Wii launch lineup narrowed

Nintendo announces 32 Wii games to be available by end of calendar year; Metal Slug, Super Swing Golf on, Blazing Angels off.

Gamers who anxiously awaited the launch lineup of the Xbox 360 know that they shouldn't get their hopes up and anything can happen in the days leading up to launch. Several purported games fell in and out of the Xbox 360's extended launch window, including highly anticipated games like Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.

Nintendo is getting set to launch its next-gen console, the Wii, next month, and its projected launch lineup is doing a little shuffling of its own--although the changes aren't as drastic as the 360's.

Nintendo expects 32 Wii games to be available in North America by the end of December (as well as 30 Virtual Console games). At September's big Wii release date and price unveiling in New York, Nintendo boasted that there would be 30 games before the calendar turned to 2007.

Shortly after the event, a few publishers declared their intentions to join the Wii's launch window, including four games apiece from THQ and Midway Games.

Added to the list recently and confirmed today for release in 2006 are SNK's Metal Slug Anthology, Atari's Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2, and Tecmo's Super Swing Golf.

According to a press release from Nintendo, one of Ubisoft's promised eight Wii launch titles has been shot down. Missing from the list of games to be released in 2006 was Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII. In fact, there is no listing for the Wii version of the game on Ubisoft's Web site. Ubisoft was unavailable for comment as of press time.

Nintendo would not say how many Wii games would be available on November 19 besides its three games--The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Excite Truck, and Wii Sports. Citing last-minute polishing, the company stated that release dates for third-party games would "soon be locked down, though most will launch by the end of November." One third-party game that will definitely be there day one is Sega's Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz, which the publisher today announced would be on store shelves on November 14.

The following is the list of Wii games expected by the end of 2006, divided by publisher:

Nintendo
Excite Truck
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Wii Sports (bundled with the Wii console)

Activision
Call of Duty 3
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
Rapala Tournament Fishing
Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam
World Series of Poker

Atari
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2

Atlus
Trauma Center: Second Opinion

EA
Madden NFL 07
Need for Speed Carbon

Konami
Elebits

Midway
The Ant Bully
The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy
Happy Feet
Rampage: Total Destruction

Sega
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz

SNK
Metal Slug Anthology

Tecmo
Super Swing Golf

THQ
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Barnyard
Cars
SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature From the Krusty Krab

Ubisoft
Far Cry: Vengeance
GT Pro Series
Monster 4x4: World Circuit
Open Season
Rayman Raving Rabbids
Red Steel
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent

Vivendi Games
Ice Age 2: The Meltdown

285 Comments

  • GinoNYC

    Posted Nov 4, 2008 7:31 am PT

    RED STEEL!!! RED STEEL!!! RED STEEL!!!

  • doomboy101

    Posted Dec 2, 2006 8:31 pm PT

    I wonder if they will put a grand theft auto game on the wii?

  • eldude007

    Posted Nov 29, 2006 2:36 am PT

    There's a couple of good games coming out, but most of them are third party games and are based on films. I am getting Rayman soon because I finally got a second controller. Then I shall wait for Elibits and Metal Slug.

  • evilkrups

    Posted Nov 11, 2006 2:33 pm PT

    Soooooooo Erotic! i am loving it OOOOOOH YES!

  • revelations

    Posted Nov 10, 2006 10:16 am PT

    Im glad Metal Slug and Excite Truck will make it. Those were the only ones I wanted.

  • -KinGz-

    Posted Nov 9, 2006 10:16 am PT

    OHHHHHHHHH

  • gameblazer94

    Posted Nov 8, 2006 5:03 pm PT

    This should be the best Next-gen system. far better than the X-box 360. altough some of the more anticipated games will have to wait untill 2007. such as Super Mario Galaxy, and Super Smash Brothers Brawl

  • kakarot070

    Posted Nov 8, 2006 1:28 pm PT

    Stubz that's extremely old news

  • Stubz_Turner

    Posted Nov 6, 2006 1:41 pm PT

    So I'm To Assume That Metroid Prim 3: Corruption Is Coming Out Early 2007. Great... Just Great.

  • xem1900

    Posted Nov 6, 2006 9:14 am PT

    i think the wii will be the greatest launch in history. And it will be the most popular, but the fps games on wii doesnt look that good can aggree with that, but the fps games is ONLY good on pc

  • erikthepoes

    Posted Nov 6, 2006 3:14 am PT

    the thing is the more we as gamers support the WII the more third party developers will be enticed to make games for the WII think about it if ps3 doesn't do as well as WII we might even be getting games like metal gear solid nunchak of the patriots lol and other great titles i mean i wouldn't want to play games on another console in such a boring and tedious manner so i say we all just get WII's

  • pclemmons

    Posted Nov 6, 2006 12:11 am PT

    hey you know for you people who think that you have to "swing" your arms around like mad you don't. I have personaly got to try out the Wii and ill i can say is AWSOME... First of all its only like 3 DVD cases wide and about that long, and also the gameplay is great. Who really cares what the name of the game is you sould still play the game becasue of how good the game is. As for swinging the controller for instance Zelda you don't have to make any Large swings to move the sword, just flicking it will do just fine. As for the virtual games... be happy that your getting anything that is close to backwords compadable. I mean you could go and get roms and stuff but if you get caught you could get in huge trouble. Also for the amount on the Wii compared to the 360 would could like the whole list and still have more games to play then the 360 did and if i know nintendo right... they will have plenty of virtual games to come out later on... i mean come on... you really think they they would stop at a list that short... only if they mean to act stupid.

  • Socom_sniper

    Posted Nov 5, 2006 4:00 pm PT

    it's def one of the best system that nintendo that put out since the snes it thats what you mean

  • cammoule

    Posted Nov 5, 2006 5:22 am PT

    Wii is the best console we have ever seen, isn't it ?

  • Truthofme

    Posted Nov 4, 2006 8:15 pm PT

    That is really all consoles do now is get better graphics and few other tinkerish things. A new controller is a big diffrence in gameplay. And will change the way we play games and think about it. Heck, all the fat nerds will become beefy with muscles. It seems like it will be more then some mindless bunch of games and interaction between you and a controller.

  • Kcube

    Posted Nov 3, 2006 7:39 am PT

    @ LowPs

    They are fanboys,Making sense isn't a strong point of theirs

    Super Swing Golf should be rented or Bought by anyone who likes games,Trust me this Golf game is more then you might think.

  • xtiansk8

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 8:21 pm PT

    I agree with lowps. I might also do that.

  • LoWpS

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 7:45 pm PT

    guys, if anyone says the wii is just a GC with better grafx and a new controller tacked on, ima punch them in the nose. Im getting friggin sick of that argument. Cuz its so controversial. Waht is the 360? just an Xbox with better grafx, a better controller, and whatnot. Same with PS3. So if anyone says that, shut it.

  • dementiaprime

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 6:37 pm PT

    To "eric2mrng",as for violence, there is going to be a resident evil remake for your mature-video game based desires.

  • GamesAnytime

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 4:46 pm PT

    WOW they'ew already selling out on the movie-games.
    TSK TSK TSK, Where's METROID I ask ????

  • Lunatic_Monk

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 4:07 pm PT

    "this is junk. Wii is been over-rated"- ajdelvalle84

    Incorrect. The Wii Rocks. I love Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft. But Nintendo is going to win it all this time.

  • stormtrooper222

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 3:18 pm PT

    RED STEEL RED STEEL RED STEEL!!!!

  • ajdelvalle84

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 2:44 pm PT

    this is junk. Wii is been over-rated

  • firebert_0240

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 1:14 pm PT

    Well, Nintendo has good sequels.

  • T33N_W01F

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 12:12 pm PT

    they arent really sequals, for example, all the splinter cell games are basicly the same, the same with devil may cry and indeed halo. but there is a vast difference between super mario bros., super mario world and super mario 64, the same between metroid, super metroid and metroid prime, the games develop so vastly that they are almost completly different from their predecesors.

  • landau492

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 9:20 am PT

    is funny how nintendo fans Criticize other system for having sequels when nintendo have put out the same games for decades , mario, zelda and metroid prime.

  • TacoJelly

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 9:02 am PT

    Why are there so many negative comments? This looks like it could be the greatest launch in history... even better than Dreamcast's (nobody can argue that wasn't a great launch lineup). Zelda alone is looking fantastic and would completely justify purchasing a Wii, but then you got a ton of other games that would merit a purchase. Super Monkey Ball, Rayman, Excite Truck, Trauma Center, and Madden all look great and I would be surprised if any of them got a bad review... AND you've got a games that COULD end up being great like Red Steel, Splinter Cell, Far Cry: Vengence, Elebits, Downhill Jam, and COD 3... There are so many games to choose from, not all of them will end up being memorable experiences, but with this many titles with great potential... atleast 5-7 will be must-haves. This is probably one of the most complete, across the board launches ever.

  • jay_keno

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 8:55 am PT

    You forget the greatest game of all Zelda: Twilight Princess, and Need For speed. Wait a minute all these games are great. Your crazy

  • vjso2

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 4:55 am PT

    The only impressive games here are: Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent, Red Steel, Call of Duty 3, and Madden NFL 07.

  • Narroo

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 3:19 am PT

    3 games I know I want, also 3 games I may want.
    Sweet line up.
    Though only one first person shooter, so I think lots of 360 fans will say the line up stinks. Good thing I usually don't like FPS's.

  • wanderer818

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 2:53 am PT

    other than wii sports and zelda, these games don't look too impressive. i can wait for metroid, super mario galaxy, and maybe even the new super smash bros.

  • MasterAsh42

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 11:36 pm PT

    4quarters, I think you seem to be suffering from selective amnesia. . .

    Last I remember, the PS3 line-up consisted of mainly sequels and ports. . .And so did the 360 last year. Oh, and basically the entire last two years of the industry overflowed with, you guessed it, sequels and ports.

    But, I suppose its easy for "big-boys" to forget they themselves are playing the same game time after time when they feel the only way to prove to themselves they are important is to take out their frustrations with their ill-conceived lives with countless FPSs, pimp-my racers, urban sandboxes, and sports titles.

  • jd130oo

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 8:34 pm PT

    eric2mrng: Its all about Zelda TP!! I just hope they release more mature content next year, red steel dont cut it for me... wasnt there a game being developed where you gotta run through a city thats being hit with natural disasters? somethin like the "day after tomorrow" film.. cant remember where i read it from... O.o

    Its name is Disaster: Day of Crisis... But i really don't know if you could say it's gonna be a good game...

  • daqua_99

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 8:25 pm PT

    Hope the same are for us Aussies!

  • umbriell

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 7:16 pm PT

    Nintendo will stagger its big hitters as they always do. Don't expect Metroid and Mario in the same Quarter, much less (a prediction) the same year.

  • grandgundam3

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 7:13 pm PT

    The lineups okay, but as we all know, Nintendo will put out all the killer apps after the initial console rush at launch, just to snag more gamers and non-gamers alike.

    Oh, and if you read 4quarters' post and smell Sony or MS fanboy, say 'aye.'

  • h4xx0rz

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 5:26 pm PT

    4quarters: I forgot their market is 6 year old kids

    --------------------------------

    Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent, Call of Duty 3, and Red Steel..

    You actually think these games are for 6 year old kids?
    Maybe you should join forces with Jack Thompson.

  • chibi-acer

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 5:23 pm PT

    I'm getting Zelda and Super Monkey Ball at launch. Red Steel could be cool, but I'll wait for an actual review. I"m also excited that Super Swing Golf will come out this year. Excite Truck might be interesting too. Throw in the free Wii Sports and Nintendo has a really good launch lineup.

    Next year, looking forward to Smash Bros and Wario Ware.

  • eric2mrng

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 5:01 pm PT

    Its all about Zelda TP!! I just hope they release more mature content next year, red steel dont cut it for me... wasnt there a game being developed where you gotta run through a city thats being hit with natural disasters? somethin like the "day after tomorrow" film.. cant remember where i read it from... O.o

  • awarriorofgamin

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 4:59 pm PT

    i sorta expected that to happen but it still has a good line up

  • CommanderKill90

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 3:47 pm PT

    I don't think I'll be getting a Wii in '06...just having Zelda doesn't cut it

  • GnarlsB

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 3:38 pm PT

    Wait so metal Slug is available at launch right?

  • Kantwon

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 3:18 pm PT

    Watcha doing Midway making games like The Ant Bully, Happy Feet, Rampage, and The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy. No matter what system you released them on they are still not going to be fun. Same goes to you too Vivendi releasing Ice Age 2. What's wrong with you companies. The Wii has a good game list they don't need those games to screw it up.

  • BlueYoshi579

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 3:14 pm PT

    Holy crap!! The only original property on the list is Elebits!! EVERY GAME IS A SEQUEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even the big N couldn't put out a new game instead beefing up an already late to market Zelda!! Excite Truck, wow Nintendo land of the LAMEST names for EVERYTHING, the Wii ?, Excite Truck?, I forgot their market is 6 year old kids, and older teens who won't admit that they just can't afford a real big-boy toy like 360 or PS3, no,no,no, enjoy waving your arms around like chickens and telling people it's cool to play really outdated-looking games.

    Can you even read, or did your bias cause you to skip Red Steel?

  • cfamgcn

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 3:08 pm PT

    Good launch games for Wii... I may get one on Christmas...

  • 4quarters

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 2:58 pm PT

    Holy crap!! The only original property on the list is Elebits!! EVERY GAME IS A SEQUEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even the big N couldn't put out a new game instead beefing up an already late to market Zelda!! Excite Truck, wow Nintendo land of the LAMEST names for EVERYTHING, the Wii ?, Excite Truck?, I forgot their market is 6 year old kids, and older teens who won't admit that they just can't afford a real big-boy toy like 360 or PS3, no,no,no, enjoy waving your arms around like chickens and telling people it's cool to play really outdated-looking games.

  • Superzone

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 2:57 pm PT

    Omniel_YHVH, I'm right with ya!

  • pie_guy

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 2:45 pm PT

    if i cant get a hold of red steel im going to comit sepuku/hurikari (just kidding and i think thats how you spell it)

  • monkkito

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 2:42 pm PT

    amurphy245
    "wtf? 1 game gets delayed and they make such a negative headline?"

    Word

  • Omniel_YHVH

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 2:36 pm PT

    D@mnit. Red Steel better be there, and if I don't get my Zelda-fix I will be forced to raise an army.

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