It’s stunning they’re letting Knuckles in the Olympics following his positive PED test in 2014.
There’s a heavy retail presence for both Wii U and 3DS this week, with two of the most prominent releases being Pokkén Tournament for Wii U and Mario and Sonic’s biannual crossover sport competition on 3DS. I reviewed Pokkén – note the day one patch, which is part of the reason why we haven’t scored it – and it will serve your need to beat the ever-loving snot out of a rat nicely. If you prefer something intense but with less physical contact, you can take part in the new Olympic golf tournament among other events in Rio.
Both eShops get something quite difficult as well, with Mutant Mudds Super Challenge – perhaps the most discounted launch game in quite a while on the eShop. It’s got two ways to get a loyalty discount PLUS crossbuy. On the Virtual Console front, Earthbound might be next week for New 3DS, but we get import title Dig Dug II this week (as well as City Connection).
Europe gets Pokkén but has to wait a few weeks for the grand trip to Rio, while also taking part in the Mutant Mudds Super Challenge with the same discount opportunities available. (Note that both territories also have the original at 50% off until March 31.) If you still gotta go fast, New 3DS owners can grab F-Zero or Super Mario kart to fill that need for speed.
North America
Wii U Retail
Pokkén Tournament ($59.99/$74.99, midnight ET tonight)
3DS Retail
Mario and Sonic at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games ($39.99/$49.99, preload available, midnight ET tonight)
Hyrule Warriors Legends ($39.99/$49.99, preload, unlocks March 25)
Wii U eShop
U Host ($12.99/$15.99)
Mutant Mudds Super Challenge ($9.99/$12.99, crossbuy with 3DS version, 15% off for owning Mutant Mudds [3DS] or downloading Nindies@Home demo)
Bird Mania Party ($1.99)
3DS eShop
Mutant Mudds Super Challenge ($9.99/$12.99, crossbuy with Wii U version, 15% off for owning Mutant Mudds [3DS] or downloading Nindies@Home demo)
Wii U Virtual Console
Dig Dug II (NES) ($4.99)
City Connection (NES) ($4.99)
3DS Themes
The Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess: Light & Twilight
Sales and Price Drops
Mutant Mudds is $4.49 (regular $8.99) through March 31.
Curve Digital titles are on sale until March 31.
Shin Megami Tensei Devil Survivor 2: Record Breaker is $29.99 (from $39.99) until March 28.
Never Alone (Kisima Ingitchuna) is $4.99 (from $14.99) until March 24.
Johnny's Payday Panic is $1.99 (from $3.99) until March 31.
SmileBASIC is $4.99 (from $9..9) until March 21.
Hold Your Fire: A Game About Responsibility is $0.99 (from $1.99) until April 7.
Rytmik Ultimate is $9.99 (from $17.99) until March 31.
Real Heroes: Firefighter 3D is $4.99 (from $9.99) until March 24.
Tom Create titles are on sale until March 31.
Circle Entertainment titles are on sale until March 31.
Mobot Studios titles are on sale until April 7.
Joindots titles are on sale until March 31.
Europe
Wii U Retail
Pokkén Tournament (€59.99/£49.99, Friday)
Wii U eShop
Mutant Mudds Super Challenge (€9.99/£8.99, crossbuy with 3DS version, €8.49/£7.64 if Mutant Mudds or Nindies@Home demo downloaded)
Paranautical Activity (€9.99/£8.99)
3DS eShop
Mutant Mudds Super Challenge (€9.99/£8.99, crossbuy with Wii U version, €8.49/£7.64 if Mutant Mudds or Nindies@Home demo downloaded)
New 3DS Virtual Console Buy one of this week’s releases, get the other 50% off through 24 March
F-Zero (€7.99/£7.19)
Super Mario Kart (€7.99/£7.19)
3DS Themes
WayForward: Mighty Switch Force, Shantae and Pirates, Rottytops (€1.79/£1.59 ea)
Nnooo: Luchador, Ninja, Western, Zombie (€1.99/£1.29 ea, bundle €4.99/£2.99)
Rainbow: Winter in Centopia, Winx Music and Magic (€1.99/£1.79)
Mercis/CPLG: Miffy & Stars, Miffy & Ducks (€0.99/£0.89 ea)
Studio 100: Maya the Bee (€0.99/£0.89)
Demos and Trials
Petit Novel series: Harvest December
Sales and Price Drops
Capcom titles are on sale: Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney Trilogy is €17.99/£14.99 (regular €29.99/£24.99), Ace Attorney Dual Destinies is €11.24/£8.99 (regular €24.99/£19.99), Ducktales Remastered is €5.99/£4.79 (regular €14.99/£11.99) and Dungeons and Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara is €5.24/£4.19 (regular €14.99/£11.99) through 31 March.
Curve Digital titles are on sale through March 31 (Nova-111, OlliOlli [Wii U/3DS], Pumped BMX +, Stealth Inc 2: A Game of Clones, Ultratron, The Swapper and The Swindle).
Mutant Mudds is €4.49/£4.04 (regular €8.99/£8.09) through 31 March
Rytmik Ultimate is €9.99/£8.99 (regular €17.99/£15.99) through 31 March.
Real Heroes: Firefighter 3D Download Version is €4.99/£4.49 (regular €9.99/£8.99) through 24 March.
Torn Create titles (Escape from Zombie City, Ninja Battle Heroes) are on sale through 31 March.
Joindots titles (Island Flight Simulator, 3D Game Collection, Secret Agent Files: Miami) are on sale through 31 March.