Nintendo E3 2012 Press Conference wrap-up

Nintendo kicked off their conference by finally confirming Pikmin 3 for the Wii U and showing off a demo of the game. The Wii U GamePad can be used to show the map at times and is not required to play the game. But it’s a nice feature for players.

Netflix and Hulu, YouTube and Amazon Video are announced as video content partners, and it seems as if they will be available from day 1.

Reggie Fils-Aime also finally confirmed that 2 Wii U GamePads will be supported per console, though there are no games on display that utilize 2 at the moment.

There is a big push for social networking and the Miiverse will be accessible via the Wii U, 3DS and other mobile devices.

New Super Mario Bros. U was revealed, and like New SUper Mario Bros. Wii it features classic-style Mario side-scrolling platforming, and some cool new social features.

Batman: Arkham City Armored Edition was confirmed and utilized the GamePad in unique ways to scan the environment and perform inventory functions and features gyroscope and touchscreen controls.

Scribblenauts Unlimited is officially headed to the Wii U also, and in HD. Naturally the GamePad will be used for all sorts of unique, creative functions within the game.

Other games confirmed include the upcoming Aliens Colonial Marines, Mass Effect 3, Tekken Tag Tournament 2, Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge, Trine 2, Tank! Tank! Tank! and others.

Wii U Fit was also revealed, and uses the GamePad in an assortment of ways, either as an addition display, or menu, or a pointing device.

SiNG is a casual new music game that seems to mix Karaoke (lyrics displayed on the GamePad screen) with a dance game, and it looks like it could be fun if done correctly.

Nintendo then switched it up and brought out the Nintendo 3DS. New games confirmed include New Super Mario Bros. 2 and Paper Mario: Sticker Star. Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon was also made official for the 3DS (the final title was at least), and will be available this Holiday season. Even more games will be revealed at the 3DS even tomorrow.

Back to the Wii U, LEGO City was announced, which looks like an open world LEGO action game. You could almost call it GTA LEGO City.

Ubisoft then came on stage to show off a few upcoming games including ZombiU, Rabbids Land and Rayman Legends. They seem particularly excited about the hardware and the experiences they can create with it. Assassin’s Creed III is coming, Just Dance 4, Your Shape Evolved 2013, Sports Connection, Marvel Avengers: Battle for the Earth.

Then a title called NintendoLand was revealed, which is a tutorial compilation game of sorts to show players how to use the Wii U, sort of like Wii Sports on the Wii. Obviously it utilizes many of the Nintendo characters and environments, and will feature 12 attractions in an amusement park atmosphere. The Miiverse will be integrated into it somehow. Nintendo took the opportunity to explain asymmetric gameplay possibilities with the GamePad and demod it with a Luigi’s Ghost Mansion: Haunting Hijinks attraction mini-game. NintendoLand will be bbundled in with the Wii U console at launch.

Neither a price or a date was announced for the Wii U yet, so we’ll have to wait a bit longer for those important details.