Citizens of Earth

It's Monday again, but it's time to turn that frown upside down as we have the European Nintendo Download Update, promising some goodies for later in the week. We have a dual Wii U and 3DS release published by Atlus, three Donkey Kong games including one of the last generation's best platformers and more tempting options and discounts. Let's get to the details.

Wii U eShop

Citizens of Earth (Atlus, €9.59 / £7.99 until 29th January, then €11.99 / £9.99) - Originally a promising Kickstarter campaign that fell short, this project by Eden Industries was then picked up by Atlus. With a charming visual style and humorous approach, this RPG has you gather civilians to assist you, the Vice President of the World. It looks wacky and full of potential, and we'll let you know what we think in our review.

Donkey Kong Country Returns (Nintendo, €9.99 / £8.99 until 29th January, then €19.99 / £17.99) - One of the Wii's finest platformers, this was a triumphant revival of the franchise by Retro Studios, with gorgeous visuals and impressive mechanics coming to the fore. It's also a real challenge, and we gave this a glowing recommendation in our Donkey Kong Country Returns review.

Wii U Virtual Console

DK: King of Swing (Nintendo, €6.99 / £6.29) - The latest Game Boy Advance title to make its way to Wii U, this is one of the quirkiest games featuring Nintendo's smiling, tie-wearing ape. Adopting ideas well-known from Clu Clu Land, you swing between pegs with the shoulder buttons to traverse tricky stages and tackle enemies. It can take some getting used to, but we certainly saw its merits in our DK: King of Swing review.

Donkey Kong Jr. Math (Nintendo, €4.99 / £3.49) - From back in the day when Nintendo was more than happy to serve up edutainment with its big-brands, this incorporates number crunching into retro vine swinging shenanigans. We didn't think it all added up in our Donkey Kong Jr. Math review, either - this is the US version of the game.

Wii U eShop Temporary Discounts

Super Toy Cars (Eclipse Games, €3.99 / £3.49 until 29th January, normally €7.99 / £6.99)

99Moves (EnjoyUp Games, €1.49 / £1.34 until 12th February, normally €2.49 / £2.29)

Abyss (EnjoyUp Games, €1.49 / £1.34 until 12th February, €1.99 / £1.79)

BLOK DROP U (RCMADIAX, €0.99 / £0.79 until 18th March, normally €1.49 / £1.29)

Van Helsing sniper Zx100 (EnjoyUp Games, €0.99 / £0.99 until 4th February, normally €6.66 / £6.66)

3DS eShop

Citizens of Earth (Atlus, €9.59 / £7.99 until 29th January, then €11.99 / £9.99) - The same game as on Wii U but on the go.

Hazumi (Gamelion Studios, €3.99 / £3.20) - A breakout hit in multiple ways, this is a clever twist on block breaking that fits the portable system rather well. As much a puzzle game as a block-breaker, you take control of the ball in motion and try to manoeuvre through over 100 stages, with a fairly stiff level of challenge. You can read our recommendation in our Hazumi review.

3DS Retail Download

Big Hero 6: Battle In The Bay (Avanquest, €34.99 / £29.99)

Wii U / 3DS Promotion

Citizens of Earth (Atlus, get a second copy for less on your other Nintendo system if you already own the game on the same Network ID on 3DS or Wii U, €7.19 / £5.99 until 29th January)

3DS eShop Temporary Discounts

Shin Megami Tensei IV (Atlus, €12.99 / £11.69 until 29th January, normally €19.99 / £17.99)

Conception II: Children of the Seven Stars (Nintendo, €14.99 / £13.49 until 29th January, normally €29.99 / £24.99)

3DS HOME Themes

NES Ice Climbers (Nintendo, €1.99 / £1.79)

NES Pit (Nintendo, €1.99 / £1.79)

NES Donkey Kong (Nintendo, €1.99 / £1.79)


That's the line-up for this week in Europe. Let us know what you'll be downloading in the poll and comments below.

What will you be downloading first this week? (228 votes)

  1. Citizens of Earth (Wii U eShop)13%
  2. Donkey Kong Country Returns (Wii U eShop)18%
  3. DK: King of Swing (Wii U Virtual Console)4%
  4. Donkey Kong Jr. Math (Wii U Virtual Console)  0.4%
  5. Super Toy Cars (Wii U eShop temporary discount)1%
  6. 99Moves (Wii U eShop temporary discount)  0%
  7. Abyss (Wii U eShop temporary discount)  0.9%
  8. BLOK DROP U (Wii U eShop temporary discount)  0.4%
  9. Van Helsing sniper Zx100 (Wii U eShop temporary discount)  0.4%
  10. Citizens of Earth (3DS eShop)7%
  11. Hazumi (3DS eShop)1%
  12. Both versions of Citizens of Earth in the cross-buy discount promotion  0.9%
  13. Bay Hero 6: Battle in the Bay (3DS retail download)  0%
  14. Shin Megami Tensei IV (3DS eShop temporary discount)15%
  15. Conception II: Children of the Seven Stars (3DS eShop temporary discount)2%
  16. NES Ice Climbers (3DS HOME Theme)2%
  17. NES Pit (3DS HOME Theme)2%
  18. NES Donkey Kong (3DS HOME Theme)1%
  19. Nothing for me this week30%

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