Golden Moon Hotel & Casino at Pearl River Resort

• Trine: Enchanted Edition coming to Wii U later this year

Trine 2: Director's Cut was one of the few games at Wii U's launch that really blew me away. The platforming was solid, the co-op was fun, and while I didn't think much of the story, the visuals were mindblowing. Now, we have Trine: Enchanted Edition, which is a new version of the original Trine, remade using the Trine 2 engine. No word on a solid release date as yet, but we'll keep tabs on it. Check the link for a trailer!

• Areal crowdfunding campaign suspended by Kickstarter

At first, it seemed too good to be true: a spiritual successor to the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series, made by folks who worked on the original? Over time, it has been deconstructed into what appears to be nothing short of a scam. While the Internet was gathering their pitchforks and torches, West Games continued along with their crowdfunding venture, and eventually, the powers that be suspended the campaign shortly after it reached its funding goal. As for the fate of the game now, it's left up in the air.

• Art of Balance due out by the end of summer, confirms Shin'en

*Shin'en Multimedia's next Wii U game is coming very soon! The game is now being tested by Nintendo, and will be out by summer's end. For those not in the know, Art of Balance is a physics-based puzzler that is a big update from the original WiiWare version. It's one of the first Wii U games to run on the developer's new engine, and it will be the same one that powers FAST Racing Neo.

• XType Plus making its way to the Wii U eShop on July 31st in North America and Europe

Of course, we already know this news because Phoboslab themselves came here to spread the word, but I'll reiterate that here. XType Plus is a bullet hell shooter that looks to put the Nintendo Web Framework to the test. The game will have a Classic Mode and Plus Mode, as well as online leaderboards to post your scores in, and watch replays of other runs.
Also, as an official announcement from yours truly: Phoboslab will be here on /WiiU on July 31st to do a developer AMA! So look out for that next week!

• SteamWorld Dig developers, Image & Form, looking into a discount for the upcoming Wii U version for owners of the 3DS original

Of course, we've been hearing so much about the recent crossbuy efforts from The Game Bakers with Squids Oddysey in Europe, and while other developers have considered the possibilities, there are a few who are looking into other ways of cross-platform unity. Image & Form is looking to ensure that if you owned the 3DS eShop version of SteamWorld Dig, you'll get the Wii U version of SteamWorld Dig for a good discount. No word on how big it'll be, but we'll see.

• Nintendo of Europe launching a Virtual Console NES Remix sales promotion

As straightforward as the title is (hopefully), NOE will spend the next four weeks discounting select VC games on the Wii U eShop for owners of either NES Remix, NES Remix 2, or both of them. The select games are from the NES Remix lineups, so if there's a VC game in the lineup that catches your eye, you'll be able to get some good discounts.

• SUICA NFC cards can used as eShop payments in Japan

One of the earlier promises of Wii U came with the NFC readewriter - Iwata pledged that Nintendo would study the feature and use it in select games. So far, we've had Pokemon Rumble U as an experiment, and amiibo which will lead the charge for our wallets later this year. In regards to our wallets, our friends in Japan can now use their SUICA cards to pay for eShop content. For those unaware, SUICA cards are used as payment for daily commutes throughout the country, so it's a pretty big move on Nintendo's end to have a well-used product be compatible with Wii U.

• BLOK DROP U's next update to add 20 new levels, and add 5 new languages

RCMADIAX has recently confirmed that their next update for their debut game, BLOK DROP U, will be stacked with 20 levels of new content, as well as 5 new languages for folks who requested it. No word on if this is the crossover content with Ping 1.5+ (from Nami Tentou Mushi).
In other RCMADIAX news, their next entry in their card/casino series (Shut the Box) is planned for an August release and will be priced at $0.99.

• Siliconera Interview: How Atlus Saved Citizens of Earth

I remember seeing Citizens of Earth being slated for a release date earlier in 2014, but then it no-showed. Everyone was confused, including myself. Then I did some research, and found out that it was a Kickstarter campaign which didn't reach its funding goal, and supposedly died. However, Atlus swooped in to save the game, acting as publishers and now the game's alive and well.

• Nintendo Enthusiast Interview: Bitfinity (Tadpole Treble)

It's been a little while since we heard about Tadpole Treble from the creators of the well-known Brawl in the Family comic strip. And now, they're back with new info on the game! We're hearing about an asymmetrical multiplayer mode on Wii U, and more. However, the Wii U version will be out later as the team figures out the necessary funds to get a programmer to get it running on Wii U.

• Black Forest Games says that the Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams patch is "up to Nintendo"

Not much I can go off of from a tweet, but according to Black Forest Games, the ball is in Nintendo's court to get the patch up and running on the eShop. It's been about... 4(?) months since we've heard of the patch, so I'm a little confused. Let's hope that it gets out soon.

• Tetrobot and Co. coming to Wii U

Another day, another new indie game! This time, we have a charming puzzler that's coming to Wii U called Tetrobot and Co. - the trailer is pretty self-explanatory of its content, so give it a watch! Neko Entertainment is lending a hand with porting the game.

• SEGA clarifies their statements in regards to supporting the Wii U Virtual Console

Not too long ago, a SEGA development producer (Yosuke Okunari) supposedly confirmed via Twitter that the publisher has no plans to bring its older games to the Wii U's Virtual Console service. SEGA has now clarified that "all options are currently on the table concerning development for the Wii U Virtual Console. Although there are no immediate plans, this does not negate the possibility and exploration of creating for this platform.”
Let's hope that SEGA does consider bringing their catalog of games to Wii U VC, otherwise we may as well hang on to the Wii's VC collection.

• eShop funds now buyable and giftable via PayPal in the United Kingdom

Yep, that sounds about right! Gifting eShop cash sounds pretty solid, so let's hope they roll this out to all regions. But what would be even better? Gifting games to friends, Nintendo! Make it so, please!

• Dahku Creations bringing Soon Shine to the Wii U eShop

Another day, another indie game! This time, the folks at Dahku Creations are bringing another one of their games to Wii U eShop - an puzzler called Soon Shine which emphasizes GamePad play. Not much is known as yet, but it'll launch in Q3 of this year at $1.99 - the trailer is available through the link.

• Nintendo Life Interview: Nifflas (Affordable Space Adventures)

One of the eShop's big exclusives this year without a doubt is Affordable Space Adventures, a collaboration between KnapNok Games and Nifflas, which is a charming exploration-based puzzleplatformer where you take the reins of a busted spaceship to adventure through the cosmos. The interview contains talk of how the two met, how the collaboration began, and various features of the game. The game is set to be released in Q3 2014, and I can't wait!
Nintendo Life also has a first-impressions piece with footage of the game, if you need any more info.

• Ninja Pizza Girl hoping to deliver a fun experience on Wii U, if crowdfunded

Heh, it's been a while since I discussed upcoming Kickstarter projects since I introduced the Kickstarter watch. Nonetheless, I wanted to talk about this game, since it looks pretty rad. Ninja Pizza Girl is a fast-paced platform game that draws its inspirations from Mirror's Edge and Sonic the Hedgehog - starring a 16-year old teenager, Gemma, who's "trying to keep her dreams alive in face of the most merciless enemies known to any teenage girl – other teenagers." Very interesting concept aside, the game's currently AU$14,811 funded out of a AU$35,000 goal, with 27 days left.

• RCMADIAX bringing Super Robo Mouse exclusively for Wii U eShop

After work on games like BLOK DROP U and Poker Dice Solitaire Future, developer RCMADIAX isn't very keen on dropping his momentum thus far. Super Robo Mouse was intended to be their next game after BLOK DROP U, but due to various reasons, it had a minor delay while the developer worked on their line of upcoming card/casino games.
The game (an exploration-based puzzler) stars Robo, a robot mouse that is trapped in a maze. The game will be aiming for a Q4 2014 release, with a price that will be under $5.

• Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures coming to Wii U and 3DS "very soon"

Looks like the angriest gamer you've ever heard is about to make landfall on the Wii U and 3DS eShops very soon, according to developers FreakZone Games. They've also confirmed a European release as well.
For those unaware, the game is a 2D platformer starring one of the internet's first big video stars, the Angry Video Game Nerd (portrayed by James Rolfe).

• Nintendo Life Feature: Ronimo Games (Swords & Soldiers II)

Another great feature from the folks at Nintendo Life, taking a look at the upcoming Wii U eShop exclusive, Swords & Soldiers II. They get a good look at the game, as well as talk about features such as dual-screen co-op/versus play. The game has no set release date as yet, though.

• 99Seconds completed for Wii U, confirms EnjoyUp Games

EnjoyUp Games has been a constant supporter of Nintendo digital platforms, and that's pretty solid. The team has now confirmed that their next Wii U eShop game, 99Seconds, is finished and will be sent off to Nintendo lotcheck. Until then, I guess we'll have to wait until a release date/price announcement!

• Nintendo Enthusiast Interview: Asthree Games (Paradise Lost: First Contact)

It's been a little while since we heard from Asthree Games about their upcoming game, Paradise Lost: First Contact. Nintendo Enthusiast conducted an interview from the team regarding their experience with Wii U development thus far. They've mostly noted how it was Nintendo that contacted them about being official developers, which impressed Asthree about Nintendo's big indies push. The Wii U version of the game is estimated to be out in mid-2015.

• Super Toy Cars coming out on July 24th in Europe, priced at €7.99

A new game from out of seemingly nowhere, Super Toy Cars is priming itself for a Wii U eShop release next week in Europe. The game, developed by Eclipse Games, is a " tabletop arcade combat racing game featuring fast and cool looking cars, impressive tracks made of everyday objects and a bunch of power-ups that will let you destroy your opposition."
Of course, games like Re-Volt and Micro Machines pop into my head when reading the description, so let's hope this is a cool release! It was released last month on Steam, so if you need a trailer, here's a link!

• Ice Cream Surfer coming to Europe on July 31st, priced at €5

Same source this time brings us yet another surprise game out of seemingly nowhere. All I can dig up about Ice Cream Surfer is that it's a scrolling shooter developed by Spanish developers, Dolores Entertainment. The game itself is based on a webcomic series of the same name, which has a pretty cute story.
Basically, evil alien vegetables land on Earth and are hell-bent on destroying anything that's not a vegetable. However, unlike that Powerpuff Girls episode, these enemies will have to be defeated by various characters surfing on various frozen treats, blasting every evil veggie to smithereens. Here's a trailer for the game.