Sonic to return and save the day…..for Wii U

Good news for Nintendo Wii U and 3DS owners emanating from the US as it appears Nintendo has signed an exclusive worldwide partnership with SEGA.

This will enable them to continue the current trend of legacy games on their new devices.

While launch dates and details of titles will be advised at a later date, it is widely speculated that classic Sonic the Hedgehog titles will be available to download via the Nintendo e-shop/e-store (depending on region) and a new Mario and Sonic series title that has served both companies so will in the past.

Although not giving specifics Nintendo have confirmed the following via Nintendo Direct; The game includes a variety of sports including curling, skiing, snowboarding, figure skating pairs and snowboard slope-style.

Different events might use the Wii Remote Plus controller, Wii U Game Pad or both.

In addition to realistic events, the game also includes those set in the worlds of Sonic and Mario that let players perform moves not possible in real life.

This is welcome news for Nintendo as their CEO Satoru Iwata shouldered responsibility for sluggish sales of the new console, he stated on CNBC; "We are to blame," he said. "We relaxed our [marketing] efforts, so the consumers today still cannot understand what's so good and unique about the Wii U.

"Because we're always trying to be unique, it takes some energies on our side to [make] people understand the real attractions about whatever we are doing."

Many others are blaming the slow uptake of units on the lack of a flagship title to help new and possible users realise the benefits of the Wii U.

When the original Wii was launched the use of the wireless remote and nun-chuck attachment seemed alien to most gamers but the console came with Wii-Sports and users quickly got the hang of the concept and controls.

This however has not been the case with the Wii U something which the CEO accepts has limited people from even trying the console, “We have been unsuccessful in coming up with one single (piece of) software with which people can understand” he said.

This issue has resulted in poor sales figures for the console. In the first five months since release it has sold 1.1 million units – compared with 2.1 million original Wii’s when it was released.

This has probably led to Nintendo pinning some of its future hopes on old heroes, Sonic and Mario to help showcase the Wii U’s talents and sway would be consumers from saving their cash for Sony and Microsoft’s offerings.

David Williams