I won’t lie. This week’s Nintendo Download is somewhat lackluster, mostly cause the featured games this month are not exciting. However, there are still things to cover, including sales and some new My Nintendo deals, so let’s see what’s worth playing.
First, I’m gonna gloss really quickly over two games that I’m certain our audience could care less about, but which Nintendo unfortunately put front and center this week. Cars 3: Driven to Win is coming to the Switch, and it’s the latest in a frustrating trend. While I rather enjoy my Nintendo Switch, lately there are a lot or remakes coming out. We need new quality games, not quick cash ins for movie franchises. Granted, we all know there’s a ton down the pipe, it’s just irritating waiting until that point. The other game featured is slightly better. It’s called Alien Crush, and it’s what Contra would look like if it were a pinball game, available for the Wii U Virtual Console. Lastly, Neutopia II is out as well for the VC, and at least it looks like a classic retro RPG from Konami. None very exciting, I know. Let’s move on to the sales.
There’s not a ton of new stuff on sale, but the following either looked interesting or haven’t been mentioned here in a while. Parascientific Escape Cruise in the Distant Seas is discounted to $3.99 for the 3DS; Alphadia is discounted to $4.99 for the 3DS; Never Alone is steeply discounted to $2.99 for Wii U; Pazuru is discounted to $4.01 for 3DS; AeternoBlade is nearly half off at $7.99 and lastly, the fantastic Nano Assault EX is discounted to $7.49 for the 3DS. Not a bad batch of games, and some of those discounts are very tempting. To see the other games discounted, click here.
My Nintendo is really going the distance in terms of quantity this month, with lots of discounts on various games (though none offered for free). Besides those, there are Prima Game Guides available for the following – Animal Crossing: New Leaf; The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD; Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon and Pikmin 3. Below are the games discounted by anywhere from 15 to 30%:
15% off games – Animal Crossing: New Leaf – Welcome amiibo (3DS); The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD (Wii U); Pikmin 3 (Wii U).
20% off games – Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon (3DS); Mario Kart 64 (Wii U); Tomodachi Life (3DS).
30% off games – Mario Party 10 (Wii U); Punch-Out!! (Wii U); Super Mario 64 (Wii U); Super Punch-Out!! (Wii U and 3DS).
There’s also new Fire Emblem content this week, but not for Echoes. This time Heroes is getting some love with the Tempest trials. Here are the details
Running until June 21 at 11:59 p.m. PT, this special event introduces a series of maps you must fight your way through from beginning to end. Gather your strongest allies and challenge your way to the final map! If all of the allies on your team are defeated, you can immediately make a new team and try the map again. However, defeated allies cannot be used again until the final map is cleared, or until all your teams are defeated and you attempt a new trial. During this time, there will also be quests related to Tempest Trials. Also, to celebrate this new event, a new Xenologue Map has been added. Available on App Store and Google Play, this mobile application is free-to-start and offers some optional in-app purchases.
Last but not least, there are some great digital games available this week. First and foremost is the release of Shantae: Half-Genie Hero for the Nintendo Switch! I rather enjoyed it on my Wii U, and am certain it would be a blast on the go. For the retro inclined, ACA NEOGEO SHOCK TROOPERS 2nd Squad has your back. And lastly, there is a demo for a musical platformer called Cubit the Hardcore Platformer Robot HD.
Not a bad week for the Nintendo Download, but I’m much more interested to see what games are revealed at E3. Chime in below on what you’re most interested in, and whether or not you’ll be glued to your screens during E3!
