This Week’s Nintendo Download: March Is Virtual Console Month

Nintendo gamers with a penchant for retro gaming have plenty to look forward to this month, with a bounty of classic greatness available over the coming weeks.

For all the promises we were given when we found out that Nintendo were offering classic games for download on the Wii, all those years ago; it has been a shame that the service’s output has been less than consistent. However, this month offers some fantastic retro titles up for download – Including titles from a system new to the Virtual Console service.

But first, here are this week’s Nintendo Downloads (all released on Thursday, 1st March):

• Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games (SEGA, Nintendo 3DS eShop, Free Demo)
  On your marks and get set for the world’s greatest sporting event as Mario & Sonic head to the London 2012 Olympic Games. Hosted within the host city of London, the games are back bringing even more multiplayer fun and excitement to friends and families everywhere.
• Super Mario Bros.™ (Nintendo, Nintendo 3DS eShop, £4.50)
  For more than 25 years, the Super Mario series has conquered the charts, and won the hearts of fans the world over. Now you can discover – or rediscover – the original game that made Mario a household name.
• Punch-Out!!™ (Nintendo, Nintendo 3DS eShop, £4.50)
  What rookie boxer Little Mac lacks in size, he more than makes up for in determination. Box your way through a range of colourful characters such as the fragile-jawed Frenchman Glass Joe, sucker-punching Russian Soda Popinski and the Hollywood heavyweight Super Macho Man on route to becoming the champ. Make sure you look out for a cameo from Mario as the referee.
• Lola’s Alphabet Train (BeiZ, Nintendo 3DS eShop & Nintendo DSiWare, £1.80/200 Nintendo Points)
  Specifically designed for 3-7 year olds, Lola’s Alphabet Train is a fun way to keep your children coming back as they master their reading skills. The Alphabet Train is actually five exciting games in one. As your children’s skills improve, the games get more challenging, but still manage to be fun.