Yesterday I wrote about the most important news from the Nintendo Direct on the 3DS. Although I’m more of a handheld gamer myself, I’ll add some of the tidbits of WiiU news to it.
Wii Disc software heading to the WiiU eShop
Up till now the only way to play Wii games on the WiiU is to enter Wii-mode. Not the easiest way to play your favorite Wii games. During the Nintendo Direct of January 14th the announcement was made that certain Wii titles would become available in the WiiU eShop. These games will then be installed as standard WiiU games and launch directly from the WiiU menu. The GamePad will function as a classic controller to play the games. Great news, though it does mean you’d have to invest again in games you’ve already bought before on the Wii. These titles will be available in January, with Super Mario Galaxy 2 already available now:
European Releases:
Jan 14th: Super Mario Galaxy 2
Jan 22nd: Donkey Kong Country Returns
Jan 29th: Metroid Prime Trilogy
Titles will be available for a standard price of €19,99 / £17.99, however they will be discounted to €9,99 / £8.99 during their first week of availability.
Other upcoming titles are Kirby’s Return to Dream Land, Pandora’s Tower, Sin & Punishment: Successor of the Skies and Punch-Out!!.
North America Releases
Jan 14th: Super Mario Galaxy 2
Jan 22nd: Punch-Out!
Jan 29th: Metroid Prime Trilog
Titles will be available for a standard price of $19.99, however will be discounted to $9.99 during their first week of availability.
Mario vs Donkey Kong: Tipping stars
This will be the title of the Mario vs DK game that will be released in both the WiiU and 3DS eShop. It’s a cross buy title, which means that if you buy one, you’ll get the one on the other console for free. In the game you once again guide Mini Mario toys to the exit door using touch control. As with previous games in the series players can create their own levels and share them with other players online. In this game, however, players can “tip” the creators of the user-generated puzzles with stars, which can be used to buy new parts in the robust level creator.
Splatoon confirmed for May release in both North America and Europe
One of this years biggest WiiU titles is Splatoon. In the Nintendo Direct broadcast we saw some footage of the main hub area, known as the ‘Plaza’. This Plaza will be populated with characters from Miiverse, allowing interaction; this’ll also be the area from which you access all available modes. Though you can play the game in one player mode, the online multiplayer is the primary focus in the title. You get into this mode by stepping into a tower in the plaza, and by playing online you’ll level up and earn in-game currency; this money can then be used to buy different types of guns but you can also buy clothes, hats and boots. Not only to look fashionable, but also because it will boost your characters abilities.
Mario Party 10 gets the party going on WiiU a on March 20th (USA and Eu)
In addition to the standard Mario Party mode, the game will feature an new “amiibo Party mode”, which brings amiibo compatibility to the classic party-game series. Tapping an amiibo to the GamePad lets players use that character as a game piece, as well as play on a game board themed for that character. There’ll also be a limited quantity of bundles including a Mario amiibo from the Super Mario Collection, plus a copy of the game.
New Xenoblade Chronicles X
While we were treated to a glimpse into the enormous open world of the upcoming Xenoblade Chronicles X, the title currently in development for Wii U by Monolith Soft, there’s already a releasedate announced for Japan ( 29th April)
Project Treasure
Bandai Namco gave us news in a special segment during the Nintendo Direct that they were working on Project Treasure, which will be a free-to-play, 4-player co-operative action title for the Wii U eShop. The action game will have you working with other players to navigate a variety of stages, to clear traps, fight enemies and get treasure. As it is free to play, it will surely involve some form of paying for in game things.
And aside from all the upcoming games, there was a lot of news about added Amiibo to the third wave in February and a whole new fourth wave of Amiibo getting a releasedate in March.
I know many of you will be thrilled with all this WiiU news, and it seems that Nintendo is finally gaining momentum with the console. Still, I don’t see a title that I can’t wait to buy, but I realize that’s just me.
I wish they’d added some news about a good simulation game in there, like a Rune Factory, Animal Crossing or even a My Sims!
I have never had enough interest for the WiiU to bite the bullet, however that annoucement of Xenoblade Chronicles X does perk my interest. I am mainly a portable gamer. Modern consoles have never really held my interest like the retro systems.
I do have a WiiU, but I’m much more of a handheld gamer too. Though having the gamepad does help.