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WiiU

Wii U Launch Guide

Nintendo Land, New Super Mario Bros. U, Ninja Gaiden III, and Sing Party

by Neal Ronaghan - November 12, 2012, 1:30 pm EST

Nintendo's bringing four games to the Wii U launch. Catch up on what they are.

Nintendo is publishing four games at the Wii U launch, with Nintendo Land and New Super Mario Bros. U being the only two developed internally. In the launch window (ending on March 31, 2013), Nintendo also expects to publish Game & Wario, LEGO City Undercover, Pikmin 3, The Wonderful 101, and Wii Fit U. In the far-off future, Nintendo will publish Bayonetta 2 and a new Super Smash Bros. game for Wii U.

Nintendo Land

Developer: Nintendo
Players: 1-5
Off-TV Play: No
What is it?: Nintendo Land is a series of 12 different Nintendo-themed attractions, with six focused on multiplayer and six focused on single-player. The attractions seem to be a bit more developed than what you'd expect from Wii mini-game collections. The game also features a large overworld that you can explore, littered with unlockable Nintendo items.
GamePad Use: Varies from attraction to attraction. Nintendo Land highlights all sorts of ways you can use the GamePad.
Staff Approval Rating: 92% (2nd)





New Super Mario Bros. U

Developer: Nintendo
Players: 1-5
Off-TV Play: Yes
What is it?: New Super Mario Bros. U is the fourth entry in the New Super Mario Bros. series. It features more similarities to Super Mario World, with heavy Yoshi use and a more open overworld. The game will also use Nintendo's Miiverse so friends can issue each other challenges in game.
GamePad Use: In Boost Mode, a player can use the GamePad to place blocks to help or hinder the other players. Boost Rush mode is a speed run-focused variant of that.
Staff Approval Rating: 94% (1st)





Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge

Developer: Team Ninja
Players: 1-8 (2 in co-op, 8 in online multiplayer)
Off-TV Play: Not Likely
What is it?: Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge is a reworked version of the early 2012 360/PS3 release Ninja Gaiden 3. The game features more gore and refined gameplay, including an added playable character and online co-op.
GamePad Use: Used to select weapons or Ninpo and see a list of combos.
Wii U Differences: Ninja Gaiden 3 on other systems was rated Teen, and this one is rated Mature. It also features new character Ayane, dismemberment, and improved enemy AI.
Staff Approval Rating: 40% (11th)


Sing Party

Developer: FreeStyle Games
Players: Unlimited
Off-TV Play: No
What is it?: Sing Party is a karaoke game from the developers of DJ Hero.
GamePad Use: Singers can see the lyrics on the GamePad, with the goal of making performances more engaging in a party setting.
Staff Approval Rating: 6% (20th)

Talkback

CericNovember 12, 2012

Ninja Gaiden 3 I might actually try eventually.  Though I'm wary about the M rating.

geoNovember 12, 2012

I wonder if nintendo network ID works like an xbox live ID or like a battlenet ID.  If it's like xbox live, whoever gets a launch system will get the best chance to get the best names.

MrPhishfoodNovember 12, 2012

I have dibs on MyBodyIsReady

thedefalcosNovember 12, 2012

Zach: I thought it was confirmed that Black Ops 2 will have 4 player split screen. The back of the game box has a Wii- mote with the # 4 on it. That usually means "up to four wii motes can be used."  What's going on there?

thedefalcosNovember 12, 2012

Not sure what happened to my last reply, but I'll try it again.

Zack: I thought it was confirmed black ops 2 was 4 player. I saw the back of one of the boxes and it showed a wii-mote with a "4" on it. Usually means it's four player split-screen.  What say you?

That could mean it actually has 5 player split screen, as it's been confirmed you can play splitscreen with one of the screens being the GamePad. 

CalibanNovember 12, 2012

There's an awful lot of noes for the "off-tv play" feature. Huh, thought it was supposed to be a feature obligatory to all games even if it was just when playing by ourselves.

EasyCureNovember 12, 2012

gahhhhhh I need to stop reading about games I can't afford!

thedefalcosNovember 13, 2012

Caliban:  Don't do that to me.  5 player split screen would be so awesome. It would be worth getting the console for that option on that game alone. I think Sonic Racers has 5 player split and I know for sure Sports Connection does.


Maybe that's why BLOPS 2 supports the classic controller as well as the pro.


I really wish somebody would confirm this!

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorNovember 13, 2012

Can we get confirmation on ACIII having 3D?  I looked all over the box today and there's nothing on it.  If it really is, it's a Day-One purchase for me, as it'd be the only Wii U game in 3D for me to check out my new TV.  If it's not, I likely won't ever get it...

TJ SpykeNovember 13, 2012

Quote from: Caliban

There's an awful lot of noes for the "off-tv play" feature. Huh, thought it was supposed to be a feature obligatory to all games even if it was just when playing by ourselves.

It's not required at all, and I am glad it's not since it might scare off developers. Games have to use the GamePad, but that could be as simple as having a map displayed or something like that.

Quote from: Caliban

There's an awful lot of noes for the "off-tv play" feature. Huh, thought it was supposed to be a feature obligatory to all games even if it was just when playing by ourselves.

Well, some games make significant use of both screens, like ZombiU, so they'd be losing some of their functionality being played that way. It's still upsetting that some of the ports from 360/PS3 that were designed for single screen play don't have it, though.

CalibanNovember 13, 2012

Quote from: NWR_insanolord

Quote from: Caliban

There's an awful lot of noes for the "off-tv play" feature. Huh, thought it was supposed to be a feature obligatory to all games even if it was just when playing by ourselves.

Well, some games make significant use of both screens, like ZombiU, so they'd be losing some of their functionality being played that way. It's still upsetting that some of the ports from 360/PS3 that were designed for single screen play don't have it, though.

I can understand such choice with ZombiU, as it's part of the gameplay in that it's trying to put you into a stressful position. What you said about the ports is what I was trying to refer. I guess we're just going to have to wait until we can get the games on our hands just so it's confirmed.

TJ SpykeNovember 13, 2012

It's already been confirmed. It is up to each developer what they will do with the GamePad screen. Hell, I think the only first party game that even uses off-TV gameplay is New Super Mario Bros. U.

I think some of Nintendo Land can be played that way. There's really no reason the Donkey Kong game couldn't. I may be wrong though.

There are still a decent amount of games that can be played that way. Mario of course, Darksiders, the EA Sports games. It's a major selling point for me, and I'm glad to have a few games that do it, even though more maybe should.

PlugabugzNovember 14, 2012

I got excited for TVii right up to the moment that they forgot to announce anything for not-America.

BlkPaladinNovember 16, 2012

Well Nintendo said they were considering bringing it to the other markets. And the ND showed the TVii icon so it is probally a good bet its coming to all markets. (Which may be another reason for the delay.)

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