Nintendo of America has announced that the demo for Heroes of Ruin will be available on the Nintendo 3DS eShop today. The retro gamers amongst you will be able to download The Legend of Zelda, originally released on the NES console in 1987, and NES Open Tournament Golf, which was originally released in 1991.
Developer and Nicalis CEO Tyrone Rodriguez has announced that Cave Story+ will be coming to the Nintendo 3DS eShop. Cave Story+ is apparently a remake and a completely separate game from Cave Story 3D which was released on Nintendo DSiWare.
A version of Cave Story+ launched on Steam, but Rodriguez says that this iteration is different. The 3DS version of Cave Story+ can’t handle the ‘Steam HD art’ or new music, but the sprites will be rendered in 3D. The game will feature the originals soundtrack.
“I fought really hard to try to get it to be just a ‘simple’ update; I feel that Nintendo wanted the same thing too, but the logistics behind it are pretty huge. The good thing is that if you already bought the DSiWare version on your 3DS and ever delete it, you’ll still be able to download it. The update won’t stop you from playing the prior version of the game.”
XSEED has confirmed that it’s bringing Japanese dungeon crawler Unchained Blades to the Nintendo 3DS eShop as a digital download later this year. Unchained Blades has been created by the masterminds behind the critically acclaimed Lunar and Grandia. The game will be fully localised with English voiceovers.
With last nights Nintendo 3DS firmware update came the option to download playable demos but unfortunately it’s only Japan that’s received any. Japanese consumers are now able to download the following titles from the Nintendo 3DS eShop:
We should be getting demos fairly soon over here in the West but Nintendo has yet to reveal precisely what we’re getting. Clearly a Resident Evil: Revelations demo wouldn’t go amiss. Which demos would you like to see?
Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has explained to investors that the company is going to revamp the Nintendo 3DS eShop, with demos, sleep mode downloads, and a browser version of the store for PCs and smartphones. Nintendo will also be providing support for DLC and micro-transactions.
“We are aiming to accelerate our digital business, the importance of which is expected to become even higher in the future. Several new functions will be added to the Nintendo eShop.”
“In terms of usability, we know that there are still several issues with the eShop. We are now preparing for the Nintendo eShop to be available on the web so that you can access it via PCs or smartphones too.”
- Nintendo president Satoru Iwata
Nicalis, an independent video game company, who worked with Pixel to bring the game to Nintendo ‘s WiiWare service has announced a publishing agreement with Terry Cavanagh for VVVVVV on the Nintendo 3DS eShop.
Released in late 2010 for PC, VVVVVV is a 2D action-platformer deeply rooted in the days of 8-bit gaming with incredibly challenging gameplay and secrets. In VVVVVV, you play as Captain Viridian, who must not only save a dimension on the brink of collapse, but also find your ship’s crew–all of whose names begin with the letter V.
Now 3DS owners can experience the critically acclaimed game in 3D, anywhere. When asked for an obligatory quote, Terry Cavanagh said, “I’m VVVVVVery excited about it! This is the first time anything I’ve made has been on a console.”
Nintendo UK has told the Official Nintendo Magazine that Super Mario Land 2 and Metroid 2 will be making a more than welcome appearance on the Nintendo 3DS eShop before the end of the year. I’m sure Nintendo of America and Nintendo Australia will follow suit.
Apparently third-party developers are unable to offer free software on the Nintendo 3DS eShop. Developers can offer software at a minimum price but are unable to give away things for free. The limitation explains why third-party developers are unable to offer free demos similar to the ones found on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network. If they wish to offer a demo then it will be priced at 200 yen ($2)
Nintendo has rather kindly released this weeks Nintendo 3DS eShop chart. The chart showcases the most popular downloadable software on the Nintendo 3DS. You’ll notice that Excitebike 3D is still sitting pretty at the number one spot with Links Awakening holding out at number 2. I can’t wait to see what this chart looks like this time next year.
1. 3D Classics: Excitebike
2. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening DX
3. Super Mario Land
4. Kirby’s Dream Land
5. Donkey Kong
6. Plants vs. Zombies
7. Cave Story
8. Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!
9. Photo Dojo
10. Shantae: Risky’s Revenge
11. Anonymous Notes Chapter 1 – From the Abyss –
12. Tetris Party Live
13. GO Series 10 Second Run
14. Mario Clock
15. Anonymous Notes Chapter 2 – From the Abyss –
16. Bomberman Blitz
17. Alleyway
18. 3D Classics: Xevious
19. Inchworm Animation
20. ZENONIA
Nintendo’s David Wharton, director of eShop operations, recently took the opportunity to give Wired a tour around the Nintendo 3DS eShop. During the tour it was revealed that the lowest price Nintendo 3DS eShop software sells for $1.99, just like the DSiWare 200 Point limit, with Virtual Console games available at a different range of prices: Super Mario Land is set to retail for $3.99, but Alleyway and Radar Mission will sell for a slightly cheaper $2.99. It was also revealed that the Gameboy games that consumers will be able to purchase from the eShop will be simply dumps of ROMS and won’t include any additional functionality or features.
