Nintendo has surprised analysts by unveiling a list of titles it plans to release in 2007 in Japan. The list includes some of the biggest franchises held by the Japanese gaming giant such as the highly anticipated Metroid Prime 3: Corruption and the Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Mario Galaxy titles.
The full list announced includes:
- Donkey Kong Taru Jet Race (DK Jet or DK Bongo Blast, US) - June 28, 2007
- Wii Health Pack -- 2007
- Disaster: Day of Crisis - 2007
- Mario Party 8 - 2007
- Project H.A.M.M.E.R. - 2007
- Wii Music - 2007
- Super Mario Galaxy - 2007
- Super Smash Bros. Brawl - 2007
- Battalion Wars II - 2007
- Forever Blue - 2007
- Mario Strikers Charged - 2007
- Metroid Prime 3: Corruption - 2007
- Mario and Sonic at the Olympics - 2007
Even though the list mentions Japan, titles such as Metroid Prime traditionally release in the U.S. first so it is likely that holiday 2007 will see the release of Samus' latest adventure. In the same light it is unlikely that Nintendo will miss the opportunity to exploit another holiday season by failing to release Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Mario Galaxy in time in the U.S.
Even though Nintendo chose not to remain vague as many analysts recommended it is widely believed that the announcement was meant to ease fears of delays, an issue which has recently plagued the company. Of the titles listed above only 4 have a confirmed U.S. release; Mario Party 8 May 29, Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree June 11, Pokemon Battle Revolution June 25 and Mario Strikers Charged summer 2007.
The list includes a varied mix of titles and will feature Wii Health Pack and Wii Music, two titles aimed at revitalising the success that was Wii Sports. Wii Music will include Wii Orchestra, images of which we witnessed at E3 2006, and Wii drums while Wii Helath will rate players based on the health repercussions of the actions they perform on screen.
The list includes 13 titles while Nintendo has announced that it has 45 Wii projects in development. The remaining 32 titles are either games that will not release in 2007 (the majority) or games that Nintendo is not announcing in order to keep some aces up its Armani sleeve. Additionally, some of the games not mentioned may be titles that will release in the U.S. in 2007 but not in Japan.
