In the latest Nintendo Direct, Nintendo revealed that Bandai Namco is working on a Wii U exclusive and that Wii games are coming to the Wii U Virtual Console, starting with Super Mario Galaxy 2, which is supposed to be out today (although I don’t see it in the eShop yet). They also announced various details of upcoming Wii U games in a presentation that was mainly focused on the 3DS, which now has a nice-looking upgraded version called the 3DS XL.


A Mystery Game from Bandai Namco

The Wii U exclusive from Bandai Namco is code-named Project Treasure and is helmed by Katsuhiro Harada, who has primarily worked on the Tekken series. It is a 4-player co-op game (since you have to be online to play, I’m assuming that’s online co-op). You will “clear traps, route enemies, [and] seize treasure.” The game will be “free to download and start playing” and is said to be “coming soon.”

Wii Games Come to the Virtual Console

While it’s always been possible to play Wii games on the Wii U, those released on the Wii U eShop will have a couple of notable differences. First off, you won’t have to go into Wii mode; the games will be displayed as normal game icons and you can just play them like any other downloadable title. Also, any game that supported the Wii classic controller will be playable using the gamepad (hopefully it will also be playable with the Pro Controller; they didn’t say).

The first Wii game available on the eShop is Super Mario Galaxy 2, as of today.

Punch-Out!! will arrive January 22 with Metroid Prime Trilogy appearing January 29.

More Game Information

We now have the full title of Nintendo’s upcoming puzzle game: Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars. The game includes a level design mode, and the title refers to the player’s ability to “tip” designers, giving them stars that will allow them to create more elaborate levels. The game comes out for both the Wii U and 3DS on March 5, and when you purchase the game, you get a download code for each system. User-designed levels are cross-platform.

In honor of the release of The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask on the 3DS, Hyrule Warriors will receive a Majora’s Mask DLC pack which adds Tingle and Young Link to the mix. This will be out February 5.

Splatoon will have a central plaza where you can buy weapons and clothes. Weapons include a device that showers down paint, acting as a barrier against opponents, and a paintball sniper rifle.

There was also some discussion of Amiibo features. Mario Party 10 will have special game boards for certain Amiibos, and an upcoming Toad Amiibo will unlock a little find-the-whatzit feature to Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker.

Release Dates:

Kirby and the Rainbow Curse - February 20.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars – March 5.

Mario Party 10 - March 20.

Splatoon - May.