Since the Wii was launched late last year people from all around the world have reveled in the exciting innovation of Nintendo’s next-gen console. Nintendo promised to continue the flow of fun for veteran and new gamers alike this year. You only need take a peak at their first quarter lineup for North America to see that they are delivering on this promise.

New and classic games which everyone can play

The first three months of 2007 will see a variety of games for everyone being released. These include Wii Play, SSX Blur, The Godfather Blackhand Edition (EA) and a new Prince of Persia Rival Swords (Ubisoft). Nintendo fans can also enjoy the classics via the Wii Shop Channel including The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and the upcoming Mario Kart 64. Make sure that you mark down the 27th of January in your diaries too, because the News Channel will be going live on this date with global coverage provided by the Associated Press.

“Our tremendous worldwide launch shows people, from experienced players to non-players, are hungry for the kinds of entertainment only Wii provides,” says Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. “Wii hardware production continues full bore, and every week we’re delivering more incredible content to further expand the experience.”

Want to play?

If you were one of the many people who enjoyed Wii Sports and WarioWare: Smooth Moves, you can look forward to Wii Play. It is a collection of nine new games in the Wii Sports style. These games include billiards, fishing, shooting range and a target-practice game which is similar to the style of Nintendo’s classic Duck Hunt. Wii Play is being released on the 14th of February but I would not recommend giving it as a Valentines Day gift, unless of course your girlfriend/boyfriend is a hardcore gamer or Nintendo fan, in which case it would make the perfect present (provided of course said girlfriend/boyfriend has a Wii. If they don’t it could end up being a slightly expensive gift given that you would have to purchase the Wii as well, but rest assured that it is sure to rekindle the spark between the two of you). Wii Play comes packaged with a Wii Remote so friends and family can all enjoy the multiplayer aspect of the Wii. See, what did I tell you? You could spend quality time with said girlfriend/boyfriend and play multiplayer with your Wii.

Scheduled release titles

There are currently 34 new Wii titles in the library. Here is the schedule of the upcoming Wii releases:

February and March releases

14 February - Wii Play with Wii Remote (Nintendo)

27 March - Disney’s Meet the Robinsons (Buena Vista)

March - Bust-A-Move Bash (Majesco)

March - Prince of Persia Rival Swords (Ubisoft)

March - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Ubisoft)

March - Bionicle Heroes (Eidos)

March - Blazing Angels Squadrons of WWII (Ubisoft)

Quarter 1 releases

Q1 - Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 (EA)

Q1 - SSX Blur (EA)

Q1 - The Godfather Blackhand Edition (EA)

Q1 - Medal of Honor Vanguard (EA)

Q1 - Sonic and the Secret Rings (Sega)

Other game action is also available on the Wii with the Virtual Console titles in the library of downloadable Wii titles growing to 42. This week saw the release of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (NES) and next week everyone’s favourite, Mario Kart 64 will be added.

Keep checking back because Nintendo make weekly announcements about upcoming games so as to update Wii owners and keep us Wii fans in the know.