Nintendo have just finished showcasing the Wii U and what it has lined up for its launch. Still no word on when that launch will be or how much the Wii U will cost but we are starting to get a better idea of what to expect.

Whistles at the ready:

The first announcement was Pikmin 3. This long awaited sequel will finally make it’s appearance on the Wii U and it looks great. Captain Olimar did not make an appearance, he seems to be missing, instead there are four new leaders to have control the 100 Pikmin you’ll see on screen. The Wii U GamePad will show an overall map as you move through the level with your colourful comrades including the new Rock Pikmin.

It’s a Me, Mario!

No new Nintendo console is complete without a new adventure for their mascot. Rather than a completely new style game Nintendo opted for a sequel to the Wii success, New Super Mario Bros, they have named it, New Super Mario Bros.U. Game play showed up to four players working their way through levels, new suits, and what appeared to be baby Yoshi’s, each with different abilites. New Super Mario Bros. U is expected to be a Wii U launch title.

Get Scribbling!

Scribblenauts will be coming to the Wii U as well as the 3DS. Scribblenauts Unlimited will allow players to not only use words but allow them to create anything they want in order to solve the myriad of puzzles. This is potentially one of the more exciting games that were shown!

Third Parties!

The Wii U will live or die depending on the involvement of third party publishers. Nintendo has never able to woo them before but it seems to have managed it with the Wii U. WB Games & Ubisoft both took to the stage to showcase what they have planned for the Wii U. Batman Arkham City: Armored Edition, Just Dance 4, ZombiU, SiNG, Mass Effect 3, Ninja Gaiden 3, Assassin’s Creed 3, Rayman Legends, Alien: Colonial Marines were just some of the names mentioned during the E3 show.

Everyone Loves Lego:

Lego City was teased at last years E3 but this year we got to see the game in action and it looks great. One of the highlights of the show, Lego City appears to be Travellers Tales take on the world of Grand Theft Auto. The characters speak, solve crimes, hunt for clues and make plenty of digs at popular culture. Lego City Undercover is the first real non licensed Lego game and it looks like it could be amazing.

Welcome to NintendoLand:

Wii Sports was a fantastic tech demo for the Wii. Along with Wii Play it allowed players to get to grips with the new controller and understand the way it interacted. NintendoLand appears to the Wii U’s Wii Sports. It is a giant theme park with 12 different zones. Each of these zones will represent a different Nintendo franchise, from Donkey Kong to Zelda, each zone will contain minigames that will show players the potential for the Wii U GamePad. NintendoLand will launch with the Wii U but no news on if it will be bundled in the box as Wii Sports was.

Reggie teased that the Wii U may launch towards the end of the year around the Christmas season. They have a lot more planned between now and then so my advice is to keep tuned!