Nintendo outlines new Indie titles coming to eShop

The Wii U and 3DS are on the doorstep of getting a whole bunch of new independent game releases. Have a look at the lineup after the jump.

Nintendo seems like its putting a little bit of an emphasis on the Indie contributions in the eShop on both the Wii U and 3Ds, which is a very good thing. And I don’t say that just because it’s nice to see independent game studios getting another outlet for their work, but also because Nintendo has been on the downside of the industry since the launch of the Wii U in 2012 and has really been piled on by a bunch of folks of both the ‘industry’ and ‘fan’ labels.

While we went on the record with our own Chris Spence’s feeling on the matter a few weeks back, it’s good to see the gaming giant making a push in several directions to try and get some gamers to take notice of its console offerings once again. Kicking that initiative off was the February 6th release of Retro City Rampage DX.

This new version of the open-world, throwback title features stuff that can’t be found in any version, on any console, other than the 3DS and gives even current players and those who might already have a copy a reason to take a second look. While that’s the first, there’s plenty more to like on the eShop that’ll be hitting in the next few months.

Of particular note is Moon Chronicles. It’s a revamp of Renegade Kid’s Moon from the Nintendo DS days, and if you played Moon at all I shouldn’t have to say any more than that. So without further ado:

Siesta Fiesta (Mojo Bones) – target release: March

• Mojo Bones is proud to present Siesta Fiesta: a colorful blend of block-breaker, pinball and side-scroller. Join the snoozing Siesta – and the fun-loving Fiestas – on this one-of-a-kind adventure across Fiestaville’s eight fun-filled regions, each with its own wacky contraptions and power-ups to interact with. Bounce, boost and rebound your way through frantic time trials, exciting Piñata bosses, a multitude of game mechanics and the madness that is Fiesta mode.Siesta Fiesta lands on the Nintendo 3DS eShop this March.

Moon Chronicles (Renegade Kid LLC.) – target release: March

• Experience Renegade Kid’s award-winning first-person shooter remastered in glorious 3D. Rebuilt from the ground up to take advantage of Nintendo 3DS, Moon Chronicles delivers an atmospheric first-person sci-fi adventure with enhanced graphics and intuitive touch-screen controls for a truly immersive experience. Join Major Kane on a mysterious mission to Earth’s moon to investigate a unique hatch of unknown origin. Moon Chronicles is the first Nintendo 3DS title to be launched with episodic content. With each new episode, players are brought one step closer to understanding the secrets that lie beneath the surface of the moon.

Treasurenauts (Renegade Kid LLC.) – target release: May

• The famous Treasurenauts have been marooned on a perilous, uncharted island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean – courtesy of Bad Pirate Pete. His terms for escape are simple: Collect $1 million worth of treasure before he returns to the island, and offer it as payment for passage back to the mainland. Littered with fiendish foes, creepy crawlies and treacherous traps, exploring the many mysterious labyrinths found on the island is a challenge that only the most skilled and fearless Treasurenauts can handle. Even having the choice of equipping a sword, a gun or bombs will only help so much. Enjoy playing Treasurenauts as a single-player adventure or team up with a friend for a cooperative multiplayer expedition via Download Play. Many secrets are to be found on this rambunctious romp, bestowing you with bounties of treasure, extraordinary new abilities and much more.

For Wii U

Wooden Sen’SeY (Publisher: Neko Entertainment; developer: Upper Byte Studio) – target release: February

• Wooden Sen’SeY is an action-platformer set in a unique “Japan Steam Rock” universe with tons of humor, varied game play and attitude to spare. You follow Goro, a village chief, as he seeks revenge through a variety of levels. He will defeat his enemies using his axes to slice, dice, squash and grapple. The game features nine original environments, each with its own original music and unique game mechanics. As one of the first Wii U digital titles to be developed with the Unity engine, this game features off-TV game play and integrated motion controls using the Wii U GamePad and Wii Remote and Nunchuk controllers.

For Wii U and Nintendo 3DS

Shovel Knight (Yacht Club Games) – release date: March 31

• Shovel Knight is a sweeping classic action adventure game with awesome game play, memorable characters and an 8-bit retro aesthetic. It’s a hot mashup of new and old. You play as the eponymous Shovel Knight, a small knight with a huge quest. Shovel Knight has come to this land with two goals: to defeat the evil Enchantress and quest for his lost beloved. He wields a ShovelBlade: a multipurpose weapon whose techniques have now been lost to the ages. Always honest and helpful, Shovel Knight is a shining example of the code of “Shovelry”: Slash Mercilessly and Dig Tirelessly! The Wii U version of the game features off-TV play and Miiverse integration, while the Nintendo 3DS version uses StreetPass for a unique versus mode sure to be a hit with fans.

1001 Spikes (Nicalis) – target release: Q1

• Discover the lost treasures of Ukampa in South America as Aban Hawkins goes to look for his estranged father, world-famous archaeologist Jim Hawkins, who mysteriously disappeared while exploring the ruins. Aban Hawkins races into the frozen tundra of the Antarctic, undiscovered temple ruins and the vast caverns of South America in search of his father and the legendary treasure rumored to lie behind the Golden Door of Poko-Mum. In this classic 8-bit style platformer, Aban has 1,001 lives to complete the 100+ levels filled with devious traps and dangers that will test the limits of his skills, reflexes and patience. The Wii U and Nintendo 3DS versions of the game will both feature one- to four-player simultaneous game play, cooperative multiplayer and unlockable characters.

Below is just a taste of some additional current and upcoming Nintendo eShop games from independent developers. More games are added every week. Note that game titles and launch timing are subject to change.

Nintendo eShop for Wii U
Title			Publisher			Available
Unepic			EnjoyUp Games			Now
Knytt Underground			Ripstone			Now
CastleStorm			Zen Studios			Now
Ittle Dew			Ludosity AB			February/March
Ballpoint Universe			Arachnid Games			March 18
Armillo			Fuzzy Wuzzy Games			March 24
Nihilumbra			Beautifun Games			March
Scram Kitty and His Buddy on Rails			Dakko Dakko Ltd.			March
Squids Odyssey			The Game Bakers			March
Monkey Pirates			Henchmen Studio			Q1
Teslagrad			Rain Games			March/April
QUBE Director’s Cut			Toxic Games			April
Assault Android Cactus			Witch Beam Games			Q2
Nintendo eShop for Nintendo 3DS
Title			Publisher			Available
Jett Rocket 2			Shinen Multimedia			Now
EDGE			Two Tribes Publishing			Now
Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse			WayForward Technologies			Q1