On paper, we’re building a strong foundation for 2016
It’s an interesting debate as to which is the big game of the week, as we’ve got two candidates. On the 3DS, the Year of the Portable RPG gets underway with Mario and Luigi: Paper Jam. Daan thought the European release was pretty good, and we’ll have a review of the North American version shortly. The Wii U’s big release – and based on sales last month, the real winner – is the first episode of Minecraft: Story Mode. Can a star-studded cast of characters bring some gravitas to the land of blocks? (And how does this game perform with Telltale’s engine on Wii U?) We’ll find out soon.
On the smaller release front, those looking for a more realistic bowling experience can check out Brunswick Pro Bowling – unfortunately, the cost is consummate with a serious simulation. The Virtual Console follows up their strong week a couple of weeks ago with Zack and Wiki: Quest for Barbaro’s Treasure and Super Mario Advance 4 (aka Super Mario 3 with MORE SUPER MARIO 3).
Europe picks up a few things in the Late to the Party Department this week, as Adventures of Pip crosses the ocean, bringing a couple of Aksys Games titles in its wake with Radiohammer and Moco Moco Friends. The NA Virtual Console Whine List ™ also grows a bit with the addition of Mario Kart 64.
North America
Week 47 of the Great 3DS Virtual Console drought
3DS Retail
Mario and Luigi: Paper Jam (US$39.99/C$49.99: midnight Eastern tonight, preload available)
Wii U eShop
Brunswick Pro Bowling ($39.99)
Minecraft: Story Mode Episode 1: The Order of the Stone ($4.99: season pass $19.99 for five episodes)
Skeasy ($1.49)
3DS eShop
PET INN 3D ($19.99)
Wii U Virtual Console
Zack and Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure (Wii) ($19.99/$24.99)
Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros 3 (GBA) ($7.99)
3DS Themes
SEGA SG-1000
Animal Crossing: Winter Frolicking
Demos and Trials
A World of Keflings
Cube Life: Island Survival
Sales and Price Drops
eShop Winter Sale week 2, the theme is Platforming.
Wii U:
- Super Mario 3D World ($41.99, regular $59.99)
- Game and Wario ($20.99, regular $29.99)
- Rayman Legends ($27.99, regular $39.99)
- Freedom Planet ($10.49, regular $14.99)
- Teslagrad ($9.99, regular $14.99)
- Donkey Kong Country ($5.59, regular $7.99)
- BIT.Trip Presents... Runner 2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien ($4.99, regular $14.99)
- Vs. Excitebike ($3.49, regular $4.99)
3DS:
- Sonic Generations ($20.99/$25.59, regular $29.99)
- Freakyforms Deluxe: Your Creations Alive ($13.99, regular $19.99)
- OlliOlli ($4.99, regular $9.99, crossbuy)
- SteamWorld Dig ($4.99/$6.99, regular $8.99)
- 3D Excitebike ($4.19/$5.24, regular $5.99/$7.49)
- Wario Land 3 ($3.49, regular $4.99)
- Donkey Kong Jr ($3.49, regular $4.99)
- Mighty Bomb Jack ($3.49, regular $4.99)
- Toki Tori 3D ($1.39, regular $1.99)
Etrian Odyssey Untold titles are on sale until February 1.
Little Orbit games are on sale until February 12.
The Quiet Collection is $3.99 (from $4.99) until February 1.
Super Toy Cars is $3.99 (from $7.99) until January 28.
Toon Tanks is $1.59 (from $1.99) until February 4.
Europe
Wii U eShop Life of Pixel releasing in Germany only
Adventures of Pip (€13.06/£11.79)
3DS eShop
Moco Moco Friends (€36.50/£26.98)
Goosebumps: The Game (€24.99/£19.99)
Radiohammer (€5.48/£3.98)
Wii U Virtual Console
Mario Kart 64 (€9.99/£8.99: eligible for Wii upgrade, 60hz)
3DS Themes
Nintendo: Mario Hanafuda (€1.99/£1.79, Friday)
NIS America: Legend of Legacy Chibi Adventurers and Etrian Odyssey Untold 2 Story Theme (€0.99/£0.89 ea)
Circle Entertainment: The Legend of Dark Witch Al, Klinsey, Papeline, Riva, Sola and Stoj (€0.99/£0.89 ea)
Demos and Trials
Sales and Price Drops
The Quiet Collection is €3.59/£2.39 (regular €4.49/£2.99) until 31 January.
Super Toy Cars is €3.99/£3.49 (regular €7.99/£6.99) until 28 January.
Stone Shire has been permanently reduced to €1.99/£1.79.
