My Most Anticipated Games from E3 2012 (Part 3 - Nintendo Exclusives)

The third part of my 'Most Anticipated Games of E3 2012' feature will detail my most anticipated E3 2012  games that are planned to be exclusively released for Nintendo consoles.  First, I will look at the games that will be released for Nintendo's new console the Wii-U.  I will also include the E3 2012 games that will be released only on Nintendo's handheld console - the 3DS.

Wii-U

There are only three Nintendo Wii-U games that appeared at E3 2012 that I am looking forward to.  I detail them below:

ZombiU

For the time being, ZombiU is exclusive to the Wii-U but Ubisoft have stated that there is a possibility the game could also be released for the Xbox360 and PlayStation Vita using both Microsoft's Smartglass and the Vita's touchscreen.

ZombiU originally started life as an alien invasion B movie type game named Killer Freaks from Outer Space (an IGN article detailing this can be found here) but has now turned into a Zombie survival horror game.  The Dead Island-esque zombiU E3 2012 demo highlights the setting of London and showcases the devastating effects that the zombie infestation is having on the city and on the local citizens - all set to a somber sounding version of God Save the Queen. 


The game will allow the player to control different characters and also features perma-death.  If a character the player is controlling dies/becomes infected, then they are gone for good and the player will have to start again as a different character, allowing the player to try and take down the previous infected character and attempt to acquire their supplies.

The game is set in a first person perspective and involves looking at the tablet screen a lot as you use the touchscreen to loot bodies and search for supplies.  It may sound strange that the player is required to look at the tablet touchscreen so much, but in the setting of a survival horror game this could actually work very well.  If the player is distracted from the surroundings of the environment, this could help add tension as the player has to quickly scramble for supplies while also having to occasionally glance up to the television screen in fear of enemies attacking.

There is a extra feature in the game that allows players to use the tablet controller as a video and see their faces transformed into a hideous Zombie - all in real time.  Just check out this video from Nintendo's E3 conference featuring a zombi-fied Reggie Fils-Aime.


New Super Mario Bros U

A sequel to New Super Mario Bros Wii ( not to be confused with New Super Mario Bros 2 on the 3DS, which is a sequel to New Super Mario Bros on the DS - yes it is confusing) amazingly named New Super Mario Bros. U is scheduled to be released on Nintendo's next console.

To be honest, there really is not much to say about this title - it is another Mario title presented in a 2.5D perspective.  Undoubtedly, just like most Mario games it will be a colourful, fun and quirky title that people of any age can enjoy.

I would have preferred to see a Mario 64 or Mario Galaxy type game rather than another 2.5D Mario title on the Wii-U, especially as Nintendo have also announced that New Super Mario Bros. 2 will be released on the 3DS,  I hope that one day a Mario 64/Galaxy title will be released later in the consoles life-cycle.

Nevertheless, I look forward to New Super Mario Bros. U, but I am slightly disappointed it is a 2.5D Mario rather than a new 3D Mario - it just does not personally scream killer Wii-U title like a 3D Mario title could.


Pikmin 3

I have not played any of the previous Pikmin games that were released on the Nintendo GameCube, but I do like the look of Pikmin 3.  It is nice to see how a Nintendo franchise can look with updated graphics shown in glorious Hi-Definition.  The Pikmin E3 demo is shown below:

I will be keeping an eye out on Pikmin 3 to see how this quirky mass strategy game will turn out.



Personally, I feel that the games that have been announced for the Wii-U have been rather underwhelming and I am still not 100% convinced that the Wii-U - is as of yet - a must have console.  Nintendo are no doubt trying to capture the iPad/Android tablet market by integrating a touchscreen tablet into its main controller.  With the Wii-U Nintendo are trying to please the hardcore fan base (that may have been let down by the Wii) and also hoping to target the Mum's and grandparents that previously invested in the Wii.

Will the causal market that bought the Wii want to invest in the Wii-U?  Nintendo have been highlighting the capabilities of the tablet controller, but have not really been talking about the console itself.  This has even confused the mainstream media.  Not long after E3, CNN wrote an article about the tablet controller, thinking that it was an accessory for the Wii (this has since been amended).  My concern is that if the mainstream media is confused about the tablet controller, then will the average consumer be confused for the same reason?  What could also be confusing for the consumer is that the Wii-U design is very similar to that of the Wii console - when the similar Wii-U is advertised consumers could think they already own it because it looks like the Wii console they already own.



3DS



There a total number of three games on the 3DS shown at E3 2012, which I am hoping will be worth playing when they are released.


New Super Mario Bros. 2

It is the other 2.5D Mario game that Nintendo announced at E3 2012, again not much to say except the E3 2012 demo can be viewed below:

I must say, that there does seem to be a lot of coins to collect in this version of Mario.  Does the phrase 'cash grabbing' come to anyone else's mind?  Anyway, collecting coins in Mario games is fun.  Not sure yet if I will be picking this up as well as New Super Mario Bros. U, I may just purchase one of the two New Super Mario Bros titles.


Castlevania - Lords of Shadow: Mirror of Fate

A sequel to the rebooted Castlevania: Lords of Shadow that, appeared on both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, is planned to be released exclusively on the 3DS.  I feel that this is rather a strange move as Lords of Shadow: MOF is the middle part of the Lords of Shadow Trilogy (The third title in the story is set to come out for the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360 - with the working title Lords of Shadow 2).  Below, is the E3 2012 trailer for Lords of Shadow: MOF.

It does seem to be a shame that a number of people that played Castlevania: Lords of Shadow will not have the opportunity to play this title, unless they buy a 3DS.  As of yet, not may details have been released about Lords of Shadow: MOF, but I do wonder if this instalment will be integral to the overall story of Castlevania: Lords of Shadow.

Is the game exclusive to the 3DS because it is more of a side story and not essential to the story of Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 1 and 2?  Only time will tell.


Disney's Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion

A 2D side scrolling platformer, starring Mickey Mouse, that is said to be a sequel to the Megadrive/Genesis classic Castle of Illusion.  I have not heard much about this game, but as it is meant to be a sequel to one of my favourite Megadrive/Genesis titles, so I had to include it into my most anticipated list.  Below is the Nintendo E3 2012 3DS conference section featuring Disney's Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion discussion and trailer.

Anyone that has played the original Castle of Illusion will recognise that some of the sound effects in Power of Illusion  are the same that featured in the original - oh the nostalgia!