One surprisingly belated addition amidst all of these eShop hullabaloo was Ubisoft’s highly anticipated platformer/RPG hybrid, Child of Light, which will be arriving on the Wii U eShop. A new trailer was shown, but it basically re-treaded what those looking forward to the game already knew, including the premise of finding light sources to battle the Evil Queen, and the hybrid of turn-based combat and puzzle-heavy platforming gameplay set within the kingdom of Lemuria.
A new element shown off however was a sidekick character, a light creature of sorts called Iniculus, who can assist player character, Aurora by lighting up pathways, healing Aurora’s party in battle, and distracting enemy monsters. Igniculus can also apparently write messages of light to assist other players, which could potentially be a good way to tie Miiverse into the game’s Wii U build. A second player can even directly control Igniculus to assist the main player in their quest.
While there wasn’t much new beyond some details on Igniculus, it was still nice to see Nintendo finally acknowledge one of the most promising digital download games that they’ve managed to secure for the Wii U eShop! The segment concluded with a reminder that the game will be coming to the Wii U eShop, amongst competing platforms, on April 30th.
As the presentation shifted back to Nintendo’s Japanese headquarters, a new launch trailer was shown for Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, mainly showing off the fast-paced, challenging and very impressive-looking level design across several corners of the game. It was just a trailer, but it’s an effective way to get players pumped for the imminent release of the game!
Most interesting here is the subtle confirmation that the game will feature an online leaderboard via Nintendo Network, encouraging players to see how they stack up in a game that’s already going out of its way to be quite challenging to play!
Regardless, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze will soon come to Wii U, on February 21st.
Another surprise announcement for the Wii U eShop followed, this time related to surprise offering and subsequent hit, NES Remix, which re-imagines the play styles of early NES games, and re-purposes them into specialized player challenges. Specifically, NES Remix will be receiving a sequel. That was fast!
NES Remix 2 will focus on later and larger NES releases, specifically: Ice Hockey, Wario’s Woods, Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, Super Mario Bros. 2 (North America), Dr. Mario, Kirby’s Adventure, Super Mario Bros. 3, Kid Icarus, Punch Out!!, Metroid, Mario Open Golf, and Super Mario Bros. 2 (Japan).
Not only will NES Remix 2 provide challenges for players based on these games, but it will also provide yet more eccentric re-imagined challenges, including having Samus Aran blast through Super Mario Bros. blocks, Super Mario Bros. 2’s Princess Peach battling Super Mario Bros. 3’s Bowser, and Zelda II’s Link cutting his way through enemies from Super Mario Bros.
As if that weren’t enough, NES Remix 2 comes with a full bonus game, Super Luigi Bros., which appears to be officially extending the Year of Luigi into overtime. Super Luigi Bros. is a complete, working emulation of the original Super Mario Bros. on NES, only you play as Luigi, complete with his trademark high jump, and move right-to-left instead of left-to-right through each stage. It’s a subtle change, but it’s sure to provide a very fresh, cool way to enjoy a well-established gaming classic!
NES Remix 2 comes to the Wii U eShop on April 25th, so if you’re up for another Remix, you won’t have long to wait!