WiiNintendo

We break down the strongest launch line up in Nintendo history.

by Mark Bozon

The date may not be set and the price may not be known, but Nintendo fans across the globe are already beginning to rally as we near one of the most anticipated system launches our industry has ever seen. E3 was abuzz with activity as gamers rushed to get a first hands-on opportunity with the Wii. Whether you show allegiance to Sony, Microsoft or Nintendo, the Wii brings a new sense of gaming that’s so fresh and entertaining that it really has to be played, and people had a chance to do just that. With record-breaking lines, the Wii was the talk of the show. Now that E3 is over, we’re counting the days until its launch, and to celebrate the countdown we’ve compiled a list of every launch game we know about. Before we kick it off, we’d like to explain a few things. Listed below are the games already confirmed by Nintendo (or other publishers), though we will be adding or subtracting games as details arrive. In addition, there are other titles such as Final Fantasy and Excite Truck that we are simply awaiting official word on before adding. All things considered, this is shaping up to be a very strong launch for Nintendo, and we can’t wait to see how the world responds to the innovative gameplay Wii has to offer.Included with each game are the basic details, as well as a description of the play style. Below we’ve featured a key to the terms we’re using. Enjoy!

Remote:

Players hold the Wii-mote with one hand like a remote. These games will use only one hand, often drawing, swinging or pointing the remote to interact.
Nunchuck:

This term refers to the nunchuck and Wii-mote combination. Players will make use of the analog stick and accelerometer of the nunchuck unit in addition to the Wii-mote functions.
Classic:

Wii-mote is turned on its side, used like a classic NES controller. These games make use of the 1 and 2 buttons primarily, as well as the tilt functions of the Wii-mote and D-pad.
Retro:

These games will require use of either the GameCube controller or Virtual Console controller that was shown at E3 2006.

Light Gun:

This style of game will require (or best work with) the light gun peripheral announced at E3 2006. Aside from a main trigger button, the light gun also adds an analog stick to the mix.

Now on to the games…

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The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Players: 1
Play Style: Nunchuck
Genre: Third-Person Adventure

Description: It’s been a heck of a wait, but Twilight Princess is finally on the way. Attempting to be a crowd-pleaser, Nintendo is releasing two versions of Zelda this holiday season. Stubborn Cube owners will be able to play the game in its classic form, though only the Wii version will support 16×9 widescreen presentation. The blending of amazing visuals and all new innovative gameplay is sure to make The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess the game to get for Christmas 2006.

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption

Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Retro Studios
Players: 1
Play Style: Nunchuck
Genre: Adventure

Description: If the GameCube brought Samus into an all-new world, Wii will take Prime to an all new level. Combiningpixel-perfect accuracy with even more puzzle elements, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption promises to redefine the first-person adventure genre once again. We’ve already seen Samus disarm enemies and manipulate machinery with her grapple beam, and Retro Studios promises this is only the beginning. Better controls and ramped up puzzles promise to make this the best Prime yet. And it’s the first time the series has launched with a new Nintendo platform.

Wii Sports

Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Players: 4
Play Style: Remote
Genre: Sports

Description: Following suit with Nintendo’s new “playing = believing” campaign, Wii Sports is taking a new and somewhat unexpected approach to next-gen — or should we say “new gen” — gaming. In the E3 version, Nintendo delivered hands-on demos of baseball, golf and tennis, though the Big N also hinted that more games may become available as we near launch. The titles boasted very simple, yet very intuitive control mechanics. The games, while basic in graphical design, delivered serious entertainment on the showroom floor, and we’re anxious to see if gameplay will really be the deciding factor this generation.

Red Steel

Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Ubisoft Paris
Players: 1
Play Style: Nunchuck
Genre: First-Person Shooter

Description: Over the last few months, Red Steel has been a heavy favorite for Wii fans. Combining classic FPS action with all new hand-to-hand fighting — with a sword, even — Red Steel promises to deliver a new look into the FPS genre. All eyes were on Ubisoft this E3, as gamers are dying to see how third party developers are handing the Wii hardware. We’ll be
watching this one very closely in the next few months leading up to launch.

Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam

Publisher: Activision
Developer: Toys for Bob
Players: 4
Play Style: Classic
Genre: Alternative Sports

Description: Yet another huge third party launch title, Activision has teamed up with Toys for Bob to deliver a unique look into the world of Tony Hawk. In a design reminiscent of Dowhill Domination and SSX, players will tilt the Wii-mote to carve through city streets and off-road locations. We’ve had a chance to go hands-on with Downhill Jam on multiple occasions, and it’s a blast. The promise of four-player action will only help to make Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam a must have sports party game for Wii at launch.

Madden NFL 2007

Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: EA Canada
Players: 2
Play Style: Nunchuck
Genre: Sports

Description: When we first got word that Madden would be making a Wii appearance at launch, we were a bit skeptical. Mixing a simulation sports game with innovative control seems like a tricky proposition, and we were curious if the controls would help or hurt the polished design of EA’s flagship title. Our view changed, however, when we took hold of the controller at E3 and threw a pin-point touchdown pass on only our second play. Playing is certainly believing, and Madden delivers gameplay that will have even the most anti-simulation gamers dying to pick this up at launch.

Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors

Publisher: Square Enix
Developer: Square Enix
Players: Unknown
Play Style: Remote (tentative)
Genre: Action

Description: As of right now, very little is known about Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors. We do know, however, that this is only one of Square’s Wii-exclusive titles, as it will be delivering both Dragon Quest and a sequel to Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles. From what we can tell, Dragon Quest seems to be an action game with
possible role-playing elements that allows players to engage in spell-casing and melee combat using the Wii-mote as their weapon. The title seems to be a sequel to and not a port of a Japan-only plug-and-play sword-fighting game based in the DQ universe. More on this mysterious launch title as it develops.

Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz

Publisher: SEGA
Developer: SEGA
Players: 4
Play Style: Remote/Nunchuck
Genre: Action

Description: When we heard Monkey Ball was coming to Wii, we were excited, to say the least. A controller like the Wii-mote seems to be designed specifically for games like Monkey Ball, and when we went hands-on at E3 our hopes that project would be a must-have title on Wii were reaffirmed. Mixing the classic gameplay with the new feel of the Wii-mote, Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz may be the single most inviting party game on the system at launch. We played this one to death and still haven’t had enough. Now please SEGA, hit us with some shooter games!

Metal Slug Anthology

Publisher: SNK Playmore
Developer: SNK Playmore
Players: 2
Play Style: Unknown
Genre: Action Compilation

Description: Another mysterious announcement, Metal Slug Anthology has been confirmed as a launch title for Wii as well. Little information has been released about this classic compilation, but we do know it will offer the five main Metal Slug titles (Metal Slug – Metal Slug 5) in one package. SNK tell us that the arcade classics have been revamped to use the Wii-mote. It’s possible that you’ll be able to gesture a flick of the controller to toss a grenade. In all honesty, it doesn’t really matter how much new generation control Metal Slug decides to incorporate, as we’re simply overjoyed that such an awesome compilation of arcade goodness will be hitting Wii at launch. Classic.

Trauma Center: Second Opinion

Publisher: Atlus Software
Developer: Atlus Software
Players: 1
Play Style: Remote (Tentative)
Genre: Arcade/Simulation

Description: When Trauma Center was originally shown for Nintendo DS in 2004, fans went crazy. Nobody knew exactly what they were looking at, but for whatever reason they were instantly convinced that a surgery game was a great idea on Nintendo’s innovative handheld. Fast forward to two years later, and we’re getting the same response for Trauma Center:
Second Opinion, the official sequel to the hit DS game. We know very little about Trauma Center as it stands right now, but we’re sure it will make great use of the Wii-mote controller, as players literally cut, sew and bandage patients in time-critical missions. Much like the Wii Sports package, playing is truly believing, and gamers will go crazy yet again for this playfully graphic yet oddly addictive arcade game. Don’t ask. Just play it.

Elebits

Publisher: Konami
Developer: Konami
Players: 1
Play Style: Nunchuck
Genre: Action

Description: When making up the list of all the launch titles Wii will offer in Q4 of 2006, we thought Trauma Center would take the title of oddest game, hands down. We forgot, however, about Elebits. Created by Konami, Elebits mixes the simple joys of a gravity gun (see Half Life 2), the off-the-wall style of the Katamari series and mixes both with some good
ole-fashioned Pikmin action. The goal is relatively simple, though you’ll have to throw common sense to the wayside while you play. Players will use the gravity zapper to toss household objects around, capturing the Elebits as they try to escape. These critters are used as a source of power, so the more you catch, the more places you can explore. It’s a bit odd, yes. But it’s also a ton of fun.

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance

Publisher: Activision
Developer: TBA/Raven Software
Players: 4 (Tentative)
Play Style: Unknown
Genre: Action/RPG

Description: When X-Men Legends took the cake as the best true X-men game in ages, the action/RPG superhero genre was invented. Since then we’ve seen the Legends franchise span across multiple platforms, receive a sequel and even seen competitors take a similar approach (Justice League Heroes is essentially the same design using DC characters and the makers of Baulder’s Gate). Marvel: Ultimate Alliance may be simply more of the same, but when that means solid gameplay, more characters and an all-new “build-a-team” feature that incorporates not only the X-Men, but all Marvel characters we really can’t complain too much. No specific details have been given out for the Wii version, but you can expect to see a ton of information coming in as we near launch, as well as a formal hands-on with the Legends sequel.

Blitz: The League

Publisher: Midway Games
Developer: Midway Games
Players: 2 (Tentative)
Play Style: Unknown
Genre: Sports

Description: If you scoffed at the idea of Madden for Wii, claiming that simulation games are far too slow and boring, Blitz: The League may be exactly what you’re looking for. Combining the brutality and downright awesome arcade gameplay of the original with some still-undisclosed Wii functionality, Blitz: The League promises to deliver a form of football you
won’t find anywhere else. Even though we’ve received no specifics on how the game will control with the Wii-mote, we can assume a few of the classic ideas will remain in this updated version. Players will be able to juice up their characters, delivering bone-breaking hits, and flirt with scantily-clad cheerleaders all while throwning 80-yard passes and completing downright impossible manuvers in bullet time. Now all we need is the ability to actually rip a player’s helmet off and bash them with it with the Wii-mote. Sure, it’s a bit over-the-top, but then again what isn’t in the Blitz world?

Rayman Raving Rabbids

Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Ubisoft Paris
Players: Unknown
Play Style: Nunchuck
Genre: Platformer

Description: Aside from Red Steel, Ubisoft has another launch title up its sleeve over at its Paris headquarters. Rayman Raving Rabbids is still a huge mystery, but it has a lot of promise. Whether it’s with hilarious concept art (Wiiiii!) or equally awesome video-blogs straight from the Ubisoft website, Rayman is starting to catch people by surprise again. Previous versions blended an over-the-top world with some seriously solid platforming elements, and from the looks of it, Rayman Raving Rabbids will have players bashing the crap out of little furry bunnies to boot, and who are we to argue with the sheer entertainment that could from that?

SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab

Publisher: THQ
Developer: Blitz Games
Players: Unknown
Play Style: Nunchuck
Genre: Action

Description: If licensed games are a necessity in your household (and if you ever plan on having kids, they’ll have to be), THQ is there. If it’s a kids show, it’s a THQ game; plain and simple. Despite what people may say about the younger-geared games, you have to give the company credit, as it is stepping up on launch day to deliver a SpongeBob game that innovates gameplay with the best of them. SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab will combine a ton of different gameplay elements to deliver an all-in-one package on Wii for younger players. We already know of a flight simulator portion, a racing game, and numerous platforming levels, each that will feature a different style of gameplay with the Wii-mote. There’s also been talks of a drawing mini-game or activity, as well as a FPS level. It may be for kids, but it’s still bringing new gameplay to the table in the process.

Disney/Pixar’s Cars

Publisher: THQ
Developer: Rainbow Games / Kobalt
Players: 2
Play Style: Classic
Genre: Racing

Description: Along with SpongeBob, THQ is also bringing a surprisingly entertaining racing game to the Wii. Disney/Pixar’s Cars, developed by Rainbow Games (responsible for the ATV series) and ported by Kobalt, has already proven to be more entertaining than expected in hands-on sessions, mixing the obviously necessary license with Burnout and ATV inspired
gameplay. Players will drift around corners, launch through the air and explore huge open-ended environments while constantly interacting with the cast from the movie. We’ve only had a chance to play the GameCube and PS2 versions, but THQ has informed us that the Wii game will control much like Excite Truck and Tony Hawk, using the controller in the
classic position like a steering wheel. Both Cars and Sponge Bob are very valuable to the Wii’s launch, as they prove to other publishers that innovation is for all ages and any license. No ports here, thank you.

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As it stands, this is the current list of all Wii launch games. Keep in mind that this does not include Virtual Console titles, or any of the on-the-fence games that will most likely be added to the list. While you, like us, count the days until launch be sure to check out our impressions and media of all the upcoming Wii games.

We expect to see Wii launch between late October and early November of this year.

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