News Articles
Thursday24th Nov 2022
Video Nintendo Land Will Likely Never Come To Switch, But That's Okay
Catching up on the Wii U launch title
The Wii U had a pretty dull launch line-up, all told. There, we said it. Between the likes of New Super Mario Bros. U, ZombiU, and Mass Effect 3, there was a general consensus that while all of these games are undoubtedly good, they didn't exactly set the world on fire and justify the Wii U as a "must-have"...
Monday21st Nov 2022
Video Remembering 10 Years Of Wii U
Looking back on the console's launch and legacy
The Wii U is now ten years old. Crazy, right? The successor to the WIi launched back in November 2012 to - shall we say - lukewarm reception. Nevertheless, for fans of Nintendo, it remains a quaint and beloved entry to the company's console line-up, introducing the likes of Splatoon, Xenoblade...
Saturday3rd Sep 2022
News Ubisoft Will Now Close Online Services For Three Wii U Titles In October
Shut down was originally planned for this month
Back in July, Ubisoft announced it would be shutting down multiple online services for a selection of its older games on 1st September. This included the Wii U versions of Assassin's Creed 3, Rayman Legends and ZombiU. Well, we're now past that date - and Ubisoft
Saturday2nd Jul 2022
News Ubisoft Closing Online Services For Three Wii U Titles This September
To focus resources on "newer" and "more popular titles"
The Wii U generation saw Nintendo embrace online gaming more than the previous generations, and naturally, third-party developers at the time took advantage of this new focus. Unfortunately, these kinds of services have to eventually wind down, and Ubisoft has decided September 1st is the time...
Tuesday3rd Nov 2015
News ZombiU Servers Reanimate After Being Down for Several Months
Graffiti is back!
Though it's ancient history now by game industry standards, ZombiU is arguably one of only a few games on the Wii U to fully make usage of the GamePad, and the launch title is still a decent survival horror romp for those who might be interested. One rather neat feature of the game was a form of asymmetrical online multiplayer...
Tuesday18th Aug 2015
Video Here's How Zombi Shapes Up Against The Original ZombiU
Reanimated
As we already know, Ubisoft has dusted off its Wii U launch title ZombiU and released it on the PS4, Xbox One and PC at a budget price, minus all the second-screen malarkey which made the Nintendo edition so tense and compelling. The publisher has insisted that the port features visual improvements - despite the evidence
Thursday30th Jul 2015
News Zombi Reveal Trailer Suggests That Wii U Gamers Need Not Be Too Jealous
Re-animated rather than brought to life
ZombiU was a standout game at the Wii U's launch, bringing some excellent horror to the system while utilising the GamePad to enhance the experience. It was a tad rough around the edges, like launch games often are, but nevertheless did a lot of good things. News of its impending re-release on PS4 and Xbox...
Thursday9th Jul 2015
News Ubisoft's Former Wii U Exclusive ZombiU Confirmed For PS4 & Xbox One Release
Now titled Zombi
At the beginning of last month, a reportedly reliable source informed Unseen64 that Ubisoft was busy porting its Wii U launch title, ZombiU, to the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One as it had failed to generate any profit for the French publisher as an exclusive to Nintendo’s latest home platform. While the news was filed under the...
Wednesday10th Jun 2015
Rumour ZombiU Is Shedding Its Wii U Exclusivity To Infect The PlayStation 4 And Xbox One
Ubisoft bringing the game back from the dead?
ZombiU was a fantastic Wii U launch title, but one which sold poorly and didn't generate any profit for publisher Ubisoft. Its dismal commercial performance put the brakes on the development of a sequel, but it would appear that the French company is now looking for alternative ways of generating more
Tuesday31st Mar 2015
News Cancelled ZombiU Sequel Prototype Featured Co-Op and Alternate Routes
An apocalyptic setting, too
While pack-in Nintendo Land and New Super Mario Bros. U were the highest profile launch titles with the Wii U, it was certainly ZombiU that was next in line. An 18-rated, gory survival horror experience that made clever use of the GamePad, it was - despite the inevitable flaws that come with a launch day title - a strong...
Friday31st Oct 2014
Video Join Us For Nintendo Life's Haunting Halloween Night In
No Tricks here, just Treats for your Wii U and 3DS
Halloween is a wonderful time of year to watch scary movies, eat candy and play spooky video games, as opposed to being out in the cold. To help you decide on your entertainment for this ghoulish evening, we've come up with a list of games that can be played on your Wii U and 3DS, with many of these...
Monday11th Aug 2014
Nintendo Download 14th August (Europe)
More Mega Man, Pets and a whole load of discounts
It's time for our regular Monday fix of Nintendo Download Update news for Europe, with this week's releases not bursting at the seams with new content. We do have a particularly good Game Boy title on offer, however, while there are some tasty discounts including some of the best games for Wii U and...
Thursday17th Apr 2014
Nintendo Download 17th April (North America)
Classic Mario, GBA treats, HD Flowerworks, smashing cats and much more
It's Nintendo Download time, North America, and this week brings some rather tempting offerings to both the Wii U and 3DS. There are retro classics on both Virtual Consoles along with brand new software, while some discounts and a major retail title also make an appearance. Let's...
Wednesday26th Mar 2014
News Ubisoft Discounts 18 Games on the North American eShop Stores
Wii U and 3DS both covered
Ubisoft has run some attractive promotions on the eShop platforms in recent months, and has struck again with 18 fresh discounts in North America. Announced earlier this week over on the Ubisoft blog, Nintendo has now updated its eShop offers web page to show off the discounts available. These prices are available now and...
Thursday26th Dec 2013
Nintendo Download 26th December (North America)
Dr. Luigi, CastleStorm, Pokémon Bank, many discounts and more
Update: Perhaps unsurprisingly, Nintendo has now confirmed that the release of Pokémon Bank is delayed, contrary to the Download Update issued on Boxing Day. Original Article: Nintendo is yet to update its official press site, but the latest Download Update details have been...
Monday23rd Dec 2013
Nintendo Download 26th December and 2nd January (Europe)
Storming castles, classic Mario, Pokémon banking, EDGE and much more
Update: Nintendo of Europe issued details for two full weeks of downloads previously, so a fresh update isn't expected. Please note that Pokémon Bank has been delayed due to the Nintendo Network server issues encountered during the festive season. Original Article: With this...
Wednesday20th Nov 2013
News Fire Emblem: Awakening and ZombiU Developers Outline the Challenges of Permadeath
"[Writing ZombiU] was the toughest challenge...in over 10 years of writing"
In an era of gamers regularly debating the level of challenge offered in modern titles, an argument that can be tough to resolve, the concept of permadeath is a relatively rare feature that caters to those seeking a lack of compromise in their experiences. Taking away...
Monday4th Nov 2013
Nintendo Download 7th November (Europe)
Wii Sports returns, Layton's legacy, Olympics, Batman and much more
The download details for Europe arrived a little later than usual this week, possibly because it's a rather lengthy release list. We have high profile retail games on Wii U and 3DS, along with some interesting download-only options and discounts both permanent and temporary. There's...
Monday28th Oct 2013
Nintendo Download 31st October (Europe)
Free fitness for U, Castlevania gets super, a lot of discounts and more
This week's download news for Europe arrived a little later than normal, which we'll assume is an attempt to creep us out before they arrive on the creepiest day of the year. This time around we're light on new releases, though a major Wii franchise makes its awaited début on...
Friday23rd Aug 2013
News Ubisoft: ZombiU Development Was a Learning Experience in Second Screen Gameplay
Have "learned some interesting [things about] gameplay thanks to the Wii U"
When the Wii U launched it was inevitable that the day one library would make sketchy use of the system's GamePad. Nintendo Land was a showcase, but other releases such as Assassin's Creed III did little beyond offer menus, maps and a horse whistle. One of Ubisoft's other...
Monday8th Jul 2013
News Ubisoft CEO Admits ZombiU Sales Were Disappointing, No Plans For Sequel
Staying dead
Despite rumours that a sequel is in the works, it would appear that ZombiU won't be turning into a franchise — at least not solely on the Wii U. Speaking to GamesIndustry International, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot has revealed that the game was "not profitable" and that there are "no plans" — or even the desire — to make a...
Monday3rd Jun 2013
Nintendo Download 6th June (Europe)
Spelunking, questing for jewels and discounts galore
It's the start of another week, which means it's time for those of us in Europe to dive into this week's Nintendo Download update. We have the most iconic puzzle game of all, as well as some alternative puzzling and strategy titles joining in. Only the Wii misses out this week, with its successor...
Tuesday14th May 2013
News ZombiU Developer Hints at a Sequel, Sort Of
ZombiU2?
Over the weekend we saw a fairly innocuous Tweet from Jean-Philippe Caro, a Creative Director at Ubisoft. He was asked by a fan about the potential for a sequel to ZombiU, the Wii U launch title that certainly had some staunch supporters, including some members of the Nintendo Life staff. Here was his rather vague reply. [tweet It seemed...
Wednesday27th Mar 2013
News ZombiU Patch Rises From The Grave To Harass The Living
Long-expected fix now hitting Wii U consoles worldwide
ZombiU is a fantastic game, but like so many modern titles, it shipped with a few bugs which have impacted the enjoyment of many players. Ubisoft confirmed that a patch was incoming a while ago, and we're now hearing reports that it's live. We don't currently have any solid details about what...
Tuesday26th Mar 2013
News ZombiU Developers Talk Permadeath And Protagonists
Giving new meaning to "silent protagonist"
At this year's GDC, Ubisoft Montpellier gave a post-mortem discussion on their Wii U launch title, ZombiU, discussing the genesis of the game and the unique approach they took to involving the player in the story. First shown at E3 2011 as the darkly comical Killer Freaks From Outer Space, story design...
Monday18th Mar 2013
Nintendo Download 21st March 2013 (Europe)
Monstrous quests, reckless driving, retro boxing, a big sale and more
It's Monday, so you know what that means Europe. It's time for the Nintendo Download update news, letting us know what'll be dropping onto our systems later this week; we have a lengthy list that includes the latest €0.30 / £0.30 Wii U Virtual Console promotion, some...
News Shaun Of The Dead Star Seems Pleased With ZombiU Homage
You've got red on you
We've all heard of life imitating art, but what about art imitating art? That's exactly what has happened with ZombiU, as it gives the player a cricket bat as their only melee option — a loving nod to the seminal 2004 British horror comedy Shaun of the Dead. In case you haven't seen it, the film focuses on one man's quest to...
Tuesday19th Feb 2013
News Surprise Ubisoft Sale Arrives on Wii U eShop in North America
Should be codenamed "Operation Rayman Appeasement"
There's certainly been a lot of fiery outrage around the web and here on Nintendo Life in the past week, with Ubisoft being a target following its delay of Rayman Legends on Wii U — implemented in order to accommodate a simultaneous release on Xbox 360 and PS3. Wii U owners excited about the game...
Friday8th Feb 2013
News New ZombiU Hardware Bundle Shuffling Towards North America
Will cost $389.99, also includes a ZombiU art book and download of Nintendo Land
With the Wii U launch window approaching its close and Nintendo turning attentions to boosting sales, Nintendo of America is lining up a new hardware bundle to hit stores in the U.S. and Canada on 17th February. The ZombiU Deluxe Set is notably picking up on the bundle...
Wednesday6th Feb 2013
News Ubisoft Studio Boss: People "Need to Experience" Wii U to Understand It
"The depth of what you can do with that console is really hard to get across"
With Wii U now settling into the home stretch of its "launch window", and with the recent sales figures and projections from Nintendo's financial results, there's plenty of discussion around the system's early days and its potential for the future. A theme that's been...