It's a bit of a sparse one again this week. But it doesn't matter because Paper Mario! Yes, that's right. Paper Mario, the original turn-based Mario RPG with a papery twist is now available on the Wii U Nintendo 64 Virtual Console! Oh, happy day!

In case you were wondering, the other releases this week consist of a new shmup for the 3DS and yet ANOTHER horse owning sim. Seriously. There are a ton of them now. Just do a search for "horse" on the Nintendo games pages and you'll see what I'm talking about.

Anywho, go make some paper horses, wait for your turn, and then jump past the break to see the complete list of new releases.

Wii U

• Paper Mario (Nintendo 64 Virtual Console) (Nintendo, 1 player, $9.99)

3DS

• Karous - The Beast Of Re:Eden (Circle, 1 player, $6.99)
• My Horse 3D - Best Friends (Gamers Digital, 1 player, $4.99)

[Image: Nintendo]

Mario Kart DS races onto the Wii U Nintendo DS Virtual Console this week. And that's about all there is, game wise. It's a bit of a sparse one, this week, but Mario Kart DS is a nice addition. Games aside, there are some interesting dlc releases this week. Smash Bros fans will finally be able to get their hands on Mewtwo, starting April 28th. Those who are looking for even more Mario Kart action can download the Animal Crossing pack (and Dry Bowser) for Mario Kart 8 now.

That should be enough content to get us by until next week. In case it's not, there are two other games out this week. One is a railroad simulator and the other is a Minecraft clone. For more information, go grab an item box, toss some red shells, and then hop-slide past the break to see the complete list of new releases.

Wii U

• Mario Kart DS (Nintendo DS Virtual Console) (Nintendo, 1 player, $9.99)
• Suspension Railroad Simulator (Joindots, 1 player, $7.99)

3DS

• Cube Creator 3D (Big John Games, 1 player, $4.99)

[Image: Nintendo]

"He's back again, so listen up dudes.
If you know the words, you can join in too.
Put your hands together, if you want to clap,
As we take you through this monkey rap..."

Okay, that's enough of that. Joining Mario 64 on the Wii U Nintendo 64 Virtual Console this week is Donkey Kong 64! So, if you happen to like gorillas named Kong, or virtual bananas, or terrible, terrible rap songs, I would recommend giving it a try. Also out this week is 3D Fantasy Zone II! Now the only question is, would I rather play a great classic game on my Wii U or my 3DS? Decisions, decisions. While I'm busy deciding, feel free to take yourself through the complete list of new releases after the jump.

Wii U

• Donkey Kong 64 (Nintendo 64 Virtual Console) (Nintendo, up to 4 players, $9.99)
• Tilelicious: Delicious Tiles (BattleLine Games, 1 player, $5.99)

3DS

• 3D Fantasy Zone II (SEGA, 1 player, $5.99)
• A-Train 3D: City Simulator (Natsume, 1 player, $29.99)
• Pazuru (Joindots, 1 player, $5.99)
• DOOORS (PUMO, 1 player, $4.99)

[Image: Nintendo]

This week's set of eShop games marks the release of the first (and to date, only) New Nintendo 3DS exclusive, Xenoblade Chronicles 3D. While the New 3DS isn't the first instance of Nintendo choosing to introduce a 1.5 upgrade version to an existing hardware line (see the Nintendo DSi), Xenoblade Chronicles 3D will be the first Nintendo published retail release that is exclusive to an upgraded system. There weren't any for the DSi.

There are sure to be fans clamoring for the game. Likewise, there are certainly Nintendo fans who are excited about the new upgrades and features that the New 3DS offers. But personally, I have to question Nintendo's wisdom in regard to separating their userbase with this release. I can't imagine that sales of this game will be that high. Far fewer people own the New 3DS than the original and XL models. Moreover, the very existence of the New 3DS and its own exclusive game(s) can only lead to further market confusion and animosity from uninformed consumers.

It just seems ill-advised to have made this game an exclusive when they could have just as easily made it playable on all 3DS systems. After all, Nintendo has already released 3DS games that took advantage of the New 3DS features but were still universally playable. But the decision is made, the die is cast, and now I suppose only time (and sales) will tell. In any case, Xenoblade Chronicles is but one of several new games this week. Joining last week's initial Wii U Nintendo DS Virtual Console release is WarioWare: Touched! and Yoshi Touch & Go. Head past the break to be reunited with the complete list of new releases.

Wii U

• WarioWare: Touched! (Nintendo DS Virtual Console) (Nintendo, 1 player, $9.99)
• Yoshi Touch & Go (Nintendo DS Virtual Console) (Nintendo, 1 player, $9.99)
• Affordable Space Adventures (KnapNok Games, up to 3 players, $19.99)

New 3DS

• Xenoblade Chronicles 3D (Nintendo, 1 player, $39.99)

3DS

• Etrian Mystery Dungeon (Atlus, 1 player, $39.99)
• Pokémon Rumble World (Nintendo, 1 player, free to play)
• Runny Egg (Tom Create, 1 player, $1.99)

[Image: Nintendo]

Nintendo 64 games have come to the Wii U! Or game, rather. N̶̶̶̵i̶̶n̶t̶e̶n̶d̶o̶ ̶t̶o̶o̶ ̶D̶̵S̶! N̶̶̵i̶n̶t̶e̶n̶d̶o̶ ̶D̶̵S̶ ̶t̶w̶o̶! Nintendo DS also! Super Mario 64 and Yoshi's Island DS are both now available on the Wii U Virtual Console. I never thought it could be true. Nintendo DOES listen! Now we just need some GameCube games on there and we're good to go.

Also new this week, HAL Laboratory puzzle platformer Boxboy! Head past the break to see the full list of this week's releases.

Wii U

• Super Mario 64 (Nintendo 64 Virtual Console) (Nintendo, 1 player, $9.99)
• Yoshi's Island DS (Nintendo DS Virtual Console) (Nintendo, 1 player, $9.99)
• Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures (ScrewAttack Games, 1 player, $9.99)
• Underground (Grendel Games, 1 player, $20.99)

3DS

• Boxboy! (Nintendo, 1 player, $4.99)
• Story Of Seasons (XSEED Games, up to 4 players, $39.99)
• Excave II: Wizard Of the Underworld (Bergsala Lightweight, 1 player, $10)

[Image: Nintendo]