New Game Releases: December 25th-31st, 2015

Shantae and the Pirate's Curse header

With 2014 making an unassuming exit, the last week of the calendar year brings a modest number of new releases. While the Wii U has attempted to match the output of competing consoles, this week the platform absolutely outshines all of its rivals, offering a number of notable titles from cherished 8-bit and 16-bit games like Duck Hunt and Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 to Shantae’s acclaimed action/platformer.

Wii U
Duck Hunt (eShop, $4.99)
Mario Party Advance (eShop, $6.99)
Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse (eShop, $19.99)
Spy Chameleon (eShop, $4.99)
Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 (eShop, $7.99)
Toon Tanks (eShop, $1.99)

3DS
Puzzlebox Setup (eShop, $2.99)

PC
Nekopara Vol. 1 (Steam, $TBA)
Reverse Side (Steam, $TBA)
SilverQuest: Gaiden (Steam, $TBA)
Xsyon – Prelude (Steam, $TBA)

Robert’s Pick: As a collaboration between WayForward Technologies (Contra 4, Aliens Infestation) and Inti Creates (Mega Man Zero, Azure Striker Gunvolt), this week’s release of  Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse is the all-too rare example of a textbook teamwork between developers on both sides of the Pacific. Already an adept exploration-driven platformer when it hit 3DS screens last October, the Wii U version allows player to have the pinpoint precision offered by the Pro Controller. Maybe this time, I’ll have a chance to make it to the credits.

Shantae and the Pirate's Curse

Gonçalo’s Pick: This may seem like a slow week at first, but can anyone really complain when there’s yet another way to play Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse? Graphically speaking, Shantae looks straight out of a Sega Saturn and featuring tight gameplay, a catchy soundtrack and an endearing art style. We don’t see many good looking 2D games these days, which is why I can’t praise Shantae enough for taking the risks it took.

Shantae and the pirate's curse

About Robert Allen

Since being a toddler, Robert Allen has been immersed in video games, anime, and tokusatsu. Currently, his days are spent teaching at two southern California colleges. But his evenings and weekends are filled with STGs, RPGs, and action titles and well at writing for Tech-Gaming since 2007.

22 comments

  1. Happy Christmas to Tech-Gaming staff and readers!

  2. I got a PS4, MGS V: GZ, Thief, The Evil Within, and LBP3. One of the best Christmas’ ever thanks to an amazing GF.

  3. You might assume that Shantae keeping the loli art rolling, but she’s of age considering she’s probably over 2000 years old.

  4. Duck Hunt without a light gun sounds awful.

  5. Nothing really interesting this week. No new games until 2015.

  6. Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2

    Wait, there was a sequel?

  7. I kind of miss the Mario Party games but they belong on consoles not on game boys.

  8. Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 is $8 for a GBA game? WTF?

  9. Last week, worst week.

  10. Oh Shantae, this week you will be mine.

  11. I got a PS4 for Christmas. Yeah! Bring on the game deals.

  12. The only game that’s slightly interesting is Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse.

  13. I just got gift cards. I think I’ll pick up Shadows of Mordor today since I saw it for $29.99. I also want Dragon Age: Inquisition, but I’ll wait until it hits $40.