Nintendo announced their first quarter 2013 lineup for both the Wii U and 3DS this morning, revealing a relatively lackluster release schedule for their new console that is highlighted by a handful of big titles, like Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate.
Capcom’s Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate will launch on March 19, 2013 in North America for the Wii U and 3DS, and on March 22nd across Europe. The game will be available for purchase on launch day as both a boxed retail product and as a digital download on both systems. Capcom also announced that they are planning to release a Wii U/3DS demo of Ultimate via the Nintendo eShop on February 21st (the latest screenshots and trailer for the Wii U and 3DS versions of Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate can be found at the bottom of this post).
Outside of Capcom’s latest Monster Hunter title, the rest of the Wii U lineup for the first quarter is pretty slim. Ubisoft’s Rayman Legends (due out February 26th) and the long-awaited Aliens: Colonial Marines (due sometime during the first quarter) are probably the biggest highlights on the list — as a side note: Activision’s The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct is scheduled for March 26th, however, you would be well advised to remove that from your most anticipated list.
Part of the reason for the rather sparse Wii U first quarter is the announcement that Game & Wario, The Wonderful 101 (which truly does look wonderful), and Wii Fit U have officially joined the already delayed Pikmin 3 in retreating from the console’s launch window lineup. All four titles are now officially listed as coming out sometime during the second quarter of this year.
Nintendo also revealed that they will release a Wii U GamePad Accessory Set on February 4th for $12.99. The set includes a screen protector for the GamePad, as well as an “extra-large stylus” and cleaning cloth.
The 3DS lineup is a little more uplifting, and is highlighted (at least for me) by the release of Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon on March 24th. Sadly, Nintendo did not reveal a North American release date for the Japanese smash hit Animal Crossing: New Leaf.
Check out the full list of upcoming Wii U and 3DS games below, and make sure not to miss all the new Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate assets at the bottom of the post.
Wii U
Activision
- The Amazing Spider-Man™ Ultimate Edition – March
- The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct – March 26
Capcom
- Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate – March 19
D3Publisher
- The Croods: Prehistoric Party! – March 19
Electronic Arts
- Need For Speed Most Wanted – March 19
Nintendo
- LEGO® City: Undercover – March 18
SEGA
- Aliens™: Colonial Marines – Q1
Ubisoft
- Rayman® Legends – Feb. 26
Nintendo eShop for Wii U
Gaijin Games
- BIT.TRIP Presents… Runner2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien – Q1
Neko
- Puddle – Q1
SEGA
- The Cave™ – Jan. 22
TECMO KOEI AMERICA Corp.
- Fist of the North Star®: Ken’s Rage 2 – Feb. 7
Two Tribes
- Toki Tori 2 – Q1
Zen Studios
- Zen Pinball 2 – Q1
Wii
D3Publisher
- The Croods: Prehistoric Party! – March 19
Talking Stick Games
- Kids Learn Pets and Vets Bundle – March 12
XSEED Games
- Pandora’s Tower™ – Spring
Nintendo 3DS
ATLUS (Index Digital Media, Inc.)
- Etrian Odyssey™IV: Legends of the Titan – Feb. 26
- Shin Megami Tensei®: Devil Summoner®: Soul Hackers – April 16
Capcom
- Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate – March 19
D3Publisher
- The Croods: Prehistoric Party! – March 19
Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.
- Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate – March 5
- Pro Evolution Soccer 2013 3D – Feb. 12
Little Orbit
- Monster High™ Skultimate Roller Maze™ – March 13
NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.
- NARUTO® Powerful Shippuden – March 5
Nintendo
- Brain Age™: Concentration Training – Feb. 10
- Fire Emblem Awakening – Feb. 4
- LEGO® City Undercover: The Chase Begins – April 21
- Luigi’s Mansion™: Dark Moon – March 24
- Pokémon™ Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity – March 24
SEGA
- Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed™ – Feb. 12
Nintendo eShop for Nintendo 3DS
Agetec, Inc.
- Bloody Vampire – Jan. 31
- Witch’s Cat – Jan. 31
Big John Games
- Coaster Creator 3D – Q1
Capcom
- Resident Evil®: The Mercenaries 3D – Q1
Disney Interactive
- Disney/Pixar Finding Nemo: Escape to the Big Blue – Jan. 17
Maximum Games
- Deer Drive Legends – Jan. 17
Nicalis
- Ikachan – Q1
- Guxt – Q1
Nintendo
- Tokyo Crash Mobs™ – Jan. 17
- Fire Emblem Awakening DEMO – Jan. 17
- Brain Age™: Concentration Training DEMO – Jan. 24
Renegade Kid
- ATV Wild Ride 3D – Q1
Rising Star Games
- Jewel Master: Cradle of Egypt 2 – March 19
Shin’en
- Nano Assault EX – Q1
Ubisoft
- Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon® Shadow Wars – Jan. 24
- Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell® 3D – Q1
Nintendo DS
D3Publisher
- The Croods: Prehistoric Party! – March 19
Talking Stick Games
- Kids Learn Animals Bundle – Feb. 26
- Kids Learn Math and Spelling Bundle – Feb. 26
- Kids Learn Pets and Horse Bundle – March 26
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