New Nintendo Land details released as Wii U launch approaches

29 October 2012 – Nintendo today revealed additional information about Nintendo Land, a game for the new Wii U console that will give players of all ages a fun, immersive way to discover the one-of-a-kind entertainment experiences offered by the system in both single and multiplayer play. Using the Wii U GamePad controller in unique ways, Nintendo Land lets Wii U owners explore a virtual theme park made up of 12 playable Attractions, each inspired by a popular Nintendo franchise. Both the game and the console will launch across Europe on 30th November.

In addition to previously released information about Attractions including Mario Chase, Metroid Blast, Luigi’s Ghost Mansion, The Legend of Zelda: Battle Quest, Pikmin Adventure, Animal Crossing: Sweet Day, Donkey Kong’s Crash Course, Takamaru’s Ninja Castle and Balloon Trip Breeze, Nintendo has shared the following details about Yoshi’s Fruit Cart, Octopus Dance and Captain Falcon’s Twister Race:

• Yoshi’s Fruit Cart: Using the GamePad touch screen and stylus, the player draws a path for the Yoshi Cart to follow through each course. However, only the view of the course displayed on the TV screen shows fruit that must be collected and obstacles that must be avoided along the way to the goal. This fun attraction is a great example of the kind of integrated second-screen gameplay made possible by Wii U and the GamePad controller.
• Captain Falcon’s Twister Race: In this single-player Attraction based on the F-Zero racing franchise, players get a top-down view of the track on the GamePad, which must be held vertically and turned to steer their vehicle through a winding, twisting track, trying to hit checkpoints before time runs out. Driving across dash plates can provide a quick burst of speed, while obstacles like speed spikes, whirlwinds, other vehicles and even bombs can make for a dangerous run.
• Octopus Dance: In this single-player attraction, players use the GamePad to mirror dance moves performed by a deep-sea dance instructor. The goal is to always be watching one’s own movements from the back to more easily mirror dance moves, but the dynamic interaction between the GamePad and the TV adds a unique twist. Players must be ready to switch between the views offered on the TV screen and the GamePad screen, as sometimes one view is more useful than the other.

Nintendo Land comes included in the Wii U Premium Pack, which will launch on 30th November. It will also be possible to purchase standalone Wii U hardware in the Wii U Basic Pack. Nintendo Land will also be offered as standalone software, both in stores and through Nintendo eShop for Wii U.

For more information about Nintendo Land, stay tuned to WiiU.co.uk in the run-up to the European launch on 30th November.