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Nintendo Download for 5/19/2016: Welcome to Mariocraft

by: Russell - posted: 5/20/2016 7:55:00 AM
More On: PixelJunk Monsters Minecraft Hyrule Warriors Legends Fire Emblem Fates

As noted earlier in the week, Mojang and Microsoft have teamed up with Nintendo to bring the Super Mario Mash-Up pack to Minecraft for the Wii U.  This pack lets you fend off classic enemies from the Mario universe such as Hammer Bros. and Dry Bones in various settings based on the various games in the franchise.  There are also many new character skins you can use such as Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Wario, and even enemies such as Bowser and the Koopalings.  I took it for a spin and it looks pretty good.  It even has an Air Ship which I died trying to get to (there's a hole you can jump in, activate a switch, and a slime block will launch you high into the air...I kind of missed my target).  My only complaint is that it takes several moments to start up the next music track once one ends, but that's only a minor nitpick.

In other non-Mario related releases, PixelJunk Monsters is now available for the Wii U eShop.  I did a review of PixelJunk Monsters Ultimate on Steam a while back as well as a couple of other versions prior to that and I thoroughly enjoyed my time with it.  If you like tower defense games you'll want to check this one out.

If you're into simple Pokemon-related games, PokePark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure is now available on the Wii U's eShop.  You play as Pikachu as you travel all around the PokePark and experience a variety of zone and attractions as well as meet many different Pokemon.  I'll admit that as a fan of the series I skipped over this one, but that doesn't mean that others won't enjoy it, especially younger Pokemon fans.

Finally we have Contra III: The Alien Wars on the New Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console.  Contra is a pretty well known game on the NES and is the game/series most associated with the "Konami Code" (though it originated with Gradius if I recall).  While Super C was released on the NES as well (a game with Super in the name not released on the Super NES?), Contra III brought the series to the 16-bit generation and was every bit as though as it's predecessors...well, to me at least, I still have yet to beat Contra III.  I might have to turn in my classic gamer card now.

Finally we have some new DLC this week.  Hyrule Warriors Legends will receive sixteen new Fairy Costume pieces, a new adventure battle scenario, and the Master Wind Waker map for Adventure Mode, and all of this for only $0.99.  However, you can also purchase the Hyrule Warriors Legends Season Pass for $14.99 and receive all DLC packs as they are released. 

Fire Emblem Fates also received some new DLC.  First off is Part 3 of Heirs of Fate which is now available for $1.99.  Next, a new Map Pack is available that will include six maps in a scenario where units that you've leveled up in the main game cannot lend support, so you must devise some strategy with a fresh new team in order to survive.  Map Pack 2 can be purchased for $7.99 and you'll receive the maps as they come out.

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:

Nintendo is partnering with Mojang and Microsoft to bring the imaginative worlds of the Super Mario ...

Nintendo is partnering with Mojang and Microsoft to bring the imaginative worlds of the Super Mario series and Minecraft together as a free update for those who own the Minecraft: Wii U Edition game. (Graphic: Business Wire)

  • Nintendo eShop on Wii U
    • Minecraft: Wii U Edition ?? Super Mario Mash-Up Pack ?? Nintendo is partnering with Mojang and Microsoft to bring the imaginative worlds of the Super Mario series and Minecraft together as a free update for those who own the Minecraft: Wii U Edition game. For the first time ever, players will be able to fend off blocky Hammer Bros. and Dry Bones the same way they do Creepers and Zombies. Click here to see the trailer.
    • PixelJunk Monsters ?? The classic tower defense game comes to the Wii U system! Play as Tikiman and protect your offspring from hordes of monsters sweeping through your realm. Click here to view a trailer for the game.
  • Wii Retail on Wii U
    • PokéPark Wii: Pikachu??s Adventure ?? Play as Pikachu as you run, jump and smash your way through an action-packed adventure. You??ll travel across land, sea and sky to show off your speed and skill. Travel to all corners of the PokéPark to experience a variety of Zones and Attractions, as well as meet and befriend many Pokémon.
  • Virtual Console on New Nintendo 3DS
    • Contra III: The Alien Wars ?? In the year 2636, the alien war continues, and it??s up to two soldiers, Bill and Lance, to put a stop to the alien invasion. In this Super NES action classic, battle through six stages of nonstop run-and-gun action while collecting power-ups to take out the aliens.

New DLC:

  • Hyrule Warriors Legends Master Wind Waker Pack ?? Download this new DLC in the Hyrule Warriors Legends game for only 99 cents to receive 16 new Fairy Costume pieces, the ??Master?? Wind Waker map for Adventure Mode and one new adventure battle scenario. You can also purchase the Hyrule Warriors Legends Season Pass for $14.99 to receive all DLC packs as they become available.
  • Fire Emblem Fates ?? New DLC Maps: III: The Changing Tide ?? Shiro??s wounded band must seize an opportunity. Part 3 of Heirs of Fate is now available for $1.99.
  • Fire Emblem Fates ?? Map Pack 2 DLC ?? Across dimensions, other versions of the Hoshidan and Nohrian children are under attack. Born and raised in the Deeprealms, these fledgling warriors must now rise up to save themselves and their parents as they unravel the mystery of their adversaries. In this six-map series, units leveled up in the main game cannot lend support. Devise a strategy using a fresh team and reap the rewards, but only if all of your units survive. You can receive all six maps as they are released by purchasing Map Pack 2 for only $7.99.

Nintendo eShop sales:

Also new this week:

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.

The 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 the 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.