I think they're doing it because it's also releasing on PSN/Live today. It's just unusual to see a dev/publisher go out of their way to treat the Nintendo release as equal.

I read that. Interesting, and good. I miss when Nintendo updated on Mondays instead of Thursdays.

@DeputyVanHalen But I didn't realize that the developer even had this option?! I thought this thursday thing was stuck in stone by Nintendo. Hmm.

Ron Gilbert announced last week that it would be up today. I was skeptical, but then it was on Nintendo's release list for today too, and now it's actually up! I'm glad that this is the case, since it means that Wii U gamers don't have to wait a day or two longer than other consoles, and it potentially means more sales for Nintendo (since people might opt to get games on other systems if they're out sooner).

@Zero
It's probably only for parity with other consoles. I doubt you're ever going to see an eShop exclusive do this.

I'm probably going to download this today. Reading more reviews, they're not all quite as positive as the first that I've read (the major complaint is repetition, especially in the multiple playthroughs you have to do to get the full picture of things... almost sounds 999ish), but even the ones that mention a lot of flaws still say the game stands out and is worth experiencing.

I thought eShop releases were whenever. I knew this was releasing today.

I'll download it when I get home. Also gonna pick up Ni No Kuni...though I read something about sellouts? Very scared.

I wish the art style was a little better for this game but everything else seems really cool.

@carlosrox

It was a surprise to everyone when Ron Gilbert tweeted it. eShop releases have traditionally been on Thursdays only. The only exception to the rule so far has been that once or twice, Nintendo released on Sunday the digital version of a retail game also coming out on Sunday.

Ni No Kuni can be downloaded off PSN, at least later today.

I wonder if this is just an exception for a cross-platform release, or if it's part of Nintendo's attempts to put a little more power in the hands of the developers.

I'm pretty busy through mid February so I don't know when I'll get it, but I'll be looking at the reviews! I don't mind repetition in games, so long as I'm making some kind of progress.

Hasn't shown up in the UK store yet.

@Guillaume
Oh cool thx. I was hoping for the collector's edition, I think that's what I read was already sold out. Really I wish we'd see a Wii U release. The original game was on the DS so why not??

I remember reading long ago the release date was Tues the 22nd, and all systems were listed. It never mentioned a later release date for the Wii U. Though I guess it wouldn't if it was only a few days later and only due to Nintendo's scheduling. But yeah. I guess everyone but me was surprised :D !!

Looks very cool, I'm tempted to pick it up, but I'm still working through ZombiU and Trine 2 (which just gets more and more gorgeous).

@achhibbar
I'm of the mind the Wii U exclusive levels show off some SERIOUSly sexy visuals. Wait til you get there. Your jaw is guaranteed to drop. If you haven't already.

Loved me Trine 2. Waiting on patch to do a second play through on hard and collecting every single orb. I already came very close and did a half second play through only to find the orbs. The few I'm missing must be WELL hidden. So yeah, I'm waiting on that patch that's said to include voice support before I 100% that game. Psyched for a potential Trine 3.

@carlosrox I was emailing with Joel from Frozenbyte and he said that they will "definitely" do a Trine 3 eventually but that they want to do some fresh new projects first. Splot being their next one. And he said Splot is "quite likely" coming to Wii U.

Hmm. If we were a different kind of website I would have posted that as an exclusive news story, lol. NEGATIVE WORLD EXCLUSIVE: TRINE 3 CONFIRMED! SPLOT LIKELY COMING TO WII U!

Downloading now! I've been looking forward to this one for awhile.

I do want to play it, but I have enough to play that I can wait for impressions. As for Trine 2, I downloaded it when it was on sale, but I'm waiting for the patch to start it.

@VickiL

It honestly sounds like indie devs CAN'T ignore the Wii U with how much Nintendo seems to be bending over backwards to cater to them.

@carlosrox
I'm looking forward to getting to the extra levels, it already looks amazing.

Looking forward to getting this next week. Been waiting for this since I first saw it.

My party: the time-traveler, the explorer and the monk. Let's do this.