Nintendo needs to convince gamers of the Wii U’s capabilities at E3 2012, so just which games will they use to state its case?

E3 2011 was a bit of a blur for Nintendo. Despite revealing new hardware (and spending 25 minutes talking about the music of Zelda), most forgot the conference the minute it wrapped up.

So at E3 2012 Nintendo has its work cut out. It’ll reveal the final hardware design, reveal an official release date and showcase some of the games the Wii U will play in a bid to convert hardcore gamers around the world.

But what can we expect?

Pikmin 3

It’s been rumoured for years, but Miyamoto himself confirmed that Nintendo is working on the next Pikmin game, and will be ready to show off the oft-requested game at E3. Expect gameplay footage during Nintendo’s conference, likely with touch-screen control of the Pikmin themselves through the Wii U controller.

New Super Mario Bros 2

Another game confirmed to be at E3, and one of the early titles announced alongside the console itself. While New Super Mario Bros 2 is a confirmed 3DS game, official screenshots clearly show the game running on the Wii U - should we expect an announcement at E3 2012? The controller could be used in a number of interesting ways: interactive platforms? Destroying enemies for allies? Hopefully we'll find out soon.


How will the special controller be utilised in the next Super Mario Bros game?

Luigi’s Mansion 2

Luigi's Mansion 2 has already been discussed by Miyamoto, and even hinted at more being shown at E3. It's coming to the 3DS, so perhaps we'll see the 3D screen being used to detect ghosts as the most likely use of the tech. Either way, expect to see more at E3.

Zelda Wii U

This is a tough one. Zelda was one of the few names attached to the Wii U when it was revealed at last year’s E3, but Nintendo only ever pitched it as a tech demo for the capabilities of the Wii U. We can assume there will be a new Wii U Zelda at some point down the line, but with the work Nintendo has done at creating that tech demo, you’d want to expect it to be revealed this year.


It was only a tech demo, but this proved the Wii U is a capable machine.

Wii U Sports

There are no real rumours to suggest a Wii Sports sequel is in the works for Wii U, but it’s a fairly obvious game for Nintendo. Just like the original Wii Sports, this will most likely get bundled along with the console as a showcase of the features of the tablet-like controller and be available for hands-on on the E3 show floor.

Killer Freaks From Outer Space (Ubisoft)

Except for a b-movie style announcement trailer, little has been seen or heard of Killer Freaks since last year’s E3. It will probably be at Nintendo’s conference, but more likely bundled into a montage of ‘hits’ coming to Wii U. Expect gameplay hands-on being available, however, detailing how the RTS-like Wii U controller gameplay and the classic controller FPS gameplay work together.


Killer Freaks is an interesting project. We want to see more, Nintendo!

Star Fox/Metroid Wii U Game

Retro Studios has gone quiet since its last game Donkey Kong Country Returns, and as one of Nintendo’s trusted developers we can safely expect the team to be working on something Wii U based. More interesting is the recent rumour that the team are currently working on a Star Fox/Metroid crossover game for Wii U named Star Fox – Metroid: Fusion Saga.

If this is actually happening and not just a concept then you can safely assume it will be revealed at Nintendo’s E3 conference, since it’s such an unusual idea and something Nintendo will want to highlight.

Assassin’s Creed 3 (Ubisoft)

Ubisoft usually dives straight in to new technology, and Nintendo is going to want to prove the Wii U can handle ‘core’ gaming by demoing Assassin’s Creed 3 at its press conference. It’s less about the controller capabilities here – which are expected to be little more than map and inventory control – and instead to hammer home the fact that the Wii U can handle ‘proper’ HD gaming.


With enhanced visuals and unique controller options, Assassin's Creed 3 Wii U will ilkely be the best version.

Paper Mario

It’s already announced and known to be in development for some time, but very little has been seen. Nintendo will likely show off a trailer of Paper Mario during its 3DS segment of its conference. They’ll want to bolster the 3DS catalogue a little more to enthuse 3DS owners, and since this has been in development for a while it could well be the game to do it.

New Zelda 3DS Game

It’s about time right? The Legend Of Zelda DS games have always expected to be a trilogy, but with the third still missing it’s a safe bet that a new one should be on the way for 3DS. Expect a short trailer announcing the game for 3DS, but the likelihood of gameplay being readily available is a little more unexpected.

Rayman Legends (Ubisoft)

A leaked video was enough to confirm Rayman Legends – sequel to last year’s overlooked platformer Rayman Origins – heading over to the Wii U. Whether this will be at Nintendo’s or Ubisoft’s press conference it’s hard to say, but judging by the video itself there’s plenty of interesting features to take a look at – Near Field compatibility being the most interesting.


We're glad there's a sequel to Rayman Origins, it was a fantastic platformer that needs recognition.

Aliens: Colonial Marines (Sega)

As one of the first games to get announced for Wii U, you can be guaranteed that Sega will want to show off the unique abilities of the console – expect to see the controller screen being used as a radar to detect aliens. It probably won’t be at Nintendo’s conference beyond a montage clip of confirmed third-party games, but Sega will likely have it available in some form over E3.

Monster Hunter 4 (Capcom)

With Nintendo securing Monster Hunter 4 rights on 3DS, they’re going to want to flaunt it. Monster Hunter is well known as the go-to portable game, helping secure a solid position for PSP sales in Japan. Having Monster Hunter 4 is a big coup for Nintendo and the 3DS, so expect it to be at Nintendo’s conference in a huge way.

Castlevania Wii U And 3DS Game (Konami)

Fairly recent rumours have unearthed a bevy of Castlevania details. While a Lords Of Shadows sequel has been leaked, another Castlevania project has been unveiled in the works – both for Wii U and 3DS and will be expected to have cross-compatible play in some way. The same rumour even claimed to expect to see this at E3, though whether it will be at Nintendo or Konami’s press conferences was not suggested.

New Smash Bros Game

Though it’s only a couple of iterations old, Nintendo is in the habit of releasing a Smash Bros game alongside new hardware. With its focus on the Wii U this year, it’s a fair assumption to expect a new Smash Bros game get revealed to launch with the Wii U by the end of the year. If it does appear, it’ll be at the press conference for certain, probably highlighting some of the ways the controller will change the Smash Bros template.

[Via NowGamer!]