E3 2012 – Nintendo Press Conference Summary

Nintendo seemed determined to prove that Wii U is for both core and casual audiences this year. Alongside Wii U versions games that have already come out on PS3 and Xbox 360, we were shown a virtual theme park called NintendoLand, a New Super Mario Bros game, 2 fitness games and a gameplay video of Ubisoft’s ZombiU. We had a lone announcement for the 3DS that revealed Paper Mario: Sticker Star.

Nintendo also confirmed that the Wii U system will support two touchscreen gamepads and four standard Wiimotes.

New Original Games

NintendoLand – this online theme park acts a little like Sony’s PlayStation home in that it’s a virtual world that acts as a gateway to other content. Nintendo’s version is, of course, far more cartoony and will be available at the Wii U’s launch with 12 minigames that tie into existing franchises. On Thursday we’ll be checking out the five playable games here at E3:

• Luigi’s Ghost Mansion
• The Legend of Zelda: Battle Quest
• Takamaru’s Ninja Castle
• Donkey Kong’s Crash Course
• Animal Crossing: Sweet Day

ZombiU – Unveiled at Ubisoft’s conference yesterday, we saw a gameplay video here. Definitely a survival horror, you must make your way through classic London environments like a beautifully-rendered Tube station and train. Zombies attack from all sides and the Wii U controller is used to shake off their attacks (*yawn*), enter door codes into number pads with zombies in pursuit (*wakes up slightly*) and aim sniper sights at distant attackers (YES PLEASE!). Yesterday’s ZombiU video is available on Nintendo’s site.

The Avengers: Battle for Earth – multiplayer battle game

Sports Connection – some kind of sports game

Sing – The working title for a karaoke game

Here’s the video trailer with snippets from the full line-up, including some games that weren’t covered in the conference:

Sequels

Wii Fit U – This also uses the Wii Fit balance board that’s probably gathering dust under your mum’s sofa.
Scribblenaughts Unlimited A Wii U twist on the cutesy puzzle game.
Pikmin 3 – New types of Pikmin and the Wii U GamePad (i.e. tablet) can be used as an overhead map or to easily guide groups of Pikmin.
Assassins Creed III – No details on the Wii U features yet
Your Shape: Fitness Evolved 2013 – As I said in the Ubisoft write-up, expect to be waggling the controller
Just Dance 4 – Puppetmaster mode has been confirmed.
Rayman Legends – See our Ubisoft write-up for more info
New Super Mario Bros U – Here’s the trailer

Rehashes

Games that most core gamers have already played will be enhanced with Wii U features.
Batman Arkham City: Armoured Edition – Control the batarang with the Wii U GamePad
Mass Effect 3 – No details on the Wii U functionality yet.

You can pick up all the details on the games announced so far from Nintendo’s E3 hub, including Lego City Undercover, Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge, Guns and Wario (working title), Castlevania and more.

More of our E3 2012 coverage here, which will include hands-on previews and developer interviews.