Bayonetta 2 Ha! Nintendo stole Bayonetta as an exclusive. Not only are we getting the sequel to one of the most ridiculously fun hack and slashers ever, but the Wii U sequel will also offer a download of the original game giving Nintendo players access for the first time.
It's a direct sequel to the first game, with Bayonetta seeking to save her friend Jeanne from the pits of Hell by traveling there with all the shooting and stabbing she's famous for. There's supposed to be a new two-player mode, which should be interesting to see how the Wii U's technology can be used for that purpose. Even if that falls flat though, I'm not going to miss a chance to play as Anime Ninja Mary Poppins if I can help it.
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker There's no good reason for it, but I've always liked Toad as a character ever since Super Mario Bros. 2. He's just adorable, but he's never gotten a spin-off. Well, thanks to the popularity of a mini-game in the Super Mario Land 3D series now he's taking center stage.
Treasure Tracker is very SML3D in execution, but Toad can't jump and that adds a new layer of difficulty and nuance to the puzzle aspect. Plus, there are mine cart riding aspects, and that's always going to improve any game you see it in. It's not big on my list of must-plays, but it has the potential to be a real sleeper hit.
Xenoblade Chronicles X This game alone is a reason to buy an entire console. The first Xenoblade Chronicles is honestly one of the best RPGs ever created, and Monolift Soft looks like they plan on working exclusively for Nintendo. Mark my words, this game will be worth every penny.
It uses the original battle system, but your characters now control giant battle mechs with transformative abilities similar to the Mechon in the first game. This time, there will also be fighting in the air, which is inventive no doubt. These are just the bells and whistles. Even though details are sketchy so far, the near-perfection of Xenoblade Chronicles promises us another excellent mixture world-building, action, and plot that kept me busy for 500 hours over the course of two years.
Jef has a new story, a tale of headless strippers and The Rolling Stones, available now in Broken Mirrors, Fractured Minds. You can also connect with him on Facebook.
