Wii Launch Titles

Nintendo is taking a different approach with the Wii. Rather than competing on a spec sheet-basis against the Microsoft Xbox 360 and the Sony PlayStation 3, they want to release a series of games that can appeal to anyone. The graphics may not be as powerful, but the forthcoming titles are said to be innovative, fresh, and intuitive to control, thanks to the gyroscopic technology in the Wiimote.

But what games are there going to be at launch? While firm details are still up in the air at the time this article was written (June 6, 2006), there are several tidbits that seem very likely and these new games look fantastic. What games? Keep reading and find out what hot titles Nintendo will likely have for us when they launch the Wii next-generation video game machine.

Red Steel

Perhaps one of the most highly anticipated games for the Nintendo Wii is Red Steel. Although officially listed as a first-person shooter, this game makes use of a samurai sword in addition to the John Woo-style gunfight. A video on YouTube shows the game in action, where you are rewarded for sparing lives rather than randomly executing everyone in sight. The Yakuza-based Red Steel will offer incredible depth, ease of control, and a completely fresh experience.

Madden NFL Football 2007

The Madden series from EA (Electronic Arts) is easily one of the most recognizable football video game franchise of all time. Whereas the past few years have only seen minor tweaks in graphics, team rosters, and a few options, the version heading to the Nintendo Wii is said to be a wholly new experience altogether. Instead of simply tapping a button to throw the football to a particular receiver in Madden 07, you make a throwing motion with the Wiimote to toss the ol' pigskin. Gridiron madness has never been so great.

Wii Sports

Any who paid attention during E3 will likely have caught at least a glimpse of the Nintendo press conference wherein Shigeru Miyamoto and crew picked up a quad of Wiimotes and started whacking a ball around in Wii Tennis, one of the three mini-games found in Wii Sports. A video is available here. In addition to Tennis, there is also a Golf game and a homerun derby-like Baseball game. There are rumors that Wii Sports may be bundled in with the Wii machine at launch in an attempt to help people adjust to the "intuitive" motion-sensitive controller, its incredibly intricacy and precision. In fact, they say that in Wii Tennis, players can tilt the Wiimote in mid-shot to provide spin.

ExciteTruck

By the looks of things, this follow-up to Excitebike from the NES probably won't be ready in time for a November launch, but one can hope. The camera view takes on a more conventional "behind the vehicle" look, but you'll experience bigger, wilder jumps than on the little crotch rocket. Instead, you will go on a crazy Dukes of Hazzard-like ride. Holding the Wii-mote in a horizontal orientation, each tilt corresponds to a shift in your vehicle's position on screen. Got a need for speed? Love big air? Look no further than ExciteTruck.

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption

Red Steel won't have a monopoly on the shoot-em-up market when the Nintendo Wii launches. There will be Call of Duty 3, Farcry Vengeance, and others. But what we are all itching to see is Samus back in action with Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. If the hugely popular Metroid Prime: Hunters for the Nintendo DS is any indication, Prime 3 for the Wii will blow you away, especially if it includes the same free online deathmatches found in the DS counterpart. Too bad MP3:C has been pushed to a 2007 release.

Other Notable Games

• Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam: The shape of the Wii-mote is strangely familiar to a skateboard, don't you think? I wonder how they're going to make use of the motion sensors in this skater's dream of a title?

• Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz: While Sony and Microsoft purists probably have never heard of -- or cared for -- the Super Monkey Ball franchise, GameCube owners fell in love with the mini-games in the original. Expect more of the same glorious fun in this Wii rendition.

• Metal Slug Anthology: Inspired by the legendary Contra, Metal Slug went on to gain a cult-like following of its own. This compilation brings it all onto a single disc for your gun-upgrading, tank-riding, and bomb-throwing pleasure.

• Trauma Center: Second Opinion: This Atlus-developed and published game is a followup to Trauma Center: Under the Knife for the Nintendo DS. Another unconventional game, and this time, as you can probably guess, your on-screen avatar is a surgeon faced with some intricately difficult situations.