Nintendo Wii U Launch Guide

Wii U Games for Hardcore Gamers

It's difficult to imagine that hardcore gamers don't already have the following titles for the Xbox 360 and PS3. A few of the better offerings, however, are completely new IPs that hope to take advantage of the Wii U GamePad for an experience that's original enough to convince this audience to purchase a Wii U. That said, most of our recommendations are titles already out for other consoles, since they have received high scores from us over the past year.

Also, one special note for Mass Effect 3: Special Edition: As much as I love the Mass Effect series, it's the same reason I'm not recommending this for Wii U. Similar to Mass Effect 2 and 3 for PS3, you will essentially be going in blind into Mass Effect 3. Sure, you'll be able to make some of the more pivotal choices for your character at the beginning of this Wii U version, but the point is to experience the first two titles so that you actually what happens in the third. It's like of reading The Return of the King without reading the first two Lord of the Rings books. It's blasphemy. You're better off getting the Mass Effect Trilogy for another console instead.




ZombiU

Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Ubisoft Montpellier
No. of Players: TBD (Likely 1)
ESRB Rating: RP

Out of all the titles I sampled at Nintendo's public Wii U Experience event, ZombiU was the most impressive, if just for the fact that it's actually a new IP. It looks like Left 4 Dead, what with the pale color palette and the horde of zombies, but it's primarily a single-player experience. The GamePad is used to swap weapons and to occasionally scan the area for specific items. While we're still not sure if multiplayer is available (likely not), the twist is that if your character dies, the next character you play is another person. Hopefully, this will contribute to multiple endings.



Call of Duty: Black Ops II

Publisher: Activision Publishing, Inc.
Developer: Treyarch
No. of Players: TBD
ESRB Rating: M

The benefits of playing Call of Duty: Black Ops II has been detailed by Daniel Bischoff in his feature. The GamePad allows you to initiate killstreaks with a simple touch, play two-player "split-screen" using two screens, and it has pretty much everything that the other console versions will have. That includes HD graphics and online multiplayer. Again, be weary if you're getting the Pro controller since it doesn't have a headphone jack for in-game cheat.




Assassin's Creed III

Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Ubisoft Quebec
No. of Players: TBD
ESRB Rating: M

Released just recently, Assassin's Creed III already received our highest 5 out of 5 marks, so we would be remiss if this wasn't in our recommendation list. The GamePad allows Conner to see more of the overhead map and thus where more of his enemies are hiding. You can also switch between more weapons with the simple tap. Otherwise, it's the same awesome adventure that has you slaying male elk, bunny rabbits, and redcoats on occasion.




Darksiders II

Publisher: THQ
Developer: Vigil Games
No. of Players: 1
ESRB Rating: RP

The Wii U version of Darksiders II comes with a bunch of DLC not packaged with the other console versions. In addition to the Argul's Tomb, it includes the Death Rides pack, Angel of Death & Shadow of Death packs, Deadly Despair pack, and other legendary equipment meant for the beginning of the game. As usual, the GamePad catalogues all of Death's weapons for a quick switch-out. But the real reason is that it's a lengthy game with a very large world that THQ and Vigil Games should be applauded for.




Batman: Arkham City Armored Edition

Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Developer: WB Games Montreal
No. of Players: TBD
ESRB Rating: T

Batman: Arkham City needs little introduction. As one of the contenders for Game of the Year last year, this Wii U version doesn't lose any of the game's luster. Sure, the GamePad (once again) becomes a quick-touch inventory system, but this time around Batman has access to nearly every weapon without having dig through a series of menus. He can also direct Batarangs by moving the GamePad and can detonate explosive gel charges in precise sequences. Finally, The Armored Edition enhances Batman's melee abilities for a short time via B.A.T. mode, which electrifies his punches and kicks for massive crowd control.

Next: Full Launch Lineup