It’s probably escaped no one that many of the titles we’ll be seeing on Nintendo’s new console come launch day are ports. And with the Wii U’s release edging ever closer, we thought it’d be worth detailing what’s changed in the new versions, and whether or not you should consider picking them up even if you’ve played the originals. (Pro tip: there are a LOT of GamePad-screen maps.)
So without further ado, read on to discover IGN’s guide to the Wii U’s launch ports!
Mass Effect 3: Special Edition
What is it?
The denouement of Bioware’s epic RPG space odyssey, which ties up the story of Commander Shepherd.
When did the original arrive?
March 2012 for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC
What’s new on Wii U?
No new content, but some DLC will be integrated including the Extended Cut Ending, as well as the From Ashes bundle that adds squad member Javik and the Particle Rifle weapon. In terms of GamePad integration, the screen shows a map of players’ immediate surroundings with squadmates and enemies highlighted. Additionally, the touch-screen can be used to quickly select powers and weapons for use in battle.
Is it any good?
The game itself runs as well as it ever did, and using the GamePad to command your squadmates feels suitably cool, especially in the heat of battle. It can be difficult to keep track sometimes though, resulting in frustrating occasions when you look down to give commands on the GamePad only to come under heavy fire. As far as ports go though, it’s faithfully replicated and fairly well enhanced, but there is the lingering query of why the game was made at all. As the final chapter in a story that spans two meaty previous games, the fact only the final one is available on Nintendo’s console is a serious handicap. This also gets even more confusing when you consider that the Wii U appears to be the only console not in line to receive the recently announced Mass Effect Trilogy bundle; if any console could have done with giving new players the chance to experience the whole story, it’s this one.
Tekken Tag Tournament 2: Wii U Edition
What is it?
The latest instalment in the infamous beat-‘em-up franchise, and the sequel to 2000’s Tekken Tag Tournament.
When did the original arrive?
September 2012 for Xbox 360 and PS3.
What’s new on Wii U?
The game has a range of exclusive content not found in other versions. Aside from costumes inspired by classic Nintendo franchises including Mario, Metroid, Star Fox and The Legend of Zelda, there’s also the Mushroom Battle mode, where various mushrooms from the Mario series litter the arena. Picking one up causes players to grow or shrink and thus become harder to hit, and can also increase power or reduce health. While the final version will apparently make use of touch-based controls, we didn't get to try this out when we played.
Is it any good?
The new Mushroom Battle mode is surprisingly good fun; the added element of randomness it creates in fights makes it feel suitably different from the other modes on offer in the game, while the distinctive Nintendo aesthetic of the mushrooms gels surprisingly well with the mad designs of Namco’s finest fighters. As we didn't try out the GamePad we can’t be sure how well that works but the Wii U Pro Controller does take some getting used to. Because the face buttons are below the right analogue stick rather than above, as is the case on other platforms, it can feel weird at first. Ultimately though it's not much of an issue, as the D-pad and face buttons will be your focus anyway.
Ninja Gaiden III: Razor’s Edge
What is it?
The third game in which you take charge of ninja Ryu Hayabusa against the forces of darkness, featuring bloody hack ‘n’ slash combat.
When did the original arrive?
March 2012 on Xbox 360 and PS3.
What’s new on Wii U?
The best way to view Razor’s Edge is as the ultimate version of Ninja Gaiden 3, in a similar way to the Sigma versions of previous entries in the series. Alongside all the DLC from the original release included free of charge (such as Ryu’s scythe), new DLC will also be provided for free. Additionally, there are exclusive weapons and a brand new progression system focusing on unlockable abilities and upgradeable ninpo/weapons. More important than this for fans of the series, though, is the fact that Razor’s Edge boasts a huge increase in both difficulty and gore from its PS3 and Xbox 360 cousin. There’s also the option to play as the purple-haired Ayane for an impressively different gameplay experience, while the GamePad utilises the touchscreen to select weapons, easily perform ninpo, and upgrade your character on the fly.
Is it any good?
Of all the ports on offer at launch for the Wii U, Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge is far and away the most comprehensive. More than just an easy conversion, it’s practically a brand new game that fixes many of the terminal issues that plagued the original. As we’ve mentioned before, the most notable thing about playing the game is the brutal regularity with which you die. The difficulty curve has been brought back in line with previous incarnations of the series, and the increased gore makes your eventual success feel that much more spectacular. This is the version that should have been released on all platforms in the first place.
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed
What is it?
A kart race game featuring a wealth of familiar faces from SEGA’s biggest franchises…and a couple of lesser known ones too.
When did the original arrive?
November 2012 on Xbox 360, PS3, 3DS and Vita.
What’s new on Wii U?
As we’ve covered in detail previously, alongside the ability to race as your Mii, you’ll also be able to rotate the GamePad left and right like a wheel to steer your vehicle. The biggest addition though is a range of unique minigames that support up to five players via splitscreen in a similar style to Nintendo Land.
Is it any good?
The addition of the unique minigames makes it a more varied multiplayer experience than it is on other consoles, and the focus on playing with others slots in well with the console’s mantra. As the version of the game we played was still in-development, it’s unfair to call it out for bugs…but there were a lot of issues with the game. From unresponsive controls to graphical issues, there are a number of problems that need to be solved if the Wii U version is to be playable, let alone live up to its full potential.
Darksiders II
What is it?
The sequel to the original Darksiders sees you adventure as Death, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, and combines third-person action-adventure gameplay with RPG elements.
When did the original arrive?
August 2012 on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.
What’s new on Wii U?
As we revealed a couple of weeks ago, the Wii U version will essentially come packaged with all the game’s DLC, plus special inventory and control options. The Argul’s Tomb content will be available, but with additional exclusive dungeons and armour, while the Death Rides Pack will come with three new side quests. Also included will be the Angel of Death and Shadow of Death packs with new legendary armor and weapon choices, plus the upgraded horse speed boost from the Deadly Despair Pack. The GamePad will allow you to access and alter your inventory and abilities while on the fly and without pausing the game.
Is it any good?
The addition of all the DLC at no extra cost is a very nice touch, especially as several of them come with even more content that wasn’t originally included. Players also have access to unique legendary weapon and armour sets from the moment they start the game, so you won’t have to slog through hours of gameplay before getting to the juicy exclusives. More importantly than this though, the port is a smooth one and the game looks great on the console, while the GamePad controls make the game feel more action-packed as you no longer need to pause to change your gear. Like Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge, this isn’t just a port but rather a package that has been iterated and improved upon, and it really shows.
FIFA Soccer 13
What is it?
The 2013 edition of EA’s yearly footie sim, which sold silly numbers of copies when it launched earlier this year.
When did the original arrive?
September 2012 on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.
What’s new on Wii U?
You can use the GamePad to look around the stadium, as well as to shake and shoot. Tapping the touch screen decides where you shoot, and it can also be used to manage the game; calling for substitutions and sending players on a run or getting them to mark a man. In effect, this means you can have five players in a local match, with four being on the pitch and one acting as a manager.
Is it any good?
When we got our hands on the game a while ago, we found that using the touchscreen to aim shots was hit and miss; you need fast reactions to make the most of it, and nine times out of ten you're going to be swifter aiming with the controller. That's not to say this version doesn't have merits, though. The Lift and Look feature may be gimmicky, but it does give you the added vision to pick out the perfect pass, add curve and score inch-perfect free-kicks. Also, the ability to sit with a mate whilst one of you controls a player and the other acts as manager is pretty awesome.
Assassin’s Creed III
What is it?
The final chapter in Desmond Miles’ story: this time you control a half-English, half-Native American man named Connor Kenway during the events of the American Revolution.
When did the original arrive?
October 2012 on Xbox 360 and PS3, and November 2012 on PC.
What’s new on Wii U?
It’s pretty much the same game in terms of content, though there have been unconfirmed reports that the Wii U version runs at a slightly higher resolution. The GamePad means the map is always visible though, and you can use the touch-screen functionality to quickly access the weapons and tools you’re after without stopping the action.
Is it any good?
We didn’t actually get a chance to try out any assassination during our hands-on time with the Wii U version of the game; instead, we participated in one of the game’s much-hyped naval battles. The game plays smoothly enough, though there are good and bad aspects to the GamePad integration. While the omnipresent map and the ability to change maps on the go are useful on paper, in practice it’s quite disorientating. Looking away from the TV screen to change weapon made us a sitting duck for other ships, especially as the game doesn’t pause when you do this. Whether this means the touch-screen functionality will be all but abandoned by players during frenetic land-based combat remains to be seen.
Batman: Arkham City Armored Edition
What is it?
Take charge of the Caped Crusader in the Wii U port of the highly acclaimed open-world action-adventure game. It’s worth noting though that this version has been developed by WB Montreal; not Rocksteady Studios, who did the original.
When did the original arrive?
October 2011 on Xbox 360 and PS3, and November 2011 on PC.
What’s new on Wii U?
The Armored Edition has all the content from the original Arkham City alongside all the game’s DLC. There’s also the new Battle Armored Tech (B.A.T.) Mode, which essentially allows players to store energy during combat to unleash stronger attacks, and Armored Suits for both Batman and Catwoman. Additionally a range of minigames take place on the GamePad whenever you use Batman’s gadgets.
Is it any good?
There are moments when the new control mechanics work wonderfully. It always works best when using the touchscreen compliments what's happening onscreen. So in Arkham City, whenever Batman enters Detective Mode to search for clues, you're asked to hold up the GamePad and align it with your television. The screen on the GamePad is used to scan the area for streams of incriminating molecules or patches of blood. When you find a clue, you touch the screen to examine the evidence more closely. It works really well, but it hardly transforms the game. Selecting items from the GamePad's inventory, instead of the onscreen UI, feels overly fussy; you can map items to the D-pad, but it's still a bit fiddly and looking down from the screen every time you need a new item breaks the flow of the game. Another equally jarring moment comes when you try to use the remote batarang: as soon as you throw it, you need look down quickly at the GamePad's screen and guide it using the gyroscope. In summary: we're not sold on this one yet.
That’s the full list of ports we’ve managed to get our hands on, but there are a few others that will be appearing from the console’s launch. While we don’t have any experience with these ones, you can still check out what’s new below.
Call of Duty: Black Ops II
What is it?
The latest entry in the Call of Duty mega-franchise, Black Ops 2 sees Treyarch returning to the helm of the popular shooter to create a shooter that’s set in the 70s and 80s, as well as in 2025.
When did the original arrive?
November 2012 on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.
What’s new on Wii U?
It’s got the same single and multiplayer content on Wii U as on other consoles, but the GamePad means you can escape split screen if you want to play with a mate. In single player the GamePad works as a fully interactive map that you can check at any time without pausing the game. Also you can select your character’s loadout in between deaths using the screen, which makes the UI slightly cleaner. Finally, even if you want to use the Pro Controller or the Wiimote to play, the GamePad can still be used as a map, despite the fact you aren’t using the control functionality.
Skylanders Giants
What is it?
The sequel to 2011’s Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure sees you once again purchase plastic toys to unlock new playable characters, only this time it’s larger Skylanders known as “Giants”.
When did the original arrive?
October 2012 on Xbox 360, PS3, Wii and PC.
What’s new on Wii U?
There’s no new content, but the GamePad displays your character’s stats and objectives for the level you’re on, as well as the things you’ve collected. There are also some unique minigames that make use of the GamePad, such as a lockpicking game that requires you to tilt the controller to get through locked doors, and also one called Sky Stones where you drag and drop tiles.
Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two
What is it?
The sequel to Epic Mickey, you control Disney’s legendary mouse as he tries to save Wasteland. Unlike the first game, Oswald acts as a second player that the computer or a friend can control to fight alongside Mickey.
When did the original arrive?
November 2012 on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.
What’s new on Wii U?
Predictably the GamePad screen is used as a map, and markers can be placed to help you get around. Additionally, the touchscreen will allow you to do some very basic drawing.
Luke Karmali is IGN's UK Editorial Assistant. You too can revel in mediocrity by following him on IGN and on Twitter.
Source : ign[dot]com
