Digital Download Thursdays

This week is a glorious one for lovers of JRPGs because one of my favorite games of all time is finally available on the Wii U Virtual Console: Xenoblade Chronicles (Wii). It’s an amazingly original RPG filled with memorable characters, a vast world to explore, and some of the most amazing music you’ll ever hear. It’s on the Wii U eShop for $19.99 and worth every penny.

Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge is finally available for all to download for free. It was previously only available to those who purchased an amiibo during the promotion period. You will need amiibos to play this game. Check out our review for more information.

Atlus has some great sales going on. Etrian Odyssey IV (3DS) is slashed to $9.99, down from $29.99. Etrian Mystery Dungeon (3DS) is 50% off, now on sale for $19.99. Conception II (3DS) is only $9.99, originally $29.99. Last, but not least, Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked (3DS) is also only $9.99, $20 off from original retail.

The rest of this week’s digital goods can be found below in the official press release:

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

• Nintendo eShop on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS
  • Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge – Make Minis march like never before in this free download. To get started, simply tap any amiibo figure on the Wii U GamePad controller or a New Nintendo 3DS system. Or, tap select amiibo figures to guide one of 11 Minis across more than 50 levels, using their in-game Minis and their unique abilities, like Yoshi who can eat enemies, to reach the exit. But watch out! Mine carts, ghostly Boos and other new obstacles lurk around every corner.
• Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS
  • Disney Art Academy – Pre-Purchase – To help you start playing as soon as possible, if you pre-purchase the game in Nintendo eShop on the Nintendo 3DS family of systems, it will pre-load the game to your system. That means you’ll be able to play after a small game update when it launches on May 13. Be one of the first to play! Game playable in 2D only.
  • SEGA 3D Classics Collection – A collection of nine classic SEGA games in one game … and in 3D! From the arcades straight to your Nintendo 3DS system, experience the classics that defined genres.
• Nintendo eShop on Wii U
  • Lost Reavers – Lost Reavers is a free-to-play, four-player co-op game that asks players to haul treasure safely back to extraction points while their friends protect them. Choose one of four distinct characters to play, and explore a variety of worlds ranging from Ancient Ruins and Medieval Castles to a Modern City. Click here to view a trailer for the game.
  • The Deer God – The Deer God is a game about survival, reincarnation and karma. Find power-ups, unlock ancient secrets and test your platforming skills in this unique side-scrolling pixelated adventure! Click here to view a trailer for the game.
• Wii Retail on Wii U
  • Xenoblade Chronicles – You’ve played him in the Super Smash Bros.games, so now experience Shulk in his very first adventure! Discover expansive environments and deep character customization options as you delve into an epic conflict between the Homs (humans) and Mechons (robots). Explore the game’s unique upgrade, battle and relationship-building systems as you fight to change the future with trusty allies and the ancient Monado blade.

Nintendo eShop sales:

• Nintendo eShop on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS
  • Gardenscapes (Nintendo 3DS), Jones on Fire (Wii U) and more games from JoinDots are on sale until 8:59 a.m. PT on May 5.
• Nintendo eShop on Wii U
  • Journey of a Special Average Balloon and Outside of the Realm from Eli Brewer are on sale until 8:59 a.m. PT on May 5.
  • The Letter is 50 percent off (reduced from $1.99 to $0.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on May 5.
  • Explody Bomb and Hold Your Fire: A Game About Responsibilityfrom Alkterios Games are on sale until 8:59 a.m. PT on May 19.
  • SDK Paint is 25 percent off (reduced from $3.99 to $2.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on May 11.
• Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS
  • To celebrate the developer’s 10th anniversary, Swords & Soldiers 3D, Tappingo and more games from Circle Entertainment are on sale until 8:59 a.m. PT on May 5.
  • Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan, Etrian Mystery Dungeonand more games from ATLUS are on sale until 8:59 a.m. PT on May 9.
  • Real Heroes: Firefighter 3D is 50 percent off (reduced from $9.99 to $4.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on May 5.
  • Zombie Panic in Wonderland DX is more than 30 percent off (reduced from $8 to $4.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on May 25.

Theme Shop on Nintendo 3DS:

• New themes this week include:
  • Star Fox Zero : Space Battle
  • Shovel Knight Campfire Dream
  • Plague Knight’s Theme

Also new this week:

• ASH (Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS)

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 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.