Nintendo puts emphasis on indie games in 2014

One of the ways Nintendo is trying to turn around the Wii U's fortunes is through a renewed focus on indie games. To that end they have a huge list of indie titles coming to both Wii U and 3DS this year. We already know about titles like Moon Chronicles and Retro City Rampage DX, but this press release also details games like Shovel Knight, Wooden Sen'Sey and 1001 Spikes. Of course the Indie Connection Sale is also going on until February 13th.

I think this focus on indie games is the right way to go, I just hope it's not too late. Evoking a Steam-esque platform of a lot of good content for a bargain price could make the eShop more attractive to both consumers and developers. Nintendo has had this infrastructure in place for over a year now, it's about time they exploit it.

Nintendo News: Great New Indie Games Headed to Nintendo eShop on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS

REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- With each week, Nintendo continues to grow the number of fantastic digital titles available on the Nintendo eShop on both Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. Talented independent developers are showcasing their creativity through upcoming releases, representing a variety of styles and genres, and might even be inventing a few new ones along the way. Key upcoming releases include:

For Nintendo 3DS

Retro City Rampage: DX (VBlank Entertainment Inc.) – release date: Feb. 6

Jump into the 8-bit open-world. Steal cars and outrun the law while jumping on pedestrians for coins and collecting power-ups. Retro City Rampage: DX fuses modern with retro, in a celebration and send-up of the ’80s and ’90s. It features a full Story Mode of open-world missions, along with Arcade Challenges for quick pick-up-and-play action. If free roaming’s your thing, the interactive city full of shops, mini-games, customizations, collectibles and special guest stars should keep you busy too. This definitive version of the game on Nintendo 3DS includes content not found on other platforms.

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

Also remember that select indie games in the Wii U Nintendo eShop are on sale now through Feb. 13 through the Super Indie Connection Sale. Fans who own any of the participating games already – or purchase one at full price during the promotion – will qualify to receive 60 percent off all other participating games.

The indie games that are participating in this exciting two-week Nintendo eShop sale include:

BIT.TRIP Presents… Runner2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien from Gaijin Games Inc.
Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams from Black Forest Games
Mighty Switch Force! Hyper Drive Edition from WayForward
Spin the Bottle: Bumpie’s Party from KnapNok Games
Toki Tori 2+ from Two Tribes Publishing

For more information about Nintendo, visit http://www.nintendo.com.