GameSpot may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and from purchases through links.

Nintendo Wii U could get Mario Kart AND Smash Bros. by next spring

Nintendo Germany boss suggests both Mario Kart 8 and the new Smash Bros. are on the way for next spring; company declines to comment.

494 Comments
No Caption Provided

The Internet is buzzing today with speculation about the release dates for a pair of high-profile Wii U games after Nintendo Germany general manager Bernd Fakesch was quoted by Neckar-Chronik as saying Mario Kart 8 and Super Smash Bros. are to be released this spring.

We already knew Mario Kart 8 was planned for spring 2014, but the date is new for the Super Smash Bros. title, which will also see release on 3DS. We reached out to the Mario maker for comment on the story, but were told, "Nintendo has nothing to announce at this time."

According to Fakesch, the spring 2014 date for the new Smash Bros. game pertains only to the Wii U version, not the 3DS iteration.

The Mario Kart and Smash Bros. franchises are two of Nintendo's biggest properties. Last generation, Mario Kart Wii was the top-selling non-bundled Wii software, moving 34.26 million copies. Meanwhile, Super Smash Bros. Brawl sold 11.49 million copies, making it the system's eight-biggest game.

Both franchises are generally seen as system-movers. And releasing both heavy-hitters during the same quarter would conceivably give the Wii U platform the shot in the arm it will need to help the console sell 9 million units by the end of March as Nintendo has previously forecast.

Mario Kart 8 was playable at E3 2013 and Nintendo has released numerous gameplay videos for the upcoming racing game. However, the developer has been far less forthcoming for the new Smash Bros. game.

While we have seen a few cinematic trailers, Nintendo has yet to reveal any gameplay from the project outside of a video demonstration from E3 2013. The new Smash Bros. game is currently in development at Sora Ltd. in partnership with SoulCalibur series studio Namco Bandai.

Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos.
This video has an invalid file format.
00:00:00
Sorry, but you can't access this content!
Please enter your date of birth to view this video

By clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot's
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com

Join the conversation
There are 494 comments about this story
494 Comments  RefreshSorted By 
GameSpot has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to toxic conduct in comments. Any abusive, racist, sexist, threatening, bullying, vulgar, and otherwise objectionable behavior will result in moderation and/or account termination. Please keep your discussion civil.

Avatar image for xolivierx
xolivierx

1341

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 22

User Lists: 0

Mario Kart in 2014, Zelda in 2015....by 2017 the WiiU is going to have at least 3 good games

2 • 
Avatar image for xolivierx
xolivierx

1341

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 22

User Lists: 0

I'm pissed at Nintendo for being so crappy in their console department. I grew up with Nintendo and Sega, hell I even had an atari and played game on DOS and floppy discs. it's 2013 Nintendo ; you can't sell lemonade without lemons. Where the frack are the good games and why the heck isn't Nintendo getting any cool titles like Gran Theft Auto and Metal Gear or even a cool Virtua Fighter game? This is why I am bashing the WiiU

Upvote • 
Avatar image for corrus
corrus

387

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >> What do you expect from Nintendo they are dumb and lazy

Upvote • 
Avatar image for deactivated-586642252f689
deactivated-586642252f689

32

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 4

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >> Nintendo was always a handheld company. I was bought a "Donkey Kong" game & watch back in 1982 for my 6th birthday and I still own it today. 31 years on and it works perfectly, I still play it every week or so. My Wii U on the other hand lasted all but two months before I sold it.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for xolivierx
xolivierx

1341

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 22

User Lists: 0

Nintendo has become a handheld company.
24 years ago the gameboy was cool but the focus was on the NES. Now it's the other way around. The 3ds has more good games than the Wii and Wiiu combined.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for tinyname
tinyname

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 5

<< LINK REMOVED >> Don't be pissed, just buy a ps4 and relax.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for tinyname
tinyname

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 5

<< LINK REMOVED >> It'll be a cold day in hell I'm fat and sweaty enough to build a pc.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for demonkingx5
demonkingx5

664

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Build a PC instead

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Flubbbs
Flubbbs

4968

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

when can the Wii U get something original?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for demonkingx5
demonkingx5

664

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

The Wonderful 101

2 • 
Avatar image for Flubbbs
Flubbbs

4968

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

lol

Upvote • 
Avatar image for deactivated-642321fb121ca
deactivated-642321fb121ca

7142

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 20

User Lists: 0

How many mario karts are they going to make?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Cxera
Cxera

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Will CoD games they release surpass that number?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for padako
padako

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

they'll never stop making it as long as it can evolve and innovate. it's like asking when are they going to stop making Forza or Gran Turismo.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for corrus
corrus

387

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

100

2 • 
Avatar image for deactivated-642321fb121ca
deactivated-642321fb121ca

7142

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 20

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >> That is dedication.

2 • 
Avatar image for ADO300
ADO300

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

i don't belive it

Upvote • 
Avatar image for vduong942
vduong942

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

even though the game is called mario kart, i'd really like to see aircrafts in the game. kinda like diddy kong racing

Upvote • 
Avatar image for barrybarryk
barrybarryk

488

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

If both these games are coming in Spring then I'd say it's been a particularly bone headed decision to keep that information secret. Seriously, everyone is moaning about a lack of upcoming titles for the system in an age where it's common to hype your game a year before release and Nintendo have two top tier franchises ready to be released within 6 months and decide not to tell anyone. Over Christmas. Why?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for barsaf
barsaf

169

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 9

User Lists: 0

it's not that their new or anything. ....

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Shango4
Shango4

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

This game will dominate the racing market.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for eaterofsouls2
eaterofsouls2

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

Inb4 they are doing this to hide the fact they are discontinuing thee Wii U this summer.....

Upvote • 
Avatar image for deactivated-642321fb121ca
deactivated-642321fb121ca

7142

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 20

User Lists: 0

I just hate the formatting of HDD's you use, i had a replacement Wii u today, there goes my saves.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Shantmaster_K
Shantmaster_K

1790

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 36

User Lists: 0

That should definitely help out the Wii U a bit.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for xolivierx
xolivierx

1341

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 22

User Lists: 0

The WiiU is just a rushed console. The proof : where are Nintendo's franchise titles?
They released the console because the Wii was a dry pit and next gen was just around the corner.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for snova9308
snova9308

30

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 5

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >>

the wii was a financial success, although a fail for gaming.

even if financial gain does not reflect the quality of games, you should still give credit where it's due.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for barrybarryk
barrybarryk

488

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >> I love how people have a very selective memory about the Wii. That system had some amazing games, it was in no way, shape or form "a fail for gaming"

2 • 
Avatar image for xolivierx
xolivierx

1341

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 22

User Lists: 0

the Wii was a good console and had amazing game despite not being a HD console.
but during the past 3 years I don't recall it being called a great console. That is what I meant by dry pit. Nintendo needed something new in terms of console in order for them not to be buried by the competition.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for deactivated-609fe4eae5287
deactivated-609fe4eae5287

750

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

You have to realize that Nintendo has been in its own world since MS and Sony entered the console scene. If you are a gamer you get either an Xbox or a PlayStation plus whatever the current Nintendo console is.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for moonco
Moonco

3848

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Moonco  Moderator

<< LINK REMOVED >> PC and Wii U is my setup this gen

Upvote • 
Avatar image for barrybarryk
barrybarryk

488

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >> Yeah I'd have to say Nintendo are pretty much the only one of the big three that have the capacity to sustain a system with just their multitude of first party titles.

Helped along by the normally cheaper pricing for their consoles and sheer quality of the titles they release.

Though I really wish they'd hurry up with the Virtual Console support for Wii U, the lack of titles released for it is astounding

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Puck269
Puck269

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 5

User Lists: 0

@barrybarryk @StHapns247 What are you looking for in the virtual console? All the old games on the Wii Virtual console are playable on the WiiU. In fact, now they all have off-tv gamepad screen support.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for snova9308
snova9308

30

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 5

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >>

even so, they can't keep this up for long.

sooner or later, they will have to get third party titles, and with their current reputation, it might just be too late.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for barrybarryk
barrybarryk

488

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >> Why? Nintendo consoles have had awful third party support since the N64, it still hasn't stopped them making enough great games to justify the price of their systems.

The only one that did get get real third party support was the Wii, and still the best games on it were pretty much all first party titles

Upvote • 
Avatar image for xolivierx
xolivierx

1341

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 22

User Lists: 0

I will once it has good games

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Hayasmez
Hayasmez

117

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

It'll get a release date then delayed like every first party Wii U game. But hey, these will be system sellers right, just like Pikmin 3, Zelda and the new Super Mario right?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for deactivated-609fe4eae5287
deactivated-609fe4eae5287

750

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

I am not sure why Nintendo released the Wii U when it did. It clearly didn't have any first party titles lined up nor had it secured much 3rd party support. Combine that with very mediocre hardware, only slightly faster than the PS3 and 360, and poor marketing on WHY it was better than the Wii and you have a pretty low chance of success.


The only thing they did right was the price which was still $50 less than the PS4 was at release.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Puck269
Puck269

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 5

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >> They released it "early" if that is what you are getting at for a couple reasons. 1. Player feedback regarding some of the WiiU out of the box software integration (Miiverse, etc). 2. Avoid supply bottlenecking like what happened with the Wii. Less demand allowed them to not have supply shortages. 3. Highlight 3rd party launch games. One of the problem with the Wii's launch was that Nintendo made games outshine 3rd parties. They were relying on the 3rd parties to sell systems by design. Then a couple 3rd party exclusives got delayed like Rayman which left huge holes in their launch lineup. Pikman got delayed also.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for bunchanumbers
bunchanumbers

5709

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 11

User Lists: 0

@StHapns247 What they really messed up on was the name and the marketing. It looks like a Wii. It has the Wii name. After all the addons for the Wii many assumed it was just a tablet upgrade for the Wii they already had. I dunno if they will ever shake that, but the hardware itself is nice. They needed a different console shape and a different console name though.

2 • 
Avatar image for xolivierx
xolivierx

1341

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 22

User Lists: 0

<< LINK REMOVED >> I agree. The WiiU should have had :

1) different name
2) a NEW mario game, or a Mario Kart or a Zelda game released within the 1st 6 months

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Jock_Nerd
Jock_Nerd

27

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Great news if true. Very exciting.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Twilord
Twilord

28

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Reggie seemed to hint at the same thing in VGX when discussing Nintendo's plans for selling consoles in 2013. He grouped Donkey Kong with Smash and Kart as system sellers... once I knew Donkey Kong's date and Kart's estimation it seemed obvious the same would likely hold true for Smash.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Gamer0561
Gamer0561

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Honestly, I want more time for Smash so they can perfect it. I can wait until Fall/Winter 2014 so the game is the best it can be.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for aci808
aci808

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

They need to show off a trailer of Zelda or Metroid. Give us something to get excited about.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for bunchanumbers
bunchanumbers

5709

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 11

User Lists: 0

If only Toad was a fighter on Smash Bros.

Upvote •