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Etrian Odyssey 4, Untold $20 each on eShop this week
We knew there was an eShop sale on the way for the Etrian Odyssey 3DS games, and now we know the discounts. EO4: Legends of the Titan and EO Untold: The Millennium Girl are each going for half-price at $20, and that sale runs through until Monday, May 19. Atlus' dungeon-mapping series has enjoyed a strong start on 3DS. New entry EO4 took four stars in our review, which praised the RPG for being accessible while retaining the series' core values. Meanwhile, EO Untold is a remake of the first Etrian Odyssey, but with enough "tedium-reducing improvements" to also earn four stars. While it's an entry in another franchise, Etrian Odyssey fans will see the series' dungeon-crawling elements return in upcoming 3DS game Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth. [Image: Atlus]
Pokemon Art Academy opens Euro branch in July [Update: NA this fall]
Pokemon Art Academy brings Skitty-sketching to Europe in two months' time, when the 3DS game hits the region's store shelves and eShop on July 4. The game that's putting the art into Articuno provides step-by-step lessons for drawing 40 Pokemon, as tutored by the probably white-coat wearing Professor Andy. To be honest, we don't know if Skitty's one of those 40 - sorry - but Pikachu, Oshawott, Charizard, Fletchling, Fennekin and Torchic definitely are. Maybe Skitty's one of the 100 templates artists can reference in Free Paint mode, and if it's not you can scan in an image of the critter or whatever you so wish using the 3DS camera. And when you're done etching your Fletchlings, you can share your creations via Miiverse. Update: Nintendo confirmed Pokemon Art Academy launches in North America this fall, and it'll be available on the eShop and at physical retailers. [Image: Nintendo]
Moon Chronicles makes contact with 3DS eShop on May 15
The first chapter of Moon Chronicles, Renegade Kid's episodic, visually-upgraded remake of its 2009 first-person shooter for the DS, will make contact with the 3DS eShop on May 15. The game's official Twitter account transmitted the release date's signal this week, reminding us that the first portion of the 3D-enabled Moon Chronicles will cost $8.99. If the initial chapter's price is a bit steep to you, know that three additional DLC chapters will be offered for $1.99 apiece. Each episode carries four chapters of the original game, with the base $8.99 offering also including six VR missions. If the incoming content is received well enough, Renegade Kid has plans to offer a second season's worth sometime next year, with all-new content taking place after the original game's story. [Image: Renegade Kid]
Diggable platformer Shovel Knight looks ready to resurface
Retro-inspired platformer Shovel Knight was lurking underground after developer Yacht Club Games delayed it two months ago. However, the studio says it's done polishing the game to satisfaction, and it now has a final build that's it's hopefully ready to submit and perhaps imminently release. We've reached out to Yacht Club to find out when to expect the game on Wii U, 3DS, and Steam. If you hadn't already guessed, Shovel Knight takes its inspiration from classic 2D platformers like Castlevania and Mega Man. The game even has its own roster of knightly bosses and themed stages, including the likes of Propeller Knight, Mole Knight and Tinker Knight. We're keeping our fingers crossed for the reveal of Saturday Knight Fever. [Image: Yacht Club Games]
Capcom schedules month of Mega Man on Virtual Console
Mega Man fans voted and Capcom has planned accordingly - the schedule for the eShop's month-long marathon of portable Mega Man games has been revealed. Priority in the release order was granted according to the number of votes received from fans, with the most anticipated games arriving first. Beyond the exception of next week's double dose of Mega Man 2 and Mega Man 3, a new title will be released on the eShop each week in the month of May. If you're ready to see more of the Blue Bomber on your 3DS, Mega Man Xtreme already kicked the event off this week. Xtreme is priced at $4.99, with the incoming slew of numerical Mega Man entries expected to run for $3.99 each. [Image: Capcom, Nintendo]
Stealth Inc 2 announced as a 'Wii U exclusive,' out this year
Curve Studios announced it's working on a sequel to sneaky platformer Stealth Inc, but the real surprise is that it's coming to Wii U later this year as an "exclusive." The original game, Stealth Bastard Deluxe, grew from a spare time project into a fully-fledged PC release that made the jump to PS3, Vita and PS4 as Stealth Inc: A Clone in the Dark. The game won fans with its mix of stealth and fast-paced puzzle platforming, all with a dollop of dark humor. It's been downloaded more than a million times across all platforms, and yet that doesn't include Wii U. As such, it's a bit of Curve-ball for Stealth Inc 2 to launch on Nintendo's console alone. Speaking to Joystiq, Curve Digital CEO Jason Perkins and Stealth Inc creator Jonathan Biddle explained Curve learned a lot from working with Nintendo before; Curve developed WiiWare game Fluidity and 3DS follow-up Fluidity: Spin Cycle. The studio's also mindful of the contingent of fans who know Curve from those games. [Image: Curve Digital]
Capcom's GameBoy Advance hits coming to Wii U
Say what you will of Nintendo's Wii U, but the Virtual Console grows increasingly intriguing with word that Capcom is working to bring its slate of GameBoy Advance games to the retro emulation service. Recently, Capcom confirmed to IGN that both Blue and White versions of Mega Man Battle Network 3 would grace the Virtual Console, before noting that the two games are not the extent of Capcom's plans for the digital distribution service. "We are working on bringing this and other GBA titles to the North American Virtual Console," Capcom said. "We'll have more information about the lineup in the coming months. For Australia and Europe, we are still in discussions about the release of Virtual Console titles for those markets." Though Capcom's impromptu reveal makes no mention of which GameBoy Advance games might land on the Virtual Console, the company has a respectable complement to choose from. Street Fighter Alpha 3 and Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney are just two of the games Capcom released for the handheld during its lifespan, and fans would be happy to see either appear on the Wii U's eShop. Capcom also developed the excellent (if largely overlooked) The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap, which would be perfectly suited for re-release given that Nintendo served as the game's original publisher. When contacted, Capcom offered us no comment on potential Virtual Console releases, but did state that more information would be coming soon. [Image: Nintendo]
The Denpa Men 3 debuts May 8, demo coming next week
Genius Sonority's AR-enhanced dungeon crawler The Denpa Men 3: Rise of the Digitoll is due to arrive in North America and Europe on May 8 via the Nintendo 3DS eShop, Nintendo announced this week. Released in 2012, The Denpa Men is a turn-based RPG in which players pluck party members from invisible Wi-Fi hotspots using the 3DS's camera. A sequel, The Denpa Men 2: Beyond the Waves, hit the eShop shortly thereafter, adding online multiplayer battles to the mix. A demo version of The Denpa Men 3 will hit the eShop on May 1. Players will be able to transfer their demo progress to the full version upon its launch. [Image: Nintendo]
Stick it to the Man, Picross e4 penciled in for eShop next week
Stick it to the Man and Picross e4 are coming to the Wii U and 3DS respectively as part of next week's eShop update. Both games arrive in North America on May 1, which means Picross e4 misses its target April window by a day. Don't worry, we've already alerted the authorities. Meanwhile, Europe gets Stick it to the Man on the same day, but the continent has to wait until May 22 for Picross e4. Written by Adventure Time comic author Ryan North, Stick it to the Man stars a dude who reads minds using a pink spaghetti arm that pops out of his head. So, a bit like Professor X but with less Patrick Stewart and more pink spaghetti arm. If you fancy Stick it to the Man on Wii U, it'll set you back $10 in North America and £7/8 euros across the pond. If you're a PS4 owner and a Plus subscriber, you can pick up Zoink's 2D adventure as a Plus freebie when it hits Europe on April 30 and North America on May 6. Alternatively, it's already available on PC. Moving onto Picross e4, the latest batch of gridded criss-cross features more than 150 puzzles, including new 20x15 whoppers. As for the hard numbers, it'll set you back $6 in North America, and £4.50/5 euros in Europe. [Image: Ripstone]
New Nintendo eShop releases: NES Remix 2, Child of Light, Yoshi's Island GBA
This week's eShop update is a big tease. NES Remix 2? Not out 'til tomorrow. Child of Light? Next week, on April 29. At least you can play Mario Golf: World Tour today - in a demo. As for what's launching today, there's the last of April's Game Boy Advance games in Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3, and a few other bits and bobs too - as ever, we've got the full list of new releases after the break. Finally, there's also a new two-week sale on Joindots' games, including Secret Agent Files: Miami and 3D MahJongg. [Image: Ubisoft]
NES Remix 2 review: Once more, with feeling
Trial gauntlets like the NES Remix series have a tough balance to strike. They need to nail their core concept – in NES Remix's case, slicing classic games into brief, enjoyable challenges – but they also need to be compelling enough to keep players from saying "I wish I was playing the original." That's exactly what I was saying through all of the first NES Remix, which haphazardly chopped a few of my childhood favorites into anguishing mini-game collections and paired its hack job with a mediocre game selection. NES Remix 2 is different, though. Instead of making me fumble with dated controls and wonder if anyone truly finds the NES version of Pinball enjoyable in the modern age, NES Remix 2 mostly recalls the highlights of the NES. Exchanging the likes of Clu Clu Land and Wrecking Crew for games like Punch-Out!! and Kirby's Adventure feels like a massive upgrade, and even the inclusion of NES Open Tournament Golf doesn't diminish that.
Cave Story coming to European 3DS eShop on May 1, Australia eventually
European 3DS owners are still waiting for 2D action adventurer Cave Story to reach their 3DS eShop? Oh no, oh no, oh no! Nah, just kidding, it'll be okay - Nicalis tweeted a May 1 release date for the European eShop this week, along with the above homage to a conceptually-terrifying drink mascot. A price was not provided, though Nicalis told a fan that exact details should be available sometime next week. Nicalis also confirmed that Cave Story will eventually make it to the Australian 3DS eShop, though a release window was not shared for that version. Still, eventual Cave Story is better than no Cave Story.
New Nintendo eShop releases: Super Mario 3, Golden Sun, F-Zero: Maximum Velocity
Virtual Console games are out in full force this week, with heavy hitters landing on both Wii U and 3DS. The biggest of the bunch is Super Mario Bros. 3, available on 3DS and Wii U. Meanwhile, the Wii U picks up even more Game Boy Advance games with Golden Sun and F-Zero: Maximum Velocity. Starting April 22, LEGO The Hobbit makes the long journey to Wii U as well. A pair of Ubisoft Wii U titles are also getting a permanent discount on Wii U, namely Assassin's Creed 4: Blag Flag and the excellent ZombiU. Starting April 21, Black Flag drops to $39.99, and ZombiU's price is gnawed down to $29.99. [Image: Nintendo]
New Nintendo eShop releases: More GBA games, Conception 2
Joystiq: Hey Reggie Fils-Aime, what do you think about this week's new eShop releases? Reggie: Tomodachi Tomodachi Tomodachi Tomodachi Tomodachi Tomodachi Tom... Couldn't have said it better, Reg, although you could've noted Kirby and the Amazing Mirror and WarioWare Inc on the Wii U, and Conception 2 and Lego: The Hobbit on 3DS. If your body is ready for more info, head past the break for the full list of new releases. Also, look out for some eShop sales, including DuckTales: Remastered sproinging to half-price at $7.49 - that offer's good until April 17. Between April 12-27 you can get Escape from Zombie City at 50 percent off, which should equal to $2,. Finally, G-Style Co has a sale on its collection of games including Chain Blaster and Undead Bowling, and that's also running for a couple of weeks starting April 12. [Image: Nintendo]
Atlus elects to publish non-Kickstarted Citizens of Earth
Atlus announced plans to publish Citizens of Earth, a quirky RPG that follows the Vice President of the World on his quest to investigate the bizarre happenings in the town. Developed by Eden Industries, Citizens of Earth fell short of its $100,000 CAD ($91,600 USD) goal on Kickstarter in October 2013, raising just $36,875 CAD ($33,778 USD). The modern RPG takes after popular SNES classic Earthbound, with its humorous approach to world-saving adventures and includes recruiting mechanics in line with the Pokemon and Suikoden series. The Vice President brings "regular characters into the spotlight as heroes" for them to do his dirty work in battle, continuing their day jobs when not engaged in combat. The game includes 40 citizens, though ambitious fans are encouraged to enter a contest by Friday, April 18 on Atlus' site to create the 41st one for the game. Citizens of Earth is in development for PS4, Vita, 3DS, Wii U and PC and is expected to arrive on each platform's digital channels in North America and Europe in September 2014. [Image: Atlus]
NES Remix 2 trailer is 160 seconds of mashed-up nostalgia
A new trailer for NES Remix 2 shows the challenges players face in the series' second album of snippets. The eShop game offers elements mashed-up from 12 NES Classics including Ice Hockey, Wario's Woods, Zelda 2, Super Mario Bros. 2, Dr. Mario, Kirby's Adventure, Super Mario Bros. 3, Kid Icarus, Punch-Out, Metroid, Mario Open Golf and Super Mario Bros: The Lost Levels. It also features its own full game in Super Luigi Bros. (the Year of Luigi will never end). It looks to be a carbon copy of the original Super Mario Bros, but with Luigi taking the lead instead of Mario - oh, and it's in reverse. Yeah, it's going to take us a long, quiet sitdown to get our heads round going right to left in that game. It's just so... not left to right. Nintendo is laying down NES Remix 2 in two weeks' time on April 25, priced at $15. [Image: Nintendo]
Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate escapes onto Europe's eShop this week
A quick update for European Wii U owners and vigilantes-to-be: the Deluxe Edition of Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate is coming to the eShop on April 10, priced 20 euros/£16. WB Games quietly delayed it last week, but the good news is we're not looking at a repeat of the Scribblenauts Unlimited fiasco. The enhanced version of last year's portable platformer is already out on Xbox 360, PS3, and PC - and on Wii U in North America. Bats returning to the 2.5D belfry will encounter improved visuals a new map system, along with new enemy encounters and difficulties. [Image: WB Games]
Game Boy Advance titles reach the Wii U's online store
Don't worry if you gave away your Game Boy Advance years ago -- you now have an easy way to indulge your nostalgia for the early 2000s. As promised, Nintendo has released its first batch of GBA Virtual Console games on the Wii U's eShop at a cost of $8 per title. The early roster is small, but instantly recognizable to veterans. Strategy lovers can check out Advance Wars, while Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga and Metroid Fusion are on tap for fans of role-playing games and side-scrolling shooters. And that's just the start of Nintendo's planned launches this month. The studio is releasing Kirby & The Amazing Mirror and WarioWare, Inc. on the 10th; F-Zero, Golden Sun, Super Mario Bros. 3 and Yoshi's Island are on deck for the following weeks. We wouldn't pick up a Wii U solely for the sake of the GBA catalog, but it should give you something to play while you're waiting for more contemporary games.
New Nintendo eShop releases: GBA arrives on Wii U Virtual Console
This week sees the first wave of Game Boy Advance games make their way onto the Wii U Virtual Console, starting with Metroid: Fusion, Advance Wars, and Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga. If that doesn't satiate your retro hunger, there's still the likes of Golden Sun and Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3 to come later this month - check out April's full list of GBA re-releases here. On the more fresh-faced front, the Wii U port of 3DS and Vita 2.5D platformer Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate is out now in North America, complete with enhanced visuals and an improved map system. Sorry Europe, you'll have to wait a couple of weeks longer. Things then take a turn for the surreal with Rusty's Real Deal Baseball. The free download pits you against wheeler dealer Rusty Slugger as you haggle over the genuine, real-life eShop prices of baseball minigames - when Nintendo goes weird, it goes properly weird. Finally, sales news for plumbers masquerading as doctors: If you own or buy the recent re-release of Dr. Mario on the Wii U Virtual Console, you can get $5 off Dr. Luigi if you grab it before 9AM PT/midday ET on April 10. [Image: Nintendo]
Rusty's Real Deal Baseball launches in 3DS eShop April 3
Oddball microtransaction-haggling minigame compilation Rusty's Real Deal Baseball is coming to the Nintendo 3DS eShop in North America on April 3, Nintendo confirmed this week. Announced via Nintendo Direct back in February, Rusty's Real Deal Baseball offers a series of unlockable sports-themed minigames that range from simple batting challenges to all-out assaults from invading UFOs. Additional games can be bought with real-world money, but players must first negotiate purchases with in-game dealer Rusty, who may lower his prices based on item exchanges and player timing. Rusty's Real Deal Baseball will be released as a free download when the 3DS eShop updates next Thursday. Starting add-on content prices have not been announced. [Image: Nintendo]
