A look ahead into 2010 – Wii Edition
Not sure whats coming up for next year? Well, there is already quite a bit lined upsome sooner then later. Check out whats going to be big on Wii in 2010
2010 is going to be one of those huge years, you can just tell it. Q1 is already packed, albeit with stuff that was meant to be out in 2009, but still packed none the less. As we head into 2010, it’s possible this is the year where the success of the Wii could unravel for Nintendo. They have to play their cards right, as do the third parties who are struggling to find success on the Wii. Let’s take a look at some of the big stuff. Remember, we don’t yet know about everything!
Sooner
Endless Ocean 2: Blue World
Prepare to jump back into the ocean again, this time with a bigger variety of locales to dive into as well as larger ones. The game will once again have a story but that will of course take a back seat to the underwater beauty. Co-operative play is back, and this time you’ll be able to talk with your friends with Wii Speak. Photo saving to SD card is added in this outing, too. The game is out in Japan but we’re unable to confirm if the custom soundtrack feature makes a return from the first game—diving to Barry Manalow is so much better than Enya (not really but you get the idea).
Cave Story
We’ve put this under sooner in the hope that the game will actually come out. Plagued with problems getting Nintendo’s stamp of approval and constant delays, this WiiWare title has been the carrot on a stick for many a nostalgic fan who wants some new Cave Story action. Please guys, soon?
Super Mario Galaxy 2
Nintendo hasn’t done a proper numbered sequel to a Mario game in years, so when they announced Super Mario Galaxy 2 there was quite a shockwave out there. But Super Mario Galaxy is the Game of the Forever and more of it cannot be bad, right? Yoshi is joining in the fun this time around, too, and the games sole trailer so far has shown off a bunch of new locales and special moves. Nintendo hasn’t giving a time frame on this one, but with the game all but done it can’t be far away. That’s of course unless Nintendo decide to hold it off to help New Super Mario Bros Wii sell more.
Red Steel 2
One of the first 2009 evacuees, Red Steel 2 shouldn’t be far away and its MotionPlus-only controls have us excited. We briefly went hands on with the game at eGames 09 and were impressed by the improved sword controls and crazy new art style. Ubisoft have a lot to prove here; the original Red Steel sold well due to it being a launch title, so Ubi won’t have that on their side this time. Let’s home the extra time in development has done the game well.
Sin and Punishment 2
Commissioned off the back of the success of the originals sales on the Virtual Console, Sin and Punishment 2: Successor of the Universe is currently slated in a Q1 2010 position for the rest of the world, Japan is lucky enough to have it already. Impressions from our Japanese friends suggest the game is pretty good as well, so that helps.
Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All Stars
Updated, bug fixed and with added bonuses, this is Tatsunoko vs Capcom bigger and better. While the ‘original’ game was released last year in Japan and met with critical acclaim, for its Western release Capcom went back to the drawing board, including fixing up some bugs and adding a whole bunch of extra content including Frank West from Dead Rising and Zero from the Megaman verse for extra awesomeness. This updated game is even getting a re-release in Japan. You might not know who the Tatsuonoko characters are, but you should recognise at least a couple of the Capcom ones; even if you dont, it’s still a great fighter and is one to watch.
It seems like this game has taken forever to come out, and it was almost a 2009 title. However, we’re glad it was pushed back because this outing of Travis Touchdown will be the last on the Wii. Not that it won’t be back in the future, just that this game will take No More Heroes as far as the Wii will allow. No More Heroes 2 is actually only a few weeks away in the US. Australia soon after please?
Massive Multiplayer Online comes to the Wii for the first time, as does the Monster Hunter franchise. There was a big hoorah when this was announced, as with all previous Monster Hunter games only ever gracing Sony platforms some people were really upset. But we’ll have none of that here, as to win over the western audience Capcom has dropped any all of the fees required to play the game online, and with some luck even some Wii Speak Compatibility thrown in. We’ve had a brief look at the Japanese version of the game and we’re impressed. Another one to look out for in 2010.
Super Monkey Ball Step and Roll
When the Wii launched, Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz was there; it was well received, but the sheer number or mini games meant there was more bad ones than good ones, and the main game wasn’t as good as the GameCube originals. Step forward 3 years and we have Step and Roll. Like the name suggests, this time you can control the game with the Wii Fit balance board; you don’t have to use it, but it is worth a shot. The monkey inside the ball this time is actually 3D as well, in case that annoyed you last time.
Sega All-Star Racing
Wait, what, a mascot kart racer on this list? Why would I look forward to that? Well, this one has not just got Sonic, but rather contains mascots from the entirety of Sega’s history. That includesracers and tracks from the world of Super Monkey Ball, Samba De Amigo, Shenmue, Jet Set Radio, Alex Kidd, and Billy Hatcher. There are also more characters yet to be revealed, some say Ulala from Space Channel 5 amongst others. The game will also have local and online multiplayer. Neat, huh?
Honourable Mentions
– Fragile Dreams: Farewell Ruins of the Moon
– Tales of Graces
– Arc Rise Fantasia
– Monado: Beginning of the World
– Line Attack Heroes
Later
Metroid Other M
Nintendo’s 2009 E3 presentation was mostly balls, that was until this little baby appeared. Currently in development by Team Ninja and Nintendo themselves, Metroid Other M plans to change up the Metroid console games with a deeper look into Samus’s story and be what Nintendo describes as "unlike anything thats ever been done at Nintendo; Its more than just a collaborative effort — its one group working toward a common goal." As Big Kev (RIP) used to say, I’m Excited.
Epic Mickey
If third party games were ever going to have a chance on Wii, this is it. Sure, it’s a Micky Mouse game, but this isn’t some bubble and squeak sissy crap; no, this is Epic Mickey. This is coming from the mind that brought us Deus Ex and is definitely not to be taken lightly. The game will certainly be Epic, it’s not just the name of the game.
The Grinder / Gladiator A.D
No, one game doesn’t have two different names, but these two games are what’s next from High Voltage Software; you know, the guys who did The Conduit. So, The Conduit didn’t set the world of fire, but it was still pretty impressive for the system and boasted a good, if hackable, online mode. The Grinder follows in The Conduit’s path and is another shooter, but it is a whole different ball game as you can now control one of four people with different abilities as you shoot your way through an alternative universe full of vampires, werewolves and zombies. Always a good combination. Gladiator A.D. is a fighting game set in ancient Roman times. Both the games will use Wii MotionPlus, finally some use out of that add-on.
Wii Relax
Alright, so we’re not even sure if this is a game, but this entry is more for the Wii Vitality Sensor itself. While we’re not hankering to relax and do nothing to play a game like, say, we are to play the next Zelda, seeing what Nintendo are up to with the finger attachment will be interesting to say the least.
The Legend of Zelda
In the last month or so we’ve gotten more information out of Eiji Anonmu about the next Zelda then we have in the last two years since Twilight Princess hit. We know theyre shaking it up and Iwata says itll be out this year… but well wait for E3 to see how far its come before we judge.
Maybe
Dragon Quest X
We’ve put this into the maybe because you never quite know with the Dragon Quest games. They’re always delayed, always. This one is bound to be absolutely huge in Japan and should satisfy fans quite well.
