We're looking for new writers to join us!

Nintendo Download for 2/18/2016: Fire Emblem and NES dominate this week

by: Russell -
More On: Nintendo Download Fire Emblem Fates Project X Zone 2

First off, my apologies for being a day late on this one.  Got caught up in other things yesterday...but enough excuses, let's see what hit the eShops this week and the big release is Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright and Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest.  In the latest release(s) in the Fire Emblem series, two kingdoms are on the brink of war.  As an heir of Hoshido and raised by Nohrian royals, you're torn between the two families and must pick a side.  The side you choose is dependent on the game you play.  Furthermore, the first Map Pack, Before Awakening, is now free for owners of either game and features eleven maps plus bonus content.  Map Packs will be released weekly through April 21st and will be available to obtain after completing Chapter 6.

Project X Zone 2 is also available for purchase.  Project X Zone 2 allows you to team up with classic characters from multiple popular franchises such as Fire Emblem and Xenoblade Chronicles in a turn-based strategy RPG.  While a few Nintendo characters do make appearances, the game is mostly a crossover of several Sega, Capcom, and Bandai Namco franchises.

Finally over on the Wii U Virtual Console we have a trio of rather tough NES games in the form of Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos, Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom, and Double Dragon III.  If you've never played the original Ninja Gaiden trilogy on the NES, I'd definitely say check them out.  They're difficult, but in a challenging way that to this day I'll still put in my NES and try to finish (yes, I've never beaten any Ninja Gaiden game to this day).  As for Double Dragon III...if you're a die hard Double Dragon fan you might want to pick it up, but for me I'll always like the first two games in the series a lot more than the third outing.  I'm not saying it's bad, but it can definitely be difficult for newer players. 

Nintendo News: Nintendo Download Highlights New Digital Content for Nintendo Systems

 

REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- This week??s Nintendo Download includes the following featured content:

The Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright game will be available on Feb. 19. (Graphic: Business Wire)

The Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright game will be available on Feb. 19. (Graphic: Business Wire)

  • Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS
    • Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright ?? Two kingdoms are on the brink of war. Whose side will you choose? Torn between two families, you??re an heir of Hoshido, raised by Nohrian royals. If you walk the path of Birthright, you??ll battle the corrupted king of Nohr beside a family of strangers. Command them expertly and forge deep relationships to master this next entry in the beloved turn-based strategy series. The Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright game will be available on Feb. 19.
    • Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest ?? Two kingdoms are on the brink of war. Whose side will you choose? Torn between two families, you??re an heir of Hoshido, raised by Nohrian royals. If you walk the path of Conquest, you must fight to change your misguided kingdom from within. Command warriors with expert precision and forge deep relationships to master this next entry in the beloved turn-based strategy series. The Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest game will be available on Feb. 19.
    • Fire Emblem Fates: Map Pack 1 ??Map Pack 1 features 11 maps plus bonus content upon release. These maps shine new light on the cast of characters from Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright and Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest, as well as old favorites from the Fire Emblem Awakening game. Discover new background stories about these beloved warriors, while earning more experience points and exclusive weaponry. By purchasing Map Pack 1, players will receive the downloadable content as it releases. Maps will launch weekly through April 21. Players must own Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright or Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest to access all DLC, which is available for purchase in-game after completing Chapter 6. The first map, Map 1: Before Awakening, is now available for free to owners of either game.
    • Project X Zone 2 ?? In the sequel to the original world-crossing adventure, legendary characters from some of Japan??s most prolific video game publishers come together to create the biggest mashup strategy game ever! Team up with classic characters from dozens of the most popular franchises in video game history like Chrom and Lucina from Fire Emblem Awakening and Fiora from the Xenoblade Chronicles game. Click here to view a trailer for the game.
  • Virtual Console on Wii U
    • Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos ?? In this NES classic sequel, the Emperor of Darkness, Ashtar, is on the move following his servant??s failure. It??s up to Ryu Hayabusa to save the day again. Pick up items that will provide increased abilities, like splitting Ryu into three. Destroy enemies with the Invincible Fire Wheel and other powerful ninjutsu techniques.
    • Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom ?? Join master ninja Ryu Hayabusa, last member of the famous Dragon Clan, in the third and final chapter of the legendary Ninja Gaiden saga on NES. Help Ryu defeat the forces of evil once more and discover the real culprit behind ?? spoiler alert! ?? Irene??s tragic death!
    • Double Dragon III: The Sacred Stones ?? Join the Lee brothers as they head on a worldwide search for their friend Marion and the powerful Sacred Stones. Defeat your enemies using a collection of martial arts moves, including those of enemies that join your quest. Play solo or together with another player as you finally reach the evil mastermind behind Marion??s kidnapping.

Nintendo eShop sales:

Theme Shop on Nintendo 3DS:

  • New themes this week include:
    • SEGA Dreamcast Theme
    • Pokémon: Champion Steven
    • Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright ?? Available on Feb. 19
    • Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest ?? Available on Feb. 19

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 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.

Nintendo eShop is a cash-based service that features a wide variety of content, including new and classic games, applications and demos. Users can add money to their account balances by using a credit card or purchasing a Nintendo eShop Card at a retail store and entering the code from the card. All funds from one card must be loaded in Nintendo eShop on either Wii U or the Nintendo 3DS family of systems, but can be used in either Nintendo eShop if the systems are linked to a single Nintendo Network account.

The Wii Shop Channel offers games and applications and uses Wii Points??, which can be purchased via the Wii Shop Channel. The Nintendo DSi Shop offers games and applications and uses Nintendo DSi Points??, which can be purchased in the Nintendo DSi Shop.

Remember that Wii U, Wii, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3DS XL, Nintendo 2DS and Nintendo DSi feature parental controls that let adults manage some of the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://www.nintendo.com/wiiu or http://www.nintendo.com/3ds.