Digital Download Thursdays

This week’s eShop offerings are pretty slim pickings across both the 3DS and Wii U platforms. It looks like Nintendo has finally mastered the art of converting NES Zapper games to the Wii Remote as this week we see not one, not two, but three Wii U Virtual Console games that originally supported the Zapper on the NES. Both Wild Gunman and Hogan’s Alley were launch games for the NES way back on October 18, 1985 and with most modern TVs not being compatible with the Zapper, the only practical way to play these titles is via these downloads. If you’re looking for a more feature-rich game that takes advantage of the Zapper, but also features levels that use the normal NES control scheme, then The Adventures of Bayou Billy by Konami might be more to your liking.

This week’s Nintendo Download includes the following featured content:

• Virtual Console on Wii U
  • Hogan’s Alley – Use your split-second reflexes and sharp-shooting skills in the practice shooting range. Use the Wii Remote controller to aim and shoot at the old-timey gangsters as they turn, while avoiding the innocent bystanders. Or in another mode, shoot cans and keep them in the air until they reach the platforms.
  • The Adventures of Bayou Billy – Godfather Gordon has stolen sweet Annabelle Lane. But Bayou Billy won’t rest until his girlfriend is back home safe – even if he has to wrestle crocodiles, beat up Gordon’s goons and endure a shootout! You can even play shootout scenes with the Wii Remote controller.
  • Wild Gunman – Go back in time or relive it in today’s future with the classic Wild West shootout of Wild Gunman. Keep your hand steady on the Wii Remote controller and get the outlaw before he gets you. If you think you can win the battle against one outlaw, try winning against all of his friends.

Nintendo eShop sales:

• Nintendo eShop on Wii U
  • GravBlocks+ is more than 70 percent off (reduced from $3.49 to $0.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on Jan. 21.
  • Rock Zombie, Unepic and more from EnjoyUp Games are on sale until 8:59 a.m. PT on Feb. 4.
• Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS
  • Aqua Moto Racing 3D is 50 percent off (reduced from $7.99 to $3.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on Jan. 14.
  • Glory of Generals The Pacific is more than 40 percent off (reduced from $6.99 to $3.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on Jan. 28.
  • Quell Memento is 30 percent off (reduced from $3.99 to $2.79) until 8:59 a.m. PT on Jan. 28.

Theme Shop on Nintendo 3DS:

• New themes this week include:
  • Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai DX “Paper Craft”

Also new this week:

• MY PETS (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS)
• Ocean Runner (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS)
• AVOIDER (Nintendo eShop on Wii U)
• Bigley’s Revenge (Nintendo eShop on Wii U)
• Discovery (Nintendo eShop on Wii U)
• SDK Spriter – Demo Version (Nintendo eShop on Wii U)
• TABLETOP GALLERY (Nintendo eShop on Wii U)

Craig Majaski

Craig has been covering the video game industry since 1995. His work has been published across a wide spectrum of media sites. He’s currently the Editor-In-Chief of Nintendo Times and contributes to Gaming Age.