The Nintendo presentation certainly could have been better, however, we have to look at things rationally. Things are definitely stacking up better for Wii U than they were for the 3DS before it. The software promise is that at launch-New Super Mario Bros. U, Darksiders II, Nintendo Land, Rayman Legends, ZombiU, and more. The hardware is also promising. Even though the console itself may only be a bit more powerful, the controller truly does open up a whole realm of new possibilities. Here is hoping Miiverse is incorporated successfully. In game voice chatting with people who speak the same language as you is also a huge stride forward.
Nintendo is currently experiencing a transition period with the 3DS barely over a year old and the DS slowly being phased out and the Wii U looming over the horizon. The company's efforts today may not have been their best, however, they are worth commending. Last year the only new title we got was Luigi's Mansion 2 with some third party games shown in a Wii U reel. This year we received more third party support in another reel, the confirmation of an already announced Mario and Pikmin game, interesting new products appealing to a balance of gamers-both casual and hardcore-especially on Ubisoft's part, and a lot more. I'm personally very excited for Pikmin 3 and Batman Arkham City: Armored Edition. The first two Pikmin games were some of the most gorgeous and detailed for Gamecube and this third Wii U installment aims to improve. With both Wii U GamePad and Motion Plus support, moreover, everyone can find a comfortable play style. Batman, on the other hand, represents everything I want to see from a third party game utilizing the controller. It truly is the version providing the most immersion with the Bat's full arsenal at your fingertips.
And let's not be all doom and gloom just yet. After all, Nintendo still has a separate 3DS conference tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. Pacific. Sure, the focus will be on already announced games like New Super Mario Bros. 2, Animal Crossing: Jump Out, Paper Mario: Sticker Star, Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, and Castlevania: Lords of Shadow Mirror of Fate, however, it's certainly alright to be optimistic for one or two new titles both first and third party. Also, expect them to be rather significant titles and not dumb-down casual games since Nintendo-particularly now-is intent on keeping its dominant foothold on the handheld market. It's been two and a half years since the last handheld Zelda, three by year's end, and considering the fact that Phantom Hourglass was released just one year after Twilight Princess, all hope is not lost.