Nintendo Land is the Wii U's answer to the Wii launch title Wii Sports. The game contains 12 mini-games that act as a tutorial for the system's new innovative touchscreen control, the GamePad. The game also supports the Wii Remote and Nunchuk.
The game will be packed in with the Deluxe/Premium Bundles of the console in North America and Europe. For many gamers it will be the first title they play on their new system. So here is a round up of reviews for the game.
Game Informer says, "The collection doesn't captivate as much as it could. Still, despite some control foibles and a few uninteresting minigames, Nintendo Land gives players a proper introduction to the capabilities of the Wii U and its GamePad." Game Informer also says that the mini games' controls "put up a barrier with the learning curve, particularly in regards to the GamePad's inability to offer the accuracy required for Zelda's archery or Metroid's shooting." Game Informer gives Nintendo Land a 7-out-of-10 score.
IGN's review of the game is a bit more complimentary of the new game and says, "Nintendo Land is a brilliant show of what Nintendo's new console and tablet controller are capable of, and has far more depth and content then you'd expect from a mini-game collection. Throw in high scores to best, gold trophies to earn, stamp achievements to collect and tons of Plaza decorations to unlock, and what you've got is an experience that must not be missed, and probably the best show of Wii U available at launch." IGN gives the game an 8.7-out-of-10 score.
Joystiq says, "Nintendo Land is not Wii Sports, but it occupies a similar territory in the lineup of its new console," and that the game is "targeted at a much narrower audience than its pack-in predecessor, Wii Sports. Whether you think that's a problem in the long term depends on how loudly you've decried Nintendo over the last six years for "abandoning" its core. In the short term, it's a great party game for people in that audience." Joystiq rates the game 4-out-of-5 stars.
On review aggregating website Metacritic, the game currently has a rating of a 74-out-of-100 and has been reviewed by 15 critics. On GameRankings, the game currently holds an average score of 74.33 percent based on 12 reviews.
The Wii U will release in North America this Sunday Nov. 18 and will be available in two versions: a "Basic" white-colored version with 8 GB of internal Flash storage for $299.99 and a Deluxe black-colored version with Nintendo Land in-box, 32 GB of Flash storage, which includes stand and docks for $349.99.
Check our review round-up of New Super Mario Bros. U here. Find out what game we think you should buy on launch day here and learn more about the Wii U here.
