The Wii U just hit the market, and there's a good chance that if you didn't get one, you missed the boat. Supply shortages are commonplace with the launch of a new console. That being said, if you did manage to get your hands on the Wii U, there are some great games coming along and some that are on store shelves already. Sure, the Wii U might be a little weird with its new control method, but it still looks like a pretty awesome system with some great games.
The games I am going to talk about today make the Wii U a system worth owning, or at least considering. They have absolutely fantastic graphics and they make good use of the innovations offered by the system. Generally, launch games leave much to be desired, but the Wii U actually has a pretty solid lineup that even makes me, an original Wii and Wii U detractor, stand up and take notice.
Super Smash Brothers
I am what you might call an old school Nintendo fan. I've spent way too much money on NES games just to round out my collection. Super Smash Brothers scratches that nostalgia itch and offers some solid fighting mechanics that are just downright fun. Unfortunately the only thing we really know about the next Smash Brothers is that it exists. Honestly, that's good enough for me. Just knowing that a new Smash Brothers is coming is enough to have me excited.
New Super Mario Bros. U
The New Super Mario Bros. franchise is not really new anymore. It's been around for a quite a while now and the gameplay mechanics are mostly the same as the Mario games of the past. Just because it's not new doesn't make it any less exciting. Mario is a staple of Nintendo, and when this game hits the Wii U, there are two things you can guarantee; it will be good, and it will sell millions of units.
ZombiU
ZombiU cleaned up in E3 awards, and left the press shocked at what the Wii U could do. It had a couple of problems in the demo version, but the final version seems to have fixed all those problems. The reviews are coming in, and while it's not knocking everyone's socks off, it's getting decent reviews, especially for a launch game. It makes good use of the new Wii U controller and showcases what the system is capable of.
Scribblenauts Unlimited
I love Scribblenauts. The DS and iOS version are some of the most fun games I have ever played. Well on the Wii U, it looks awesome. The tablet controller is perfect for a game where you have to write out the things you want to solve the puzzles with. That, coupled with the sharp graphics of the Wii U, make this game one worth grabbing. Sure, it might not be the most technologically advanced game in terms of visuals and special effects, but it so much fun that none of that matters.
Pikmin 3
This is a game we've been waiting for. Pikmin had some flaws, but it was truly innovative and something special to behold. Well, Pikmin is finally making a comeback, and it's coming to the Wii U in beautiful HD. With Shigeru Miyamoto at the helm, I am confident that the game will be fantastic. His skills in game design are unrivaled, and I know he will find a way to bring back what made the original two games good, while modernizing them and making them special on the Wii U.
Inevitable Games Not Announced
- Zelda - Here's a shocker; there is probably going to be a new Zelda on the Wii U. I expect it to be good because, well, it's Zelda, and when has a Zelda game not delivered?
- Mario Kart - Nintendo will make a Mario Kart as they do every generation. It will be interesting to see how they use the Wii U controller to make the classic kart racer awesome.
- Metroid: A new Metroid game is not guaranteed on the Wii U, but it's likely. Hopefully Nintendo makes it happen!
Conclusion
Besides the games listed, there are some fantastic ports of Xbox and PS3 games coming to Wii U that look to expand the gameplay and visuals of those games. Overall, the system seems to have a solid lineup coming. We shall wait and see how these games pan out when they hit the market, but it looks like Nintendo might have another hit on its hands in the Wii U.