The European Nintendo Download Update is live, and this week's line-up brings quite a lot of options across the three core systems. On Nintendo Switch we have five new download titles along with a discount, the 3DS gets artistic and the Wii U Virtual Console gets two new arrivals. Beyond that we have Kirby Anniversary discounts and more besides, so let's get to it.
Nintendo Switch eShop
Ironcast (Ripstone, €14.99 / £12.99) - A game inspired by Puzzle Quest titles, this blends match-three mechanics with turn-based battling and a Steampunk aesthetic. It offers surprising and addictive depth, also supporting various ways to play on the Switch; we loved it in our Ironcast review and will bring you an interview with the developer soon.
Phantom Trigger (tinyBuild Games, €14.99 / £13.49) - This is a slash-em-up with RPG and roguelike elements; playing as a protagonist by the name of Stan, you will embark on a journey through surreal and twisted worlds. This looks rather interesting and promises a 'deep combat system', story-driven levels and a narrative with branching paths and multiple endings. We'll hack and slash through it for a review.
Rocket Fist (Bitten Toast Games, €9.99 / £8.99) - Described by the developers as a "rocket dodgeball arena" game, you dash around while firing fists at your foes in various creative ways. It's fast-paced and chaotic, and joins the list of rather promising local multiplayer-focused titles on the Nintendo Switch; we'll take a look for a review.
SEVERED (Drinkbox Games, €14.99 / £13.49) - This is a game that utilises swipe controls for combat (so it's handheld mode only on Switch), and also has an underlying RPG structure. It previously arrived on both Wii U and 3DS, and we were big fans in our original review; we'll give it another whirl for a Switch review.
The King of Fighters 2000 (HAMSTER, €6.99 / £6.29) - Oh yes, more Neo Geo fighting action. Following up the previous game in this series the Striker system makes a return, now featuring alternate Striker-only characters from several SNK franchises such as Metal Slug, The Last Blade and even Burning Fight, adding chaotic variety to keep your opponent guessing. As this is an ACA release it'll have all the usual customisation options with which to dabble.
Switch eShop Temporary Discount
Graceful Explosion Machine (Vertex Pop, €8.99 / £6.99 until 15th August, normally €12.99 / £9.99)
3DS eShop
VoxelMaker (Nostatic Software, €5.49 / £4.59) - 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. This offers a good toolset and earned a recommendation in our VoxelMaker review for the Wii U version; this iteration has the bonus of the top screen's 3D effect.
3DS eShop Demo
Monster Hunter Stories (Capcom, free)
Kirby 25th Anniversary Sale - 3DS
Kirby: Planet Robobot (Nintendo, €29.99 / £26.24 until 17th August, normally €39.99 / £34.99)
Kirby: Triple Deluxe (Nintendo, €29.99 / £26.24 until 17th August, normally €39.99 / £34.99)
3D Classics: Kirby's Adventure (Nintendo, €4.49 / £4.04 until 17th August, normally €5.99 / £5.39)
Kirby's Dream Land (Nintendo, €2.99 / £2.69 until 17th August, normally €3.99 / £3.59)
Kirby's Dream Land 2 (Nintendo, €2.99 / £2.69 until 17th August, normally €3.99 / £3.59)
3DS eShop Temporary Discounts
AeternoBlade (Corecell, €7.49 / £6.75 until 24th August, normally €14.99 / £13.50)
Dan McFox: Head Hunter (Lightwood Games, €1.66 / £1.33 until 24th August, normally €2.49 / £1.99)
Unlucky Mage (KEMCO, €5.99 / £5.39 until 31st August, normally €9.99 / £8.99)
Comic Workshop (Collavier, €4.19 / £3.77 until 24th August, normally €5.99 / £5.39)
Comic Workshop 2 (Collavier, €5.59 / £5.03 until 24th August, normally €7.99 / £7.19)
Painting Workshop (Collavier, €2.79 / £2.51 until 24th August, normally €3.99 / £3.59)
Darts Up 3D (EnjoyUp Games, €1.49 / £1.34 until 7th September, normally €2.99 / £2.69)
Football Up 3D (EnjoyUp Games, €1.49 / £1.18 until 7th September, normally €2.99 / £2.36)
Kutar Apple (CIRCLE Entertainment, €0.69 / £0.69 until 24th August, normally €0.99 / £0.99)
Kutar Burger Factory (CIRCLE Entertainment, €0.69 / £0.69 until 24th August, normally €0.99 / £0.99)
Kutar End Credits (CIRCLE Entertainment, €0.69 / £0.69 until 24th August, normally €0.99 / £0.99)
Kutar Powder Factory (CIRCLE Entertainment, €0.69 / £0.69 until 24th August, normally €0.99 / £0.99)
Kutar Ski Lift (CIRCLE Entertainment, €0.69 / £0.69 until 24th August, normally €0.99 / £0.99)
3DS HOME Themes
Hello Kitty is in space (Sanrio, €0.99 / £0.89)
Hello Kitty is on a boat (Sanrio, €0.99 / £0.89)
Wii U Virtual Console
Victory Run (Konami, €5.99 / £5.39) - A TurboGrafx title that is very much in the same vein as titles like Rad Racer and Out Run, we gave this a whirl for a Wii Virtual Console review back in the day.
Ninja Spirit (IREM, €5.99 / £5.39) - It's the TurboGrafx once again, in this case a stylish side-scrolling action title that certainly made waves when it was originally released; you can check out our Wii Virtual Console Ninja Spirit review for the full lowdown.
Kirby 25th Anniversary Sale - Wii U
Kirby's Adventure Wii (Nintendo, €14.99 / £13.49 until 17th August, normally €19.99 / £17.99)
Kirby Super Star (Nintendo, €5.99 / £4.11 until 17th August, normally €7.99 / £5.49)
Kirby's Dream Land 3 (Nintendo, €5.99 / £4.11 until 17th August, normally €7.99 / £5.49)
Kirby & The Amazing Mirror (Nintendo, €5.24 / £4.71 until 17th August, normally €6.99 / £6.29)
Kirby's Adventure (Nintendo, €3.74 / £2.61 until 17th August, normally €4.99 / £3.49)
Kirby: Mouse Attack (Nintendo, €7.49 / £6.74 until 17th August, normally €9.99 / £8.99)
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards (Nintendo, €7.49 / £6.74 until 17th August, normally €9.99 / £8.99)
Wii U eShop Temporary Discounts
Wicked Monsters BLAST! HD Plus (Corecell, €1.99 / £1.79 until 24th August, normally €7.99 / £7.19)
3Souls (RedColumn, €1.80 / £1.60 until 17th August, normally €3.60 / £3.20)
Inside My Radio (Seaven Studio, €2.99 / £2.59 until 7th September, normally €14.99 / £12.99)
360 Breakout (nuGAME, €4.90 / £4.20 until 7th September, normally €7.00 / £6.00)
My Nintendo Reward
Kirby 25th Anniversary theme (Nintendo, 20 Gold Points)
That's your lot for this week - let us know what you'll be downloading in the poll and comments below.
Comments 61
Europe getting goodies too.
Well I have already taken advantage of the sale on GEM, very very good, and will probably get Ironcast as it is different to anything else I currently have. Phantom Trigger is on my watchlist for when it has a sale or I run out of games (unlikely).
"Kirby's Adventure (Nintendo, €14.99 / £13.49 until 17th August, normally €19.99 / £17.99)"
Is that right? Links to the NES game?
Nothing for me this week. If the Kirby discounts were better I'd probably buy a few.
Wait... where is Sonic Mania?
Nice Graceful Explosion Machine discount there. I'll bite.
@Geowolf
My thoughts exactly, does Sonic Mania not get a Switch EU Launch on August 15th?
Genuine question. Is there much reason why Europe update doesn't cover next tuesdays releases but US does? I only ask as this week US got this past tuesdays in this weeks update instead of last weeks.
Tis all a bit confusing. Anywaaay got Ironcast and will be getting Sonic Mania tuesday.
@Geowolf there is no confirmed date for EU, thats why i ordered it off amazon.com
@RupeeClock @Geowolf It seems to be just how Europe operates. Their week cover Monday-Sunday, while seems US covers Wednesday-Tuesday.
@Bunkerneath UK eshop states it is same day release. However this wouldn't be the first time they have had a game state a release then a day after its supposed release it swaps to TBD.
Just the Monster Hunter Stories demo for me. I'm still on the fence with that game and there's lots of other things I want to play, so I might not end up buying it.
There's nothing I want this week. Seems the votes so far seem to suggest many agree too.
No mention of the Rayman demo the Americans are getting on 14th August either.
Graceful Explosion went on sale a couple of days ago.
Looking forward to Rocket Fist reviews. Shame we don't get reviews for release nowadays. Maybe that's the way they want it so people part with the cash before realising they've bought something they wouldn't have otherwise.....
Might pick up a few kirby titles but at the same time the sales on them are not very good to make me want to get them also.
Thought we'd get Sonic Mania or the two Soldier series releases like North America.
The good news is by next week payday will have arrived, so probably a good thing this week is a little light.
Sonic Mania says it's coming on the 15th in the eShop listing. If it's not there and the rest of the world gets it but we don't. I'mma be pretty peeved to say the least.
My Nintendo reward only for me. They should of made it 50 gold coins. It's nice that I can spend it on something even if I'm not a Kirby fan at least it won't expire in to thin internet air
@DavidH It might well be just down to lack of willing Critics on the Nintendolife team. The reviews have slowed down even before the Switch released. Only very high tier games get preffered treatment as assume they get the review copies in decent amount of times to review them.
I'll be grabbing that Monster Hunter Stories demo. I'm super looking forward to that game.
@DavidH Check NintendoWorldReport for Switch indie reviews.They must be getting sent download codes early as reviews for Ironcast,Rocket Fist,Severed etc have already been up for a few days.Rocket Fist received an 8/10,a good multiplayer game but short on single player content.
Odd they'd leave out Nightmare in Dreamland and Epic Yarn in the sale but meh, less discounts to worry about.
@FX102A We're usually about an update behind on TG releases. Those games will arrive the next time Konami decides to give us more TG goodness.
I would assume Sonic Mania will launch worldwide on the 15th as it's a Tuesday, which is a nod to Sonic 2sday from the launch of Sonic 2 back in the '90s.
Nintendo with pathetic discounts as always.
Also, the first Kirby game on the Wii U list should be Kirby's Adventure Wii.
Thanks for the replies to the three of you who quoted me. Will check out that site for reviews now.
More Switch demo's wouldn't do any harm. Think we've only had one or two new ones since launch day.
@Geowolf NoE never put games out next week on their update. It will be in next week's update.
@DavidH if the demo for rayman isn't live in Europe this week, we can always create an American account to download it
Got Graceful Explosion Machine on discount.
Will probably wait for discounts before getting Ironcast and Rocket Fist.
@Geowolf @Moon It probably launches the same day but is included in next week's list rather than this week's.
It's good. It's dammed good!
Saving this month's games budget for Mario + Rabbids unless something unexpectedly spectacular comes along.
What happened to the Rayman Legends demo on the European Switch eShop? Why has it been removed?
It was there a couple weeks ago and then it suddenly disappeared again, before I had the chance to download it.
@Jeronan There were technical issues with docked mode.
Just the Kirby theme for me.
@Grumblevolcano But it's in the US eShop now, so why not in ours too? Bit strange.
I really want Ironcast but it's £3 cheaper on US eShop... Might wait for a sale.... Urgh
Hi all
Cool KOF 2000
@gaga64 That's price is actually for "Kirby's Adventure Wii" - aka "Kirby's Return to Dreamland".
@ThomasBW84 You might want to correct the name and link.
@starlac I've fixed that, thanks. It's Kirby's Adventure Wii in EU, but missing the 'Wii' naturally made that confusing!
Graceful Explosion Machine sounds like a bargain, probably not for me though
I've been waiting for KOF 2000 ever since I got my Switch on launch-day!
Ironcast for me and the kirby theme for 3ds
Just the Kirby theme for me.
Discounted Planet Robobot for me
@Jeronan It's not in the US eShop until next Tuesday. EU's download report only covers through Sunday.
None of these sound like mario rabbids.
I bought Severed and it's REALLY good! Reminds me of Infinity Blade or Fruit Ninja rpg but with VERY creepy artwork. Not really scary but it defenitly makes me feel uncomfortable. Love it!
So far I am really digging phantom trigger!
As a side issue, anyone who wants Bomberman (I don't, but whatever) and is sufficiently motivated to have a Japanese account, it's on sale on their eshop for roughly £26.67 (depending what exchange rate you get).
Still getting over the excitement of my piece of meat and two apples in Zelda s
Might give 3souls a go at £1.60. Was always interested in how the emotion mechanic played out.
And 30 coins expiring at the end of month, so the theme probably too.
Well, I assume we'll still be getting Sonic Mania, and that would have been my only vote; nothing for me otherwise.
Very much looking forward to it though. I love the Switch, but it's still lacking in games, especially games that I can fire up again and again. I like Mario Kart 8 DX and Splatoon 2, but they feel predominately like multiplayer games. Classic Sonic games to me are the perfect games to fire up when bored. Their simple and fun nature means they never really get old or feel like any sort of chore to replay.
@OorWullie thanks for that never heard of that site before 👊
@Zimon you know what I really wanted overcooked but I didn't because of the price. Severed is 5 quid on iOS. We need to stop jumping on purchases like this- if we do they may actually begin to think about the rip off prices.
@darthstuey I don't think that's really going to change anything regarding price. Because iOS has an install base of over 100 million people. No one can beat that.
Also I don't really think a game market where games cost 5 quid is beneficial. It's just going to lead to shovel-ware.
And lastly I really like Drinkbox as a developer. If it had been another developer I might have agreed with you.
@Shiryu I didn't even know about this game until I saw it on the eshop. I'm contemplating on getting it ;/
@King_Johobo The trailer aesthetics caugth my eye, glad to see gameplay backing it all up.
@Shiryu yeah the colours and the music really appealed to me. I have no idea what the games actually about but as long as it's fun who cares XD thanks for the playthrough upload. I think I'll get it
@darthstuey
It's not really a direct comparison though. Apple have a huge user base in comparison. Not only that but prices are dragged very low on iOS by the preponderance of freemium whale-hunters. Look at the fuss over the price of Mario Run, iOS gamers are not generally used to paying a full-game price for a full game.
Refusing to buy games because of their price may just stop the games coming rather than persuading publishers to reduce price-though some of them are certainly pushing their luck.
Personally I can cope with a couple more quid to get proper controls and support Nintendo rather than Apple.
@electrolite77 I understand what you are saying but take retro city rampage Dx it's almost half the swirchborice on the vita and overcooked special edition is also way lower on the ps 4.
@darthstuey
Yeah thats way more irritating. No excuse for that. Hopefully the 'new console tax' falls away soon.
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