This week in the Nintendo eShop: Renowned racer Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, rolly roguelike TumbleSeed and action adventurer Kamiko make their Switch debut.
Not much has changed since last week’s dismal discount offerings. Both physics-based puzzle platformers Trine Enchanted Edition and Trine 2: Director’s Cut are still half off on the Wii U for the next few weeks. The frantic first-person shooter Swap Fire resurfaced at half the price, though diligent readers of our weekly eShop roundups will most likely have already picked it up for free last month.
SWITCH RETAIL
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Nintendo, $59.99 | available 4/28) – The definitive version of Mario Kart 8 speeds onto the Switch this week, complete with revamped battle modes, new characters and all previously released downloadable content! Just like with the original, gorgeous graphics and a jazzy orchestrated soundtrack seamlessly integrate with the high octane racing the series is known for, resulting in one of the best kart racers this side of the Mushroom Kingdom. Souped-up for the Nintendo Switch, Deluxe proves more than just a perfect showpiece for the system’s pick-up-and-play nature, featuring various gameplay tweaks and a steady 1080p60 when docked. Whether a returning veteran or your first time drifting through the safety railless cosmos of Rainbow Road, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe absolutely deserves a top spot in your Switch library.
SWITCH DOWNLOAD SOFTWARE
TumbleSeed (aeiowu, $14.99 | available 5/2) – TumbleSeed is a deceptively deep roguelike about balancing an intrepid seed up a dangerous and ever-changing mountain. The unique and challenging twin stick controls beautifully juxtapose the cute and colorful art style to great effect, resulting in one of the most endearingly addictive experiences the genre has to offer. Think ‘80s NES Marble Madness meets Spelunky, but with the charmful presentation of the Kirby series. Trust me, it’s that good. Be sure to keep your eyes planted on Nintendo Wire for our full review of the rolly roguelike when the game launches next Tuesday.
Kamiko (Flyhigh Works, $4.99) – Kamiko is a charming meld of action and puzzle elements wrapped in a pretty pixel coat of paint and catchy chiptune soundtrack. As one of three uniquely equipped Shrine Maidens, players set off on a journey to vanquish demons and release a seal placed on the gate separating heaven and Earth. Most your time will be spent hacking and dodging enemies while collecting skill points as you repeatedly plough through this roughly one hour adventure for better completion times. If speedrunning a beautifully stylistic world with an action arcade mentality sounds right up your alley, give this affordable retro romp a download.
Arcade Archives – OverTop (Hamster Corporation, $7.99) – This isometric-scrolling, cross-terrain rally racing game is often considered the much better pseudo sequel to the critically lackluster racer Thrash Rally. Graphically, it pushes the Neo Geo to its limits with beautifully drawn vehicles and tracks, not to mention a fully rendered CG intro screen (one of the few found on the old arcade system). It’s also notable for sporting various vehicle types with different performance factors and one incredibly large race course spanning multiple terrain types littered with tricky turns and hidden shortcuts. As one of the few driving games the Neo Geo has to offer, fans of the genre needn’t think twice about getting behind the wheel.
3DS DEMO
Parascientific Escape: Cruise in the Distant Seas (Circle Entertainment, Free) – The first episode of the Paroscientific Escape series is getting the demo treatment today. Cruise in the Distant Seas features escape-the-room visual novel gameplay starring a 16 year old high school student with psychic powers. While it doesn’t quite meet the production values of the Zero Escape series, there’s a fairly gripping story and enjoyable gameplay system buried beneath the mountain of grammatical errors and constant misspellings.
Blasting Agent: Ultimate Edition (Ratalaika Games, Free) – Originally released back in 2009 as a flash game, this classic run ‘n’ gun inspired platformer has been retouched, tweaked and cleaned up to provide the definitive experience for all your retro needs, and now there’s a free demo! Give it a shot if you’re hungry for more pixelated platforming goodness and if you think getting a little Metroid in your Contra is the stuff of dreams.
3DS HOME MENU THEMES
Kirby’s 25th Anniversary – $1.99
Runbow Pocket Theme Bundle – $4.99
WII U DOWNLOAD SOFTWARE
Use Your Words (Smiling Buddha Games, $14.99) – Touted as a party game for funny people and their unfunny friends, Use Your Words invites players to respond to various minigames and prompts with the most hilarious answers they can think of. Think Cards against Humanity, but with the player shouldering the burden of dreaming up witty quips over punchlines being handed to you. The game supports all HTML5-enabled devices, meaning anyone with a cell phone can jump in seamlessly for up to six player multiplayer mayhem. Cheesy, self-aware commercial aside, the game looks like a blast for frequent party hosters and lovers of clever word play. It’s just too bad the system it’s releasing for is likely already tucked away deep in your bedroom closet.
Absolutely Unstoppable MineRun (Shy Egg, $3.99) – MineRun is a vertical-scrolling auto-runner where a panicked miner attempts to elude the rising tide of scorching magma. Carefully timed jumps are key should you wish to escape the fiery clutches of its 16 levels unscathed. Beyond this exceedingly low number of stages is an unlockable Endless mode, as well as a duo of multiplayer offerings for up to five players if you can’t take the heat alone. While the overall presentation is something more akin to what you’d find in an ad riddled mobile game, the retro aesthetic does at least merit a modicum of charm. There are definitely better runners out there you could spend your money on (Bit.Trip Runner 2 would be my personal recommendation), but anyone wanting a cheaper option might find Absolutely Unstoppable MineRun fits the bill.
SPECIAL OFFERS AND DEALS
[3DS] Fairune ($1.99 | 33% off) until 5/11
[3DS] Ambition of the Slimes ($2.99 | 40% off) until 5/18
[3DS] Lifespeed ($3.00 | 49% off) until 5/16
[3DS] Thorium Wars: Attack of the Skyfighter ($3.99 | 20% off) until 5/11
[3DS] Azada ($1.00 | 83% off) until 5/25
[3DS] Farming Simulator 3D ($2.49 | 75% off) until 5/1
[3DS] Soccer Up 3D ($1.97 | 34% off) until 5/18
[3DS] Coaster Creator 3D ($5.99 | 25% off) until 5/11
[3DS] Ohno Odyssey ($2.49 | 37% off) until 5/11
[3DS] Epic Word Search Collection ($5.99 | 25% off) until 5/4
[3DS] Epic Word Search Collection 2 ($5.99 | 25% off) until 5/4
[3DS] Puzzle Labyrinth ($2.99 | 40% off) until 5/18
[3DS] Snow Moto Racing 3D ($5.99 | 25% off) until 5/4
[Wii U] Trine Enchanted Edition ($7.49 | 50% off) until 5/18
[Wii U] Trine 2: Director’s Cut ($9.99 | 50% off) until 5/18
[Wii U] Nano Assault Neo ($7.49 | 25% off) until 5/18
[Wii U] Swap Fire ($7.49 | 50% off) until 5/27
[Wii U] Twin Robots ($3.74 | 25% off) until 5/4
[Wii U] Art of Balance ($6.70 | 25% off) until 5/4
[Wii U] Citadale ($2.50 | 50% off) until 5/11
[Wii U] Rorrim ($2.49 | 50% off) until 5/11
[Wii U] Back to Bed ($4.99 | 50% off) until 5/17
[Wii U] Gravity+ ($3.49 | 50% off) until 5/11
[Wii U] Ohayou! Beginner’s Japanese ($3.99 | 20% off) until 5/18
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!
Written by Matthew Weidner
When it comes to playing and writing about video games, Matthew aspires to be the very best, like no one ever was. Writing for Nintendo Wire and the thought of one day finally achieving a perfect, no death Super Meat Boy run fills him with determination.
