Wii U Unveiled and Launch Titles!

At this morning’s conference besides telling us about new exciting titles and release dates Nintendo showed us some highly impressive graphics to exemplify what the Wii U will be capable of, but rather than showcasing their new console they focused on its new controller and capabilities. Calling it a controller, however, doesn’t do it justice. This new accessory device, simply referred to as “the new controller” for now, virtually does EVERYTHING from functioning as a computer tablet with online capabilities, working as a substitute TV screen when an actual TV is not available, to even a device for video chatting.

Here are the official controller specs from Nintendo:

The new controller incorporates a 6.2-inch, 16:9 touch screen and traditional button controls, including two analog Circle Pads. This combination removes the traditional barriers between games, players and the TV by creating a second window into the video game world. The rechargeable controller includes a Power button, Home button, +Control Pad, A/B/X/Y buttons, L/R buttons and ZL/ZR buttons. It includes a built-in accelerometer and gyroscope, rumble feature, camera, a microphone, stereo speakers, a sensor strip and a stylus.

The game possibilities that open up with something like this seem near endless and this fact is highly recognized by many 3^rd party developers as expressed in a series of video testimonies by the CEOs and game directors of a couple of companies who not just promised support but also a couple of exciting launch titles.

Launch Title List for Wii U:

Darksiders II, Batman Arkham City, Assassin’s Creed, Dirt, Aliens: Colonial Marines, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Online, Metro Last Light, Tekken, Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge, Lego City Stories.

Smash Bros. was confirmed for the Wii U alongside a simultaneous release for the 3DS but it was not specified as a launch title. Masahiro Sakurai recently confirmed that these games are barely at the beginning stages of development.

It has become obvious that Nintendo once again wants to capture the market by leading through innovation and has the purpose of providing gamers with a deeper game experience and a wider appeal. They want to be able to serve everyone and as Reggie Fils put it, he knows that we all had fun with the wii and that their new one will absolutely be the perfect fit for you –hence the U in the new console’s name.  What do you think?

E3 3DS Games and Features Update!

Nintendo’s press release opened with hints at their new consoles direction, but before revealing any further they discussed what we can expect to see coming for the 3DS this holiday season and beyond.

Mario Kart 3DS: Aside from the standards we’ve become used to this game will now feature some sort of  hang glider mode for the karts during long jumps, and the option to customize vehicles further, for example different style and sized wheels.

Release Date: Holiday Season

Star Fox 3DS: A port/remake of the original Star Fox 64 which will have the option of using the normal button controls or the gyroscope capabilities to control the ships. In multiplayer mode the 3DS inner (player-facing) cameras will capture and transmit the faces of all players in real time so that you can see their faces of frustration and defeat as you win.

Mario 3DS: one of the most exciting announcements today finally gave us a better taste of what we can expect out Mario 3DS. The teaser we were shown featured old and new enemies and elements (such as the musical note bouncy blocks and the tanooki suit), which left me with the impression that this game will be an amazing mix between Mario Galaxy, Mario 64, Super Mario Bros. 3, and Super Mario World.

Kid Ikarus Uprising: Will feature both aerial and ground battles, and a 3 vs 3 multiplayer mode.

Luigi’s mansion: A new installment of the game is being brought to life for the 3DS under the same concept of fending of ghosts with a vacuum cleaner.

Also, the new firmware update for the 3DS unlocks game trailers from today’s E3 presentation, the virtual shop where The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening will be available today, and where Nintendo will be offering 3D classics Excite Bike and a Pokedex app for free. The Pokedex will include 16 registered Pokémon and to collect them all players will have to use spot pass, exchange with friends, special Augmented Reality (AR) markers and other such things which will be exclusive to the Nintendo 3DS eShop.