This morning, Nintendo unveiled the release dates for large number of 3DS and Wii U games. We now know that publisher Capcom should release Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate for Wii U and 3DS on March 19, however, we still don’t know anything about the North American release date for a handful of other expected games.
Here are the notable releases missing from the announcement:
- Animal Crossing: New Leaf (3DS)
- Game & Wario (Wii U)
- The Wonderful 101 (Wii U)
- Wii Fit U (Wii U)
Nintendo released Animal Crossing in Japan in November. We North Americans are waiting for our turn to pay off our mortgage, and it looks like we’ll have to continue waiting through March.
The three Wii U games missing are notable because Nintendo once promised them as “launch window” games for their new home console. To Nintendo, that window included all releases from the system’s November 18 launch through the end of March.
This is the first hint that Nintendo could delay Game & Wario, The Wonderful 101, or Wii Fit U.
In December, the publisher pushed another Wii U “launch window” game, Pikmin 3, into the spring.
We’ve contacted Nintendo to see if it officially delayed the release of Game & Wario, The Wonderful 1010, and Wii Fit U. We will update this story with its response.
The full release list
Wii U
Activision
- The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct: March 26
- The Amazing Spider-Man Ultimate Edition: Sometime in March
Capcom
- Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate: March 19
D3Publisher
- The Croods: Prehistoric Party!: March 19
Electronic Arts
- Need For Speed: Most Wanted: March 19
Nintendo
- Lego City: Undercover: March 18
Sega
- Aliens: Colonial Marines: Q1
Ubisoft
- Rayman Legends: Feb. 26
Nintendo eShop for Wii U
Gaijin Games
- Bit.Trip Presents … Runner2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien: Q1
Neko
- Puddle; Q1
Sega
- The Cave: Jan. 22
Tecmo Koei
- Fist of the North Star: Ken’s Rage 2: Feb. 7
Two Tribes
- Toki Tori 2: Q1
Zen Studios
- Zen Pinball 2: Q1
Nintendo 3DS
Atlus
- Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan: Feb. 26
- Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers: April 16
Capcom
- Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate: March 19
D3Publisher
- The Croods: Prehistoric Party!: March 19
Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.
- Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate: March 5
- Pro Evolution Soccer 2013 3D: Feb. 12
Little Orbit
- Monster High: Skultimate Roller Maze: March 13
Namco Bandai Games
- Naruto Powerful Shippuden: March 5
Nintendo
- Brain Age: Concentration Training: Feb. 10
- Fire Emblem Awakening: Feb. 4
- Lego City Undercover: The Chase Begins: April 21
- Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon: March 24
- Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity: March 24
Sega
- Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed: Feb. 12
Nintendo eShop for Nintendo 3DS
Agetec, Inc.
- Bloody Vampire: Jan. 31
- Witch’s Cat: Jan. 31
Big John Games
- Coaster Creator 3D: Q1
Capcom
- Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D: Q1
Disney Interactive
- Disney/Pixar Finding Nemo: Escape to the Big Blue: Jan. 17
Maximum Games
- Deer Drive Legends: Jan. 17
Nicalis
- Ikachan: Q1
- Guxt: Q1
Nintendo
- Tokyo Crash Mobs: Jan. 17
Renegade Kid
- ATV Wild Ride 3D: Q1
Rising Star Games
- Jewel Master: Cradle of Egypt 2: March 19
Shin’en
- Nano Assault EX: Q1
Ubisoft
- Ghost Recon Shadow Wars: Jan. 24
- Splinter Cell: 3D Q1