Most Recent: 3DS

Shigeru Miyamoto has guided the good ship Nintendo for 30 years now, practically since the beginning of the company’s forays into video games. But now, after creating Donkey Kong, Mario, Link, Star Fox, the Pikmin, and countless others, the famed developer is stepping down from his position as Managing Director of Nintendo EAD.

“Inside our office, I’ve been recently declaring, ‘I’m going to retire, I’m going to retire,'” Miyamoto told Wired. “I’m not saying that I’m going to retire from game development altogether. What I mean by retiring is, retiring from my current position.”

Miyamoto still plans to work for Nintendo and he still plans to develop new games, but he also revealed that he plans to move on to smaller projects, possibly even something he can do by himself:

“What I really want to do is be in the forefront of game development once again myself,” Miyamoto said. “Probably working on a smaller project with even younger developers. Or I might be interested in making something that I can make myself, by myself. Something really small.”

Work on this new project will likely begin in 2012, and Miyamoto told Wired that he’d like to show the game off publicly after a year.

You know how people are always going on about something insignificant being “the end of an era?” This announcement is truly the end of an era. It’s my belief that no one has done more for video games than Shigeru Miyamoto and his absence from the grand stage will be felt for decades to come.

But, to paraphrase the man himself, even if it’s delayed forever, I’m sure his next project will be great.

Maybe it’s just me, but it feels like a new episode in the House M.D. adventure game series and another version of Adventure Island are a part of the Nintendo Download every other week.

The two game franchises tag team this week’s Nintendo Download as House M.D. Episode 5: Under the Big Top has been added to the DSiWare Shop and the Game Boy version of Adventure Island is now available on the 3DS eShop.

Here’s what else you’ll be able to download from the DSiWare Shop, 3DS eShop and Wii Shop this week:

House M.D. Episode 5: Under the Big Top (DSiWare) – Dr. Gregory House and his elite diagnostic team race against the clock to unravel a medical mystery involving a middle-aged circus manager who is strangled by a horse.

Adventure Island (3DS eShop) – Master Higgins’ princess has been kidnapped, and he is the only one who can save her. To aid in his search, he’ll need to equip his skateboard and use a variety of weapons as he fights his way through eight different worlds.

Xmas Puzzle (WiiWare) – Xmas Puzzle is a game in which you must solve progressively more difficult puzzles as you advance through the plot. As many as four friends or family members can enjoy playing at the same time.

Double Bloob (DSiWare) – Double Bloob is a cartoonish, arcade-style vertical shooter. The planet needs you! Bloobs have invaded the Earth and took a little dolphin named Will as a hostage! Don’t let the Bloobs win!