Impressive Wii U launch

We knew the Wii U launch line up was likely going to be strong, but it has every chance of being the strongest launch line up of all times. Nintendo are bringing out {Nintendo Land} and {New Super Mario Bros. U} for launch. One game to showcase the diverse features of the new console and its GamePad, and one game to satisfy old school fans.

{New Super Mario Bros. U}

It's the third parties, however, who are adding depth and in some cases innovation to the early line up Wii U titles.

Arguably the two biggest games of the fourth quarter are {Assassin's Creed III} and {Call of Duty: Black Ops 2}, and Wii U is getting both games for launch, something that is bound to help the fresh console's standing among core gamers. And while neither game is necessarilly a reason to get Wii U, they are definitely going to be among the top sellers at launch. Possible only bested by {New Super Mario Bros. U}. It's important for the perception of Wii U as a serious console for these titles to be there. And the presence of {Skylanders Giants} should not be underestimated either, even if that is aimed a a different market entirely. {Just Dance 4} shouldn't be overlooked either, even if I find it hard to believe that audience are keen to pick up the console at launch.

There are three games apart from these heavy hitters that I think will do well at the Wii U launch. {Zombi U} is getting a lot of buzz, and rightly so. A zombie survival game that adds some very interesting ideas and that is getting heavy support from Nintendo. This is the "{Red Steel}" of the Wii U launch, only hopefully this time the game is a good one (and by the looks of it, it is). Also from Ubisoft we have {Rayman Legends} - a game that is in the unfavourable position of having to go head to head with {New Super Mario Bros. U} as a co-operative side scrolling platformer. But really, this game looks very little like Mario's adventure and if you're into this genre you owe it to yourself to take a look at both. If {Rayman Origins} is anything to go by, we're in for a treat. And then there is Lego City: Undercover - flying a bit under the radar this is an exclusive that comes with the incredible heritage of TT Games' Lego titles. Lots of humour, tons of content, is what we can expect - and it will be interesting to see if the interest remains without a bigtime super hero or movie license to go along with the Lego antics.

For Wii owners who never jumped on the HD generation there are a few games that are coming that will allow them to play catch up. One of last year's best games, {Batman: Arkham City} has been enhanced, and one of the this year's best titles, despite of the completely blown out of proportion controversy surrounding the ending {Mass Effect 3} will also be out at launch. Add in {Darksiders II} and there is plenty to do for those who have missed out. Three quality games that add depth to the line up.

{Batman: Arkham City} - Armoured Edition

There also some less high profile and recent titles making the jump. I'm thinking of {Tekken Tag Tournament 2} (first Tekken ever on a Nintendo home console), {Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed} (for those who can't wait for Mario Kart), and {Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two} (interested to see what the tablet will offer to that equation). During your typical console launch any of these three would likely get some attention, but that's not the case now.

For sports fans there is going to be {FIFA 13}, {Madden NFL 13}, {NBA 2K13} and Ubisoft's {Sports Connection}. Perhaps not enough to raise any eyebrows, but at least you will be able to play both kinds of football and basketball on your Wii U at or around launch.

What the launch line up lacks is a racing game and it is a bit curious why EA didn't decide to bring out what is likely going to be the biggest racing game of the year - {Need for Speed: Most Wanted} - at the Wii U launch. But EA are holding back in other departments as well, with no {Medal of Honor: Warfighter} or {Battlefield 3}: Special Edition on the horizon. Neither have they announced any of their big Q1 hitters - {Dead Space 3}, {Crysis 3}, or {Army of Two: The Devil's Cartel} for the console. What we're seeing with EA is a company content to bring out some of their big brands to dip their feet into Wii U waters.

The dangerous period for Wii U looks to be the first quarter next year. We've got lots of great titles scheduled for release then and the Wii U looks like it might not have games of the same stature lined up. Compare games like {Bioshock Infinite}, {God of War: Ascension}, {Crysis 3}, {Dead Space 3}, {Tomb Raider}, {Gears of War: Judgment}, {Beyond: Two Souls}, an Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch, with what Wii U gets ({Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate}, {Game & Wario}, {Sing Party}, etc) - of course all platforms are getting {Aliens: Colonial Marines} and there may be some of the presumed launch titles that slip into 2013, but it looks like Wii U might struggle for mindshare early next year among core gamers.

{Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate}

Personally, the Nintendo Direct presentation left me with a positive feeling about Wii U. Sure, in order to truly enjoy the five player asymmetric multiplayer I'm going to have to invest in a lot of extra plastic (even more if you want to play {Zombi U} with a few friends as Pro Controllers are required). The price may have been a tad bit higher than expected, but £50 is not the deciding factor for me, and probably not most early adopters out there. It's all about the impact at launch and whether Nintendo can drum up that sense of a must have item. I think they're well on their way towards that - or it may just be that I'm dying to put a fresh console underneath my TV.