Digital Download Thursdays
One of the best things this week is Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3. For the first time, gamers will be able to play extra levels that were previously only included on eCards in Japan. These are accessible right from the main menu and makes this version of SMB3 one of the best out there. Check out what’s new this week on the eShop!
This week’s Nintendo Download includes the following featured content:
- Nintendo eShop on Wii U
- Minecraft: Story Mode – Episode 1: The Order of the Stone – This new episodic series was created by award-winning adventure game powerhouse Telltale Games, in partnership with Minecraft creators, Mojang. As Jesse, you’ll embark on a perilous adventure across the Overworld, through the Nether, to the End and beyond. While at EnderCon, in hopes of meeting Gabriel the Warrior, you and your friends discover that something is wrong … something dreadful. You will drive the story through the decisions you make: What you say to people (and how you say it) and what you choose to do in moments of thrilling action will make this YOUR story. Click here to view a trailer for the game.
- Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS
- Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam – Paper Mario is jumping off the page and into the quirky adventures of Mario & Luigi! Become a super team of Mario Bros. to take on quests, take down enemies and untangle two classic gaming universes in this playful new entry in the Mario & LuigiRPG series. Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam will be available on Jan. 21 at 9 p.m. PT.
- Virtual Console on Wii U
- Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 – The Koopalings have been sent to wreak havoc in the Mushroom World. It’s up to Mario to recover the royal magic wands and restore the kings to their true forms. Access extra levels by selecting Level Card on the file-selection screen, or take a break from the journey and get in on some classic Mario Bros. action!
- Zack & Wiki: Quest For Barbaros’ Treasure – In this swashbuckling Wii classic, explore seven vibrant and fantastic lands with Zack and Wiki, as they go on a quest to become the greatest pirates who ever lived. Use the Wii Remote controller to navigate, open objects, transform items or unlock new pathways as you solve puzzles and outwit a variety of enemies and bosses.
Nintendo eShop sales:
- Nintendo eShop on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS
- Winter Warm-Up Sale! – It’s week two of the Winter Warm-Up Sale! Save up to 30 percent off select games, and be sure to check back next week for a lineup of new deals. This week’s deals start Jan. 21 at 9 a.m. PT and end Jan. 28 at 8:59 a.m. PT.
- Adventure Time: Finn & Jake Investigations (Wii U and Nintendo 3DS), Barbie and Her Sisters Puppy Rescue (Wii U and Nintendo 3DS) and more games from Little Orbit are on sale until 8:59 a.m. PT on Feb. 12.
- Nintendo eShop on Wii U
- Super Toy Cars is 50 percent off (reduced from $7.99 to $3.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on Jan. 28.
- The Quiet Collection is 20 percent off (reduced from $4.99 to $3.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on Feb. 1.
- Toon Tanks is 20 percent off (reduced from $1.99 to $1.59) until 8:59 a.m. PT on Feb. 4.
- Fit Music and Luv Me Buddies Wonderland from O2 Games are on sale until 8:59 a.m. PT on Feb. 22.
- Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS
- Luv Me Buddies Wonderland is more than 45 percent off (reduced from $24.90 to $12.90) until 8:59 a.m. PT on Feb. 11.
- Etrian Odyssey 2 Untold: The Fafnir Knight and Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl from ATLUS are on sale until 8:59 a.m. PT on Feb. 1.
Theme Shop on Nintendo 3DS:
- New themes this week include:
- SEGA SG-1000
- Animal Crossing : Winter Frolicking
Also new this week:
- PET INN 3D (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS)
- A World of Keflings – Demo Version (Nintendo eShop on Wii U)
- Brunswick Pro Bowling (Nintendo eShop on Wii U)
- Cube Life: Island Survival – Demo Version (Nintendo eShop on Wii U)
- SKEASY (Nintendo eShop on Wii U)
In addition to video games available at retail stores, Nintendo also offers a variety of content that people can download directly to their systems. Nintendo adds new games weekly to the Nintendo eShop on the Wii U console and the Nintendo 3DS family of systems, the Nintendo DSi™ Shop for the Nintendo DSi system and the Wii™ Shop Channel for the Wii console.

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.