Earlier today, Nintendo had their Nintendo Direct Webcast and it finally talked about the future of the Wii U. Of note here is the fact that Nintendo recognized that since the console’s release late last year, there really hasn’t been a whole lot to drive sales for the system. No major first-party titles (other than the new “New Super Mario Bros.” game) were made available at launch, and, because of this, interest in the console was at least somewhat mixed. Yet, this might no longer be the case.
The webcast hints at a few things of note worth pointing out:
- Two new Zelda games are coming to Wii U – one will be completely original and the other will be a full HD remake of “The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker” (a true remake, not an HD up-convert).
- A new Mario game is in the works for the Wii U, produced by the team behind “Super Mario Galaxy” and “Super Mario 3D Land.”
- A game called “Yarn Yoshi” is in the works.
- A new Mario Kart title will be playable at E3 2013.
- A community feature is coming to “Wii Fit U.”
- “Pikmin 3″ is coming to the Wii U.
- A new Mario Party game will release for the Wii U in the Summer of 2013.
- New Fire Emblem and Shin Megami Tensei games are in the works.
- A new RPG from Monolith Soft, the people behind the Xeno franchise, is coming to Wii U.
It sounds like things are finally under way for the console, and I suppose that it’s better late than never.
If you are interested in watching the full webcast, which clocks in at just over 36 minutes, you can check it out right here.
I’m looking forward to buying a wii U. I’m not sure if I’ll get a ps4 or xbox (whatever), but I do want a wii u. Call me old fashioned I suppose…
I will definitely get the Wii U, just not right this moment. Once the summer comes around and we start seeing some of these new games then I definitely want to get it. The Wind Waker HD remake is enough to make me want the console, really, lol.
That is a topic to itself, but I wonder if they are going to put all the stuff they took out back in? You know, like how there was a Fire and an Ice Cave, and those were meant to be full dungeons that got removed? That’d be pretty awesome.
Nintendo is doing what they did with the 3DS…launch it before the rival (VITA) and then drop all of the good games when the other console comes out. It’s intelligent (and it’s worked so far…the VITA is getting its booty kicked by 3DS).
So, there are no games for the WiiU right now, but trust me, once the PS4 comes out (hopefully announced February 20th) then you’ll suddenly see solid launch dates for all of these titles…launch dates that will coincided with the PS4. (Nintendo doesn’t often try to battle with Microsoft…it’s Sony they seem to be concerned with over Japan battle turf).
I’ll probably get a WiiU since I think it will have a few JRPGs that PS4 won’t have (cuz you know I buy all things Sony). However, no way I’m spending money on it now with that price. Much love to you, Nintendo, but…c’mon now.
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Yeah, Nintendo’s asking price is high currently for a system with no major flagship titles and with hardware that might only be marginally better than the current generation of non-Nintendo consoles. In a way, you are paying a lot of money for the controller of all things, I think, and that technology.
So…Eh.
When this HD remake of Wind Waker hits, as well as some of the other titles they are talking about, I’ll pick up a Wii U. But right now I just don’t have any desire to get it and let it collect dust.
Plus, I am worried that my Nintendo Shop purchases (games and such) won’t carry over to the Wii U, but I don’t know if that is true or not.