Four new Wii U games, three Virtual console releases, more Fire Emblem Fates stuff and the arrival of Kirby: Planet Robobot on 3DS – it’s a pretty busy week for the UK Nintendo eShop.
Kirby’s adventures tend to be hit and miss due the relaxed difficulty level the series is known for. Kirby: Planet Robobot – due on the eShop this Friday for £34.99 with a free theme – is easily one of the better outings for the pink hued dude however, with the majority of review scores coming in at around the 8/10 mark.
“Once you spend time sampling the large selection of powers in each stage, taking in the detailed visuals, the catchy soundtrack, and exploring the wealth of extra modes on hand, you are so focused on the game’s pervasive charm that you’re looking forward to the next delightful surprise, rather than praying for a grueling test of skill†said GameSpot.
“Planet Robobot is entertaining, flows well, and never overstays its new mechanics†said GameInformer, meanwhile.
One new Kirby game clearly isn’t enough – Kirby’s Dream Course (£7.19) is also due on New 3DS VC this Thursday. We recall this one putting a pleasing enough spin on the crazy golf genre back in the day. It was at least on par with Putt and Putter on the Master System, anyway.
Those who have played through Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright and Conquest will no doubt be eager to download Fire Emblem Fates: Revelation (£17.99) – the third full campaign. Here, you’re prompted to choose a side while taking in the storyline from different perspectives. That’s joined by Map 6 – Royal Royale (£2.29), a battle to determine who’s the strongest sovereign of all.
Puzzle Labyrinth (£4.29) is the week’s only other 3DS release. Mazes, monsters, traps and puzzles – the trailer below gives a good idea of what to expect.
The Wii U’s Virtual Console releases meanwhile are Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia and Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs, priced £6.29 a piece. Originally released on Nintendo DS back in 2008, these two put a action-oriented spin on the franchise by allowing players to trap Pokemon by drawing circles around the critters with the DS’s stylus. That’ll obviously be replicated here via the Wii U GamePad’s touch screen.
Also on Wii U: B3 Game Expo For Bees (£7.99), a parody of E3 with a saccharine twist. Playing as a security bee, it’s your job to keep the convention hive safe from attackers by blasting them to bits. Could go one of two ways, this.
After disappointing gamers elsewhere in the world, low budget horror game Sanatory Hallways (£8.99) looks set to appear in a few different countries this week too, while Terraria (£17.99) finally makes its Wii U appearance.
This leaves us with The Book of Unwritten Tales 2 (£17.99) from good old Nordic Games. First released on PC, PS4 and Xbox One around a year ago, it’s a pretty clever point ‘n click adventure with plenty of humour. It’s also due as a physical release this week for around £15.
As for price cuts, the Wii U sees the following discounts: FreezeME (£8.99), Trine Enchanted Edition (£5.49), Life of Pixel (£4.49), Job the Leprechaun (£1.99) and The Rivers of Alice: Extended Version (£5.39).
Then over on 3DS, the following are reduced: Retro City Rampage: DX (£3.99), The Keep (£4.49), Rytmik Ultimate (£8.99), The Legend of Dark Witch – Chronicle 2D Act (£2.39) and Witch & Hero (£1.59).
Unless mistaken, this is the first time FreezeMe – a 3D platformer paying homage to Super Mario 64 – has seen a price cut.