Nintendo at E3: Wii U, Pro Controller, 'Miiverse' online services, and new games
Opting to be the first big news of E3 2012, Nintendo on Sunday unveiled the final version of the Wii U Gamepad, a multi-faceted controller with a large touchscreen, traditional game controller buttons and joysticks, NFC, and IR controls for the TV. The company also announced a more traditional "Pro controller" and outlined its online service... including "Miiverse" and "Mii Wara Wara."
Why the Wii U's GamePad controller won't have a multitouch screen, and other tidbits from Reggie Fils-Aime
We've learned quite a bit about the Wii U over the past week — just check out our E3 StoryStream — but Kotaku did get a few more choice tidbits in an interview with Nintendo of America's outspoken president Reggie Fils-Aime. First and foremoest, while the touchscreen on the Wii U GamePad does support both finger and stylus input, it's not a multitouch screen like the one on your tablet phone, and Fils-Aime explained that while it does bring down the cost, it's mainly just a matter of the...
Nintendo's Wii U GamePad battery lasts 3 to 5 hours, charging takes 2.5 hours
Nintendo's decision to put a 6.2-inch LCD touchscreen in its Wii U GamePad is one of the most creative gaming ideas we've seen since the original Wii Remote, but we’ve been wondering how often we’ll have to plug in the oversized controller to keep it charged. Well, according to a spec sheet on Nintendo’s Japanese site, the battery lasts three to five hours, depending on the screen’s brightness setting. That's a lot less time than the 20-plus hours we usually get from our PS3...
Nintendo is readying a way to transfer Wii games and save files to Wii U
Nintendo's Wii U Developer Discussion has been going on for quite some time, recapping much of NintendoLand and other announcements from this morning's press conference. But here's something interesting from the Q&A portion: asked if Wii owners will be able to transfer their downloaded Wii and Virtual Console games over to Wii U, a Nintendo producer answered rather positively: "we are readying the system to be able to transfer saves and everything you've bought."
It's a delicate situation,...
'Runner 2' headed to Wii U
Runner 2, Gaijin Games HD sequel to Bit. Trip Runner, will also be coming to the Wii U when it hits the PS3 and Xbox 360 later this year, the developers said today.
Bit.Trip Runner had players take control of Commander Video as they maneuver through the 2D platformer world.
The sequel, Bit. Trip Presents Runner 2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien, will include GamePad support, music by chiptune artist Disasterpeace, ten playable characters including CommandgirlVideo, Unkle Dill and Whetfahrt...
Marvel Pinball 3D announced for 3DS
Zen Studios has announced plans to bring their insanely popular Marvel Pinball platform to the the 3DS eShop this summer with Marvel Pinball 3D. Priced at $7.99 USD, Marvel Pinball 3D will initially include Iron Man, Captain America, Blade, and Fantastic Four tables. If other platforms are any indication, additional tables based on other Marvel properties are sure to launch later this year.
'Pokemon Conquest' trailer shows fuedal Pokemon-on-Pokemon action
Nintendo released a new trailer for Pokemon Conquest this morning following the company's E3 press conference.
The trailer demonstrates how battles are set up and how to capture and train Pokemon. The game requires players to form special "Links" with their Pokemon in order to harness their power and use them in battle. Players must use their team of creatures to defeat powerful warlords and conquer their lands.
E3 2012
New Super Mario Bros. U features flying raccoon suit, 5 player gaming
New Super Mario Bros. U is a five player game that lets Mario transform into a flying raccoon and grants players the ability to help and harass with the GamePad's touch screen.
While the first Mario game for the Wii U looks a lot like a much more beautiful New Super Marios Bros. Wii, up to four players control characters with a Wii Remote as they traverse a 2D platform-laden world, the game does have some new tricks as well.
In Boost Play a player can tap the gamepad to drop platforms into...
Nintendo Land could be Wii U's system selling new game
Nintendo knows the value of turning a tutorial into something more game than instruction. Wii Sports, a collection of mini-games created to essentially familiarize new Wii owners with motion gaming, became a system seller.
While Nintendo reps declined to tell Polygon if Nintendo Land will be a game included with the Wii U, time spent with the game made it clear that it too artfully familiarizes gamers with a new way to game, and does so in a way that could convert new fans.
Nintendo Land is a...
Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon confirmed for Nintendo 3DS
At Nintendo's E3 press conference this morning, the company confirmed Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon for release on Nintendo 3DS this holiday season.
Luigi will journey through several new mansions, strategically capturing different types of ghosts along the way. The game has been rendered in 3D and will make use of the 3DS' motion technology.
E3 2012
'New Super Mario Bros. U' announced by Nintendo
At Nintendo's E3 press conference this morning, the company confirmed New Super Mario Bros. U for the company's upcoming Wii U console.
The game is similar to Super Mario Bros. Wii but features several additional mechanics. One player participates with the tablet controller while up to four other players use Wii motes. The player using the tablet can tap on the tablet's screen to create platforms for the other players to jump on. Once a platformer has been jumped on it begins to shrink away....
Nintendo announces Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon, and YouTube as Wii U content partners
During today's E3 keynote, Nintendo's Reggie Fils Aime announced four new partners that will be providing content to Wii U owners — Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Video, and YouTube. The keynote was largely focused on games, but further details on these new partnerships are coming. "In the future, we'll show you how the Wii U will integrate and elevate entertainment in your living room," Fils Aime explained.
'Epic Mickey 2: Power of Two' release date announced
This morning Disney Interactive announced that Epic Mickey 2: Power of Two will be released on November 18 for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii.
Epic Mickey 2: Power of Two, like the first Epic Mickey, was designed by industry luminary Warren Spector and features game levels inspired by classic 1930s Disney cartoons. Mickey Mouse and his paint brush are joined by Oswald the Lucky Rabbit and his magic electricity-controlling remote. The two will venture back into Wasteland, a world filled with...
Watch Nintendo's pre-E3 Wii U announcement right now
Nintendo just shared some pretty juicy tidbits of information in its pre-E3 livesteam on Facebook, and now we've got the full video for you to check out. It includes a look at the final Wii U Gamepad, Wii U's online gaming capabilities, and the new Wii U Pro Controller. What are you waiting for? Check it out below.
Wii U's online gaming and 'Miiverse' outlined, including video chat and web client
One of the biggest open questions in Nintendo's Wii U strategy has been its online component. The company has wasted no time in outlining some key aspects of its connected feature set in a pre-E3 presentation. In the (painfully-over-the-top cheesy) video demonstration, after dying in a nondescript Wii U survival horror game, the player selects his mood on the Gamepad and sends out a message to a forum generally commenting and asking for advice on beat a level. His friend sees the cry for help...
Nintendo reveals Wii U Pro Controller
Nintendo has announced at its pre-E3 conference that it will offer a more traditional controller for the upcoming Wii U. Unlike the just-announced (and updated) Wii U Gamepad, the Pro Controller should be quite a bit more suited for more... traditional gaming. At first it looks like the child of a Xbox 360 controller and the Wii's Classic Controller Pro, and while it might not be terribly original, we're sure that many will prefer it over the basic ergonomics offered by the Classic...
Nintendo Wii U GamePad officially unveiled
Today during a streaming video conference, Nintendo detailed the final version of the Wii U controller, which it is calling the Wii U GamePad. Nintendo has made some notable tweaks and revisions to the prototype version detailed last year at E3, adding a new NFC reader and writer, motion and gyroscope sensors, and fully-independent infrared TV remote functionality. The thumbsliders have been replaced by analog thumbsticks, which now support L3 and R3 inward depressions. Nintendo has also made...
