A concept trailer for the Wii U version of the upcoming sequel to Rayman Origins that was “leaked” online around a week ago has shed some light on previously unconfirmed details about the Wii U.
What we can learn from it:
- Rayman Legends is built around a new graphics engine that looks awesome.
- Rayman Legends will have new playable characters and modes.
- The Wii U dev kits available to big developers like Ubisoft still have tethered Wii U controllers
- The Wii U will have at least a decent online mode where you can see individual user names during play
- The Wii U controller can be used either as a regular controller for the game, or as an additional touch-screen view where the player with the Wii U controller can move platforms to help the other 3 players out.
- Wii U controller NFC (near field communication) technology is confirmed. Physical objects with NFC chips can be used to activate items or unlock levels, etc. in games.
- Use of the Wii U controller stylus is not depicted in the video, perhaps showing that Nintendo is encouraging more iPad-like use of the screen as opposed to DS-like usage.
- Only one Wii U controller is shown in use, making us that much more worried that Nintendo is indeed sticking with its one-per-system set-up. Maybe we’ll have to wait for the Wii U Too before we can play with friends who also have screen controllers.
What it doesn’t tell us:
- Anything about the final retail look of the Wii U or its controller
- To what extent NFC will be used in first party Nintendo Wii U games
- Anything about the full-out technological power of the Wii U
- When Rayman Legends is being released and by extension when the Wii U is being released
So, the new information is scant, but important in its own right. We’re still holding out hope that Nintendo’s going to sink a bit more money into the system to make it compatible with 2+ new controllers and have significantly better graphics than the PS3/360, but we’ll find out for sure or not when we attend E3 in less than a month, so stay tuned for more Wii U news as it breaks.