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Wii U Launch Guide

Call of Duty: Black Ops II, Skylanders Giants, Transformers Prime, and Wipeout 3

by Nate Andrews - November 12, 2012, 1:31 pm EST

More BLOPS, Transformers, Skylanders, and Wipeout in Activison's group of launch titles

Activison's publishing lineup for the Wii U  launch includes expected ports of its highly successful Call of Duty and Skylanders series, as well as a version of Transformers Prime and the debut of the Wipeout series on the console.

Call of Duty: Black Ops II

Developer: Treyarch
Players: 1-2
Off-TV Play: Yes
What is it?: The latest in entry in the juggernaut Call of Duty franchise, BLOPS II comes two years after the first spin-off. Set against the backdrop of technologically advance warfare, Black Ops II's campaign mixes familiar narrative territory with futuristic new weapons, gadgets, and set pieces. Of course, the game includes the series' trademark multiplayer mode, but with changes to the Prestige and Score Streak mechanics.
GamePad Use: In single-player, the GamePad's screen hosts the in-game mini-map, as well as triggers to deploy Score Streak bonuses and manage custom loadouts. In multiplayer, one player can use the GamePad as a dedicated screen, while another occupies the full TV.
Staff Approval Rating: 48% (8th)




Skylanders Giants

Developer: Toys for Bob, Vicarious Visions
Players: 1-2
Off-TV Play: Yes
What is it?: The sequel to Skylanders, Giants adds new modes, areas, and figures to the gameplay of the original. The Wii U version has sharper textures and higher resolution than its other console counterparts.
GamePad Use: The GamePad's screen displays stats for the Skylander in use, as well as a map and a way to monitor objectives. The GamePad can also be used to play the title's mini-games.
Staff Approval Rating: 41% (10th)



Transformers Prime

Developer: Now Production
Players: 1
Off-TV Play: No
What is it?: Based on the new TV show, this cartoonish interpretation of the Transformers series comes from veteran developer Now Production and follows the battle of the Autobots against the Decepticons over an ancient power. Aside from the main story, Prime features a multiplayer battle mode in which players can choose from 11 Transformers.
GamePad Use: The GamePad can be tilted in certain situations to steer characters, and the touch screen can be used to upgrade character abilities.
Staff Approval Rating: 2% (21st)




Wipeout 3

Developer: Behavior Interactive
Players: TBD
Off-TV Play: No
What is it?: The third incarnation of the ABC game show adds new obstacle courses, controls, characters, and camera angles.
GamePad Use: TBD
Staff Approval Rating: 1% (22nd)

Talkback

CericNovember 12, 2012

Ninja Gaiden 3 I might actually try eventually.  Though I'm wary about the M rating.

geoNovember 12, 2012

I wonder if nintendo network ID works like an xbox live ID or like a battlenet ID.  If it's like xbox live, whoever gets a launch system will get the best chance to get the best names.

MrPhishfoodNovember 12, 2012

I have dibs on MyBodyIsReady

thedefalcosNovember 12, 2012

Zach: I thought it was confirmed that Black Ops 2 will have 4 player split screen. The back of the game box has a Wii- mote with the # 4 on it. That usually means "up to four wii motes can be used."  What's going on there?

thedefalcosNovember 12, 2012

Not sure what happened to my last reply, but I'll try it again.

Zack: I thought it was confirmed black ops 2 was 4 player. I saw the back of one of the boxes and it showed a wii-mote with a "4" on it. Usually means it's four player split-screen.  What say you?

NWR_insanolordJ.P. Corbran, Community ManagerNovember 12, 2012

That could mean it actually has 5 player split screen, as it's been confirmed you can play splitscreen with one of the screens being the GamePad. 

CalibanNovember 12, 2012

There's an awful lot of noes for the "off-tv play" feature. Huh, thought it was supposed to be a feature obligatory to all games even if it was just when playing by ourselves.

EasyCureNovember 12, 2012

gahhhhhh I need to stop reading about games I can't afford!

thedefalcosNovember 13, 2012

Caliban:  Don't do that to me.  5 player split screen would be so awesome. It would be worth getting the console for that option on that game alone. I think Sonic Racers has 5 player split and I know for sure Sports Connection does.


Maybe that's why BLOPS 2 supports the classic controller as well as the pro.


I really wish somebody would confirm this!

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorNovember 13, 2012

Can we get confirmation on ACIII having 3D?  I looked all over the box today and there's nothing on it.  If it really is, it's a Day-One purchase for me, as it'd be the only Wii U game in 3D for me to check out my new TV.  If it's not, I likely won't ever get it...

TJ SpykeNovember 13, 2012

Quote from: Caliban

There's an awful lot of noes for the "off-tv play" feature. Huh, thought it was supposed to be a feature obligatory to all games even if it was just when playing by ourselves.

It's not required at all, and I am glad it's not since it might scare off developers. Games have to use the GamePad, but that could be as simple as having a map displayed or something like that.

NWR_insanolordJ.P. Corbran, Community ManagerNovember 13, 2012

Quote from: Caliban

There's an awful lot of noes for the "off-tv play" feature. Huh, thought it was supposed to be a feature obligatory to all games even if it was just when playing by ourselves.

Well, some games make significant use of both screens, like ZombiU, so they'd be losing some of their functionality being played that way. It's still upsetting that some of the ports from 360/PS3 that were designed for single screen play don't have it, though.

CalibanNovember 13, 2012

Quote from: NWR_insanolord

Quote from: Caliban

There's an awful lot of noes for the "off-tv play" feature. Huh, thought it was supposed to be a feature obligatory to all games even if it was just when playing by ourselves.

Well, some games make significant use of both screens, like ZombiU, so they'd be losing some of their functionality being played that way. It's still upsetting that some of the ports from 360/PS3 that were designed for single screen play don't have it, though.

I can understand such choice with ZombiU, as it's part of the gameplay in that it's trying to put you into a stressful position. What you said about the ports is what I was trying to refer. I guess we're just going to have to wait until we can get the games on our hands just so it's confirmed.

TJ SpykeNovember 13, 2012

It's already been confirmed. It is up to each developer what they will do with the GamePad screen. Hell, I think the only first party game that even uses off-TV gameplay is New Super Mario Bros. U.

NWR_insanolordJ.P. Corbran, Community ManagerNovember 13, 2012

I think some of Nintendo Land can be played that way. There's really no reason the Donkey Kong game couldn't. I may be wrong though.

There are still a decent amount of games that can be played that way. Mario of course, Darksiders, the EA Sports games. It's a major selling point for me, and I'm glad to have a few games that do it, even though more maybe should.

PlugabugzNovember 14, 2012

I got excited for TVii right up to the moment that they forgot to announce anything for not-America.

BlkPaladinNovember 16, 2012

Well Nintendo said they were considering bringing it to the other markets. And the ND showed the TVii icon so it is probally a good bet its coming to all markets. (Which may be another reason for the delay.)

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