The other week, Nintendo invited me up to San Francisco to play a bunch of Wii U games and generally get a better feel for the system in the weeks leading up to its launch. In addition to U Sing, a handful of 3DS games, ZombiU, and plenty of time with Nintendo Land, I got to try my hand at a quick multiplayer match against some bots in Call of Duty: Black Ops II.
When I got home, I went to Gamestop and changed my preorder from Xbox 360 to Wii U. Here are five reasons why.
Touch Screen Killstreaks
I'm a little too nervous to fiddle with my rewards in the middle of combat. I always feel like I'll be at risk if I hesitate even a second. Not so with the Wii U's GamePad. That big touchscreen puts visual icons next to your right thumb for easy access.
This meant I didn't have to move my left thumb from the analog stick to the D-pad and back again. Instead, I could simply tap the icon on the right-hand-side next to the map, as if I were climbing over cover or switching weapons. I didn't have to hit up or down to select the Hunter Killer Drone over my tier-3 killstreak reward. What's more, the touchscreen was easier to reach with my right thumb than the D-pad was, adding to the in-game convenience.
True Split Screen Gaming
My brother and I never bothered to fight over first or second player, but I'm sure that dispute will be unavoidable when it comes to choosing who gets to play on the TV and who gets the GamePad screen all to themselves. With the Wii U GamePad, you don't have to miss out on half of your field of view, just because you have a friend over.
With the second screen, each player gets the full aspect ratio. No more complaining when the guy on the second floor balcony pops you in the head. It's the small things that make Black Ops II really sing on Nintendo's next-gen console.
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Treyarch's History With Nintendo
At times, Treyarch has been considered the "second-string" Call of Duty developer, but I think Black Ops II is set to change that in the aftermath of Infinity Ward's implosion. Why? Treyarch has the experience.
All those years they've churned out Wii ports of top-selling Activision products will pay off as the Wii U lifts the Mario faithful up to meet other HD consoles. Treyarch has proven themselves efficient students of new console architecture and the Wii U version will directly benefit from that experience. I don't think any other game launching with a Nintendo console, aside from Super Mario 64, has the same pull Black Ops II will have when it sits on store shelves next to the Wii U on November 18.
The Complete Experience
Nintendo fanboys have been wrestling with the harsh realities for years now. We've all heard it before. It's the waggle version. It's the kiddy version. It's the blurry version.
No more. Black Ops II on Wii U represents the complete experience. Playing on Nintendo's new console nets you all the HD graphics and online multiplayer, but with the addition of a wide variety of control methods. You can use the Wii Remote and Nunchuk (as Call of Duty has in the past on Wii) or you can go with the new GamePad. You can use the touchscreen for your map and some convient input, or you can pick up one of the Wii U Pro controllers to match the experience on Xbox 360 or PS3.
Next: Kardashian of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Harmony In The Living Room
You might say that all of these improvements may be enough for a n00b like me to switch consoles. You might say that your clan is 360-only or that you couldn't give up your PSN friends list. I thought so too, but virtual warfare will soon bring peace to my living room.
Thanks to the Wii U GamePad and the console's ability to stream to the controller's screen, all of Black Ops II is playable in your hands. At any time, players are able to switch the game's visuals from their TV to the GamePad screen. My girlfriend and I only have one TV. As much as I'd like to turn Keeping Up With The Kardashians into a first-person shooter, it's just not happening.
I'll happily trade the nasty vermin on Xbox Live for the delicate balance struck in my home's entertainment schedule. Now I just have to hope that we don't end up arguing over whether to play Call of Duty or Nintendo Land.
Call of Duty: Black Ops II will land alongside the Wii U on launch day, Sunday, November 18. It'll also be out on Xbox 360, PS3, and PC on Tuesday, November 13.
