Nintendo talks Zelda Wii U

November 29, 2012 4:58AM PST

By Eddie Makuch, News Editor

Company president Satoru Iwata says new 3D Zelda, Mario games in development for HD console, acknowledges that first-party games alone "can't be enough."

Nintendo has teased that new fully 3D Zelda and Mario games are in development for the Wii U. Speaking to IGN, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata said these titles will be announced at a later date.

 

"We will announce the launch schedules for new 3D Zelda and Mario games in the future, but this is not the right opportunity for me to indicate when we will make such announcements," Iwata said.

Though new Zelda and Mario games for the Wii U may be appealing enough for some gamers to pick up a system, strong first-party support will not be enough if the Wii U is to thrive, Iwata said.

"Our first-party software alone can’t be enough to appeal to the different tastes of all game fans," he said. "The decision of Nintendo that it will publish the two software titles from Platinum Games is one answer to this challenge."

Platinum Games is developing The Wonderful 101 and Bayonetta 2 (a system exclusive) for the Wii U.

In September, a source reportedly with knowledge of the matter, said Nintendo was developing a new Wii U Zelda game for 2014. The game is said to be the most expensive project in Nintendo's history and will run on a new game engine that will allow for the "most advanced visuals features Nintendo has ever made."

The most recent Zelda game was 2011's Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, which launched for the Wii to a strong critical reception.

Why DOES Nintendo hold back the release dates for so long?

For other companies it's about competitive advantage, but 3D Zelda and Mario don't compete with anything. The only effect of confirmation would be higher Wii sales. And leaving it later hasn't stopped them publicly delaying those games.

I believe their idea is that the titles will make a bigger splash if they can announce them closer to release date. Hype will build and stay at high levels since the people anticipating the game will know it's very close to being released.

I'm kind of disappointed with this article - Nintendo said absolutely nothing about a Zelda Wii U game. All they said is that they're making 3D Mario and Zelda games that they cannot announce at this time. Who.... didn't know this already?

I'll wager we can expect a new Mario Kart too but now isn't the right time to talk about it.

I hope that for next E3 we get another epic Zelda moment.

I want a Wii U Zelda now. I cant wait till 2014 to play it.

I love stuff like this. Its so damn obvious.

There will be a new Mario Kart, 3D Mario, Zelda as 100% guaranteed IPs within the next couple years.

There is also a highly likely possibility of having a Metroid, Donkey Kong, Paper Mario, Mario Party (or wiiu party), Pokemon (not main), etc etc.

That's obvious and that's what any Nintendo IP fan buys the console for. But I do agree with Iwata that they need 3rd parties too and I certainly hope they go after exclusives along with pushing to assist in anyway with putting out quality AAA ports.

I knew this would be "nothing" before I entered the thread.

RedInker said: I want a Wii U Zelda now. I cant wait till 2014 to play it.

More than likely when it will be released though, if not later.  Skyward Sword came out just a yar ago...