Which would you rather have, a grungy old black-and-white Wario game, a dollar off a classic Mario game, or a colorful action role-playing game from the creators of Dementium: The Ward? I have no definite answer. I just like asking long form questions.
I will say, at least, that were I completely unfamiliar with all three games I would probably be attracted to the more colorful one, because I am a bird. Were I a dog it's a toss-up, because dogs cannot see video games, even screenshots. I'm not making that up.
(edit: He's making that up.)
What's clear is that this week's selection of downloadable games would look lovely lining a nest, and I would probably enjoy watching many of them as I regurgitated chewed earthworms into the mouths of my offspring.
And hey, there's a Mario sale going on! Caw!
Games
Planet Crashers
Platform: 3DS
Price: $9.99
As one of the youngest and brightest cadets to graduate from the esteemed Planet Crashers Academy, your first assignment couldn't be much bigger. An intern from the Academy, Jinkle-bottom, has been sent to deliver your orders: "Reports indicate an unknown evil has emerged from the darkest corner of the galaxy, with plans to snuff out the sun. The Academy is putting you on the job. Journey to the other side of the galaxy, and prevent the unimaginable from happening." Are you ready to take on an adventure of a lifetime?
Dot Runner: Complete Edition
Platform: 3DS
Price: $4.99
"Dot Runner: Complete Edition" is a dot-eater action game in which dots that appear in dungeons must be devoured within the time limits.
Decathlon 2012
Platform: 3DS / DSi
Price: $4.99 / 500 Points
Roman Šebrle's world record of 9026 points is shaking at its roots. The time has come for a competition in the premiere athletic discipline – the decathlon. After hard training only the most versatile athlete will win. Every error will be mercilessly penalized and the chance to create a new world record will vanish away in the London fog. 10 games in one: 100 meters sprint, long jump, shot put, high jump, 400 meters run, 110 meters hurdles, discus throw, pole vault, javelin throw, and finally the exhausting 1500 meters run. In each discipline you control your athlete simply with the stylus, but you won't succeed without proper timing, speed, and managing your stamina. Results achieved in individual disciplines are stored in a table and compared with the best world scores. The total score in the decathlon is calculated using a real-world formula, thus it is possible to accurately compare your score not only to the world record but also to the other athletes participating in the competition, including up to three friends with whom you take turns during the game. Enjoy a stylish design which naturally complements the great playability of original sports games. But this time you don't have to worry about breaking your joystick. During the track events you have to move the stylus with the correct frequency and not waste your stamina. When jumping, you have to attain the necessary speed and time your take-off correctly, and when throwing you won't succeed without totally concentrating on your technique. Only one athlete will get the gold medal for his country.
Mole Mania
Platform: 3DS
Price: $2.99
Join Muddy Mole in a race to defeat the evil farmer, Jinbe. Work your way through each puzzle by pushing, pulling, or throwing black balls to defeat or trap enemies. Blast strategic exits and burrow into soft soil to tunnel your way through underground paths to the next action-packed level. Defeat the bosses and solve all of the puzzles in Jinbe Land to reunite Muddy Mole with his beloved wife and kids. You'll dig the fast pace and challenging fun of Mole Mania!
Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3
Platform: 3DS
Price: $3.99
Be the bad guy and explore the many exciting levels of Kitchen Island. The "8-bit Summer" series continues with this video game classic. Things are really cookin' on Kitchen Island. Wario™ has heard that the pirates have a giant golden statue of Princess Toadstool. After being kicked out of the last castle by his rival, Mario™, he's scheming to steal the statue. Help Wario collect treasure by smashing into objects and foes. Power-ups like the Bull Hat, Jet Hat and Dragon Hat will grant Wario new powers that he can use to his advantage. Find special keys to unlock treasure chests that are hidden in various levels. The more treasure you collect, the bigger the castle at the end of the game will be. Wario's greed knows no bounds. Help him reach the ultimate prize.
World Heroes Perfect
Platform: Wii
Price: 900 Points
This is the fourth installment in the World Heroes fighting game series, released in 1995. In this game, 16 figures from across history fight for the title of the world's strongest. In previous installments, the amount of time you held a button down determined the strength or weakness of an attack, but that system has been removed in this game. In addition to a more orthodox fighting-game approach that enables weak, middle and strong attacks using different buttons, this game includes new elements such as the Hero Gauge, Extra Attacks and Guard Breaker Attacks, adding an exciting new layer of strategy.
A Month of Mario
Super Mario Bros.
Platform: 3DS
Price: $4.99 $3.99
Do you have what it takes to save the Mushroom Princess? Rediscover Mario and Luigi's first great adventure. One day, the Mushroom Kingdom was invaded by the Koopas, a tribe of turtles famous for their black magic. The quiet, peace-loving Mushroom People were turned into stones, bricks and even plants, and the kingdom fell into ruin. The only one who can undo the magic spell is Princess Toadstool, the daughter of the Mushroom King. Unfortunately, she is in the hands of evil king Bowser. Mario learns of the Mushroom People's plight and sets out to free the princess from the Koopas and restore the fallen kingdom. Jump, kick shells and throw fireballs through eight action-packed worlds in this iconic NES classic.
Game of the Weekend
Colors 3D
Platform: 3DS
Price: $6.99 $3.99
Colors! 3D is a simple yet robust painting application that combines ease of use and powerful painting tools. Based on modern painting techniques originally developed for professional drawing tablets, Colors! 3D is tailored for touch screen devices, and caters to everyone from serious artists to aimless doodlers. Whether you are looking to sketch, paint, or draw up your next plans for world domination, Colors! 3D is the perfect digital sketchbook.