HIGH-DEF DISC NEWS TAGGED "WII U"Receive High-Def Disc News via RSS

New 'Super Smash Bros. Coming to the Wii U and 3DS in 2014

Tue Jun 11, 2013 at 11:30 AM ET
Tags: Wii U, 3DS (all tags)

'Super Mario 3D World,' 'Mario Kart 8,' and 'Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze' among games announced.

Today's E3 Nintendo Direct was packed full of games, but shy on solid release dates. Nintendo began by announcing that 'Pokemon X and Y' will be coming to the 3DS on October 12th, before showing 'Super Mario 3D World' which has a December window for the Wii U.

'Mario Kart 8,' the first Wii U Mario Kart, was tagged as coming to the Wii U next spring, and just happens to look a lot like the popular 'Sonic Racing Transformed' games with its variety of flying vehicles. Two titles that are less likely to intrigue the E3 crowd, 'Wii Party U' and 'Wii Fit U' were announced as delayed.

Nintendo revealed that it is working on a drawing program called 'Art Academy,' which naturally is not ready. Instead, Nintendo will release some of the game's features that are ready in order to help those busy drawing in the Miiverse.

Nintendo then followed with a montage of games including 'Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag,' 'Deus Ex: HR,' 'Scribblenauts Unmasked,' 'Disney Infinity,' 'Disney' Planes,' 'Skylanders SWAP Force,' 'Splinter Cell: Blacklist,' 'Sonic Lost World,' 'Watch Dogs,' 'DuckTales: Remastered,' 'Oddworld Good N Tasty,' 'Shovel Knight,' 'Mutant Mudds Deluxe,' 'Spin the Bottle,' and 'World of Keflings.'

'The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD,' was shown in motion and given a date for October. One new feature revealed was said to help supplement the former Game Boy Advance Tingle Link features. A new item, the Tingle Bottle, will allow players to throw messages into the ocean that will appear in other players games and presumably unlock some rupees or some such. The game is said to be receiving adjustments to help with the tempo of the game as well.

'The Wonderful 101' looks to still be on track for September. Meanwhile, Nintendo announced 'Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze,' an eShop sequel to 'Donkey Kong Country Returns.' In the game, Donkey Kong Island is invaded by Vikings, and Donkey Kong must go to venture to other islands. It is the first HD Donkey Kong game, and the game uses different camera angles to shift level around. The game adds Dixie Kong who controls differently, and hovers using her hair.

'Bayonetta 2' was shown with oddly explicit emphasis on the character's new short hairstyle. The new Monolithsoft game 'X' was shown and was described as having a large-scale openworld that is built upon the development experience of 'Xenoblade Chronicles.' The game will have playable mechs.

Finally, a new 'Smash Bros. was shown. it will come in 2014 and be for both the 3DS and Wii U. Nintendo also revealed two new characters. First, there is the villager, from 'Animal Crossing' and second, there is Mega Man, who needs no explanation.

Source: Nintendo

Author: Brian Hoss

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Nintendo Set to Reveal New 'Super Smash Bros.' June 11

Thu Jun 06, 2013 at 10:30 AM ET
Tags: Wii U (all tags)

First footage of new Wii U and 3DS installment coming next week.

The fourth installment of the 'Smash Bros.' series, and first since 2008's 'Super Smash Bros. Brawl' for the Nintendo Wii is on its way. It has been a sure bet that the series would receive a Wii U version, and series creator Masahiro Sakurai has announced that the first footage of the new title will be broadcast as part of next week's Nintendo Direct.

Sakurai also recently discussed the differences between the 3DS and Wii U versions of the game. Sakurai "wants the 3DS version to be a more personalized individual experience that feeds into a competitive public space on Wii U, and that would certainly play to the strengths of both systems."

'Super Smash Bros. Brawl' quite infamously involved development resources across the various Nintendo developers, and the resulting game, though robust and enduringly popular, still wound up with multiple technical issues. Nintendo has brought in Namco Bandai for the new title, but the game is still likely far off. Multiple E3s may come between now and the game's release.

Source: CVG

Author: Brian Hoss

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'Batman: Arkham Origins' To Miss Out on Deathstroke DLC

Mon Jun 03, 2013 at 12:00 PM ET
Tags: Batman: Arkham Origins (1 post), Wii U (all tags)

Pre-order incentive not coming to the Wii U.

After some subtle confusion caused by the promotions for 'Batman: Arkham Origins,' WB Montreal has confirmed that the Wii U version of the game will not receive the Deathstroke DLC pre-order incentive.

Those who pre-order 'Batman: Arkham Origins' for the 360, PS3, or PC are promised bonus content in the form of two challenge maps and Deathstroke skins. Presumably, the maps will feature playing as Deathstroke. The Wii U version of the game is unfortunately not part of the pre-order incentive.

As clues of the exclusion were derived from promotional materials, WB Montreal confirmed the Wii U omission. Of course, fans of the series understand that challenge maps are a separate aspect from the main game and that platform exclusive features such as the Joker maps of 'Arkham Asylum' have found their way to other platforms post launch.

Still, the Wii U slight does seem to follow a trend of third part games that seem to come to the Wii U shy of the content of their platform cousins. Doubtlessly, the Wii U's limited built-in storage, and certification and storefront rules play a role in decisions to omit DLC from the platform for some games.

Source: Eurogamer

Author: Brian Hoss

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New Green Hill Zone Revealed in 'Sonic: Lost World'

Wed May 29, 2013 at 10:30 AM ET
Tags: Sonic, Wii U (all tags)

Wii U exclusive inviting 'Mario Galaxy' comparison.

One footnote in the most recent Nintendo direct was the introduction of a new Nintendo exclusive Sonic title, 'Sonic: Lost World.' What helped to make it a footnote was the lack of information and the dubious history of Sonic titles. Fortunately, SEGA has released the game's first trailer and almost instantly the game's approach to blending 2D and 3D gameplay along with its color palette is inviting favorable comparisons to the two 'Mario Galaxy' titles.

Specifically in the trailer, the game's shifting perspectives repeatedly takes 2D style environments and turns them on their head to reveal 'Mario Galaxy' like expansions of gameplay space. The trailer is entirely focused on what can be assumed to be the new Green Hill Zone, which hopefully also bodes well for steering 'Sonic: Lost World' towards the less wacky and more traditional aspects of Sonic titles.

While 'Sonic: Lost World' is a Nintendo exclusive, the title has also been promised for 3DS in addition to the Wii U version. It remains to be seen how similar the console and handheld version will be.

'Sonic: Lost World' is expected to release for the Wii U and 3DS before the end of the year.

Source: CVG

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'New Super Luigi U' Getting a Retail Release August 25th

Fri May 17, 2013 at 12:00 PM ET
Tags: Wii U (all tags)

Hard copy coming two months after digital add-on eShop version.

Nintendo continues to indulge the idea that this is the year of Luigi, and today's Nintendo Direct was no different. Nintendo went ahead and dated the previously revealed 'New Luigi Bros. U,' but not without revealing a new playable character as well as a stand-alone retail version of the game.

'New Luigi Bros. U' was first revealed as DLC for the Wii U launch title, 'New Super Mario Bros. U,' and the add-on creates a version of the game with Mario cast off and with 82 all new stages replacing the original levels. Today, Nintendo revealed that with Mario out, a four player party would be made up of Luigi, Blue Toad, Yellow Toad, and Nabbit. Nintendo explained that Nabbit, a 'New Super Mario Bros. U' character who would steal from Toad's house and thereby cause the player to chase across levels to catch, will be irregular to play as Nabbit will not be able use power-ups. Instead Nabbit will be invulnerable to enemies, and was described as a good choice for that player that is not so good at 'New Super Mario Bros.' style gameplay.

The eShop add-on will release on June 20th and be priced at $20. Nintendo also revealed that a physical copy that will work without the main game, will follow on August 25th, and be priced at $30. Not only is the physical copy meant to help celebrate the year of Luigi, but Nintendo also seems to understand that some people want to play the new Luigi game without owning the main game, which is still priced at $50.

Source: Nintendo

Author: Brian Hoss

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'Wonderful 101' Dated and 'Legend of Zelda' Oracle Titles Priced in New Nintendo Direct

Fri May 17, 2013 at 11:20 AM ET
Tags: Nintendo, Wii U, 3DS (all tags)

Latest Nintendo Direct shy of reveals ahead of E3.

Today's Nintendo Direct fell short of any groundbreaking announcement with Nintendo promising big things in and around next month's E3. Nintendo did reveal several new SEGA related announcements including a Mario And Sonic Olympics Games 2014 title for the Wii U, 'Sonic: Lost World,' and several upcoming SEGA Game Gear re-releases for the 3DS virtual console. 'Sonic: Lost World' was described as an action-adventure titles exclusive to the Wii U and 3DS.

'The Legend of Zelda' Oracle titles, set for re-release on the 3DS Virtual Console were priced at $6 apiece and dated for May 30th, and Nintendo promised an initial dollar off to encourage players to buy both titles in the first three week period.

Nintendo showed off some of the eight new levels that will be packed into 'Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D. The new levels are contained in an area called Cloud Gateway and each level is based off of one of the game's previous areas. The new levels can be played in classic difficulty mode as well as the new easier version.

Bits of other games like the downloadable 'Mario vs. Donkey Kong Minis on the Move' title were shown. The level creator and sharing features of the already released 'Mario vs. Donkey Kong Minis on the Move' were highlighted. 'Animal Crossing: New Leaf' and its town sharing ability was teased. Several 'Game & Wario' levels were shown with 'Island;' looking like a fun kind of Bocce ball like game to play at a party.

'Pikmin 3' was discussed at length with its three new protagonists, the need to get juice in order to keep exploring, and the ability to use the 'Kopad' (GamePad) for directing being the focus.

Platinum Games 'Wonderful 101' is now set for a September 15th release date.

Nintendo also mentioned how this E3 would be all about games rather than previous Wii U and 3DS hardware reveals, and thus they partnered with Best Buy to allow games to p[lay unreleased Wii U titles in Best Buys in the US and Canada.

Source: Nintendo

Author: Brian Hoss

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'Resident Evil Revelations' Gets Exclusive Features for the Wii U

Wed May 08, 2013 at 11:30 AM ET
Tags: Resident Evil: Revelations (1 post), Resident Evil, Wii U (all tags)

Wii U version has multiple screen options and zany Miiverse integration.

With only two weeks until 'Resident Evil Revelations' makes its big screen debut, Capcom has shared some details specific to the Wii U version. Originally a 3DS title, the game was designed to take advantage of the 3DS' dual screens with the touch screen factored into the game's control scheme. With the Wii U providing a similar set-up through the GamePad, the Wii U seems to be the most natural fit.

While the dual screen set-up is the most faithful to the original design, the Wii U version actually has multiple screen options. In addition to the dual screen mode, is a big screen only mode, which offers the kind experience that the 360, PS3, and PC versions will offer, and a GamePad-only option, which allows for the Wii U's off-screen play.

What may be more intriguing is the game's Miiverse integration. Messages from the game's Miiverse channel can find their way to word bubbles attached to enemies. Those messages can include the Miiverse's famous GamePad drawings. Also, when the player dies, a fairly regular occurrence in 'Resident Evil Revelations,' Miiverse messages from other dead players overlay the normal "You Are Dead" screen.

'Resident Evil Revelations' is scheduled for a May 21st release date and is available for pre-order.

Source: Siliconera

Author: Brian Hoss

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'Game & Wario' Spreads its Wares to the Wii U in June

Thu May 02, 2013 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: Wii U (all tags)

"Prepare for GamePad pandemonium."

Nintendo's 'Game & Wario,' an offshoot of the long running, Game Boy Advance born 'WarioWare' series, is heading for a June release for both North America and Europe.

'Game & Wario' is a title completely designed for the Wii U's GamePad. The game features both single player and multiplayer modes with multiplayer still being operated through a single GamePad.

Traditionally, the series has been known for wacky, frenetic gameplay that often occurs in bursts of a few seconds. Some iterations have focused heavily on Nintendo specific inputs, and 'Game & Wario' sees the gameplay shifting from the big screen to the GamePad and back again with a frequency not seen in other games.

'Game & Wario' is scheduled for a June 23rd release in North America, (June 28th in Europe), and is available for pre-order at a value price of $40.

Source: Joystiq

Author: Brian Hoss

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Nintendo Opens Up the Miiverse to Non-Nintendo Devices

Thu Apr 25, 2013 at 12:00 PM ET
Tags: Nintendo, Miiverse, Wii U (all tags)

Miiverse web access currently in Beta.

While the Wii U struggles, having managed less than 4 million units sold and currently suffering from a severe software shortage, several Nintendo Wii U agenda items are coming online. Today, the Miiverse, Nintendo's Wii U social platform finally grows ever so slightly beyond the Wii U.

Those with Nintendo IDs can log into the Miiverse Beta website, peruse and reply to topics. Those without a Nintendo ID can see a sampling of topics on the website.

The Miiverse is characterized by a number of features, one of the most visibly obvious from the website access is users' ability and tendency to draw pictures using the Wii U GamePad. Less apparent is the Miiverse's game integration. As a social platform, the Miiverse offers highlights accessible by highlighting different Miis as they group around topics. Unfortunately, that aspect is not something available from the current website.

The website can be accessed by mobile devices, however, Nintendo has promised in the past to provide dedicated apps.

The Miiverse launched five months ago with the Wii U, but is only getting a sliver of the access that was promised. Whatever Nintendo's intention was, non-Nintendo Miiverse access is part of a list of items that seem like they should have been available at or close to launch.

Source: Nintendo

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Amazon Brings X-Ray To TV

Wed Mar 27, 2013 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Amazon, Wii U (all tags)

X-Ray is powered by IMDb but is limited to a few devices.

Six months ago Amazon introduced X-Ray for its Kindle Fire HD for movies. The feature allows users to directly access IMDb related content by just touching the screen of the device that they are using. Amazon has an equivalent version available for many of its e-book offerings. Today though, Amazon announced the expansion from movies to TV series.

From IMDb CEO Col Needham, "For over 20 years we have been cultivating a vast database of movie, TV and celebrity content. Can’t remember where you’ve seen the actor playing Lord Grantham in Downton Abbey? No problem. Simply tap on the screen and you’ll see a full filmography, where you’ll realize that Hugh Bonneville was also in Notting Hill. Our vision is to make X-Ray available on every movie and TV show—we’re excited to make another big step forward today, and we are working hard to add X-Ray to more TV shows and movies in the future."

Popular shows such as Justified, Downton Abbey, The West Wing, Sons of Anarchy, Falling Skies, American Horror Story, Grey's Anatomy, Doctor Who, The Walking Dead, Lost, Glee, Breaking Bad and Game of Thrones are listed as supporting the service.

For supported content with X-Ray at any point all actors on screen are listed with IMDb picture and hotlink on the device, from the leading star to the least notable guest star. It is even possible to follow an actor other films and shows available on Amazon.

Device support currently extends to the Kindle Fire HD and to the Nintendo Wii U, but it seems likely that Amazon will add other touch-enabled devices as supported content continues to grow.

Source: Slash Gear

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