Shigeru Miyamoto began the presentation and officially unveiled Pikmin 3 for the first time…for the Wii U. Nintendo’s next console, the Wii U, will launch “holiday 2012” in white and black colors with more colors likely. No details on price yet (rumored at $299), but Nintendo’s E3 presentation revealed several games for the platform and the announcement that the Wii U system would include two Gamepad controllers. Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Instant Video will be available on the Wii U.
The Wii U weighs about 3.4 pounds (1.5 kg) and has dimensions of 10.5 inches wide, 6.8 inches length, and a 1.8 inch depth. The Wii U has dual analog sticks plus a camera & microphone. Video chat, backwards compatibility and multiple control options/existing Wii controller use (including five player fun with four remotes and one Gamepad). The graphics looked very sharp and have a HD appearance.
Wii U gameplay was touted as “asymmetric”, which basically means playing different games at the same time. Players can get their game on while the family watches their show on the television or all join in a game together. Nintendo compared the Wii U launch game titled NintendoLand with the Wii launch game Wii Sports. “Play it, and you begin to understand” they said about NintendoLand, which features 12 separate attractions in one game.
Third party Wii U game announcements included a DiRT racing game, Aliens Colonial Marines, Darksiders II, Mass Effect 3, Trine 2: Director’s Cut, FIFA Soccer 13, Tekken Tag Tournament 2, TANK! TANK! TANK!, Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge, Rayman Legends, Assassin’s Creed III, a new Rabbids game, Yourshape Fitness Evolved 2013, Sports Connection, Avengers Battle for Earth, and many others.
Batman Arkham City: Armored Edition for the Wii U features the Caped Crusader’s entire “arsenal right at a player’s fingertips” including a remote controlled batarang while players can make their heroes gather kinetic energy then unleash it for high damage attack on baddies.
Scribblenauts Unlimited for the Wii U will help players create own objects (how about a dog with tires?) plus multiplayer options. Lego City Undercover comes to Wii U in an open world format and special infrared screen viewing feature.
Super Mario Bros. U will offer chat/communication options within game, four player modes and an inflatable, floating Yoshi. Zombie U incorporates augmented reality features with xray vision and sniper scope features.
Nintendo predictably features some great exercise games like Just Dance 4 plus more fitness options including Wii Fit U includes the Fit Meter and some scenarios that included balancing on one foot on the balance board while aiming at a target with the Wii U Gamepad. SiNG featured an appealing party music gaming including players singing to lyrics on the Gamepad while other players dance.
The Miiverse offers a Nintendo player avatar community experiences from any web-enable mobile device and the Nintendo 3DS handheld console.
Nintendo 3DS games announcements including a new Luigi’s Mansion 2: Dark Moon game (yes, there are ghosts), the new gold themed New Super Mario Bros 2 (releasing on August 19), and a clever Paper Mario: Sticker Star game. Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion and Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance look to impress as well.
Upcoming Wii game releases include Nintendo Selects: Pikmin 2 (June 10) and The Last Story (July 10) with Pokemon Conquest releasing on the Nintendo DS on June 18.