On the Download: April 15-21

It has taken a little while for the downloadable game scene to really get going again after a pretty solid start to the year.  With a full-order last week and now a full-order this week, I no longer have to desperately search for big downloadable games to talk about as they seem to be falling right into my lap.  Without any further ado, let us dive right into the biggest downloadable games of the week.

Earlier this week, the Free-to-Play successor to Uber Entertainment's Monday Night Combat, Super MNC leaked onto Steam before its scheduled release.  Instead of immediately taking the game down, Uber decided to make the leak Super MNC's official release date.  From those who have not played the original Monday Night Combat, Super MNC is a strategic multi-player shooter.  Super MNC blends intense tactical combat, a deep RPG-like metagame, ever-expanding roster of characters, a huge amount of customization options and humorous play-by-play commentary into one all encompassing package. On top of all that, Uber will be updating Super MNC every week.  Each update will continue to balance the game, make improvements to the gameplay and add more content such as new characters, maps, weapons and attire.  With a dedicated developer and the ever great price of absolutely free, Super MNC is a game every PC shooter fan should download and try.

Trials HD was a critical and commercial success for XBLA back in the Summer of 2009.  Close to three years later, RedLynx and Microsoft Studios are back with the sequel to Trials HD called Trials Evolution.  Trials Evolution is a 2.5D platform racing game that sees the player control a rider of a trial motorcycle with exaggerated physics as you navigate past various skill testing obstacles on the way to the end of the level.  The main goal of each level is to complete the level as fast as possible and with the fewest number of faults.  Trials Evolution offers a whole new multi-player mode that can be played up to four people on the same system or over Xbox Live.  Trials Evolution also includes 60 single-player levels to compete, online leaderboards and a fully featured level editor.  For 1200 Microsoft Points, Trials Evolution looks to be another great XBLA exclusive that 360 owners should check out.

In the States when you pre-ordered Kid Icarus: Uprising for the 3DS, you got a free download code for 3D Classics: Kid Icarus.  While up in the Great White North, we got the short end of the stick in the form of special AR cards.  After a little less than a month, Nintendo has finally brought this once pre-order exclusive to the Nintendo eShop.  Along with the new 3D visuals, 3D Classics: Kid Icarus has all new backgrounds that make the game's visuals pop off the screen a more than the old NES version did.  The original Kid Icarus follows Pit's first adventure as he fights from the pits of the Underworld to the skies of Angel Island in order to save the goddess Palutena from Medusa's evil grasp.  Journey through all of Kid Icarus' worlds to gain possession of the Three Sacred Treasures, which are needed to take down Medusa once and for all.  For those interested on taking a trip down memory lane or want to experience Pit's first adventure for the first time after play Uprising, 3D Classics: Kid Icarus will be 6 dollars well spent.