wii titles announced

[Jamma]

Wii Launch Titles

Total: 17 confirmed
Last update: 7/11/06



Zelda: Twilight Princess

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

Game Description:
Link, a young man raised as a wrangler in a small, rural village, is ordered by the mayor to attend the Hyrule Summit. He sets off, oblivious to the dark fate that has descended upon the kingdom. When he enters the Twilight Realm that has covered Hyrule, he transforms into a wolf and is captured. A mysterious figure named Midna helps him break free, and with the aid of her magic, they set off to free the land from the shadows. Link must explore the vast land of Hyrule and uncover the mystery behind its plunge into darkness.

Comments:
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

Game description
The Galactic Federation's Base Sector Zero is under attack by Space Pirates. Samus must boot up the generator to restore the defense systems. But at the end of her path, someone awful is waiting for her. The war initiated by Dark Samus and the Space Pirates rages across many planets as they attempt to corrupt each with Phazon seeds. Players use the Wii Remote and Nunchuk to explore alien landscapes, hunt for weapons and information, and destroy the seeds. Saving the planets from Corruption isn't enough, though. Eventually, players must take down Samus' mortal enemy, Dark Samus. Besides using the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controllers to pull off amazing feats like aiming and blasting in midair or at a full run, players also will have an array of different weapons at their disposal.

Comments
If the GameCube brought Samus into an all-new world, Wii will take Prime to an all new level. Combining pixel-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: 1-4
Play Style: Remote
Genre: Sports

Game description
A compilation of simple, Wii-playable sports games. Included sports are Tennis, Golf, and Baseball (with a Table Tennis demo also shown at E3 2006 but not officially listed as part of this package), all with a stylized look that's designed after 8-bit game design but with full 3D technology. Although each game will concentrate on the core mechanics of hitting a ball, swinging a racquet, and putting with a club, the games will offer full (albeit simplified) sports experiences of whole games in Baseball and Tennis as well as multiple holes to play in Golf.

Comments
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: 2
Play Style: Nunchuck
Genre: First-Person Shooter

Game description
An exclusive first-person action / adventure game from Ubisoft for the Nintendo Wii. Red Steel is set in both the US and Japan. Players will master both the ancient art of the katana and the sophisticated technology of modern firearms taking advantage of the emotion and immersive gameplay possible only with the Wii's remarkable controller. The title utilizes the Wii's free-hand style controller for innovation control mechanics, including allowing players are able to hold swords or guns normally or side-armed depending upon how they hold the controller while playing. Meanwhile, it's possible to block incoming attacks using the sword, too. In action, gamers will be able to jump over and take cover behind objects with the flick of the Wii controller

Comments
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 handling the Wii hardware. We'll be watching this one very closely in the next few months leading up to launch.

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Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam

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

Game description
This special extension of the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater franchise is aimed at new and younger skate fans -- a "Family THUG", if you will -- where any gamer can get in and throw down wicked moves with the innovative control system of the Nintendo Wii.

Comments
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.

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Madden NFL 2007

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

Game description
An exclusive 2007 edition of EA's unstoppable football franchise, built specifically football done Wii-style. Utilizing the unique game controller of the system, you can get out on the line of scrimmage like never before. Players can hike the ball with a real "hike" move. They can punt the ball with motions that simulate a punt kick, with the angle and straightness of the punt determined by how clean the "punt" is. They can even control the speed and accuracy of passes with the precision of their real throwing motions. It's football, played the way it never has been before!

Comments
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.

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

Publisher: Square Enix
Developer: Square Enix
Players: ??
Play Style: remote
Genre: Action

Game description
???

Comments
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-casting 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.

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Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz

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

Game description
AiAi and all his friends have rolled their way onto Nintendo's new console with new mind-blowing puzzle levels and a wealth of new and exciting Party Games specifically designed to fully exploit the innovative Nintendo Wii controller. For the first time in the Super Monkey Ball franchise, AiAi and his friends will have the ability to jump when players flick the Nintendo Wii controller in an upward motion. The ability to jump has given game designers another dimension in which to expand the Super Monkey Ball gameplay experience and allows gamers a whole new way to interact with the franchise; this time in true three-dimensional fashion. The Party Games, for which the Super Monkey Ball franchise is famous, return with more variety than ever.

Comments
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!

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[Jamma]

Metal Slug Anthology

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

Game description
A compilation pack of six games in the wild shooting series, Metal Slug Collection includes Metal Slug, Metal Slug 2, Metal Slug X, Metal Slug 3, Metal Slug 4 and Metal Slug 5. Rounding out the package is two-player support via wireless multiplayer.

Comments
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 tells 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.

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Trauma Center: Second Opinion


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

Game description
The Nintendo DS doctor sim now comes to the Wii console -- use the unique controller to save patients' lives

Comments
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

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Elebits

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

Game description
In Elebits, players move around a game world, attempting to find and collect Elebit creatures, the energy source that makes the game's world move. As you find Elebits, the game world will slowly evolve. The game will offer a feel of "hunting," suggesting that perhaps the Elebits won't just be sitting around waiting to get caught. This unique Nintendo Wii game is produced by Shingo Mukaitouge.

Comments
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 takes the simple joys of a gravity gun (see Half Life 2) and 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.

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Marvel: Ultimate Alliance

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

Game description
In this superhero-filled action-RPG, players assume the roles of more than 20 Marvel Super Heroes including Spider-Man, Wolverine, Blade and Captain America, and through their actions determine the fate of both planet Earth and the Marvel universe. The game features total team customization, where players create their own team name, icon and vehicle, as well as establish their team reputation as they play throughout the story. Battle the world's most notorious Marvel Super Villains in the air, underwater, and on the ground, using grappling, blocking and dodging moves, and even environmental objects as one and two-handed weapons. The storyline is designed open, and the missions that you choose to accept affect the outcome of the Marvel Universe. Also featured are competitive and co-operative multiplayer modes.

Comments
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 Balder'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: ??
Genre: Sports

Game description
The series known as NFL Blitz pushes on without the NFL license into an all-new realm of dramatic and intense football, as Midway goes behind the scenes to bring you lifestyles, controversy, and the nitty-gritty real world of pro football players. Blitz: The League exposes the harsh and troubling, behind–the-scenes stories of a fictional professional football league.

Comments
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 throwing 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?

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Rayman Raving Rabbids

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

Game description
Rayman Raving Rabbids marks the return of the iconic video-game hero, Rayman, in his funniest and zaniest adventure ever. When the world of Rayman is threatened by a devastating invasion of crazed, out-of-control bunnies Rayman must rise up against his furry foes to foil their wicked plans. Utilizing an array of amazing new abilities, and with the help of magical creatures, Rayman must break out all the moves to save his world from these delirious bunnies and their hare-raising antics.

Comments
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?

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SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab

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

Game description
In a unique and creative twist, SpongeBob SquarePants explores the peculiar world of Bikini Bottom as it transforms through a series of various unique visual styles. SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab offers fans brand new gameplay mechanics through nine visually bizarre levels.

Comments
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.

 

[Jamma]

Disney/Pixar's Cars

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

Game description
Race to the finish line as you live all the fun and excitement of the next Walt Disney Pictures presentation of a Pixar Animation Studios film, "Cars." Play as all your favourite characters as you help Lightning McQueen capture the coveted Piston Cup Championship. Fans will discover unique characters and environments inspired by the film with more than 10 playable characters and 30 races and minigames to choose from. The game features a fully immersive re-creation of all major environments introduced in the movie, including Radiator Springs and Ornament Valley, which will offer distinctive racing experiences to players while maintaining the artistic style of the film.

Comments
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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Excite Truck

Published by: Nintendo
Developed by: Monster Games, Inc.
Players: ??
Genre: Racing

Game description
In the grand racing tradition of Excitebike, get ready for a big-air experience like no other as players rocket their trucks across dynamically changing terrain. Remember tilting your arms to try to make your character land a huge jump? That experience is finally a reality with Excite Truck, a wild, off-road race in which players hold the Wii Remote like an NES controller to control the truck. The 2 button is the accelerator, the 1 button is the brake, the + Control Pad is the turbo. Tilt the Wii Remote right and left like a steering wheel to steer. Once the truck goes airborne, tilt the Wii Remote every which way to line up perfect landings for turbo boosts. Pick up items on the courses to make the terrain deform in real time, turning innocent bumps into massive launch pads that affect not only the player's route, but that of his or her rivals. Players jump and bump their way to the highest score and highest finish.

Comments
(Recently added and confirmed)

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Play Style

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.

 

[Supermariomp3]

Nice find...we need more posts like this
What game do you think will use the the classic mode of the Wiimote besides racing gmaes?

 

[Jamma]

I still think you can play the games with the classic part but the ones with nunchuck have the option to play it with the nunchuck like with metroid prime 3 you can play it like the gamecube ones

 

[Arcadium]

Nice find...we need more posts like this
What game do you think will use the the classic mode of the Wiimote besides racing gmaes?

Yeah great post, and I think SSBB will come as a game which u need to use the way of the racing games, cause in the nunchuck way its too difficult to play

 

[Jamma]

Yeah I think their still will be a option to play with the nunchuck but you won't have to I would play with the classic part

 

[Wii_Rulez]

I found this list on IGN too and thought it wasa pretty good list

 

[Jamma]

Except for a couple of games its a very good list unlike the gamecube when it first came out where super monkey ball was perhaps the best game at launch

 

[Mr_Stoukaph]

Super Mario Galaxy is going to be a launch title too but its not on your list

 

[Jamma]

ok cool oopsss

 

[Dav_4550]

yeah, awsome list...great descriptions of some titles I didn't really know about. A great launch list if I say so myself, I look forward to buying lots of games.

 

[Mr_Stoukaph]

you should also put the ESRB ratings if possible.

 

[NateTheGreat]

Wii Launch Titles

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption

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

Game description
The Galactic Federation's Base Sector Zero is under attack by Space Pirates. Samus must boot up the generator to restore the defense systems. But at the end of her path, someone awful is waiting for her. The war initiated by Dark Samus and the Space Pirates rages across many planets as they attempt to corrupt each with Phazon seeds. Players use the Wii Remote and Nunchuk to explore alien landscapes, hunt for weapons and information, and destroy the seeds. Saving the planets from Corruption isn't enough, though. Eventually, players must take down Samus' mortal enemy, Dark Samus. Besides using the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controllers to pull off amazing feats like aiming and blasting in midair or at a full run, players also will have an array of different weapons at their disposal.

Comments
If the GameCube brought Samus into an all-new world, Wii will take Prime to an all new level. Combining pixel-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.




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Why, oh why is this game not 1-4 players??? If Metroid: Hunters for the DS has 4 player via link and WiFi, why can't this game for Wii?!

Anyone else hoping for a delay on this game, so they can put that feature in, or maybe a seperate multiplayer expansion disc, or better yet, via a WiiConnect24 download
Come on Retro-studios!!!

 

[Mr_Stoukaph]

maybe the fact that MP Echos had a bad multiplayer, they decided not to put in one here. im not sure but i think that hunters was a great multiplayer game