Nintendo’s next video game innovation will be dubbed the WiiU, but there is plenty of room for guessing where the next generation of video gaming from Nintendo is heading.
The WiiU features a small tablet-like device with a 6.2-inch screen in the center and traditional controls on the left and right sides of the handheld gadget, including shoulder buttons. The touch-screen allows gamers to design characters and to use touch-sensitivity to interact with the game. The best part of all is the fact that a game being played on the television can be moved to the small handheld screen while the TV can change channels to watch a movie, baseball game and more. This is an idea that had been theorized before but now it appears to be a confirmed reality.
The WiiU controller has many functions. It is being hyped as a device that can play stand-alone games as well as an addition to an existing Wii controller and more. During a demo video the WiiU controller was used to present different gaming angles during a variety of games. It was used to shoot ninja stars at trees, as a camera to find a pop fly in baseball, and as a marker for a golf ball. It was used as an inventory screen for a Legend of Zelda demo and showed off the ability to voice and video chat with others. It will also be able to browse the Internet.
Clearly the sky appears to be the limit for the WiiU controller, but what about the console?
The console itself looks similar to the current Wii, but more information on the entire device will be released later. It would appear to have a high-powered graphics processor because the demo video showed off some stunning visuals although no direct game play. In order to send the video to another device wireless it is expected that the console packs some power in a small shell. Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime confirmed after the event that the WiiU would be capable of full 1080p high definition as well. Fils-Aime said that a specific release date and price point will be details to be share at a later time but he did suggest that it would be available after March 31, 2012. A spring release would make sense for Nintendo and that would appear to be the ultimate goal, although a release after next year’s E3 should not be ruled out.
No matter what makes up the console though, the WiiU will need support from third-party developers and judging by the support it received on stage from Electronic Arts and in a promo video from various others, it has it. Electronic Arts seems very excited to develop games for a piece of hardware that they declare to be the best they have put their hands on. The advanced game play possible by EA Sports is something worth getting excited about and was hinted at during an on-stage speech.
Some of the launch titles for the system will include Tekken, making its first appearance on a Nintendo console, Batman Arkham City, Assassin’s Creed, Ninja Gaiden 3 and Ghost Recon. An exclusive LEGO game was billed as a headliner by TT Games, with LEGO City Stories being released just on the WiiU.
The Nintendo 3DS also received some strong announcements including a new Mario Kart game featuring hang-gliding, monster trucks and underwater levels. As with most Mario Kart games, the 3DS version appears to be designed with fun in mind. Other key Nintendo franchises getting a 3DS title include Star Fox, Kid Icarus Uprising and Luigi’s Mansion 2. The highlight though may be the next Super Mario Brothers adventure, which marks the return of the Tanooki suit. All of those new games are scheduled to be released in 2011 and we will have more on each game later on.
The launch of the eShop was discussed and offered a free download of the Pokédex, which allows Pokémon fans to take their gaming experience to a new level by importing Pokémon in the photos that can be sent to friends and family and transferred to a computer. The eShop also features access to demos and trailers as well as an exclusive Virtual Console for the 3DS, which allows gamers to download classic titles from the Game Boy and Game Boy Color systems. At this time there is no word about possible downloading of Game Boy Advance games, but the system recently went in to retirement so that could be coming out down the line.
The show opened with a number of announcements for Legend of Zelda fans, including the release of Skyward Sword, which will be available exclusively on the Wii and, at this time, not on the WiiU. The release of the latest Zelda adventure this holiday season will be joined by a series of symphonic concerts in various regions to mark the 25th anniversary of the Legend of Zelda franchise. Soundtrack albums will also be released, including an orchestral recording to join the series of worldwide concerts. A special bundle of Skyward Sword will come with a gold-colored Wii remote in December.
In other Zelda news the Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventure will be released for free to DSi owners. The Game Boy classic Link’s Awakening will also highlight some of the available titles on the eShop.
Follow Kevin McGuire’s video game updates and conversation on Twitter.
Article source: http://www.examiner.com/video-game-in-philadelphia/2011-e3-nintendo-debuts-wiiu-strong-3ds-lineup
Incoming search terms:
- 3ds game lineup
- WiiU game lineup