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Monday morning means Nintendo Download Update news for European gamers, as we learn what's coming to the region later this week. It's a packed schedule, with a mix of new titles on both Wii U and 3DS, along with a host of discounts and a new Virtual Console entry. There's lots to get through, so let's get started.

Wii U eShop

XType Plus (PhobosLab, €2.99 / £2.69) — This shoot 'em up comes courtesy of the Nintendo Web Framework, with PhobosLab also developing its own engine to allow easy coding in the platform. This has always looked like one of the most impressive titles from the service, visually, while it gives a rare chance to play a new shooter on the Wii U; we'll blast away some enemies for our review.

Ice Cream Surfer (Dolores Entertainment, €5.00 / £4.49) — It's shoot 'em up week, this time of the colourful sidescrolling variety. There's a storyline about defeating evil broccoli, it seems, but like XType Plus this will live and die on its gameplay; we'll let you know whether this is a delicious treat or not.

Midtown Crazy Race (Jose Varela, €5.00 / £4.49) — Very little information is given for this game, simply that it's a "tribute to the car games from late 90s"; we'll see whether it lives up to that legacy in our review.

Bombing Bastards (Sanuk Games, €6.99 / £5.99) — This modern take on Bomberman survives the European ratings process with its name intact; it brings single and local multiplayer to the table. Colourful visuals and generally solid play earned this a decent 6/10 recommendation in our Bombing Bastards review.

Wii U Virtual Console

Pop'n Twinbee Rainbow Bell Adventures (Konami, €7.99 / £5.49) — A sequel to the charming shooter, this is a platformer with basic combat thrown in, including local co-op play as an option; we'll see whether this franchise should have stayed in the skies for our review. This is the European PAL version, with optimised sound but 50Hz gameplay speed.

Wii U Virtual Console Promotion

The following titles are all available at a discount on the same Wii U that's purchased either NES Remix or NES Remix 2

Kirby's Adventure (Nintendo, €3.49 / £2.44 until 7th August, normally €4.99 / £3.49)

Super Mario Bros. 2 (Nintendo, €3.49 / £2.44 until 7th August, normally €4.99 / £3.49)

Donkey Kong (Nintendo, €2.49 / £1.74 until 7th August, normally €4.99 / £3.49)

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (Nintendo, €2.49 / £1.74 until 7th August, normally €4.99 / £3.49)

Wario's Woods (Nintendo, €2.49 / £1.74 until 7th August, normally €4.99 / £3.49)

Ice Climber (Nintendo, €2.49 / £1.74 until 7th August, normally €4.99 / £3.49)

Punch-Out!! (Nintendo, €2.49 / £1.74 until 7th August, normally €4.99 / £3.49)

Wii U eShop Temporary Discounts

TNT Racers — Nitro Machines Edition (Keen Games, €4.99 / £4.49 until 14th August, normally €7.99 / £6.99)

Trine 2: Director's Cut (Frozenbyte, €6.79 / £5.49 until 21st August, normally €16.99 / £13.99)

3DS eShop

2048 (GameOn, €1.49 / £1.19) — Another arrival on the 3DS that's made its name on smart devices, with plenty of gamers that also play in browsers. A simple puzzle concept that can nevertheless be compulsive and fun to play, this earned a 7/10 in our 2048 review.

Family Kart 3D (Arc System Works, €4.99 / £4.49) — A cute kart racer targeting those looking for some budget fun on the 3DS, though it lacks multiplayer. Despite that it's a decent, enjoyable racing game, as we explained in our Family Kart 3D review.

3DS Retail Download

LEGO Ninjago: Nindroids (WB Games, €39.99 / £34.99)

3DS eShop Temporary Discounts

Darts Up 3D (EnjoyUp Games, €0.99 / £0.89 until 21st August, normally €2.99 / £2.69)

Swords & Soldiers 3D (CIRCLE Entertainment, €4.99 / £4.49 until 21st August, normally €7.00 / £5.90)

Brunch Panic (CIRCLE Entertainment, €2.99 / £2.69 until 21st August, normally €3.99 / £3.59)

Sweet Memories Blackjack (CIRCLE Entertainment, €2.99 / £2.69 until 21st August, normally €3.99 / £3.59)

SpeedX 3D Hyper Edition (Gamelion, €0.99 / £0.89 until 28th August, normally €1.99 / £1.79)

10-in-1: Arcade Collection (Gamelion, €0.99 / £0.89 until 28th August, normally €1.99 / £1.79)

Crazy Kangaroo (Gamelion, €0.99 / £0.89 until 28th August, normally €1.99 / £1.89)

Race of the Gladiator (Gamelion, €3.49 / £3.09 until 28th August, normally €6.99 / £6.29)

Carps & Dragons (Abylight, €2.99 / £2.49 until 31st August, normally €4.99 / £4.49)

Disney Frozen: Olaf's Quest (Avanquest, €19.99 / £19.99 until 14th August, normally €29.99 / £24.99)

3DS eShop Demo

Quell Reflect (CIRCLE Entertainment, free)


Lots of choices this week, European gamers. Let us know what you plan to download in the poll and comments below.

What will you be downloading first this week? (144 votes)

  1. XType Plus (Wii U eShop)13%
  2. Ice Cream Surfer (Wii U eShop)2%
  3. Midtown Crazy Race (Wii U eShop)  0.7%
  4. Bombing Bastards (Wii U eShop)2%
  5. Pop'n Twinbee Rainbow Bell Adventures (Wii U Virtual Console)6%
  6. Kirby's Adventure (Wii U Virtual Console Promotion)  0.7%
  7. Super Mario Bros. 2 (Wii U Virtual Console Promotion)2%
  8. Donkey Kong (Wii U Virtual Console Promotion)1%
  9. Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (Wii U Virtual Console Promotion)6%
  10. Wario's Woods (Wii U Virtual Console Promotion)  0%
  11. Ice Climber (Wii U Virtual Console Promotion)1%
  12. Punch-Out!! (Wii U Virtual Console Promotion)2%
  13. TNT Racers - Nitro Machines Edition (Wii U eShop temporary discount)  0%
  14. Trine 2: Director's Cut (Wii U eShop temporary discount)5%
  15. 2048 (3DS eShop)  0.7%
  16. Family Kart 3D (3DS eShop)1%
  17. LEGO Ninjago: Nindroids (3DS retail download)  0%
  18. Darts Up 3D (3DS eShop temporary discount)  0%
  19. Swords & Soldiers 3D (3DS eShop temporary discount)  0%
  20. Brunch Panic (3DS eShop temporary discount)  0%
  21. Sweet Memories Blackjack (3DS eShop temporary discount)  0%
  22. SpeedX 3D Hyper Edition (3DS eShop temporary discount)  0%
  23. 10-in-1: Arcade Collection (3DS eShop temporary discount)  0%
  24. Crazy Kangaroo (3DS eShop temporary discount)3%
  25. Rage of the Gladiator (3DS eShop temporary discount)2%
  26. Carps & Dragons (3DS eShop temporary discount)  0%
  27. Disney Frozen: Olaf's Quest (3DS eShop temporary discount)1%
  28. Just the Quell Reflect demo3%
  29. Nothing for me this week46%

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