The Nintendo Download – 3/17/2016

Fighting, digging, racing, and the Olympics are here, too!

On the go or on the couch, Nintendo has two big titles lined up. Plus, a pair of retro classics on Wii U’s Virtual Console and a sequel to an indie darling, to boot. It’s looking like a good week from here.

Pokkén Tournament for Wii U – Available March 18th: Enough with the turn-based stuff, these Pokemon are ready to throw down with fighting game fisticuffs. With the Super Smash Bros. roster packed to the gills, however, what are they to do? Start their own tournament, Tekken-style, of course!

DIG DUG II for Wii U – Dig Dug is taking a break from his side-scrolling adventures and going on a top-down island vacation. Too bad the swarms of Pooka and Fygar won’t allow him to rest! Inflate them to the point of bursting, or dig some clever traps to ensnare them!

City Connection for Wii U – You’re out to make your mark on the world by painting the roadways around the globe by driving over them. Unfortunately, the cops aren’t too keen on your activities and are giving chase. Can you paint all the roads while making a clean getaway?

Bird Mania Party for Wii U – Up to five players can compete for the best score as you soar past bushes, treetops, and stinging bees. Collect points and unlock achievements to the pumping music, or bring a friend along for co-op play!

U Host for Wii U – Get together up to four friends or teams and create your own game show! Choose from more than 1,000 questions across ten categories, or create your own custom categories and questions that can add a personal touch to an upcoming event! All this, and mini-games, too!

Mutant Mudds Super Challenge for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS – Max is back for a bigger challenge than any he’s ever faced! Purchase the game on one console and cross-buy will allow you to get it on the other. What’s more, the Loyalty Discount will save you 15 percent if you own the original Mutant Mudds or downloaded the Nindies@Home Preview version of this title.

Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games for Nintendo 3DS – Available March 18th: It’s time to train for the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro! As your Mii, join Mario and Sonic in their separate Adventure Mode stories and take part in 14 events, including BMX, 110m Hurdles, golf, and soccer! (On a personal note, I always prefer the portables for their Adventure Modes, so this is the version I’m most interested in.)

New DLC

Fire Emblem Fates – New DLC Map – Royal Royale – A new map is available to download, or you can purchase Map Pack 1 to get everything released through April 21st for less than you’d pay individually.

Theme Shop on Nintendo 3DS

This week’s new theme is “The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess : Light & Twilight.”

Nintendo eShop Sales (Taken directly from Nintendo’s press release; prices in USD)

• Nintendo eShop on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS
  • OlliOlli (Wii U and Nintendo 3DS), Stealth Inc 2: A Game of Clones (Wii U) and more games from Curve Digital are on sale until 8:59 a.m. PT on March 31
  • 3D Game Collection (Nintendo 3DS), Island Flight Simulator (Wii U) and more games from Joindots are on sale until 8:59 a.m. PT on March 31.
• Nintendo eShop on Wii U
  • Never Alone (Kisima Ingitchuna) is 65 percent off (reduced from $14.99 to $4.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on March 24.
  • Hold Your Fire: A Game About Responsibility is more than 50 percent off (reduced from $1.99 to $.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on April 7
  • Blocky Bot and Paper Monsters Recut from Mobot Studios are on sale until 8:59 a.m. PT on April 7.
• Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS
  • Parking Star 3D, Quell Reflect and more games from Circle Entertainment are on sale until 8:59 a.m. PT on March 31.
  • Real Heroes: Firefighter 3D is 50 percent off (reduced from $9.99 to $4.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on March 24.
  • Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2: Record Breaker is 25 percent off (reduced from $39.99 to $29.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on March 28.
  • SmileBASIC is 50 percent off (reduced from $9.99 to $4.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on March 21.
  • Rytmik Ultimate is more than 40 percent off (reduced from $17.99 to $9.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on March 31.
  • Runny Egg, Ninja Battle Heroes and more games from Tom Create are on sale until 8:59 a.m. PT on March 31.
  • Johnny’s Payday Panic is 50 percent off (reduced from $3.99 to $1.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on March 31.

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For more information, screens, and videos for each of this week’s releases, click on the corresponding links above.

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David Oxford is a freelance writer of many varied interests. If you’re interested in hiring him, please drop him a line at david.oxford (at) nyteworks.net.