Nintendo will take gamers in a new direction tomorrow (Oct. 25) when the company launches Wii Party U for the Wii U console. Wii Party U includes more than 80 mini-games, multiple party modes and unique gameplay that uses only the Wii U GamePad controller. Yep, it doesn’t require a TV at all to play the game.
Wii Party U offers a party for every kind of player, from board games centered on the TV to tabletop games that can be played exclusively on the GamePad. It achieves this by offering three different modes of play.
In TV Party Mode, players can get comfortable on the couch as they compete with family and friends in board game-style games using the GamePad and Wii Remote controllers. Players take turns and move toward a goal on several different boards, playing a ton of fun mini-games along the way. One to four players can participate in this mode that combines both chance and skill.
In House Party Mode, the physical and mental games change based on who is playing – new personalities create new experiences. “Button Smashers” has players working together to press a series of buttons on the GamePad and Wii Remote controllers. In “Name That Face,” one player takes a picture of his or her funny face using the GamePad camera, and the other players have to guess the expression. All the games in this mode make for a wild party.
And in GamePad Party Mode, players must turn off the TV and put their eyes (and fingers) on the Wii U GamePad controller. This mode offers games that are played exclusively on the GamePad. Players take part in such classic games like “foosball” and “slot-car racing,” and using the included Wii U GamePad horizontal stand keeps the GamePad level for standalone GamePad game play.
In addition to the three main party modes, Wii Party U features other modes that let players select quick-play mini-game challenges, receive activity suggestions based on the current number of players and view archives that display records and Amazing Feats.
In addition, players who have broadband Internet access can access Miiverse to rate specific mini-games, view other players’ ratings and leave comments or draw pictures.