All Articles: E3 2011
Nintendo @ E3 11: Third party Wii U games include Tekken, Assassin’s Creed, a lot more
After playing a video showing some of the industry’s top developers singing the praises of the Wii U, Nintendo unveiled the third party lineup that’ll be available for the system:
- Aliens: Colonial Marines
- Darksiders II (which will be a launch title)
- Dirt for Wii U
- Metro: Last Light
- Ninja Gaiden III: Razor’s Edge (working title)
- Tekken for Wii U (with a stylus-powered character creator)
- Batman: Arkham City (which elicited cheers from the crowd)
- Assassin’s Creed for Wii U
- Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Online
- Unnamed Electronics Arts games
- Unnamed EA Sports games
So basically, every hot PS3 and Xbox 360 game is also in development for the Wii U. While BioShock Infinite wasn’t on the list, Irrational’s Ken Levine was included in the developer montage and seemed very impressed with the Wii U.
Whoa!
Nintendo @ E3 11: Lego City Stories announced for 3DS, Wii U
After discussing a variety of prototypes of possible Wii U software (including New Super Mario Bros. Wii with a Mii included in the action!), Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime announced the first third party Wii U game: Lego City Stories. Developed by Lego gurus TT Games, Lego City Stories will be an open world Lego game that includes “a whole city full of Lego vehicles.”
No release date was announced, but it’ll be exclusively available for the 3DS and Wii U.
Nintendo @ E3 11: Smash Bros. for Wii U, 3DS announced
Nintendo President Satoru Iwata just announced that a version of Super Smash Bros. is in the works for the 3DS and the Wii U. The games will link up “in some fashion” and it’ll be developed by Kid Icarus: Uprising director Masahiro Sakurai.
No release date (or any other information) was announced.
Nintendo @ E3 11: Wii 2 is officially called the Wii U; all the rumors are true!
Enough with the rumors… Nintendo has officially unveiled the Wii 2! The next generation system will actually be known as “Wii U.” Let the lame name jokes begin!
The controller includes two analog sticks, a D-Pad, four face buttons, four shouler buttons and a 6.2-inch touch screen. The touch screen can be used with a stylus as well as detached from the system to play simple games. And if someone wants to take over the TV, the Wii U can stream the game right to the controller. Basically, all of the rumors are true.
The screen can be used to control the action such as pitcher control in a new version of baseball on Wii Sports. There’s also a front-facing controller that can be used to make video calls. The system also makes use of all Wii peripherals like the Wi Remote, Nunchuk and Wii Balance Board and can stream a game right to the touch screen.
It looks like it is officially the first real “sequel” to a console. It’ll be available in 2012, but no price was announced.
Nintendo @ E3 11: Luigi’s Mansion 2 announced
The 3DS announcements continue as Reggie Fils-Aime just announced that Luigi’s Mansion 2, a brand new game featuring multiple mansions, is in development. The game looks to include a lot of the same ghost-vacuuming fun of the underrated original and, according to Reggie, the 3DS’ 3D display will be very important.
No release date was announced.
Nintendo @ E3 11: Super Mario 3D, Star Fox 64 3D detailed
More from Reggie Fils-Aime: Star Fox 64 3D is coming in September and will include a four-player battle mode where the 3DS’ camera records your facial expression after a kill. Controlling your Arwing by moving the 3DS as a flight yoke was also confirmed.
Meanwhile, Super Mario 3D was described as “the first 3D Mario game designed for a handheld” and it sees the return of the Tanooki Suit as well as looking a lot like the direct sequel to Super Mario 64 we always wanted. The game will also include side-scrolling and overhead sections. Neat!
Super Mario 3D will be released before the end of 2011.
Nintendo @ E3 11: Mario Kart 3DS is tricked out
Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime just introduced Mario Kart 3DS and he described it as a “tricked out version you’ve never played before.” And he may be right. Karts can now be outfitted with gliders to get a little extra air off of jumps as well as travel underwater. Also, coins are back for speed boosts.
Mario Kart 3DS will be released this holiday season.
Nintendo @ E3 11: Zelda’s 25th anniversary celebrated with four games
Accompanied by a full orchestra, Shigeru Miyamoto unveiled the 25th Anniversary celebration of the NES release of The Legend of Zelda.
According to Miyamoto, each of Nintendo’s platforms will get in on the celebration. Starting today, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening DX will be added to the newly launched 3DS eShop. It will be followed next week by The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D. In September, the DSi will receive The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords as a free download.
Miyamoto also confirmed that The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword will be released “this holiday season” alongside a gold Wii Remote with Triforce styling.