E3 2012: NintendoLand

With the Wii U set to release later this year, it was only a matter of time until we saw some of the console’s launch titles. NintendoLand is a Wii U game that aims to show off exactly what the new system is capable of and teach you how to use that fancy new controller that it comes with. Nintendo has stated that NintendoLand has the same relationship to Wii U as Wii Sports did to the original Wii, so here’s hoping it makes it in as a bundled launch game.

Honestly, I couldn’t really see paying full retail for it anyway, so if it’s not bundled then there’s no doubt that it’ll be substantially cheaper, just like Wii Sports was in other countries.

NintendoLand is a group of 12 unique mini games, all paying homage to other Nintendo franchises. Some of the known titles include The Legend of Zelda: Battle Quest, Donkey Kong’s Crash Course, Animal Crossing: Sweet Day, Luigi’s Ghost Mansion, as well as an F-Zero game and Takamaru’s Ninja Castle, a japan-only NES game. Like Wii Sports, each game uses your own customizable Miis during gameplay. Each game gives players the chance to play with traditional Wii Remotes as well as the new Wii U GamePad, often allowing more than just 4 players to join in the fun. Nintendo will be releasing details on the rest of the mini games as we approach the end of the year. Check out a demo for Animal Crossing: Sweet Day below.