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From the Source: Nintendo... eShop action!

Happy MAR10 Day!

March 10, 2016 14:00 UTC

Nintendo News: Nintendo Download Highlights New Digital Content for Nintendo Systems

REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- This week’s Nintendo Download includes the following featured content:

Star Ghost features procedurally generated levels, a unique control scheme and an atmospheric soundtrack from renowned composer David Wise. (Photo: Business Wire)

• Nintendo eShop on Wii U
  • Star Ghost – Save the galaxy from the Metagons in this explosive shoot-’em-up by former Rare and Retro Studios developer Rhys Lewis. Star Ghost features procedurally generated levels, a unique control scheme and an atmospheric soundtrack from renowned composer David Wise. It is available exclusively in Nintendo eShop on Wii U. 
• Virtual Console on Wii U
  • MEGA MAN BATTLE NETWORK 6 CYBEAST FALZAR and MEGA MAN BATTLE NETWORK 6 CYBEAST GREGAR – After moving with his family to Cyber City, Lan, with the help of Mega Man, must intervene before an ancient creature of enormous power destroys the network and the world. Game content is the same for MEGA MAN BATTLE NETWORK 6 CYBEAST FALZAR and MEGA MAN BATTLE NETWORK 6 CYBEAST GREGAR, but NetNavi chips and other items may differ.
• Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS
  • Blast ’Em Bunnies – Blast ’Em Bunnies is an endless first-person shooter in which you must defend your rabbit burrow using fun new types of weapons and ammo. From Watermelon Machineguns firing sticky raspberries to Turnip Mortars firing explosive Pepper Bombs (which release heat-seeking chili seeds), you’d better get shooting those coins to buy all of the upgrades.
  • BRAVELY SECOND: END LAYER DEMO The Ballad of the Three Cavaliers – Square Enix’s critically acclaimed Bravely Defaultgame is all set to enjoy a much-lauded sequel, and you can try a portion of it right now, for free. In the BRAVELY SECOND: END LAYER DEMO The Ballad of the Three Cavaliers, you’ll return to the land of Luxendarc and embark on a bonus adventure not found in the main game. Make sure to try out different jobs during your adventure. Whether they’re formidable fighters and mages looking to test their skills, giant trolls with a chip on their shoulder or alien entities with a bent for drama, all of them pose a risky challenge … along with the irresistible promise of great rewards.
• New DLC
  • Fire Emblem Fates: Revelation – This third path in the Fire Emblem Fates story reveals many secrets not available in the Birthright or Conquest versions. Players who own either Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright or Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest can purchase Revelation for $19.99 via the Dragon’s Gate in game. Once purchased, a third option will appear at the Branch of Fate moment of the game: “Refuse to Choose a Side.” Additional content will be released on a weekly basis through April 21 and is all part of Map Pack 1 available now for purchase.

Nintendo eShop sales:

• Nintendo eShop on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS
  • Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric and Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal from SEGA are on sale until 8:59 a.m. PT on March 21.
  • Jones on Fire, Gardenscapes and more games from Joindots are on sale until 8:59 a.m. PT on March 24.
• Nintendo eShop on Wii U
  • VoxelMaker is 20 percent off (reduced from $4.99 to $3.99) from 9 a.m. PT on March 11 until 8:59 a.m. PT on March 21.
  • KEYTARI: 8-bit Music Maker is more than 35 percent off (reduced from $7.99 to $4.99) from 9 a.m. PT on March 13 until 8:59 a.m. PT on March 26.
  • Test Your Mind is 33 percent off (reduced from $2.99 to $1.99) from 9 a.m. PT on March 11 until 8:59 a.m. PT on March 25.
  • Christmas Adventure of Rocket Penguin is 20 percent off (reduced from $1.99 to $1.59) until 8:59 a.m. PT on March 31.
  • Art of Balance is 25 percent off (reduced from $8.99 to $6.70) until 8:59 a.m. PT on March 31.
  • Mortar Melon and Plenty of Fishies from Nitrolic Games are on sale until 8:59 a.m. PT on April 30.
• Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS
  • Fantasy Pirates, Toys vs Monsters and more from EnjoyUp Games are on sale until 8:59 a.m. PT on April 7.
  • Snow Moto Racing 3D is 50 percent off (reduced from $7.99 to $3.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on March 17.
  • Code of Princess is more than 65 percent off (reduced from $29.99 to $9.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on March 21.
  • The Delusions of Von Sottendorff and His Square Mind is more than 35 percent off (reduced from $12.99 to $7.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on March 22.
  • The Keep is more than 35 percent off (reduced from $12.99 to $7.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on March 24.
  • Big Hero 6 Battle in the Bay, Disney Frozen: Olaf’s Quest and more games from GameMill Entertainment are on sale from 9 a.m. PT on March 11 until 8:59 a.m. PT on April 18.
  • Classic Games Overload: Card & Puzzle Edition is 50 percent off (reduced from $29.99 to $14.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on April 4.

Theme Shop on Nintendo 3DS:

• New themes this week include:
  • Fire Emblem Fates: Two Kingdoms
  • Blast ’Em Bunnies: Zombies
  • Blast ’Em Bunnies: Western
  • Blast ’Em Bunnies: Ninjas
  • Blast ’Em Bunnies: Luchadors
  • Blast ’Em Bunnies Bundle

Price reduction:

• Nintendo Selects – Starting on March 11, some of the most popular and critically acclaimed Wii U and Nintendo 3DS games become a part of the Nintendo Selects program. Newly priced games include Super Mario 3D World, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, Pikmin 3 and NES Remix Pack for Wii U; The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D,Yoshi’s New Island, Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D and Mario Party: Island Tour for Nintendo 3DS; and Super Mario Galaxy 2, Animal Crossing: City Folk, Donkey Kong Country Returns and Super Mario All-Stars for Wii.

Also new this week:

• Grumpy Reaper (Nintendo eShop on Wii U)
• Jewel Quest (Nintendo eShop on Wii U)
• Rhapsody - Music & Radio (Nintendo eShop on Wii U)
• Word Puzzles by POWGI – Demo Version (Nintendo eShop on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS)

From the Source: WayForward - Shantae and the Pirate's Curse... on Xbox One, March 16th (2016)!

If you've been looking for an awesome 2D platform adventure on the Xbox One... then you're in for a treat, because Shantae and the Pirate's Curse is headed your way March 16th, 2016!

Check out the post, and then read up on our game review at the link down below. Game on!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Valencia, Calif. –  2/26/2016 — WayForward is pleased to announce that Shantae and the Pirate's Curse is coming to XBox One March 16th!

Name: Shantae and the Pirate's Curse Publisher/Developer: WayForward Release Date: 3/16/2016 Platform: Xbox One Players: Single Player Price: $19.99 (25% off Pre-Order thru Release Week), Australia: 26.95, UK: 15.99, Europe: 19.99

Features Developed by WayForward - makers of Double Dragon: Neon, Ducktales: Remastered and the Mighty Switch Force Series! Character portraits by Mega Mandeveloper IntiCreates! Unlockable Pirate-Mode Xbox Live Achievements Multiple endings Epic original soundtrack by Jake “Virt” Kaufman

Ratings • PEGI (Europe): 12 (Violence, Sex) • USK (Germany): 6 • COB/OFLC (Australia/NZ): G (Very Mild Violence) • RAR (Russia): 6

The original indie darling is back in her biggest adventure yet! Critics are calling Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse the pinnacle of this fan-favorite series!  The sequel to Metacritic’s *handheld game of 2010: Shantae: Risky’s Revenge, boasts more than double the content, and acclaim from fans and press alike! She's still got it" -Destructoid 9.0 "...a must-play" -Nintendo World Report 9.0 "one of the most satisfying games I’ve played all year" - Hardcore Gamer 9.0, Gold Award "satisfying in every regard...guaranteed to please" -Pocket Gamer UK 9.5 "the pinnacle of the series" Wii Brasil 9.0 "an exceptionally well-crafted game that should not be ignored" -Nintendo Life 8.5 "stands above its retro-inspired contemporaries" –IGN

About Embark on a brand new adventure with Shantae, the hair-whipping belly dancing genie. When she loses her magic, Shantae must team up with her nemesis, the nefarious pirate Risky Boots in order to save Sequin Land from an evil curse. As a pirate, Shantae gains new weapons to advance her quest, slay monsters, battle epic bosses…and hopefully get her magic back in the bargain! But can she really trust her deadliest enemy? Beyond Sequin Land lie cursed islands and labyrinths each hiding a new piece of Pirate Gear - Flintlock Pistol, Pirate Hat, Scimitar, Risky's Boots, and even a Cannon. Upgrade Shantae's hair and weapons or unlock advanced Fighter's Moves. Locate maps, return lost Heart Squids, collect rare loot, and laugh out loud at the weird, wild, and wonderfully humorous cast of characters. SDGT Ent gives Shantae and the Pirate's Curse a... 5 out of 5! Click here for our game review!

From the Source: Nintendo - Pokemon Direct + eShop Action!

Today is the day for... Pokemon Direct + eShop Action? Enjoy... Poke-MANIA!

Feb. 25, 2016 14:00 UTC

Nintendo News: Nintendo Download Highlights New Digital Content for Nintendo Systems

REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- This week’s Nintendo Download includes the following featured content:

With classic graphics and music, the Pokémon Red, Pokémon Blue and Pokémon Yellow: Special Pikachu Edition games stay true to the originals released nearly 20 years ago. These games will be available on Feb. 27. (Graphic: Business Wire)

• Virtual Console on Nintendo 3DS
  • Pokémon Red , Pokémon Blue and Pokémon Yellow: Special Pikachu Edition – With classic graphics and music, the Pokémon Red, Pokémon Blue and Pokémon Yellow: Special Pikachu Edition games stay true to the originals released nearly 20 years ago. You’ll feel like you’re playing them just as they were, but now you can trade and battle Pokémon in 2D using local wireless on the Nintendo 3DS family of systems! Revisit these timeless games, or play them for the first time! These games will be available on Feb. 27.
• Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS
  • Return to Popolocrois: A Story of Seasons Fairytale – This Nintendo 3DS-exclusive RPG features traditional turn-based combat, nearly a hundred quests, a fully featured farming mini-game, dual-language voice acting, community treasure-hunting via the StreetPass feature, multiple difficulty levels and an adjustable random encounter rate!
  • Mega Man Legacy Collection – Mega Man Legacy Collection is a celebration of 8-bit history. Featuring faithful reproductions of the series’ origins with the original six Mega Man games, the Legacy Collection will remind long-time fans and introduce newcomers to what made Mega Man such a popular and iconic character. Mega Man Legacy Collection features all six original NES games and more fun features. Click here to view a trailer for the game.
• Virtual Console on Wii U
  • Medabots AX: Metabee and Medabots AX: Rokusho – The World Robattle Tournament is hosted every four years, and both Ikki and Metabee are itching for top place. Help them to victory as they take on the toughest Medafighters and their Medabots. Create and customize unique Medabots with Medaparts that are earned from successful battles in these Game Boy Advance fighting games.

New DLC:

• Minecraft: Wii U Edition – Free Update and DLC – Players of the Minecraft: Wii U Edition game can now add even more fun with a massive free update and new DLC available for purchase in Nintendo eShop. This update adds some anticipated Minecraft features, including a long list of new potions, blocks, mobs and biomes. From the Redwood forests of Mega-Taiga to the vastness of the Deep Ocean, you´ll get to build, play and explore new biomes that will offer a great canvas for your creations. Players can also purchase the new Biome Settlers Skin pack, which brings 24 new settler characters into the game and even more biome-themed skins they can use to role-play with their friends. Click here for full details.
• Fire Emblem Fates – New DLC Maps – Two new maps are available to download in Fire Emblem Fates for $2.49 each: Boo Camp and Beach Brawl.
• Fire Emblem Fates – Map Pack 1 – As a reminder, anyone can purchase Map Pack 1 for $17.99 to get access to 11 DLC maps plus bonus content as it is released weekly throughApril 21. Map Pack 1 content is priced at more than $24 when purchased individually.

Nintendo eShop sales:

• Nintendo eShop on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS
  • Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures (Wii U and Nintendo 3DS) is 50 percent off (reduced from $9.99 to $4.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on March 1.
  • Jewel Match 3, Joe’s Diner and more games from Joindots are on sale until 8:59 a.m. PT on March 10.
• Nintendo eShop on Wii U
  • Keytari: 8-Bit Music Maker is more than 35 percent off (reduced from $7.99 to $4.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on March 5.
  • Land it Rocket is more than 45 percent off (reduced from $2.99 to $1.59) until 8:59 a.m. PT on March 3.
  • Defense Dome and SDK Paint from Hullbreach Studios are on sale until 8:59 a.m. PT on March 3.

• Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS
  • Kami and Witch & Hero from Circle Entertainment are on sale until 8:59 a.m. PT on March 10.
  • Fun! Fun! Minigolf TOUCH! is 25 percent off (reduced from $2.99 to $2.24) until 8:59 a.m. PT on March 17.
  • Bloo Kid 2 is 50 percent off (reduced from $3.99 to $1.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on March 17.

Theme Shop on Nintendo 3DS:

• New themes this week include:
  • Mega Man “Stage Select”
  • Mega Man vs. Dr. Wily!

Also new this week:

• Sadame (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS)
• Toy Defense (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS)
• 6180 the moon (Nintendo eShop on Wii U)
• Inside My Radio (Nintendo eShop on Wii U)
• Replay: VHS is not dead (Nintendo eShop on Wii U)
• Smart Adventures – Mission Math (Nintendo eShop on Wii U)
• Volcanic Field 2 (Nintendo eShop on Wii U)
• LEGO Marvel’s Avengers – Demo Version (Nintendo eShop on Wii U)

Shantae and the Pirate's Curse... reviewed!

Fantastic platform adventure that makes me wish there was more of an adventure in Mighty Switch Force games.

If you’re not familiar with the Shantae series, just know that it is a 2D platformer placing you in the role of a charming genie by the name of… Shantae (of course), but this time around you’re a lot less ½ genie.

This game started off a bit too easy in the beginning (for me)… but be warned, if you aren’t prepared, you’ll be sent running back to the drawing board (which is to be expected as you progress, so consider that the “duh of the day”). The story in this game is almost as important as the gameplay… and the developer did a great job making the puzzle fit together. The buildup is great because you aren’t just going in equipped with a slew of abilities; you have to work your way up.

I say that to say… don’t go in expecting to access everything from the beginning, even if something is on an island that you’ve unlocked (and you see it clear as day). You may get caught up on how to access or get something because it’s there, but if it’s out of the reach of your current capabilities… it may be that way for a reason (so don’t question your skills). New abilities are like keys to unlock doors.

The replay value comes into play when you increase your abilities, and you will find progression in the story when this happens… a good chunk of the time. There are games out there where racing from start to finish is the key (and you have the ability to challenge a clock here too), but there will be various objectives required where you may visit an island more than once (just so you know), so you can either dash or appreciate the story. Scuttle Town is home… also doubling as your hub with plenty of nifty little progressive scenarios to enjoy while moving forward so that you aren’t just returning home to interact with NPC’s stuck on repeat.

I appreciate that about this game, it gives an RPG’ish feel beyond those of gaining new abilities. EXP isn’t really the thing that brings about new abilities in this game though unless you consider the gems as a form of EXP. Once enough gems are obtained, you can use them to buy skill enhancements… for certain things, while the others will come with game progression (as mentioned above). Replay value is also found in this game thanks to multiple endings... and an unlockable Pirate-Mode.

**You do have the ability to grind, and it’s easier in some areas than others… if that’s something you’d fancy.**

The artwork and the music in this game… are additional reasons I came back for more because they got my attention from the beginning and had me looking forward to what I’d see/hear next. Art wise… I can see the team creating a new Metal Slug game, or even a new 2D Sonic the Hedgehog title.

Fun fact: Character portraits were done by Mega Man developer Inti Creates!

If WayForward ever decided to make a 3D version of a Shantae adventure… keeping everything true to the feel of the Shantae series, I think it would be one of those welcomed titles that bring back an interest in 3D platformers (at least the quality ones, and since it would be 3^rd party… it could be enjoyed on more than Nintendo platforms).

Overall, Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse… is a welcomed 2D adventure that gives me not only a welcomed break from multiplayer games, but it also gave me the opportunity to enjoy a cool adventure.

Fun factor: 5
Visually: 5
Replay value: 5
Price: 5

"5 out of 5 Cool Points!"

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