Nintendo eShop’s New December 29, 2016 Releases

Here it is, the final Nintendo eShop update of 2016! There’s a dearth of games this week, but both titles should keep you entertained.

Mario Kart 64 was one of the defining games of my childhood. As the second Mario Kart title, 64 established much of what has become the series’ standard, including the iconic eight-character roster and that accursed Spiny Shell. I’m unsure if Mario Kart 64 holds up, especially when Mario Kart 8 is so tightly designed, but nostalgia is a powerful draw. 64, however, does have the benefit of a competent Battle Mode.

> BUY NOW: ‘MARIO KART’ 64

Castlevania: Dracula X, the Super Nintendo’s approximation of Rondo of Blood, has hit the New Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console. Sweet, innocent Annette was kidnapped by Dracula, forcing Richter Belmont and his whip to act. Richter’s stake in the Belmont tradition features seven levels. By the way, where’s Maria?

Here’s everything Nintendo released on the eShop this week:

Wii U

Games:

• Mario Kart 64 (Nintendo, $9.99 – originally for the Nintendo 64)

Nintendo 3DS

Themes:

• Pokémon Full-power Z-Moves (Nintendo/The Pokémon Company)
• Pokémon New Partner (Nintendo/The Pokémon Company)

New Nintendo 3DS

Games:

• Castlevania: Dracula X (Konami, $7.99 – originally for the Super NES)

Nothing listed above catches your attention? Check out what’s on sale. Runbow is decent. Alternatively, you can check out the Capcom sale that started last week. There’s some nice stuff in there.