Nintendo confirms Assassin's Creed, Ghost Recon Online, Tekken, Ninja Gaiden 3, Darksiders 2, Batman coming to new console; Ubisoft also confirms Rabbids, two new brands en route; Aliens: Colonial Marines not a lock.
LOS ANGELES--As part of its 2011 Electronic Entertainment Expo press conference today, Nintendo formally unveiled Wii U, marking its entry into the high-definition console market. Though it trails behind Microsoft and Sony by more than five years, Nintendo has wasted no time in attracting third-party publishers' more violent wares to its new, more powerful console.
In a sizzle reel promoting the Wii U, Nintendo confirmed that a number of previously announced titles will also be coming to its new console. These titles include the recently announced Sega's Aliens: Colonial Marines, as well as THQ's Metro: Last Light, Namco Bandai's Tekken, Codemasters' Dirt, Ubisoft's Ghost Recon Online, Warner Bros.' Batman: Arkham City, and Tecmo Koei's Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge. (Tecmo Koei confirmed that Razor's Edge on the Wii U is different from Ninja Gaiden 3 on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.)
[UPDATE] It appears as if Sega and Gearbox aren't completely committing to releasing Aliens: Colonial Marines on the Wii U. As part of the publisher's official announcement of the title, it said that "Aliens: Colonial Marines is being prototyped and considered for the Nintendo Wii U." The announcement went on to note that Gearbox has "a dedicated research and development branch within the studio" working on the game.
As part of a second teaser reel that featured a number of industry executives, THQ VP Danny Bilson confirmed that Darksiders 2 will be a launch title for the Wii U, which is currently scheduled to arrive in late 2012. Ubisoft's Yves Guillemot also indicated that an installment in the Assassin's Creed franchise--one that includes multiplayer--would arrive for the console. However, he did not name-check the name of the publisher's latest game, Assassin's Creed: Revelations.
[UPDATE] Following the close of Nintendo's E3 media briefing, Ubisoft also confirmed that it is bringing its zany Rabbids franchise to the Wii U. The publisher also has plans to bring "two new brands" to Nintendo's high-definition console, one of which will be a core-oriented first-person shooter and the other of which will be a family-focused sports compilation.
For more on Nintendo's latest announcements, check out GameSpot's live show from E3, which begins today at 12 p.m. PDT.
For more info on Nintendo's latest console, the Wii U, be sure to check out our Nintendo Wii U: Everything You Need To Know feature or watch Nintendo's E3 2011 Press Conference to see the full reveal.
Tom Magrino has covered the games industry since 2006. He's been compared to Steve Martin by Ozzy Osbourne and Daniel Craig by Tim Schafer. His voice, heard largely on GameSpot's podcast, recalls that of Kermit the Frog. It ain't easy bein' Magreen.
It looks interesting, but I'm going to wait and see what Microsoft and Sony are going to do next, because in terms of raw computing power they will be miles ahead of the WiiU. They might have 3rd party support for the while, but I wonder what'll happen when the other new consoles arrive.
@ Noskillkill Amen my man. Now if they can just be sure that more than one "U-pad" will work at the same time on a console.
@valcrist09 Most of them games will have extra levels and content that the others will not have.
Very early development of Killer Freaks on the Wii U using the dev. kits. http://youtu.be/p99ghcy450E Very early development of Ghost Recon Online Wii U http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iEV-hg2Vh8&feature=related
about time nintendo gets some support and not having to always make their own games the best games on their console. also im sure its just a codename "Wii U", not feeling it reggie sorry . on another note its not really the console that has the last say its the games because if i can get all 3rd party games i want and still keep the nintendo exclusives i might pick this up. gotta love nintendo theyre the only ones that keep trying to change the game always. i could see some harness so you can have the WiiPad placed on ur wrist and it would act as ur shield or even and inventory/spell interface and the Wiimote as ur weapon in the other while playing skyrim that would be awesome
This is good news for sure, but I still probably won't buy it. It's not like Nintendo systems never have M-rated games, the rating doesn't really matter that much. Basically it should be that when a third-party title releases on the PS3 and the 360, we should see Wii U at the bottom of the screen as well during those commercials, every time. I still have absolutely no interest in motion gaming and I really just don't like the Wii U's controller. I thought 60 bucks for a new PS3 controller was insane and how much will these cost? I'm guessing at least $100. The Wii U will have plenty of positives of course, but for now, it just isn't for me. Maybe that'll change as the launch gets much closer.
As long as these kinds of games don't become the absolute norm on Wii U. Have your M-rated games if they mean that much but don't lose the classic Nintendo charm that made them last this long. It feels a bit like pandering, like caving into the whims of the vocal minority, but...I do like Darksiders and it'll be nice to play the sequel on a Nintendo system.
Wow this is great. The wiiU has three major points that strike well with me. 1. it can bring the unique brand of gaming that only nintendo delivers 2. along with that, it will be able to handle the technology and mature games that 360 and PS3 got 3. it will bring new tech that NO ONE has ever seen before, and Sony can't rip it off LOL Microsoft and Sony may do well with modern tech, but leave it to Nintendo to revolutionize it EVERY TIME
The bad news is that Ubisoft will again be supplying a new Nintendo system with loads of ports and remakes at launch. The good news is, the system is now powerful enough to get the good games that are also being released for the 360 and PS3. With more than a year to wait, i'm pretty sure other high profile games will be announced.
Too little. Too Late. Yet still a good effort by Nintendo, one I'd give a B+ for. But I still won't buy it.
@earthking: There's been 2(?) on the DS. One was okay, the other not so much. On an unrelated note, I feel that Ubisoft should be banned from making games for the WiiU until 6 months after launch. That way, we won't see millions of shovelware games on (or just after) launch. Assassin's Creed? I've got no quarrels with that, but Rabbids? I, and probably many others, don't want it. A family-focused sports game? Keep it, there'll probably be a WiiU Sports game on launch if the tech demo was anything to go by.
Awesome news...I think this is the first ninja gaiden game to be on a nintendo console since the NES and SNES days.
I don't think it's that Nintendo's not known for M-Rated games. I think it's just that they've subscribed to the kiddie, family friendly appeal for so long, that trying to say "And our new console will focus on everyone's enjoyment" like they have, sounds like flat out pandering to the mature crowd. I remember when the Wii was first announced, how it was gonna be a console EVERYONE, casual and hardcore could play. it did great by the casual crowd, but I think even hardcore nintendo fanboys can admit they could have done better.
"Tecmo Koei confirmed that Razor's Edge on the Wii U is different from Ninja Gaiden 3 on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3." The news just gets better and better. I want the Wii U now!!!
What I dont get is that apart from the touch on the controller (the size is going to make it difficult to play fps for long durations) and itll be so expensive to purchase another for 2 players, what is really that good about the wiiu? What hasn't been done on the 360 or ps3 already in terms of games that I, a 19 year old male, would play. Absolutely nothing, its like they just joined the HD club and we are running around excited like its bloody 2005. With all do respect, mature gamers could probably pick up a ps3 for half the price, with 100x the games than wiiu. I wouldve thought that Nintendo, shouldn't stuck with motion game, that was their niche. But it seems as though they just couldnt do it and created the touch controller. I am guessing it is because sony and microft, came out with the best motion tech and there isnt a motion sensing controller they could've made without copying them. I dont get the target market, parents wont buy it for their kids and fat house wives wont buy it as the motion aspect is gone as well as the fact that it looks fragile, would you give that controller to 5 year old to shake around and crack? and mature gamers wont buy it, because it has all been done before, for 5 years now.
@gaming clone yes the wii and past nintendo consoles have had M rated games but nothing as "M" rated as the current games on the 360/ps3 and PC
hmmmmm should I get all these third party games that are coming out on consoles I already own, or.... spend 400-600 dollars on a new console to get a very similar game...hmmmmm
Will these third party M rated games actually sell though? I recall Dead Space Extraction selling poorly on Wii and makiing EA think strongly about future titles on the platform. It's almost like the chicken and the egg scenario. It needs fans to sell mature games, but it needs mature games to get those fans.
Why are people acting as if Nintendo's consoles have never seen rated M games? The Wii has had a few, the gamecube has had quite a few, the DS has had quite a few too (such as GTA), the N64 had rated M games too. Im glad that the Wii U is getting alot of 3rd party support from the looks of it (doesnt matter to me if its mature or not). This means the system will have a wider appeal. Casuals, adults, teens, hardcore gamers, everyone. Hence the name, Wii U (Wii for, games that are for everyone! and U, games that appeal to YOU) Best name ever really. Besides, from what I saw at the conference, Nintendo will still be support teh casualz.
i would like to see the 3DS have the ability to become a 2nd controller, or replace the controller for every game available, even if it had to squeeze the resolution down. You know new controllers for this will be super spendy, and this would encourage people to buy a 3DS instead, and up the sales of the 3DSs.
The Wii U controller is not intended as a portable gaming device. But I really hope that It could be eventually have the possiblities to make it one. If that tablet controller had half the power of an iPad? The 3DS is a 3D handheld, If the Wii U controller could be made capable of actually taking on the iPad The 3DS could still survive. Could it not?
If next gen names can get anymore silly, the next Xbox will be called Sexbox, and the ps3 will be called ps, i love you.
@JaxxRaxor Guarantee the 3DS sales will skyrocket as soon as more games are available: Legend Of Zelda, Mario Kart, Paper Mario, Resident Evil..etc... The system itself is good, pricing is good; it just lacks games at the moment. @NOscope42 No but the Wii was particularly limited with the majority of its game being aimed at children. Granted a handful of games are superb but most aren't games particularly suited to most adults. There's only so much of it one can take...
1 Like Finally men here it is hardcore bloody games in Nintendo.... we need this since No more Heroes..
Is it really a good idea? Nintendo's audience has always been the more casual and E-T rated gamers. To add M rated games would therefore change Nintendo's audience. I will not be surprised if their online becomes like xbox live. I'll be seeing trash talkers on Wii u soon No doubt about it. The only reason why Nintendo /wii players are pure is because none of the influence of M rated games have tainted them. With 3rd party M rated games, means more emphasize on multiplayer.
@JaxxRaxor The indisputable fact is that graphics sell games and hardware. Lots of developers are clamoring to move to the next generation but are being held back by 360/PS3 and don't trust the pc due to rampant piracy and low sales. In two years, I don't think developers can continue to churn out the same games and sequels with the same graphics. Gamers have ADD and become jaded quickly. All you have to do is look at the hate for the COD franchise. Gears which was a system seller is already looking old. Epic demonstrates the new Unreal engine tech demo for a reason. And look at all the attention Battlefield 3 is receiving. Nintendo has plenty of money to burn and get developers to create epic games for graphic whores on their consoles. Imagine if a developer like Epic creates a new IP on their console and looks like the tech demo Samaritan. It would be a system seller just like every single "graphic whore" game is a system seller for every system. For the 360 it was Gears and for the PS3 it was Uncharted, God of War, and Resistance. For the pc and Nvidia 8800 it was Crysis.
@JaxxRaxor, I disagree, only because your making the wrong comparison. DS sales started slowly as well, because both lacked strong line-ups. With the amount of third party support the Wii U is already seeing, and as long as they have an impressive two or three opening titles, It will sell better than Sony and MS, just like the Wii. We just have to hope that we don't get a ton of shovelware as well. And I predict that 3DS sales are about to soar with Zelda coming out soon, SMT: Devil Survivor: Overclock in fall, and the announcement of a portable Smash.
I'd have to say the Wii U WILL sell like Mad when it comes out, just like the Wii did. Just because the 3DS isn't flying off the shelves shouldn't be any indicator. The economy is a lot rougher right now and people are much choosier on what to spend their money on. I can name at least 6 people currently saving for the Wii U already for next year, those 6 being me and 5 of my friends.
I am curious about what they will do with Assassins Creed, it wouldn't make sense to put Revelations on the console or AC3, which I would assume is coming out next year since the Ezio story is ending this year.
@plm3d_basic Actually I think that developers will develop the game first for the 360 and PS3 (probably the former for North American developers and the latter for PS3 developers) and then port up to the Wii U and PC. That is probably cheaper for them because unless the Wii U is selling like mad (not likely, see the 3DS as an example) then 360 and PS3 ownership will be much higher than the Wii U (and of course for high end PC users) so optimizing on console with wider user bases is the way to go.
I just remembered Suda51 intended to make another No More Heroes on Nintendo's next console. That should be something to keep an eye out for.
@SLRMC93 It's been mentioned that the Wii U is not intended as a portable gaming device though. If it was, the 3DS would be rendered useless.
@ NOscope What does wanting mature games with mature story-lines, and mature themes, have to do with reinforcing manhood?
Okay, why in the hell would Sega, Gearbox, and Nintendo decide to include Aliens: Colonial Marine in Wii U's epic 3rd party montage if they "aren't completely committing to releasing Aliens: Colonial Marines on the Wii U". If Sega is having Gearbox simply prototype the game on Wii U while they CONSIDER it, it should NOT have been included in the reel at all... that pisses me off. What the hell's wrong with them?
good lord people, you need to realize the difference between Graphics and Aesthetics, when comparing games against one another...sigh and for those saying they need a system supported by "adult game," really...you need your machismo reinforced by video games???? lol *face palm*
This will only sell to Nintendo Fanboys and completionists (I'll grudgingly get one to replace the Wii) This will not capture the majority of Wii casuals, it won't get people to pony up money to play games that they can get on a system they already own (all of the ones listed here are multiplatform and will be on all three systems, in the case of Darksiders 2 for 6 months unless they change the 360/PS3 release date). For Nintendo to last in the console making market they will need to have something ready in another 3 years to compete with Microsoft and Sony's next systems.
I wonder if developers will now make games first for the Nintendo and pc and dilute it down to the other consoles. The next xbox and ps won't be released until 2014 at least.
@Gamingclone Actually console dont get their graphics kings from 3rd party titles in general. Look to first party titles to show off what it can do.
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