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Theatrhythm Curtain Call trailer shows off Type-0 scenarios
Nintendo 3DS rhythm game Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call will feature content culled from the lost (to the western world) PSP Final Fantasy spinoff Final Fantasy Type-0, Square Enix revealed this week. Curtain Call includes playable characters and tracks from Type-0 ahead of its upgraded North American debut, and PAX Prime attendees can pick up a set of exclusive Type-0 CollectaCards at Square Enix's booth this weekend. Theatrhythm Curtain Call premieres on September 16. [Video: Square Enix]
Azure Striker Gunvolt includes free Mighty No. 9 crossover minigame
Players who hop on the Azure Striker Gunvolt bandwagon when it launches in the 3DS eShop next week will receive a free bonus minigame that features a playable character from fellow Keiji Inafune project Mighty No. 9. Mighty Gunvolt is a five-level, NES-styled platformer starring Azure Striker's Gunvolt, Mighty No. 9 main character Beck, and Ekoro, a supporting character from developer Inti Creates' Japan-only rail shooter Gal*Gun. Players who purchase Azure Striker Gunvolt within its first three months of release will receive a download code for Mighty Gunvolt once it premieres in the 3DS eShop. Azure Striker Gunvolt launches digitally in North America on August 29.
New Nintendo eShop releases: Mega Man 6, Blazblue Clone Phantasma
Mega Mega Mega Man, he's up on the eff- okay, yes, that's the Mega Man 2 theme a la Brentalfloss, but he's not done one for Mega Man 6, the NES platformer out on Wii U Virtual Console this week. Of course, in the musical maestro's opinion Mega Man 6 is "okay." How's that for a recommendation? At least it's better than 7, we almost hear him sing. Oh, also on Wii U Virtual Console this week is Gradius spin-off Life Force, if you're looking for something retro in a more co-op flavor. Meanwhile, with Disney Infinity 2.0 still out of reach, Nintendo's getting things simmering by bringing OG Disney Infinity to the eShop for the first time, for free. You'll still need a physical figure and base to play it, though. As for the 3DS, we reckon top dog this week is Blazblue Clone Phantasma. Nope, not Blazblue Chrono Phantasma, but a 3D action game spinoff of the fighter series. The cast of characters are still there but hyper-deformed and cute, even if they're still beating the bejeezus out of each other. As always, you'll find the full list of new releases past the break. Sales-wise there are nine new discounts starting this week, which we'd say qualifies as plenty. We refer you to The Big N's press release for the full list, but we like the look of a third off Aeternoblade at $10 and Chasing Aurora half-price at $4.
Dolphin Up is a Wii U aquatic stunt sim with a porpoise in life
Science tells us that dolphins are the smartest creatures of the sea, but video games tell us they'll put down the calculus textbooks in the pursuit of big air. Dolphin Up is an upcoming Wii U downloadable that shows us just how graceful the dolphin can be, with multi-flip jumps, dangerous tricks and air so big it takes our fusiform friend up through the atmosphere and into the firework rings of space. Because video games. If you recognize Dolphin Up, that's probably because you've already seen it or played it on iOS and Android. Rawkins Games says the Wii U version features everything found in the mobile version and optimizes it for TV and GamePad fun and frolics. There's no concrete release date as yet, but the game's targeted to surface some time in September. Take a dip in a new trailer below the break.
Azure Striker Gunvolt zaps 3DS eShop August 29
Inti Creates announced that its Mega Man-inspired side-scroller Azure Striker Gunvolt is primed for a North American eShop release on August 29, arriving stateside shortly after its Japanese debut. A European release featuring French, Italian, German and Spanish-language text is also in the works. Developer Inti Creates previously revealed that it was nixing localized voice acting in a bid for a near-simultaneous global launch. Azure Striker Gunvolt will be priced at $14.99 when it hits the 3DS eShop later this month. [Image: Inti Creates]
New Nintendo eShop releases: Mega Man BC Challenge, Double Dragon 2
Capcom continues its quest to roll out a new Mega Man game in the eShop every week in August with Mega Man Battle Chip Challenge, a GBA-exclusive spinoff in the Battle Network subseries. Battle Chip Challenge joins the Wii U's eShop catalog this week alongside recently released series entries Mega Man 5 and Mega Man Battle Network. Retrogaming fans can also get their hands on the NES version of Double Dragon 2 via the Wii U's Virtual Console service this week. Double Dragon 2 arrives with its two-player option intact, but please be considerate if you have friendly fire enabled -- your partner probably won't be too happy if an errant whirlwind kick ends them flying off a cliff. Nintendo has more NES classics in store for the Wii U eShop by the end of the month, including Konami's Gradius follow-up Life Force and Donkey Kong Jr. Math, an early 8-bit release that commands a surprisingly high price on eBay despite its formulaic gameplay. Other Wii U eShop highlights this week include Ubiquitous Entertainment's vertically scrolling shoot'em-up Gaiabreaker and PhobosLab's twin-stick shooter XType Plus. while 3DS owners can look forward to Collavier's action-puzzler Amida's Path and a demo version of the upcoming Cooking Mama 5: Bon Appétit! A full list of this week's featured games is after the break below.
Protect Me Knight sequel coming to Japanese 3DS eShop in September
Japanese indie studio Ancient revealed that a sequel to its retro-styled multiplayer party game Protect Me Knight will hit the Nintendo 3DS eShop in Japan in September. Co-founded by noted game music composer Yuzo Koshiro (Streets of Rage, ActRaiser), Ancient's previous credits include the 1991 Sega Game Gear version of Sonic the Hedgehog. The studio launched Protect Me Knight for the Xbox Live Indie Games service in 2010, offering a blend of multiplayer-focused action, tower defense, and character-building RPG. The 3DS sequel, Minna de Mamotte Knight, introduces a pair of new playable characters, and translated details via NeoGAF indicate that the game will feature "about ten times" as much content as its XBLIG predecessor. Ancient hopes to release Minna de Mamotte Knight overseas, but a localized version has not yet been announced. [Video: Ancient]
Super Mario Kart races onto North American Wii U eShop
Super Mario Kart has appeared on the Nintendo eShop for the Wii U Virtual Console. The great-great-great-great-great-grandfather to the very popular Mario Kart 8 was spotted by NeoGAF and confirmed by Joystiq earlier today. The game still features its splitscreen 2-player mode, and can be purchased for $7.99. Wii U owners, you maybe begin to rev your nostalgia-powered engines. [Image: Nintendo]
New Nintendo eShop releases: Mega Man Battle Network, Steel Empire
The Nintendo eShop brings us multiple blasts from the past this week, as the Nintendo 3DS hosts a remade 16-bit shoot-'em-up while the Wii U nabs a classic Mega Man game. Capcom's Mega Man Battle Network joins the Wii U's Virtual Console lineup today, introducing the 2001 Game Boy Advance RPG spinoff to a new generation of players. Other Wii U eShop games premiering this week include the arcade-style shooter XType Plus, logic puzzler IQ Test, and Frederic: Resurrection of Music, a story-heavy rhythm game starring a reanimated Frederic Chopin. 3DS owners can expect to see the kid-friendly action game Lego Ninjago: Nindroids, slicing puzzler Tangram Attack, and Steel Empire, a remake of a steampunk-themed shoot-'em-up originally released for the Sega Genesis. Looking for 3DS deals? Starting today, you can pick up Sweet Memories: Blackjack for 30 percent off ($2.79), WAKEDAS for 34 percent off ($1.99), and Darts Up 3D for 67 percent off (99 cents) through August 20. A full list of this week's releases is available after the break.
Europe gets long-detained Shin Megami Tensei 4 at cut price
Shin Megami Tensei 4 is priced just £18 or 20 euros in Europe, around half the region's typical asking price for 3DS games. The Atlus RPG cost $50 when it launched stateside last year, so it seems the lower price is a proverbial olive branch to fans frustrated by the wait. Atlus also revealed that all the DLC - minus the pre-order bonus armors offered by various North American retailers - will be available when the game hit Europe this September. At the reduced price and going by our four-star review, Shin Megami Tensei 4 looks a steal for European JRPG fans. As Joystiq's Susan Arendt put it, "It eases you into the gameplay without babying you, giving you the tools you need to succeed and enjoy your adventure while still providing a hefty challenge. It's not the prettiest thing you'll ever pop into your 3DS, and the story isn't the series' strongest, but Shin Megami Tensei 4 will demand your full attention every step of the way."
New Nintendo eShop releases: Siesta Fiesta, Wooden Sen'Sey, Master Reboot
As we're still stuck in the July drought of major new releases, now's as good a time as any to check out some of the smaller games hitting systems. The Wii U has a few such games this week, including some that have made the journey from other platforms. If you like the sound of sci-fi first-person horror, Master Reboot's exploration of uploading consciousness may be for you. If you'd prefer something lighter, Wooden Sen'Sey promises action-platforming with "Japan Steam Rock" humor - y'know, like all those Japanese Steam Rock sitcoms. Both games are also available on PC, and PS3 too for Master Reboot. The game that catches our eye this week, though, is on 3DS, and it's Siesta Fiesta. It looks like Breakout combined with the colorful, over-cheery craziness of games like Rayman and LocoRoco, and it's definitely the season for something like that. As ever, faithful readers of this weekly post, you'll find the full list of new releases below the break. That just leaves new sales to talk about: Trine 2 is 60 percent off - that's down from $20 to $8 - until August 12, while Atlus games Devil Survivor Overclocked ($15), Shin Megami Tensei: Soul Hackers ($15), Shin Megami Tensei 4 ($24) and Code of Princess ($15) are all on sale until August 4.
Wii U update adds system-to-system transfers
Wii U owners can proverbially move home from one system to another using a new feature introduced in the latest system update. The 5.1.0 U firmware adds "Transfer Between Wii U Systems," allowing you to take all system data - user data, games and saves included - from the original console and move it onto the new one. The most important things you'll need to switch Wii Us are a SD card capable of holding all the data, and both systems to hand, fully updated and each with a GamePad attached. If you don't have your original Wii U, you'll need to contact Nintendo support. Also, be aware the transfer formats the new system before transferring data across, and also formats the original after the process. So when it's over you'll have your new Wii U with all your old Wii U data on it and nothing else, while the old Wii U will be a blank slate. For more info, check out Nintendo's detailed instructions. Finally, if you - like us - get frustrated with having to relocate the GamePad when visiting the eShop, those woes are over now. Yes, the update also introduces eShop browsing using other peripherals including the Wii Remote, Wii U Pro Controller and Classic Controller. [Image: Nintendo]
PSA: Nintendo eShop undergoing maintenance today
Nintendo's Wii U and 3DS eShop services are intermittently down this evening until 5:00 p.m. Pacific (8:00 p.m. Eastern), the company noted in an update on its network status and maintenance site. Additionally, the Wii Shopping Channel and Nintendo DSi Shop will be down at that time. Today's maintenance on Nintendo platforms affects all services on Wii U and 3DS for a five minute period at 2:30 p.m. Pacific (5:30 p.m. Eastern). Likely, that brief interruption is over by the time you, dear friends, are reading this. So while it'll be a little longer before you can browse the eShop, you may resume your online Mario Kart 8 races. [Image: Nintendo]
Report: Bayonetta bundle split into two purchases on eShop
Are your shelves so stuffed with movies, books and games that they can't fit even one more case? Are you dismayed that, despite Bayonetta 2 for the Wii U bundling a copy of the original Bayonetta into a single package, you simply have nowhere to put the thing? Fret no more, good sirs and madams, for the Nintendo eShop is here for you! According to a statement given by a Nintendo rep to NintendoWorldReport, this miracle elixir digital store will offer both Bayonetta and Bayonetta 2 as individual purchases. And while those looking for the complete Bayonetta experience will need to make separate purchases, buying both will cost the same as if you had picked up a physical copy. However, neither game's digital version has been given an official pricetag just yet. It's okay; these things take time. Say, about three months' worth of time? Bayonetta 2 hits the Wii U this October. [Image: Nintendo]
Soon Shine to tap out ghosts on the Wii U eShop
Being attacked by a relentless flood of ghosts can be a bit of a hassle, but when they're susceptible to a good tap and you're armed with a stylus, there's a pretty promising way out of the situation. Wii U owners can start containing the problem when Soon Shine reaches the eShop for $1.99, with developer Dahku Creations planning on a mid-August launch for the Americas. Soon Shine is a score-driven challenge played with just the GamePad's touch screen. While players handle incoming spirits, they'll need to switch between the powers of the sun and moon by flipping the medallion the ghosts are advancing toward. Judging by the above trailer, certain types of ghosts seem to be stalled depending on which side of the medallion is showing. There are powerup-esque tokens to be purchased and used as well. If only we could control the sun and moon in real life. McDonalds would only ever serve breakfast, we'd never have to wait for games to come out, and we would undoubtedly break the integral, orbit-related laws of our galaxy. [Image: Dahku Creations]
Azure Striker Gunvolt drops English voices, hitting Japan August 20
Inti Creates' Mega Man-inspired side-scroller Azure Striker Gunvolt will not feature English-language voice acting when it hits the 3DS eShop in North America later this year, the game's official Twitter account confirmed this week. Citing a last-minute change in product specifications, Gunvolt's development team revealed that Japanese voice acting will replace a planned English-language dub during battle scenes. The decision was made in order to ensure a quicker worldwide release, as additional localization would result in a delayed launch overseas. Azure Striker Gunvolt will hit the Japanese eShop on August 20. A North American release date has not been announced. [Image: Inti Creates]
New Nintendo eShop releases: Strike Force Foxx, Mr. Driller 2
It's one of those weeks on the eShop where the headline covers two-thirds of the new releases. The missing part of the triforce? Collavier Corporation's Comic Workshop, a game that doesn't, sadly, teach you how to become the next Kevin Hart. There's not much to say about the other two games, really. Mr. Driller 2 keeps the Game Boy Advance train advancing along with its diggable puzzling, while Strike Force Foxx harkens back to 1982 classic Choplifter, albeit with a villain wearing underwear on his head.
This year's Club Nintendo elite rewards are all downloadable games
Marking a change from the calendars, posters and other Nintendoodads, the 2014 Club Nintendo elite rewards for North America are all downloadable games. While that'll disappoint some of you, as a European I have to note on our side of the ocean it's all physical - and personally, not the most appealing selection either. So if you want to swap places... well, we can't, but you get the drift. As before, qualifying Platinum members can have their pick of one Gold or one Platinum gift, while Gold members have to make do with the golden selection. If I were so lucky, I'd pick one of Game & Wario, Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D, Dr. Luigi and Earthbound from the Platinum games. On the Gold side, I'm totally in the mood for some Zelda 2. Sigh.
New Nintendo eShop releases: One Piece Unlimited World Red, Bases Loaded
Just five new releases on the eShop in North America this week, and ... nope, not one of them is Pokemon Trading Card Game. Sorry, Poke-trainers, the 3DS Virtual Console port of the Game Boy Color classic is staying in Europe for now, it seems. So, what's on the menu? Well, One Piece Unlimited World Red is out on Wii U and 3DS this week, as well as PS3 and Vita. If you're planning on getting it on Wii U, don't bother heading to the mall because that version is only on the eShop. If you'd prefer something with less anime, more baseball, and altogether fewer pixels, why sir or madam you're in luck! That's because NES baseball sim Bases Loaded is also on its way to both Nintendo systems. For the full list of new releases (all five of them), head on below the break. Finally, if you're after sales, new ones are start today for Jett Rocket 2 ($9 to $5), Swords & Soldiers 3D (half-price at $4) and Witch & Hero (30 percent off $4).
Kirby: Triple Deluxe mini-games transform into standalones in Japan
Nintendo is releasing two Kirby: Triple Deluxe mini-games as standalone downloadables in Japan, including the Smash Bros-like Kirby Fighters Z. The eShop sucks in the multiplayer fighter along with rhythm platformer DeDeDe's Drum Dash on July 23, priced 750 yen each (around $7.38.) It's not known if Nintendo will spit them out onto Western 3DS systems. A Nintendo of Europe spokesperson told Joystiq "nothing has been announced for Europe to date so there's nothing further we can share at the current time." To check out trailers for the new standalones, roll on past the break.
