With free 3DS demos for Rhythm Thief & the Emperor's Treasure and Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance] in the eShop this week, no one needs to spend a single penny to have a hell of a time with this week's Nintendo Download.
Of course Zen Studios, the makers of Marvel Pinball 3D for the 3DS might disagree, as would the folks behind the amazingly-titled Bomb Monkey in the eShop.
And you might not be able to resist this weekend's special on Nicalis' retro adventure VVVVVV. It's the first game in Nintendo's new Game of the Weekend program, with the price dropping from $7.99 to $4.99 Friday through Sunday only.
I guess you should just buy all the things.
Games
Marvel Pinball 3D
Platform: 3DS
Price: $7.99
The critically acclaimed Marvel Pinball series from Zen Studios, the definitive leader in videogame pinball, is now available for Nintendo 3DS! Marvel Pinball 3D is the ultimate Super Hero pinball experience, featuring original tables based on legendary characters from the Marvel Universe.
• See Tony Stark suit up for action on the Iron Man table as he fights against his infamous archenemy, the Mandarin.
• Join Blade and Hannibal in New York to fight off the vampiric hordes led by Deacon Frost and Dracula.
• Rally the troops and help Captain America and the Howling Commandos defend freedom against Baron Zemo and the Red Skull!
• Defeat Doctor Doom alongside Marvel's first family, the Fantastic Four, featuring Mister Fantastic, the Invisible Woman, the Thing and the Human Torch.
Marvel Pinball 3D features the most advanced ball physics, online leader boards ranking you against other players, in-game friend challenges, interactive 3D models, and more!
Bomb Monkey
Platform: 3DS
Price: $4.99
Blok Bombing is a fine and ancient sport invented by a small and creative troop of primates, called Bomb Monkeys. The goal is simple: do not allow the bloks rising from the jungle floor to reach dangerous heights and knock you from your perch. With an endless supply of bloks and a steady stream of bombs, you can partake in this legendary sport anytime you have a spare moment. Young Bomb Monkeys will learn patience and strategy. Older Bomb Monkeys will sharpen their wits. And, every Bomb Monkey will have a blast! Several variations on the classic "Endless" Blok Bombing sport have emerged over the centuries, providing both variety and unique challenges for avid enthusiasts of the sport.
Escape the Virus: Swarm Survival
Platform: 3DS / DSi
Price: $1.99 / 200 DSi Points
Discover a whole new world hidden beyond the limits of the human eye. Dodge, wind and jump to link all pieces of DNA and build the longest chain ever while fighting off vicious viruses. Longer chains are more difficult to control but they come with a greater score multiplier. Look at your surroundings and you will quickly get one of bonuses such as a vaccine or a micro-world equivalent of a rocket-launcher! With this kind of equipment the viruses don't stand a chance! The game features two game-play modes. In the Normal mode your goal is to make the longest DNA chain while in the Baby mode you are a DNA guardian sneaking between enemies to transport DNA pieces to safety. Rack up a high score and put your survival skills to the test in this reflex-awakening action!
Demos
Rhythm Thief & the Emperor's Treasure
Platform: 3DS
Feel the Rhythm, Beat the Mystery!! Pump up the tempo in the most mysterious rhythm adventure ever to hit the Nintendo 3DS. Raphael has a secret life as a heroic thief who is famous among Parisians for stealing famous works of art only to return it days later. Feel the beat and conquer the rhythmic riddles in pursuit of the hidden truth about the city and his father's disappearance.
Rock to the Beat
Tap the screen, swipe the stylus, control the gyro to the beat of the music to maneuver Raphael in a variety of rhythm-based challenges
Stroll in Style
Dive into the world of Raphael and get immersed in this colorful adventure with 3D maps and stylish animation that bring the streets of Paris to life.
Mysterious Story
Unearth the clues hidden behind treasures scattered around Paris to unmask the truth about Raphael and the secret of the city
Take on your friends
Master the beat and take on your friends in a variety of multiplayer toe-tapping rhythm challenges. Collect fans in Paris on your virtual 3D map through StreetPass.
Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance]
Platform: 3DS
In preparation for an impending threat, Sora and Riku enter the Sleeping Worlds to take the Mark of Mastery exam. They will face new enemies and make new friends in worlds they've never set foot in. If they can successfully unlock seven Sleeping Keyholes and return to their world, they will retrieve a great power and be deemed true Keyblade Masters. New gameplay features such as Flowmotion, Reality Shift, and the introduction of Dream Eaters will elevate the acclaimed KINGDOM HEARTS experience to new heights.
Game of the Weekend (Friday - Sunday)
VVVVVV
Platform: 3DS
Price: $7.99 $4.99
Help Captain Viridian flip to find five crew members, 20 hard-to-reach Trinkets and save a dimension on the brink of destruction. It's a space opera in the most unique scale with a style that only VVVVVV can bring to you. Instead of jumping, control the direction of gravity by inverting your gravity and allowing Captain Viridian to flip between the floors and ceilings of the environment.
For adventurers who save the dimension, there's still hours and hours of new gameplay with all-new Player Levels. Test your mettle and see if you have what it takes to beat a collection of levels created by other famous game developers.
Inspired by classic 8-bit days gone-by and now with experience-heightening 3D, VVVVVV will challenge even the most battle-hardened old-school gamers.