The biggest game of the year, let alone this week, hits Friday in North America as Pokémon Sun and Moon drop on 3DS. Between videos, editorials, and a pair of reviews we've covered this game like a Braviary. And as I've braved the large file size to download Sun, I'll see if I can manage to select Popplio before bedtime.

If you've managed to avoid the Pokémania, there are a few options this week. Nikki is back with the release of new 3DS messaging app Swapdoodle. Swap Fire releases Friday as a 5 player shooter with GamePad commentary, or there's a Japanese tutor on Wii U. But most of the action on the Wii U front is in the North American VC releases, where Excitebike 64 makes a super sandwich before Wario Land: Shake It steals it.

Europe has another light week because of no Pokémon - there's an aquarium and a not-that-impressive railroad simulator. The Year of the 3DS RPG has a final aftershock in two weeks though, and the demo for 7th Dragon III Code: VfD is now live for Europe.

North America

3DS Retail

Pokémon Sun and Moon (US$39.99/C$49.99: preload available, unlocks midnight ET)

Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS ($39.99/$49.99: preload, unlocks December 2)

Wii U eShop

Swap Fire ($14.99/$19.99, Friday)

Ohayou! Beginner’s Japanese ($4.99/$5.99)

3DS eShop

Touch Battle Tank – Tag Combat - ($3.99/$5.59)

Swapdoodle (free: in-game purchases available)

Wii U Virtual Console

Wario Land: Shake It ($19.99/$28.19)

Excitebike 64 ($9.99)

3DS Themes

Pokémon Sun and Moon: Tropical, Solageo/Lunala (Friday)

Sales and Price Drops

Full listing available at this link.

Highlights: Totem Topple, GameMill titles

Europe

Wii U eShop

Aqua TV (€4.70/£3.99: downloadable content from €2.35/£1.99 ea)

3DS eShop

Lionel City Builder 3D: Rise of the Rails (€4.99/£4.49)

Swapdoodle (free: in-game purchases available)

Demos and Trials

7th Dragon III Code: VfD

Sales and Price Drops

Nano Assault Neo is €7.49/£6.74 (regular €9.99/£8.99) until 8 December.

Totem Topple is €2.50/£2.25 (regular €5.00/£4.50) until 24 November.

Ascent of Kings is €1.49/£1.10 (regular €1.99/£1.49) until 24 November.

My Zoo Vet Practice 3D is €14.99/£13.49 (regular €19.99/£17.99) until 12 January.

Aqua Moto Racing 3D is €5.99/£5.39 (regular €7.99/£7.19) until 24 November.

Joindots titles are on sale until 12 January.

Defense Dome has been permanently reduced to €1.99/£1.79.