E3 2011

E3 2011: Wii U boasts M-rated third-party support

Tom Magrino
By Tom Magrino

Nintendo confirms Assassin's Creed, Ghost Recon Online, Tekken, Ninja Gaiden 3, Darksiders 2, Batman coming to new console; Ubisoft also confirms Rabbids, two new brands en route; Aliens: Colonial Marines not a lock.

LOS ANGELES--As part of its 2011 Electronic Entertainment Expo press conference today, Nintendo formally unveiled Wii U, marking its entry into the high-definition console market. Though it trails behind Microsoft and Sony by more than five years, Nintendo has wasted no time in attracting third-party publishers' more violent wares to its new, more powerful console.

Assassin's Creed is coming to the Wii U.

Assassin's Creed is coming to the Wii U.

In a sizzle reel promoting the Wii U, Nintendo confirmed that a number of previously announced titles will also be coming to its new console. These titles include the recently announced Sega's Aliens: Colonial Marines, as well as THQ's Metro: Last Light, Namco Bandai's Tekken, Codemasters' Dirt, Ubisoft's Ghost Recon Online, Warner Bros.' Batman: Arkham City, and Tecmo Koei's Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge. (Tecmo Koei confirmed that Razor's Edge on the Wii U is different from Ninja Gaiden 3 on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.)

[UPDATE] It appears as if Sega and Gearbox aren't completely committing to releasing Aliens: Colonial Marines on the Wii U. As part of the publisher's official announcement of the title, it said that "Aliens: Colonial Marines is being prototyped and considered for the Nintendo Wii U." The announcement went on to note that Gearbox has "a dedicated research and development branch within the studio" working on the game.

As part of a second teaser reel that featured a number of industry executives, THQ VP Danny Bilson confirmed that Darksiders 2 will be a launch title for the Wii U, which is currently scheduled to arrive in late 2012. Ubisoft's Yves Guillemot also indicated that an installment in the Assassin's Creed franchise--one that includes multiplayer--would arrive for the console. However, he did not name-check the name of the publisher's latest game, Assassin's Creed: Revelations.

[UPDATE] Following the close of Nintendo's E3 media briefing, Ubisoft also confirmed that it is bringing its zany Rabbids franchise to the Wii U. The publisher also has plans to bring "two new brands" to Nintendo's high-definition console, one of which will be a core-oriented first-person shooter and the other of which will be a family-focused sports compilation.

For more on Nintendo's latest announcements, check out GameSpot's live show from E3, which begins today at 12 p.m. PDT.

For more info on Nintendo's latest console, the Wii U, be sure to check out our Nintendo Wii U: Everything You Need To Know feature or watch Nintendo's E3 2011 Press Conference to see the full reveal.

Tom Magrino
By Tom Magrino

Tom Magrino has covered the games industry since 2006. He's been compared to Steve Martin by Ozzy Osbourne and Daniel Craig by Tim Schafer. His voice, heard largely on GameSpot's podcast, recalls that of Kermit the Frog. It ain't easy bein' Magreen.

106 Comments

  • AKing27

    Posted Jun 14, 2011 1:48 am GMT

    It looks interesting, but I'm going to wait and see what Microsoft and Sony are going to do next, because in terms of raw computing power they will be miles ahead of the WiiU. They might have 3rd party support for the while, but I wonder what'll happen when the other new consoles arrive.

  • ShadowofSonic

    Posted Jun 13, 2011 5:34 pm GMT

    @gix47 For real Gamers,Nintendo has aways been best.

  • Wormkid_64

    Posted Jun 13, 2011 7:47 am GMT

    @ Noskillkill

    Amen my man. Now if they can just be sure that more than one "U-pad" will work at the same time on a console.

  • tre802001

    Posted Jun 12, 2011 5:01 pm GMT

    @valcrist09
    Most of them games will have extra levels and content that the others will not have.

  • valcrist09

    Posted Jun 12, 2011 3:24 pm GMT

    what after they have already been out on normal consoles for nearly a year?

  • gix47

    Posted Jun 12, 2011 7:18 am GMT

    omg,finally Nintendo can be a real option

  • tre802001

    Posted Jun 10, 2011 10:55 pm GMT

    Very early development of Killer Freaks on the Wii U using the dev. kits.
    http://youtu.be/p99ghcy450E
    Very early development of Ghost Recon Online Wii U
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iEV-hg2Vh8&feature=related

  • _AxisofEvil_

    Posted Jun 9, 2011 9:45 pm GMT

    about time nintendo gets some support and not having to always make their own games the best games on their console. also im sure its just a codename "Wii U", not feeling it reggie sorry . on another note its not really the console that has the last say its the games because if i can get all 3rd party games i want and still keep the nintendo exclusives i might pick this up. gotta love nintendo theyre the only ones that keep trying to change the game always. i could see some harness so you can have the WiiPad placed on ur wrist and it would act as ur shield or even and inventory/spell interface and the Wiimote as ur weapon in the other while playing skyrim that would be awesome

  • Delrothness

    Posted Jun 9, 2011 7:15 am GMT

    This is good news for sure, but I still probably won't buy it. It's not like Nintendo systems never have M-rated games, the rating doesn't really matter that much. Basically it should be that when a third-party title releases on the PS3 and the 360, we should see Wii U at the bottom of the screen as well during those commercials, every time. I still have absolutely no interest in motion gaming and I really just don't like the Wii U's controller. I thought 60 bucks for a new PS3 controller was insane and how much will these cost? I'm guessing at least $100. The Wii U will have plenty of positives of course, but for now, it just isn't for me. Maybe that'll change as the launch gets much closer.

  • Dualmask

    Posted Jun 8, 2011 10:14 pm GMT

    As long as these kinds of games don't become the absolute norm on Wii U. Have your M-rated games if they mean that much but don't lose the classic Nintendo charm that made them last this long. It feels a bit like pandering, like caving into the whims of the vocal minority, but...I do like Darksiders and it'll be nice to play the sequel on a Nintendo system.

  • Noskillkill

    Posted Jun 8, 2011 9:31 pm GMT

    Wow this is great. The wiiU has three major points that strike well with me.
    1. it can bring the unique brand of gaming that only nintendo delivers
    2. along with that, it will be able to handle the technology and mature games that 360 and PS3 got
    3. it will bring new tech that NO ONE has ever seen before, and Sony can't rip it off LOL

    Microsoft and Sony may do well with modern tech, but leave it to Nintendo to revolutionize it EVERY TIME

  • FallenOneX

    Posted Jun 8, 2011 7:31 pm GMT

    The bad news is that Ubisoft will again be supplying a new Nintendo system with loads of ports and remakes at launch. The good news is, the system is now powerful enough to get the good games that are also being released for the 360 and PS3. With more than a year to wait, i'm pretty sure other high profile games will be announced.

  • Strike079

    Posted Jun 8, 2011 3:33 pm GMT

    This is good to see. the wii does not cater to third party games at all.

  • AceCometh posted Jun 8, 2011 12:33 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    AceCometh

    Posted Jun 8, 2011 12:33 pm GMT (hide)

    Too little. Too Late. Yet still a good effort by Nintendo, one I'd give a B+ for. But I still won't buy it.

  • Hunting_prodigy

    Posted Jun 8, 2011 12:10 pm GMT

    @earthking: There's been 2(?) on the DS. One was okay, the other not so much. On an unrelated note, I feel that Ubisoft should be banned from making games for the WiiU until 6 months after launch. That way, we won't see millions of shovelware games on (or just after) launch. Assassin's Creed? I've got no quarrels with that, but Rabbids? I, and probably many others, don't want it. A family-focused sports game? Keep it, there'll probably be a WiiU Sports game on launch if the tech demo was anything to go by.

  • GreenCycloneCyd

    Posted Jun 8, 2011 8:46 am GMT

    Nintendo is making up for it's mistakes. GOOD

  • earthking

    Posted Jun 8, 2011 8:29 am GMT

    Awesome news...I think this is the first ninja gaiden game to be on a nintendo console since the NES and SNES days.

  • Khasym

    Posted Jun 8, 2011 7:22 am GMT

    I don't think it's that Nintendo's not known for M-Rated games. I think it's just that they've subscribed to the kiddie, family friendly appeal for so long, that trying to say "And our new console will focus on everyone's enjoyment" like they have, sounds like flat out pandering to the mature crowd. I remember when the Wii was first announced, how it was gonna be a console EVERYONE, casual and hardcore could play. it did great by the casual crowd, but I think even hardcore nintendo fanboys can admit they could have done better.

  • StarkJJ

    Posted Jun 8, 2011 6:47 am GMT

    "Tecmo Koei confirmed that Razor's Edge on the Wii U is different from Ninja Gaiden 3 on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3."

    The news just gets better and better. I want the Wii U now!!!