Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed
Radiostorm: Why does Sonic need a car? Doesn’t he run faster than a car? Also, I wish I hadn’t used up my transformation joke earlier in this list.
Michael: Seeing so many of Sega’s characters in one game is a bit depressing. I feel like they are all out-of-work shlubs, and are only racing because someone offered them a modest paycheck.
Warriors Orochi 3 Hyper
Radiostorm: I have no idea what this is. Apparently Joan of Arc is in it? Japanese games are weird.
Michael: Adding “hyper” to any game title instantly makes it ten times better.
Darksiders II
Radiostorm: Solid. Some have decried Darksiders as a rip off the Zelda series, but that might work in Nintendo’s favour given the absence of a Zelda title at launch. I hope it sells well; THQ could really use the boost.
Michael: I have heard nothing but good things about the Darksiders series, and I am glad to see it has found a home on the Wii U. As I mentioned earlier, I think enhanced and tweaked ports of popular franchises are going to be very important for success of the console.
Assassin’s Creed III
Radiostorm: I’ve never been a fan of the franchise, but it’s a fairly huge deal that a triple A game like this is making it’s way to the Wii U in such a timely manner. I hope it’s an omen of things to come.
Michael: I wonder if America will have to apologize for this game like they had to apologize for Mel Gibson’s The Patriot. When did the British become a stock enemy in modern media?
ESPN Sports Connection
Radiostorm: I almost fell asleep reading that title.
Michael: “Play six of the most popular sports: soccer, football, baseball, tennis, golf, and karting.” This is basically a revamped version of Wii Sports with the ESPN brand, and I think people may have had their fill of that the first time around.
Just Dance 4
Radiostorm: A dancing game was inevitable, but I really don’t see how the Wii U can compete with the Kinect in this genre. Microsoft has perfected the process of converting uncoordinated limb movements into cash.
Michael: If there was any doubt that Skrillex has sold out, just check the track listing for this game. And the credits for Wreck-It-Ralph.
Rabbids Land
Radiostorm: I’ve always preferred Rayman’s outings over those of his furry companions, but this will have to do until the promising Rayman Legends is released next March.
Michael: It seems odd to me that the Rabbids have upstaged Rayman himself in terms of popularity. I get the feeling that Ubisoft uses this series as a cash cow, and redirects the funds to making more engaging games.
Your Shape: Fitness Evolved 2013
Radiostorm: The first of many fitness games for the Wii U. When I was young, my dad used to pick me up under one arm and drop me outside to make sure I got enough exercise. My how the times have changed.
Michael: A perfectly safe and passable fitness game. I’m sure there will be hundreds more like it, so don’t feel you have to run out and buy it right on opening day.
ZombiU
Radiostorm: I think this game looks clunky, but every game pundit I follow has had nothing but nice things to say about it. I might have to play it just to determine if it factually represents zombie survival tactics.
Michael: A good ol’ fashioned zombie survival game on the Wii U. I don’t know why zombies are the preferred apocalypse nowadays, but I’m sure that this game will be snatched up by survival enthusiasts.
Scribblenauts Unlimited
Radiostorm: Scribblenauts Unlimited is the Wii U game I would be most excited for if it weren’t seeing a simultaneous PC release. Still, it’s a great addition to the Wii U library, and the promise of a sprawling overworld to explore tickles me the right way.
Michael: A game that is very well suited for the Wii U, and a sharp contrast to other releases where motion features seem rather tacked on.
Game Party Champions
Radiostorm: The Game Party series is the dictionary definition of shovelware. Game Party Champions is the first of many bland sports and parlour game titles destined to wind up in the bargain bin at Wal-mart.
Michael: It’s sorta amazing that this is the fifth game in the Game Party series. Who is buying this stuff?
Batman: Arkham City Armored Edition
Radiostorm: Arkham City is a great game, but it was released over a year ago. Anyone interested in playing the game already has, and being able to guide a batarang around with the touchscreen is a goofy selling point. The fact that Steam frequently slashes the price of Arkham City to $10 or $15 dollars during their seasonal sales makes this even harder to recommend.
Michael: If I were Nintendo I would re-skin this game in campy 1960s Batman style, and introduce 100 single use gadgets to the utility belt. “SHAKE YOUR WII MOTE FOR SHARK REPELLANT”.
