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7 Games the Wii U Should Be Launching With

Pokémon, Metroid, and Mario top the list of games Nintendo needs for a successful Wii U launch.

E3 laid bare the Wii U launch line-up. Pikmin 3 and New Super Mario Bros U are repping for Nintendo's beloved franchises; Wii Fit U has its sights on the casual crowd; Batman: Arkham City - Armored Edition and Rayman Legends are leading the charge for third-party games. The Wii U instalment of Super Smash Bros., meanwhile, is in the hands of Namco Bandai, but far from a launch title--series mastermind Masahiro Sakurai tells us to expect a long wait.

It's a pity this Super Smash Bros. isn't landing alongside the console, and not only because we would have spent all Christmas bopping relations off platforms with Zelda. The Wii U's day-one games could use a few more crucial buys--a few more familiar franchises, or even a few more third-party offerings that weren't out months ago on other machines.

What is missing from the Wii U's first wave? What, you wonder, would our fantasy launch line-up look like? Wonder no more. In the dream world to which we are withdrawing, little by little, every day, these are the games that would arrive on shop shelves the same day as Nintendo's new console.

1. Pokémon U

Pokémon had a lacklustre showing on the Wii (we are looking at you, Pokémon Battle Revolution). It's time to make amends with an outstanding Pokémon console title on the Wii U, whose tablet controller suggests nifty possibilities aplenty.

In our open-world Pokémon adventure, the Wii U tablet would be your Pokédex and Pokéball while you free-roam up on the TV. You could simulate hurling your Pokéball onto the big screen and into battle with a flick of that motion-sensitive tablet. And there could be delightful online multiplayer in which you meet and duel other trainers, in contrast to the disappointing lack of online action in Pikmin 3.

2. Metroid: Chozo

We're (mostly) not here to list every major Nintendo franchise and sulk about its absence on the Wii U launch slate. With Skyward Sword out only last November, for instance, we are content to hold on a bit for Link's inevitable Wii U outing. And though Mario Kart HD wouldn't have gone amiss on top of New Super Mario Bros. U, we are, like heroes, prepared to wait on that as well.

Still, the time is ripe for a fresh blast of Metroid. Since origins stories are hot right now, why not take Samus back to her roots and revisit the Chozo? We imagine an adventure based on Samus' last years among the series' ancient bird-people, when she is still growing up and learning to use her Power Suit--with plenty of cool suit abilities mapped to a slick, sci-fi interface on the Wii U tablet's touchscreen.

3. Animal Crossing U-niverse

We couldn't miss Nintendo's heart-warming social sim more, and there couldn't be a more perfect platform for it than the Wii U. Japan gets the 3DS sequel this autumn, but the series' anthropomorphic critters get only a cameo in the Wii U mini-game collection, Nintendo Land.

Imagine Animal Crossing's woodland wandering in TV-and-tablet mode. The controller would be your inventory and map, naturally, but also your motion-sensitive fishing rod, augmented-reality butterfly net, and touchscreen sketchpad for customising your house, flag, and whatever else needs your doodles. And when your jerk housemate/parent/partner needs to watch regular television, you could pick fruit and traipse around your friends' villages on just the smaller screen.

4. One Role-Playing Game (Mass Effect 3 Doesn't Count)

When the Wii U gets out of the blocks this winter, the number of 'core' gamers who haven't played Mass Effect 3 will be approximately zero. This is a blockbuster game that wraps up a blockbuster trilogy; it hardly slipped under the radar when it came out for the PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 in March, nine-ish months before the Wii U's prospective launch.

There will no doubt be a handful of new gameplay features, much as with the Wii U version of Arkham City, but a handful of Wii U-exclusive tweaks do not a killer app make. An attention-grabbing, fan-pleasing role-playing game into which new console owners can sink tens of hours? That's more like it. A big-screen instalment of Golden Sun would do the trick.

Jane Douglas
By Jane Douglas, Section Editor

Jane rejoices in the title of Section Editor, GameSpot UK. Fears: spiders, oblivion.

207 comments
darksongbird
darksongbird

I really do love Nintendo but I must say I actually agreed with some of what was said in this article.

MasterTrueFan
MasterTrueFan

I'm so tired of Nintendo announcing games that are in early development because then we have to hear about it for 2 or 3 years before we even get a release date. Can't they keep anything to themselves until they are almost done with the product. Most people already know the game is in the making. I'm just sick of waiting for release dates for games that were last mention by Nintendo nearly a year ago. NSMB2 got a release date not long after being announced.

MasterTrueFan
MasterTrueFan

Nintendo needs to make a Donkey Kong that is similiar to DK64. I don't think that 3D Mario games should be about racing to the flag being timed like you were in Mario 3d land keep that to the 2d side scrolling titles. I hope the Wii u returns to searching for the stars by beating bosses, collecting red coins and solving puzzles like in Mario 64. And I hope that they return bosses like Petey, Big Bom-Omb, King Boo, and new bosses because I don't want to keep fighting the koopa kids for every New Super Mario Bros game. They should make a 3d Mario game similiar to 64, sunshine, and Galaxy where you have to travel through the fields of the Mushoom kingdom to get to each level instead of choosing each level off the world map. The fields of the Mudhroom Kingdom should be kind of similiar to Delfino Plaza from Sunshine. It should have several characters from the Mario series. And the levels should at least contain 8 stars each.

bombombland
bombombland like.author.displayName 1 Like

No. No. No...... Nintendo's 3d Mario games have always taken pride in their pure originality and immersive stories. From jumping into magical paintings to cleaning up delphino island with a water jetpack that could transform into an on-board motor.... all the way to shooting from one planet to another trying to save the universe. Nintendo already succumbed to the pressure and created a Galaxy 2(which should never have been). They have to partially reinvent the wheel like they have done so many times before. Remember... many people would have killed for a super mario 64 2... but we got Sunshine instead and that was one of the greatest platformers ever.

Neosz-v2
Neosz-v2

If we do get a Pokemon game for the Wii, can it please be with a real-time battle system.  One where you can move around, perform combos, and the only time an attack misses is if you (or your opponent) actually MISSES.  I love Pokemon and all, but I really want a change from the common turn based battle system, it's getting a little old.

 

BlazeODU
BlazeODU like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

Oh my God, no... no... NO, if they make ANOTHER Super Mario Galaxy game, I will be officially convinced that Nintendo had run out of ideas for the Plumber.

 

Here's an idea Nintendo, make an Open World Mario game where you can explore the mushroom kingdom and you can unlocke more areas of the kingdom by finding the power stars gained from completing "quests" and "dungeon runs" (Dungeon Runs being linear Mario Levels).

Benjaminkno
Benjaminkno

How bout a 'Flying' Starfox game?  Maybe port Kid Icarus?  Comon gamespot, you can do better than that!

I'm excited about Pikmin 3!  I thought of a title years ago...  "Olimar's Empire"... oh well... 

thingta42
thingta42

A berserk wii u game would be awesome

 

BERSERK U

Dullgarian
Dullgarian

I want some retro games making a comeback! Ice Climber, Kirby, Starfox, Wrecking Crew, Wizards and Warriors, Adventure Island, Battletoads, Solomon's Key, Lemmings to name a fews!

uggtoast
uggtoast

Sadly, since Battletoads was created by Rare, (which is now owned by Microsoft) it won't be appearing on a Nintendo console anytime soon, but cross your fingers for an Xbox Battletoad installment!

Link_skyward
Link_skyward like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

i don't need a The Legend of Zelda for a while

I_are_Cake
I_are_Cake

Spec Ops: The Line, BioShock: Infinite, Resident Evil 6, Skyrim, Kingdoms of Amalur, Prototype 2, The Darkness 2, Grand Theft Auto V, Crysis 3, Far Cry 3, Battlefield 4, Catherine, Saints Row: The Third, Rage, Deus Ex: Human Revolution, Dead Space 3, Metro: Last Light, X-COM: Enemy Unknown, Borderlands 2, & others should come to the Wii U.

buzzoinks
buzzoinks like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

Body Harvest... always wanted a sequel

zpluffy
zpluffy

Nintendo likes releasing their old games

DarknessBlade3
DarknessBlade3

It could be called "Pokemon: I choose U!" hahaha not rly cause thats lame tho....

Redley911
Redley911

Why are they making call of duty for the wii u if we can even play the game up to 4 players on tv, such a waste. I mean the multiplayer is everything for those games. And if they want to bring mario galaxy 3 nintendo has to stop bringing those ridiculous challenges where you only have one minute, or one life and focuse more on a good story because bowser and jr are getting really old, puy a dramatic story for once nintendo.

uggtoast
uggtoast

 @Redley911 The thing I like about Nintendo is, they tend to focus more on gameplay and controls rather then focus more on the story. And every once in a while they throw out an amazing story too, like with the Zelda games, and Mario RPG, but when it comes to the main Mario games, if it ain't broke, don't fix it!

HeyTJayD
HeyTJayD

Okay, well the problem with this list, is that half of these franchises have games out within the past year or about to be released on another one of Nintendo's console's. Pokemon black and white 2, Super Mario 3D Land (Super Mario, Galaxy is over, One Super Mario franchise per home console, new console, new SM franchise), Animal Crossing 3DS is early 2013, and Black Ops 2 has actually been leaked for the system. The Nintendo franchises already get crap for being rehashed over and over again, but putting all these out close together would piss off the fanbase that it's all coming out at once. Saving the big franchises for a little later into the console life would be a better idea anyhow. Look at launch games for the PS3 and 360 and compare them to later releases. Waiting for the developers to get use to the system to really make strides with the games is what we need. Otherwise, we'd all go home disappointed. Metroid and other big franchises will probably start to his at the 1 year mark. Besides, this is already a pretty big launch lineup, over 25 games, so let's not jump the gun to hard. And for the people saying Paper Mario as the RPG, get a 3DS, cause that's where it is this time around. Also, for you guys saying console Majora's Mask remake, as awesome as that'd be, it's not gonna make that stylistic change. That'd be amazing and fitting, but they're gonna stick with the original style. Nintendo sticks to their original prints.

eugkra
eugkra

A Pokemon MMO would be great although I haven't played a single one of those games in 10 years. Metroid and F-Zero for me. I miss the non-linear gameplay of Majora's Mask :( Those were the days for me.

Animatronic64
Animatronic64 like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 8 Like

Oh, please. No more Mario Galaxy. 2 is more than enough. I want something a little closer to Super Mario 64 for once.

coop36
coop36 like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @Animatronic64 Agreed. Galaxy 1&2 are amazing. But Id like something a little more open and less compartmentalized. Like 64 and Sunshine. Shoot Im even up for a full on "open world" Mario.. (how that would work I have no idea). But it would be fun to see at least once.

craigprime
craigprime

Although I agree with this whole list, I doubt any of them would be at launch. Also, I'm just going to add a couple things, and what I expect for them. I'm sure I'm not the only one that want's them.

-Starfox- Gyro controls. Communications would appear on the tablet. Also, use of Mii characters?

-F-Zero- Incredible graphics,custom machines, and again, Mii's?

-Chrono Trigger- There have been plenty of re-releases, but what about a remake?

Who want's to gamble on the next Pokemon using NFC?

tommynj
tommynj like.author.displayName 1 Like

More games for mature gamers. ZombiU and Aliens Colonial Marines is a step in the right direction. Love Mario and Zelda but if they want to attract a much wider audience then they need a game that puts them on the map forever like Halo did with Xbox and Uncharted for the PlayStation.

I_are_Cake
I_are_Cake

 @tommynj Although there's also Assassin's Creed III, Black Ops II, Homefront 2, Medal of Honor: Warfighter, Darksiders, Deadpool, Mass Effect 3, Rainbow 6: Patriots, Ghost Recon Online (don't know if its going to be rated M or T), & Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge, I agree with everything in your post. The reason I don't buy Nintendo systems is because of the lack of mature titles; I skipped the N64 when the PS1 had Parasite Eve, Silent Hill, & Resident Evil 1, I skipped the GameCube when the PS2 & Xbox had God of War, GTA, & Ninja Gaiden, & I skipped the Wii because the PS3 & Xbox 360 have Heavy Rain, L.A. Noire, & Gears of War. Nintendo can stick with their colorful fares but 3rd parties should 100% focus on making mature games for the Wii U; if the 3rd parties just pump out children's games, then count me out of a Wii U purchase.

nintendoboy16
nintendoboy16

 @tommynj You won't be seeing ANYTHING "Mature" by Nintendo, that's for sure.

I_are_Cake
I_are_Cake

 @nintendoboy16 Nintendo is publishing Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge and made Team Ninja bring back the dismemberment. You were saying?

Deathstalker83
Deathstalker83

I would like to see a new Battletoads or Chakan : the Foreverman game be released !!

coop36
coop36

 @Deathstalker83 Ohh man. Its been way too long since weve had a Battletoads. I actually hope Rare sells the rights to someone else. They dont seem interested in visiting any of the older stuff like that besides banjo. Chakan would be cool too if done right. I remember that game being pretty brutal lol.

Araknie
Araknie

That it's not a launch it's more like an overload, too many big titles means no money to buy them all.

shabreeze
shabreeze

Sounds like more of the same to me.  You have to actually be inventive if you want your company to be successful (or pander to the "family crowd" like the Wii did, but nobody wants that to happen again).  To me, it sounds like everyone wants to play the same games they loved on older consoles but with better graphics, but Nintendo is a generation behind graphically.  Why does everything new have to be a sequel or a remake?  Has the gaming industry really run out of ideas already?

cosades2002
cosades2002

A new metroid game would be the best.

Eruptflail
Eruptflail

I second the Golden Sun notion!

Eruptflail
Eruptflail

Oh and Baten Kaitos 3 so I can fanboy hard. I'd buy a Wii U in a heart beat if they say, "Yo, we're gonna make Baten Kaitos 3."

ZERGIOSS
ZERGIOSS

OJALA QUE ESTEN BUENOS VERDAD,  Y NO SEAN COMO LOS JUEGOS  HORRIBLES QUE SALIERON PARA  XBOX360 PARA SU ESTRENO...

ydnarrewop
ydnarrewop like.author.displayName 1 Like

I agree with Jane...but she could say the Earth was flat and I'd nod my head and smile  :)

tecpeds
tecpeds like.author.displayName 1 Like

I WOULD LOVE A POKEMON ADVENTURE GAME ON THE WIIU!!!!! Something like coloseum or Xd gale of darkness just a different story but it has o be an adventure game nothing like battle revolution. Its kinda disapointing that no rpg or adventure pokemon games game to the wii other than rumble.

GamerTimeUSA
GamerTimeUSA like.author.displayName 1 Like

The Pokemon one would be really cool

majintim
majintim like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

omg fatal frame on the wiiu would be so awesome.

Outcastedv13
Outcastedv13

Okay, to put it simply, I believe Nintendo should release a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask on the Wii U. Now, I am completely aware that certain individuals demand this game on the 3DS, but it would make much more sense if this game were to be ported onto a console rather than a handheld. I almost guarantee that Nintendo would have released the reboot of Ocarina of Time on the Wii U if the console was closer to completion at that time. On the other hand, a sequel to Metroid Fusion would also suffice.

 

If you haven't already seen it, this is a link to a fan-made video of Majora's Mask in full-blown HD created by two very dedicated people ( Pablo Belmonte & Paco Martinez).   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P50d9xsLzB0

Those two say they are developing a longer video trailer as a proposal for Nintendo to create this game. 

coop36
coop36

 @Outcastedv13 Looks amazing. You can tell the creators of this vid put in some hard work to make a quality video.

Outcastedv13
Outcastedv13

 @coop36 Yeah, apparently, they have heeded the call of destiny, too bad the guys at Nintendo have their heads up their asses. Hopefully, the extended video will knock some sense into them. And yes, I talk to them via Deviantart, and I believe they think my comments are encouraging. But, I don't think the creators are going to throw this video away without presenting it to Nintendo first, that would be absurd.  

uncleTACO8873
uncleTACO8873 like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 3 Like

A return to Yoshi's Island would inhale my money and love. As for wanting an RPG, I say a new Paper Mario.

coop36
coop36

A new Mario is obvious and will happen somewhere down the line. I just hope its not another Galaxy one. They were both amazing, but Id be more excited to see what else Nintendo can come up with now that they can use even more horsepower and HD graphics.

 

I can also wait a few years for a new Zelda. Since we just got one. Buuut I sure wouldnt compain about an HD collection or at least HD Wind Waker lol. Who knows what they have planned..

raphaelcoelho15
raphaelcoelho15

A pokémon just like Pokémon Stadium 2 for me would be a must buy for sure!! i loved the mini games and the compatibility you have with pokémon Red, Blue, Yellow, Gold, Silver, etc. What i want to say is, I want a Pokémon Stadium 3!! Yes, exactly like Stadium 2 (with all the battle modes and mini games) with a story mode like in Pokémon Colosseum and XD for GC and, of course, compatibility with all th DSs (from DS to 3DS XL) and all the pokémon versions. That would be perfect !

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