This week in the Nintendo eShop: 64-bit Rainbow Road rage returns, Dracula gets staked by yet another Belmont and Capcom’s monster sale continues.

Capcom’s winter sale is still going strong, with up to 75% discounts through January 4th on heavy hitters from the Phoenix Wright, Resident Evil and Monster Hunter franchises. Those in need of some over-the-top courtroom drama to usher in the New Year might want to check out Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Spirit of Justice. We here at Nintendo Wire gave it a glowing review, praising it for recapturing the magic and underdog nature of the original Ace Attorney games that’s been missing from the franchise for a while.

WII U VIRTUAL CONSOLE

Mario Kart 64 (Nintendo, $9.99) – Topping off your member berry pies this holiday season is quite possibly the best multiplayer experience of 1997. Originally released on the couch co-op heavy Nintendo 64, Mario’s second lap in Mushroom Kingdom kart racing remains as addictive today as ever thanks to imaginative courses, accessible controls and an intense Battle mode that’s yet to be beat by series successors. Lack of ghost saving and poorly aged graphics aside, there’s no better way to brighten up your brother-in-law’s drab New Year’s party than with a nostalgic trip down Royal Raceway lane. Just remember to avoid Toad’s Turnpike like the plague if anyone in your family has a drinking problem.

WII U SPECIAL OFFERS AND DEALS

Just Dance 2017 Gold Edition ($35.99 | 40% off) until 1/2
Pirate Pop Plus ($2.49 | 50% off) until 1/4
SteamWorld Heist ($9.99 | 33% off) until 1/5
SteamWorld Dig ($1.99 | 80$ off) until 1/5
Runbow ($7.49 | 50% off) until 1/4
Darksiders II ($7.99 | 80% off) until 1/5
Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate ($13.59 | 66% off) until 1/4
Resident Evil Revelations ($9.99 | 75% off) until 1/4
DuckTales: Remastered ($5.99 | 60% off) until 1/4
Dungeons & Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara ($5.99 | 60% off) until 1/4
Teslagrad ($4.49 | 70% off) until 1/5
Tengami ($4.99 | 50% off) until 1/5
Skylanders SuperChargers Portal Owner’s Pack ($24.99 | 50% off) until 1/2
The Book of Unwritten Tales 2 ($3.99 | 80% off) until 1/5
Chasing Aurora ($3.99 | 50% off) until 1/5
Soul Axiom ($7.49 | 50% off) until 1/12
3Souls ($1.95 | 50% off) until 1/8
The Peanuts Movie: Snoopy’s Grand Adventure ($19.99 | 50% off) until 1/2
The Amazing Spider-Man Ultimate Edition ($19.99 | 50% off) until 12/31
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 ($24.99 | 50% off) until 12/31
TRANSFORMERS: Rise of the Dark Spark ($19.99 | 50% off) until 1/2
TRANSFORMERS PRIME ($24.99 | 50% off) until 1/2
Jeopardy! ($7.99 | 80% off) until 1/5
Wheel of Fortune ($7.99 | 80% off) until 1/5
Legend of Kay Anniversary ($4.99 | 80% off) until 1/5
PictoParty ($3.99 | 50% off) until 1/5
Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures ($4.99 | 50% off) until 1/5
Ohayou! Beginner’s Japanese ($3.99 | 20% off) until 1/5
Pinball Breakout ($5.00 | 28% off) until 1/5
Shadow Puppeteer ($10.49 | 30% off) until 1/5
FreezeMe ($6.99 | 50% off) until 12/30
Double Breakout ($5.00 | 28% off) until 1/5
Pinball Breakout ($5.00 | 28% off) until 1/5
Wicked Monsters BLAST! HD+ ($1.99 | 75% off) until 1/5

Check Nintendo’s website for the full list of deals available.

3DS DEMO

Azure Striker Gunvolt 2 (Init Creates Co., Ltd., Free) – A demo for the blue bomber’s pseudo successor strikes the eShop today! Cut from the same cloth as some of the best action franchises in gaming, Gunvolt 2 plays a lot like Mega Man Zero on steroids. It does, however, borrow a bit too heavily from its predecessor, which no doubt will be a shame for players expecting a new twist on the established formula. For the rest of us, expect more of the same grueling challenge, excellent pacing and deep customization options that stole our hearts in the first place.

3DS VIRTUAL CONSOLE

Castlevania: Dracula X (Konami, $7.99) – Originally released on the SNES back in 1995, Dracula X is sadly an inferior port of 1993’s critically lauded Rondo of Blood. A direct prequel to Symphony of the Night, players assume the role of Richter Belmont, Simon Belmont’s direct descendant and heir to the legendary whip Vampire Killer, in his quest to rescue his beloved Annette from the infamous spawn of hell himself, Dracula. Unfortunately the similarities end there, as Dracula X suffers from a more primitive artstyle, redesigned levels and cut gameplay elements when compared to its PC Engine counterpart. Personally I find there’s still a fairly decent Castlevania adventure buried underneath its many reworkings, and the replicated soundtrack thankfully remains faithful to the original despite the limitations of cartridges over CDs. Thankfully the Wii Virtual Console is still alive and kicking for purists with a deep desire to experience the original in all its unaltered, whip cracking glory.

3DS HOME MENU THEMES

Pokémon New Partner – $1.99
Pokémon Full-power Z-Moves – $1.99

3DS SPECIAL OFFERS AND DEALS

Pirate Pop Plus ($2.49 | 50% off) until 1/4
SteamWorld Heist ($9.99 | 33% off) until 1/5
SteamWorld Dig ($1.79 | 80$ off) until 1/5
Monster Hunter Generations ($19.99 | 50% off) until 1/4
Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate ($9.99 | 50% off) until 1/4
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate ($19.99 | 33% off) until 1/4
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Spirit of Justice ($19.99 | 33% off) until 1/4
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Dual Destinies ($11.99 | 60% off) until 1/4
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy ($14.99 | 50% off) until 1/4
Mega Man Legacy Collection ($7.49 | 50% off) until 1/4
Resident Evil Revelations ($4.99 | 75% off) until 1/4
Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D ($4.99 | 75% off) until 1/4
Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition ($4.99 | 75% off) until 1/4
Cartoon Network: Battle Crashers ($19.79 | 34% off) until 1/12
The Peanuts Movie: Snoopy’s Grand Adventure ($14.99 | 50% off) until 1/2
Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures ($4.99 | 50% off) until 1/5
Adventure Bar Story ($3.99 | 33% off) until 1/5
Swords & Soldiers 3D ($1.99 | 75% off) until 1/5
AeternoBlade ($2.99 | 80% off) until 1/5
The Amazing Spider-Man ($14.99 | 50% off) until 12/31
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 ($14.99 | 50% off) until 12/31
TRANSFORMERS PRIME The Game ($14.99 | 50% off) until 1/2
TRANSFORMERS: Rise of the Dark Spark ($14.99 | 50% off) until 1/2
TRANSFORMERS: Dark of the Moon Stealth Force Edition ($19.99 | 50% off) until 1/2
The Legend of Korra: A New Era Begins ($14.99 | 50% off) until 1/2
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Danger of the Ooze ($14.99 | 50% off) until 12/31
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ($14.99 | 50% off) until 12/31
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ($14.99 | 50% off) until 12/31
Disney 2-pack: Frozen-Big Hero 6 Combo ($19.79 | 34% off) until 1/12
Witch & Hero ($2.79 | 30% off) until 1/12
Witch & Hero 2 ($2.79 | 30% off) until 1/5
The Legend of Dark Witch ($2.79 | 30% off) until 1/12
The Legend of Dark Witch 2 ($4.99 | 28% off) until 1/12
Mercenaries Saga 2 ($3.99 | 20% off) until 1/12

Check Nintendo’s website for the full list of deals available.

What games will you be downloading this week? Be sure to let us know in the comments!

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