With the announcement that the Wii U will launch on November 18 (the same date 10 years after the Nintendo Gamecube came into existence) the new hot question to arise regards the launch lineup. Now we know when it comes out, but what will there be to play?
Nintendo has hinted and elaborated on some launch titles, but there is no clarity as to which will release on the day and which will arrive during the launch window. Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime did say that Nintendo would release around 51 titles through March, but failed to emphasize which. Let us examine which titles will launch during the first few months of the Wii U.
Nintendo Land: The game that is likely to be bundled with the console and shows off the new controller's capabilities with Nintendo based themes. A game for everyone.
New Super Mario Bros. U: The latest 2D side-scrolling Mario adventure that is sure to be one of Nintendo's big successes at launch. A game for everyone.
Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two: A follow up to the Wii classic that will surely aim to appeal to the child audience.
Call of Duty: Black Ops II: Nintendo's attempt to show hard core gamers that they care about them; something that they failed to do on the Wii.
Transformers Prime: Another attempt to reel in hard core games; it could be dud.
Mass Effect 3: Special Edition: A major statement that the Wii U is for hard core gamers also as this space odyssey shows off complex characters, a mature story, and complex game play. But gamers may have to wait a month or two to get it on the Wii U.
Madden 13: The hard core sports fans get some love on Nintendo's system for the first time in a while.
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed: Another game that appeals to fanboys. But like more recent Sonic fare, this could be a bust as well.
NBA 2K13: More support to bring in the sports gamers.
Assassin's Creed III: Like Mass Effect 3, this game is a mature action game that follows an Assassin through historical periods. This will be another attempt to lure hard core gamers at launch, but don't expect it right away.
Just Dance 4: For the casual gamer and the dancing aficionados.
Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth: A game that has the trademark and franchise attached to it, but probably has about as much depth as most comic book games. That is to say, NONE.
Rabbids Land: Another game that meets everyone in the middle. This could lure hard core gamers and more casual fanboys.
Rayman Legends: More for the hardcore than the casual, but this Rayman classic will lure in everyone.
ESPN Sports Connection: More sports games for the the fanboys.
Batman: Arkham City Armored Edition: The game arrives a year too late, but it never hurts to have one of the top games of last year arriving on your system with an updated version made specifically for your new hardware. This Batman game shows more support for the Wii U's desire to bring in the hardcore. The fact that "The Dark Knight Rises" is still fresh in people's minds may make this a smart launch title.
Your Shape Fitness Evolved 2013: For the casual gamer and the female exercising fanbase that the Wii developed.
ZombiU: Mass Effect 3, Assassin's Creed 3, and Batman: Arkum Asylum all have one thing in common: they are the so called hard core killer apps. But they also share another thing in common. They will/are available for the other two competing consoles, making them not exclusive content for the Wii. Every hardcore system needs its own individual killer app to lure in new gamers and the Wii lacked that. The Wii now has it with the ingenious ZombiU, which many pundits are comparing to the original Resident Evil for its novel approach to survival horror and for bringing back the thrills and scares. This may be the title to purchase at launch and Wii U's first classic game.
Scribblenauts Unlimited: More casual fare here as people can scribble away and create their own designs.
And that is just scratching the surface. Below is a list of 51 titles officially announced for the cosole and their respective developers.
505 Games
- Funky Barn
2K Sports
- NBA 2K13
Activision Publishing, Inc.
- 007 Legends
- Call of Duty: Black Ops II
- TRANSFORMERS PRIME
- Wipeout 3
- Skylanders Giants
- Cabela's Dangerous Hunts 2013
- Rapala Pro Bass Fishing
Capcom
- Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate
D3Publisher
- Rise of the Guardians: The Video Game
- Ben 10: Omniverse
- Family Party: 30 Great Games Obstacle Arcade
Disney Interactive
- Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two
Electronic Arts
- Mass Effect 3
- Madden NFL 13
- EA Sports FIFA Soccer 13
- Frozenbyte
- Trine 2: Director's Cut
- Gaijin Games
- Runner2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien
- Majesco Entertainment
- Zumba Fitness Core
- Maximum Games
- Jett Tailfin
NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.
- Tekken Tag Tournament 2
- Tank! Tank! Tank!
Nintendo
- Nintendo Land
- New Super Mario Bros. U
- Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge
- SiNG Party
- Lego City: Undercover
- Wii Fit U
- Game & Wario
- Pikmin 3
- The Wonderful 101
SEGA
- Aliens: Colonial Marines
- Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed
- Shin'en
- Nano Assault Neo
Tecmo Koei America Corporation
- Warriors Orochi 3 Hyper
THQ
- Darksiders II
- Wheel of Fortune
- Jeopardy!
Missing here of course is Zelda, Metroid, and 3D Mario games. But those are likely to pop up as soon as E3 2013. Thus far, the launch lineup looks varied and appeals to wider audience base.
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