The Japanese company unveiled its new GamePad in a pre-E3 livestream, and hence the focus of the Nintendo E3 press conference was heavily centered on new games to debut on the Wii U console which releases this holiday season. Here we have a look at all the first-party titles lined up for launch on the console.
Firstly, the company revealed its very own game named Nintendo Land which is said to take place in a virtual theme park with a dozen attractions inspired by franchises like The Legend of Zelda and Donkey Kong. Playable using the Wii U’s GamePad, this title will feature single-player as well as multiplayer experiences. One of the highlights of this game is that it will demonstrate the asymmetric gameplay that the GamePad can deliver.
As expected, a fresh Mario title was also announced for the console. Dubbed New Super Mario Bros. U, this game has been described as side-scrolling adventure that introduces new transformations for Mario and endows gamers with the ability to play as their Mii characters. The title’s new Boost Mode will enable players to add blocks and help Mario discover secrets, while it also allows multiple players working together to perform a speed run in record time.
Mario-creator Shigeru Miyamoto was also present at the Nintendo E3 press conference, where he unveiled Pikmin 3. This will be the first original entry in the Pikmin franchise in about eight years. It is claimed to comprise new challenges, characters as well as mysterious Pikmin types. And the Wii U GamePad version will have fresh experiences.
SiNG is the working title of an interactive musical performance game being developed for the Wii U. It will contain popular songs and enable gamers to indulge in singing and dancing experiences. Another new game unveiled for the console is Wii Fit U, a fresh installment to the 40 million unit-selling Wii Fit series. It will be compatible with the existing Wii Balance Board, while owners of the previous two games will also be able to transfer their existing workout data. A new Fit Meter was also revealed for players to track fitness activities throughout the day and upload the data back into Wii Fit U.
The LEGO video games franchise will make its way to the Wii U in the form of LEGO City: Undercover. Developed by TT Games, this title will place Wii U owners in the shoes of an undercover detective named Chase McCain. While this cop with clever disguises runs, drives and flies through the city, gamers will be asked to use the Wii U GamePad as a map, a communicator as well as a crime scanner.
Make sure you check out part 2 of our coverage of the Nintendo E3 press conference for more upcoming Wii U games.