19.99CAD)

Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D (Capcom, $8.99 / $8.99CAD until 4th September, normally $19.99 / $19.99CAD)

Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition (Capcom, $9.99 / $9.99CAD until 4th September, normally $19.99 / $19.99CAD)


A substantial selection this week in North America, undoubtedly. Let us know what you plan to download in the poll and comments below.

What will you be downloading first this week? (360 votes)

  1. SteamWorld Dig (Wii U eShop)7%
  2. The Fall (Wii U eShop)4%
  3. Mega Man X3 (Wii U Virtual Console)6%
  4. Donkey Kong Jr. Math(Wii U Virtual Console)  0.6%
  5. Mario Kart 8 (free DLC)17%
  6. Zen Pinball 2 - The Walking Dead (Wii U eShop)2%
  7. Zen Pinball 2 - Deadpool (Wii U eShop)  0.3%
  8. Zen Pinball 2 - Guardians of the Galaxy (Wii U eShop)1%
  9. Zen Pinball 2 - Doctor Strange (Wii U eShop)  0%
  10. Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Blacklist (Wii U eShop permanent discount)  0.8%
  11. Dungeons & Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara (Wii U eShop temporary discount)1%
  12. DuckTales Remastered (Wii U eShop temporary discount)2%
  13. Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate (Wii U eShop temporary discount)2%
  14. Resident Evil Revelations (Wii U eShop temporary discount)  0%
  15. Street Fighter II: The World Warrior (Wii U eShop temporary discount)  0%
  16. Super Street Fighter II: The New Challengers (Wii U eShop temporary discount)  0.8%
  17. Street Fighter II' Turbo: Hyper Fighting (Wii U eShop temporary discount)  0.8%
  18. Street Fighter Alpha 2 (Wii U eShop temporary discount)  0%
  19. Azure Striker Gunvolt (3DS eShop)27%
  20. Thorium Wars: Attack of the Skyfighter (3DS eShop)1%
  21. Outback Pet Rescue 3D (3DS eShop)  0.3%
  22. Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (3DS retail download)5%
  23. Super Little Acorns 3D Turbo (3DS eShop Temporary Discount)  0.3%
  24. Soccer Up 3D (3DS eShop Temporary Discount)  0.3%
  25. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies (3DS eShop Temporary Discount)5%
  26. Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate (3DS eShop Temporary Discount)  0.8%
  27. Resident Evil Revelations (3DS eShop Temporary Discount)1%
  28. Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D1%
  29. Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition1%
  30. Nothing for me this week10%

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