If I told you there was going to be a new 3D Zelda game and Earthbound coming to the States, would you believe me?
Have to pick up strong right where part one left off so let’s begin with the Wii U system update that was announced recently. The update will be available next week and will make the load times a little easier to deal with. You won’t have to bang your head against the wall waiting for the load times between software anymore. Also, you’ll be able to copy things between USB drives as well as auto install new software and auto receive updates. Combine that with being able to start the system in Wii mode, by pressing the B button while starting, and Nintendo is starting to get things off the ground with the Wii U. The fact that I will be able to download and install software while my system is off is huge for me.
The update won’t just bring new speed; it will bring new material as well. The Virtual Console will be making its debut after the system update with the likes of Donkey Kong Junior, Super Mario World, and Ice Climbers just some of the old school games that will be included. Each game will have its own MiiVerse page so fans everywhere will be able to talk about their favorite games. They will also be playable off of the TV on the GamePad which is great because now you won’t have to stop playing Super Mario World if Dad wants to watch the ball game. There will also be an available demo for Wii U Panorama View, a new service that allows you to see things in all directions. It looks like it could be something to check out, especially if the flying demo is as cool as it looked on the presentation.
The Pikmin 3 launch is a few months away and to wet your whistle, Nintendo revealed a new type of Pikmin, the flying or “Winged” Pikmin. They will be able carry things in the air and should be put to good use in the Pikmin universe. Expect more info closer to the launch. Other big news during the presentation was about the classic game, Earthbound. The outcry for Earthbound was so strong on message boards and the MiiVerse pages, that Nintendo listened and Earthbound is finally coming to the US and Europe by the end of the year. Not a definitive answer but we’ll take it at this point. At the end of Iwata’s spot, he looked like he was getting ready to carry the Stanley Cup with his Luigi gloves on.
