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 showcase for the system. It's an exclusive that in future, perhaps, will be recognised more for its merits.
It's no secret that a prototype was once in development, as it was very publicly announced, yet it was ultimately cancelled and mothballed - the original had failed to make a profit. Naturally Unseen64 has been busy digging up details, and some snippets around the prototype that was in development have emerged. Primarily it would have featured a co-op mode, in which one player uses the GamePad and another uses a Pro Controller - though not a co-op mode, the original's local multiplayer option utilised both controllers in interesting ways.
The setting would have been post-apocalyptic, naturally, but more run down by the zombie hoards. In addition there would have been multiple routes in levels, possibly splitting up players in co-op. Like many sequels, it seems that the small prototype team was keen on taking it up a notch from the excellent but slightly rushed original.
Unfortunately it never saw the light of day, and isn't likely to be revived soon. Would you have liked a sequel to ZombiU, perhaps on the proviso it wouldn't be called ZombiU 2?
[source eurogamer.net]
Comments 65
A tragedy it never happened.... in fact, most news about the Wii U like this one just make me terribly sad. =(
For the record, it was from Unseen64 Podcast Episode 2, which also had Metroid 3DS details. https://www.patreon.com/creation?hid=1647106
I really liked ZombiU, it reminded me of the old school survival horror games.
Yes the combat was haphazard and unreliable but that was kinda the point, you was playing a Joe-Public and not special agents or rambo types. The permadeath really gave death a tangible fear, doubly so if your character had been doing well
I played the demo. Scared the crap out of me and that was the only reason I didn't buy the game. Looked good. Just that after the first Fatal Frames I've never been able to play really "GOT YA POOPITYPOOP PANTS!" -scary games anymore.
Zombi U is one of the freakiest games ever. It even beat the scares of resident evil for me.
Awesome game, shame it was so underappreciated.
ZombiU was survival horror done right, nothing else to say. Sad it did not reach enough sales.
It's one of the most underrated zombie game, and it's the only one I played that really makes you fear zombies.
Talking about horror games, where's the UE/US version of the last Fatal Frame?
I never got Nintendoland as I purchased the ZombiU bundle on day one instead. Love the game, just sad that it was under appreciated.
I feel that this kinda thing could be Nintendo’s problem in future when launching new consoles - third party exclusives doing badly and thus helping lead to more situations like the Wii U where they ignore the system altogether.
Maybe it'll make a comeback on nx?
Too bad, Zombi U is for me one the best games this gen and sequel very easy could be better.
Still one of the best experiences on the WiiU. While it had its flaws which could be improved in a sequel, I doubt that a sequel would have felt as original.
total shame. Completed it and definitely a keeper, looking forward to replaying it again
Like everyone else said, it was a great game that did the survival horror/zombies correctly. Sad that it didn't get the sequel... Hopefully they'll consider it for the NX. Or at the very least a Nintendo funded sequel.
Perhaps if we ever get a sequel, they could advertise it during The Walking Dead (provided it's still on in some form) . That's just marketing gold/genius.
Can't believe it! The original is still my favourite horror of all time. A sequel would have been amazing
As much as I dislike dual stick controls I could have coped with that, but using two buttons for your default attack (and awkwardly at that) was a deal-breaker. Patch it to make it a simple single button press and I'd be there.
Before "Dying Light", there was ZombiU.
While it wasn't the commercial success Ubisoft was hoping for, ZombiU got the ball rolling for what has now become the next step in survival horror games. It had it's flaws, but the direction of the game was definitely the correct one. And it's a shame that Ubisoft didn't take a second stab with a sequel.
If anyone from Ubisoft ever reads this, we want another ZombiU game... NOT a "Just Dance" game or other piece of lame casual fodder.
Usually I don't like zombie games but there was something about ZombiiU that made me enjoy it enough to start a new game as soon as I had finished it. Shame we won't get a sequel since I would certainly have bought it.
I actually loved ZombiU, and I would have loved a sequel to this game, especially if it had co-op and multiple paths. That would of made it a must play for me since I considered the first game to be one of the only survival zombie games I've seen that does survival right. Disappointing.
ZombiU is a very good game. $60 was way too much for it though. It should have shipped at $40.
Was it that big of a sale's flop, or are they just using that as an excuse? I think for a launch title its done alright globally? Anyway. I'm actually waiting on ZombiU arriving, I bought it last week, really looking forward to it
I've bought this game twice , once at full price at launch. And then again when it was on sale for €9.99 last year. Do Ubisoft make any money from sales on the eshop for this game?
Everyone should buy it when it's on sale again on the eshop. Such a great game very underappreciated.
I would think, just maybe, the sequel could come out for the 'NX' maybe. Or it could come to the ps4 and xbone. It's a great franchise that I'd like to see more of and I'd find it very strange for Ubisoft not to try (milk it, even with not great sales) again.
Would love more Zombi U. Its such a great game.
It would have been a better game for me if it uses full gyro aiming. The zombies are all over me before I can even aim on their heads properly
I think I'll always regret that this game never got its well-deserved sequel.
I still think Nintendo should buy the rights and hand it to Retro.
I loved Zombie U. If a sequel ever gets made, I would buy it immediately.
I do wonder if ubi are using sales as an excuse. I've seen sales figures putting this at just over 800k (higher than w101 or bayo2), that was before me n a few friends bought our copies so it's still selling to some degree at least.when you factor in digital sales and the lack of data on them and the amount of people who buy pre-owned (the only non 2nd hand games in my local game are first party titles) then Id say it's pretty likely more than a million copies have been sold in total.
@readyletsgo I dont really see it working on X1/PS4 as well as the Wii u did. their off-screen functions (smartglass and Vita) dont work any where near as good the game pad, they work fine when it comes to sending information from the game to it but aren't that quick on the return trip. the exclusions to that are destiny and battlefield dedicated apps that work with the game's servers and not the game itself.
It's nice to see so many people liked this game. I just started playing and I'm alteady loving it! It really feels like a SURVIVAL horror game.
Too bad we won't see a sequel, Zombi U2 would've sold well just because of its name
did you guys cover this months ago? or is it just a slow day?
anyway yeah it sucks see that could of been a good thing to release this year now that zelda is gone
Ive alwayd said Zombie U2 was the game Ubi was sitting on for Wii U. Guess not. Still, I think it could have done well if Nintendo ever lived up to its word and gave us dual Gamepad support. Not sure how they could have released Wii U too underpowered too handle 2 Gamepads, it would be such a natural 2 player experience for Zombi U2, Splatoon and Starfox. I mean really, the system had been put for 2 1/2 years and they dont sell the controller separatly? Thats more lost profit for them.
My kid was raging playing the final boss in Kirby Rainbow Curse and all I kept thinking was - "don't break the controller, we cant buy a new one." They sold probably over a million Wii Fit boards for $80 for 1 game (now 2). I think they could sell a bunch of 2nd Gamepafs for Stargox, Splatoon and Zombi U2. If the hardware wasnt good enough to support 2, should have used better hardware.
@Sir_JBizzle Walking Dead season finale had over 15 million viewers ( and I'd bet that many downloads) so it probably still has a few years left.
I think this franchise will make another return, just without the "U" at the end, and not on Nintendo systems. I wouldn't be surprised to see Ubisoft churn out another attempt on friendlier markets--other consoles and Steam.
Ubisoft canceled a Wii U game? gasp
@ThomasBW84
So this is in regard to Ubisoft, right? Nothing to do with the Bandai Namco (Amazon, I think) picking up the name?
Zombi U is the most underrated game ever! A sequal would of been great!
@FragRed I purchased the Zombi U bundle and it came with a d/l code for Nintendo Land.
One of the best games ever. Certainly the best Zombie game ever.
Fffffffffffffffuuuuuuuuuu
Reading these comments makes me feel like I played a different game than everyone else hahaha. Thought the game was bloody awful and wouldn't touch a sequel without some MAJOR changes.
But yeah, opinions.
Honestly, this game was the best use of the gamepad that I have played yet. I think it would sell a lot more considering there's more wii u's out there now.
I loved Zombi U. I played it intensely and thoroughly to the end on the weekend I got it. Honestly and on normal mode, so yeah I kinda died a few times. I liked it so much I actually bought a few used copies for friends that got a Wii U, because the game was so cheap. I'd have a Bono for Zombi U2. I'd even play the sequel on another system, though it would feel naked without the Gamepad. R.I.P. Item dupe glitch, you made replay value interesting before the patch. LOL!
As soon as I get enough balls to play the ZombiU copy I got since launch, I'll join the ZombiU chant. It takes me a long while to play these type of games, same thing with RE4 back then.
Despite it's flaws, ZombiU was still the freshest and best horror survival game I've played in a long time, probably since RE4. If only Ubisoft had taken more time, rushing game effectively killed it's sales. Not only would I buy a sequel if the ever made one, I'd even crowdfund/kickstart it
The game is the best proof that gameplay itself can be art. In a way, the game is like virtual reality in its involvement of the player.
I beat this game twice which almost never happens. In the future I'll get to it once more. There is something about this game that just fascinates me so much. The setting, the atmosphere... The London suburb in gloomy daylight... Actually, I want to play this right now
The first one was.... meh....
That's a shame, I'd love to see a sequel.
This makes me sad.
@dumedum That upsets me as I never got any download code for Nintendoland
Thanks Ubisoft for pulling the plug on Wii U! /sarcasm
ZombieU is a fantastic game and is one of the reasons I bought a WiiU.
Man a Coop heavy sequel would have been amazing. What a miss
I would have loved to see a sequel, but at this point I'm not sure I would touch it if Ubisoft is involved. They've burned their bridges.
Gee thanks, Nintendo life
Most underrated game on the Wii U.....that I've played....maybe The Letter is actually totally sweet, I doubt it though
@rjejr No, the game Ubisoft was sitting on was some stupid casual trivia game or something. NL reported on it a month or so back. If you ask me they can have it. It was pure shovelware.
One of my favourite games really. By far not the best ever, but the slow gameplay and edge-of-seat atmosphere were incredible. A sequel that addresses the flaws and keeps what was right would be far better than whatever Assassin's Creed they plan on doing next...
It's a shame this wasn't continued. I tried to enjoy ZombiU, but my copy had swarms of bugs and glitches that forced me to reset several times and completely restart the game once too, because a bug where dying at a certain point prevented me from continuing. I eventually, through sometimes gritted teeth, beat the game.
The idea behind the game was incredible, though!
I loved zombiu. Still the best use of the gamepad. A coop heavy sequel would have been amazing. It was really the game that pushed me to get a wiiu. I told myself not to buy it at launch, I lasted like 3 days and picked it up. Looking back, this game might be my fav game so far this generation.
Really hope Ubi surprises everyone with this sequel. Noone thought Red Steel would get a sequel so theresa little bit of hope.
IGN rated it one of the best 25 Wii u games to date. Extremely cheap to pick it up. I just do not play survival horror anymore.
Sorry, UniSoft, but I have purchased your Just Dance games.
All Ubi cares about anyways is Assassins Creed. I don't expect great things from them.
@Mochtroid ditto! What this guy said. (Hint, Ubisoft, Hint...wink,wink...)
Sad, ZombiU was my favorite launch title on Wii U! Hopefully they will reconsider making a second one and possibly make it multiplatform so it can make a profit
@Peanutosan why didn't you like it? It's pretty intense and more of hands on experience. Plus the multiplayer battles were hours of fun for me and my friends (who didn't have high hopes for this title). It almost feels like you're part of the experience.
Maaaan, what a shame. I never picked up ZombiU, but this sequel sounds really cool. And I understand the respect it gets from those who have enjoyed it; I may well get it, at some point.
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