The weekly Nintendo Download makes the move to Thursday morning this week, as the era of the eShop kicks off with the Game Boy version of Donkey Kong and a colorful WiiWare game about snails.
I had feared I would miss the Nintendo Download this week due to a pair of new personal reasons, but Nintendo had my back. It's moved its weekly delivery of new downloadable games to Thursdays in order to make sure I wouldn't miss a week, or possibly for internal reasons I'm unaware of. Either way, welcome to the first Nintendo Download Thursday. Now I'm going to have to look for a real post every Monday morning.
But hey, this isn't about me. This is about 3DS owners hungry for new downloadable content. This week brings the first new eShop exclusive download since the store opened last week, in the form of the Game Boy version of the Mario-powered classic Donkey Kong. Why didn't I use it as the featured game in the top graphic? Because it's black and white, while Sandlot's trippy Snail Mail is bursting with delicious fruit flavor.
Mind the slightly new format. Since DSiWare titles work on both the DSi and the 3DS, prices will be listed in both DSi points and regular money points from here on out. That is all. See you next Thursday!
eShop
Donkey Kong
Publisher: Nintendo
Original Platform: Game Boy
Price: $3.99
Donkey Kong has once again kidnapped Pauline!
Challenged by many perils, Mario must reach his archrival in order to save our damsel in distress. As Mario makes his way through a series of platforms while jumping and dodging obstacles, he will also need to gather disappearing keys to unlock doors to hidden rooms.
Donkey Kong will stop at nothing to confuse and trap our hero. Help guide Mario as he journies to the top! With 10 stages and 100 tricky levels to solve, it is a long trek to the final confrontation!
DSiWare/eShop
Beach Party Craze
Publisher: Alawar
Price: 800 DSi Points/$7.99
There's no party like a beach party, and there's no game like Beach Party Craze. Cater to the needs of your sun-kissed clients as you manage every aspect of a swanky coastline getaway. Prepare to serve drinks, rent diving gear, build rides, stock your souvenir store and make sure everyone has a spot near the shore. There are plenty of tasks to keep you busy and earn you money for upgrades. Take on the role of Maria as she tries to outdo her best friend's spiteful ex in a contest to win a job at the resort. Beach Party Craze is so captivating you'll feel the sand between your toes.
Gold Fever
Publisher: Tik Games
Price: 500 DSi Points/$4.99
Take a trip back in time to explore the great American Gold Rush in this irresistible arcade puzzle game. Flip coins to make matches of three or more as you mine your way to Gold Country. Gold Fever will challenge even the most dedicated puzzle players with its clever power-ups, easy-to-play mechanics and increasingly challenging game boards. Enjoy 160 strike-it-rich levels while discovering new power-ups, coins and challenges as you progress.
Hidden Photo
Publisher: Subdued Games
Price: 500 DSi Points/$4.99
Snap - Create - Play! Hidden Photo tests your powers of observation with fun brain-twisting challenges. Locate hidden objects, words and faces in a variety of photos, or spot the difference between two photos. Use your Nintendo DSi system's built-in camera to make your world the centerpiece of unique challenges. Unleash your creative talents by snapping photos of yourself, friends, objects, pets or anything in your environment. Hidden Photo will create new puzzles for you to solve and share with your friends. The clock is ticking, so don't admire your photographic genius for too long.
Zimo: Mahjong Fanatic
Publisher: Agetec
Price: 200 DSi Points/$1.99
Finally, mahjong that isn't a simple match-two game. Zimo: Mahjong Fanatic is much more than a simple matching game. Zimo uses real mahjong rules with an innovated game play that will challenge your timing, skill and luck.
WiiWare
Bit.Trip Flux Demo Version
Publisher: Aksys Games
Price: Free (Full Game 800 Wii Points)
The BIT.TRIP series comes full-circle with BIT.TRIP FLUX, CommanderVideo's final adventure. Grab your Wii Remote controller and get ready for classic paddle-based gameplay as CommanderVideo returns to the source. Whether playing in single-player or in two-player co-op, you'll be faced with new challenges that will make even the most experienced BIT.TRIPPERS weep. Enjoy new challenges presented within the familiar paddle-based gameplay that started the phenomenon called BIT.TRIP.
• New Power-Ups including the Fullscreen Paddle!
• New Beat Types including Avoid Beats!
• Mid-Level Checkpoints!
• Classic BIT.TRIP BEAT Gameplay now with all the Modes including the new Meta Mode!
• Bit Shifter Returns as the Chiptune Gueststar!
Ride along with CommanderVideo as he completes his mission and returns… home.
Snail Mail
Publisher: Sandlot Games
Price: 600 Wii Points
Guide Turbo the Snail as he rushes to deliver Intergalactic mail to the farthest reaches of the universe in Snail Mail, a fast-paced racing adventure for the WiiWare service from Sandlot Games. Navigate 50 adrenaline-packed levels of high-speed action in Postal mode, put your stamina to the test in the infinite levels of Challenge mode, or go for the fastest delivery time in Time Trials. Up to four friends can challenge each other in multiplayer mode. Strap yourself in and take off on an interstellar joy ride.
Virtual Console
Mega Man 5
Publisher: Capcom
Original Platform: NES
Price: 500 Wii Points
Guide Mega Man through 13 action-packed stages and defeat all eight of Protoman's robots. Then get ready for a fight that pits brother against brother in the battle of the century.