Back in June, Nintedo announced that the eShop would receive a free release to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Zelda franchise. That title is Link’s first multiplier adventure The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords, the GBA add-on to The Link to the Past. DSi and 3DS owners everywhere can download the game free of charge this September.

The game is not expected to have any stereoscopic 3D support as it is launching under the DSiWare brand, and although it has not been confirmed, don’t count on the title having any online support either. I suppose you can’t complain about free though, can you?

The GBA Four Swords title was not quite as lengthy or evolved as the full retail version released on the Gamcube, but it could certainly make a long bus trip enjoyable. Either that or you may just loose a friendship because your buddy likes nothing better than to throw you in the lava. Over and over.

No concrete date has been established, but the first Thursday of September just happens to be September 1st. Here’s hoping!

The eShop’s initial DSiware library stretches much further than you might guess from the few dozen titles in the shop’s featured categories. Every user should scroll left to the “Search” option, set the filters to focus on DSi titles, and then…voila! Your once-starving 3DS has 350 DSi games waiting for immediate purchase and download!

Of course, this is no big deal to most DSi owners, who can transfer previous purchases to the new handheld. For folks like me, however, who skipped the DSi (my fat old blue DS is still working perfectly), the sudden avalanche of content can seem overwhelming. (more…)

The acclaimed BIT.TRIP game series for the WiiWare^™ service has thrilled audiences with its mix of retro style and inventive game play. This week, new and longtime fans are invited to experience the series’ final installment, BIT.TRIP FLUX, and join CommanderVideo for one more unforgettable ride. Also this week, the Nintendo DSiWare^™ service offers a variety of new hand-held games to satisfy a multitude of tastes. Rise to the challenge of running your own eatery in My Little Restaurant, enjoy physics-based arcade action in Magnetic Joe or fend off an alien invasion in Monster Buster Club.

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In case you missed it — some interesting stories from Nintendo that made the headlines this week. Also, whatever you do, don’t look directly at the Kirbémons over there. Their Cuteness Overload is super effective!

- Donkey Kong Country Returns sold over 4.21 million copies, joining the ranks of the top 9 best-selling Wii games of all time (a list that Super Mario All-Stars Limited Edition has also managed to elbow its way into already). Here’s how DK stacked up against Nintendo’s heavy  hitters:

Mario Kart Wii – 26,500,000 units
Wii Sports Resort – 26,350,000 units
New Super Mario Bros Wii – 21,280,000 units
Wii Fit Plus – 17,740,000 units
Super Mario Galaxy 2 – 6,150,000 units
Wii Party – 5,070,000 units
Donkey Kong Country Returns – 4,210,000 units
Super Mario All-Stars Limited Edition – 1,950,000 units
Kirby’s Epic Yarn – 1,380,000 units

See the article for a list of top-selling DS games as well. ( MCV UK )

- Nintendo of Japan is releasing a wireless Bluetooth keyboard for use with the Nintendo DS. It’ll be bundled with Battle & Get! Pokemon Typing DS, will be compatible with other Bluetooth-enabled platforms such as iOS and Android, and may or may not end up in the corner with the Wii Zapper, balance board, Wii Speak, and Wii Wheel. Will the keyboard create more one-use plastic clutter? Pictures in link. ( Electronista )

- The 3DS eShop, DSiWare transfer ability from DSi to 3DS, and 3DS Internet browser will launch in late May via a system update. I imagine this announcement will infuriate a small subset of readers and come as a general relief to the rest. How do you feel about the delayed availability of these updates? ( USA Today )

A great collection of shovelware titles hits New Game Get this week! Not much to see except for a few games that look decent. So check out a trailer or two and let us know your pick this weeks new game get! (more…)