Nintendo reveals blockbuster franchises for Wii U and 3DS during E3

Written by Brandon Hofer on June 17, 2013

News: Beloved franchises and new IP alike show up at E3 and demonstrate what the Wii U and 3DS will have in 2013 and beyond.

Nintendo didn’t have an E3 press conference but they were at the show and had a lot to show off for the Wii U and 3DS. These include some of the video game industry’s most beloved franchises and characters, from Mario and Donkey Kong to Luigi, Pikmin and Pokemon to The Legend of Zelda, Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros.

“Nearly every major piece of Nintendo IP will be represented on our platforms in 2013, with even more coming in 2014,” said Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo of America’s president and chief operating officer. “There’s one fundamental truth in the video game industry: software sells hardware. That was true with Wii and Nintendo DS, it’s starting to happen with Nintendo 3DS and will be on display this summer and holiday season with Wii U. When gamers are making their purchasing decisions this year they’re going to find that the games and experiences they want are either unique or entirely exclusive to a Nintendo platform.”

Some of the key Wii U game info revealed at E3 included:

Super Mario 3D World - For the first time ever, Nintendo has created a four-player Mario game set in a 3D world. The game, developed by the same team that created Super Mario 3D Land for Nintendo 3DS and the Super Mario Galaxy games for Wii, lets up to four players play as Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Toad. Each character has his or her own unique characteristics, and people can play cooperatively or competitively. The new cat transformation turns characters into adorable felines that can scratch enemies and even scamper up the flagpole at the end of levels. Clear warp pipes add some new puzzle elements to game play. The game is scheduled to launch this December.

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze - The first Wii U installment in the franchise comes from Retro Studios. The side-scrolling platformer has beautiful HD graphics that show fine details, such as Donkey Kong’s fur. Dixie Kong joins the adventure, which features the Kongs swimming underwater and moving from the foreground to the background. This time, the camera changes perspective on certain levels to enhance the sense of motion and to deliver new experiences. The game is scheduled to launch this November.

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD - The classic Nintendo GameCube game has been enhanced with beautiful HD 1080p graphics. In one change from the original, the Tingle Tuner has been replaced by the Tingle Bottle, which uses the Wii U GamePad controller to post comments about the game to Miiverse. Comments from players wash up on the shores of beaches in the game. Players also have the option to sail faster than they did in the original version. The game is scheduled to launch this October.

Mario Kart 8 - The newest installment of the gold-standard racing game introduces an anti-gravity feature that has karts racing up walls and clinging to inverted tracks. Elements from previous Mario Kart games have made their return, including gliders and motorbikes. The game will support online multiplayer and will have deep integration with Miiverse. The game is scheduled to launch in spring of 2014.

The Wonderful 101 - This Platinum Games original launches Sept. 15. Players take on the role of Wonder-Red, leader of a group of superheroes. Individually they are overpowered by invaders from space. But by working together, they can transform into a fist or blade and unleash massive attacks on their enemy. The polished, over-the-top look and music evoke classic superhero comics and cartoons.

Bayonetta 2 - Developed by PlatinumGames, the game’s title character has had a makeover that gives her a new hairstyle and costume. Her climactic abilities are more powerful and the action is as intense as ever. The game is scheduled to launch in 2014.

A brand new title developed by Monolith Software Inc - Monolith Soft, the creative force behind The Xenoblade Chronicles, is creating an open world for players to explore. Players can ride human-shaped robots at certain points in the game, or use the robots to battle enemies in the sky. The game is scheduled to launch in 2014.

Wii Party U - Enjoy board games and mini-games on the TV, play familiar tabletop games using the Wii U GamePad controller or transform your living room into a game show floor. No matter what kind of party you’re throwing, Wii Party U offers something for everyone. The game is scheduled to launch this October.

Super Smash Bros for Wii U - The highly anticipated new entry in Nintendo’s popular fighting franchise will arrive for Wii U in 2014.

Wii Fit U - Although this game was previously announced to launch in spring or summer this year, it is now scheduled to launch this December.

New Super Luigi U - Available as a digital download on the eShop on June 20 or as a boxed retail version on August 25.

Nintendo 3DS

Pokemon X and Pokemon Y - The first games in the core Pokémon series to appear on Nintendo 3DS launch worldwide on Oct. 12. The games introduce an 18th Pokémon type: Fairy-type Pokémon, and have an upgraded graphical look that is an artistic pinnacle for the franchise. A new feature called Pokémon-Amie lets players create a deeper connection with their Pokémon. Trainers can pet them, feed them and play mini-games with them, which makes their Pokémon more effective in battles.

Super Smash Bros for Nintendo 3DS - The hand-held counterpart to the Wii U version will also arrive in 2014.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds - This game takes place after the events of and in the same world as The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. Link can now become a drawing to move along walls. This opens up ways to explore and puzzle elements that give Link access to locations he could not otherwise reach. The game is scheduled to launch this holiday season.

Yoshi’s New Island - The third game in the series offers classic Yoshi abilities while introducing new ones, such as giant Mega Eggs that Yoshi can use to mow down obstacles. The game features different worlds in a variety of art styles, including oil, watercolor and pastels. The game is scheduled to launch this holiday season.

Mario & Luigi: Dream Team - Mario and Luigi embark on the adventure of their dreams in a hilarious action RPG that combines action in both the real world and inside Luigi’s dreams. The game launches Aug. 11.

In addition to games that Nintendo themselves are making there are quite a few third party titles that will be arriving as well. Those include:

Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag - Ubisoft - Wii U - October 29

Batman: Arkham Origins - Warner Bros - Wii U - October 25

Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate - Warner Bros - 3DS - October 25

Deus Ex: Human Revolution: Director’s Cut - Square Enix - Wii U - 2013

Disney Infinity - Disney - Wii U, Wii, 3DS - August 18

Disney’s Planes - Disney - Wii U, Wii, 3DS, DS - August 6

Just Dance 2014 - Ubisoft - Wii U, Wii - October 8

Rayman Legends - Ubisoft - Wii U - September 3

Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure - Warner Bros - Wii U, 3DS - Fall 2013

Shin Megami Tensei IV - Atlus - 3DS - July 16

Skylanders Swap Force - Activision - Wii U, Wii, 3DS - October 13

Sonic Lost World - Sega - Wii U, 3DS - Holiday 2013

Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Blacklist - Ubisoft - Wii U - August 20

Watch Dogs - Ubisoft - Wii U - November 19

In addition to those retail games there will be quite a bit hitting the eShop in 2013 as well. Some of these titles include Ballpoint Universe (Arachnid Games), Ducktales: Remastered (Capcom), Dungeons & Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara (Capcom), Scram Kitty and his Buddy on Rails (Dakko Dakko), Coaster Crazy Deluxe (Frontier Developments), Spin the Bottle: Blimpies Party (KnapNok Games), A World of Keflings (NinjaBee), Oddworld: New ‘N’ Tasty (Oddworld Inhabitants), Mutant Mudds Deluxe (Renegade Kid), Cloudberry Kingdom (Ubisoft) and Shovel Knight (Yacht Club Games).

There is a lot coming for the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS in 2013 with even more titles coming 2014. Which Wii U and/or 3DS titles will you pick up? Do these titles want to make you purchase a Wii U or Nintendo 3DS?