Don’t expect to see Borderlands 2 or Grand Theft Auto 5 on the Wii U just yet

Two incredibly huge titles, Borderlands 2 and Grand Theft Auto, set to release around the launch of the Wii U don't look like they will be headed to Nintendo's new console.

Despite Borderlands 2 developer Gearbox singing praise of Nintendo's new console, game publisher and parent-company Take-Two Interactive remains "skeptical" about the machine. Gearbox, who is developing Aliens: Colonial Marines for the Wii U has already called it a "very powerful machine", but Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick isn't yet sold on it.

"We haven't announced anything [for Wii U]," Zelnick told Gamasutra. "I'm skeptical."

That's not to say something won't be announced in the future, but as of right now it doesn't look like Take-Two is interested in publishing its core console IP on the Wii U – at least not until it has proven itself worthy. Take-Two isn't completely abandoning the Wii U; they are providing sports and family titles for the Wii U.

Of course, the big money-makers that will surely help the Wii U move units are games like Borderlands 2, Grand Theft Auto 5, and BioShock Infinite – none of which have been confirmed for the system. Zelnick didn't completely abandon the idea of publishing for next generation consoles, however.

"For a company like ours, it's a great opportunity," he said. "[New console launches] separate the winners from the losers — and we fully expect to be one of the winners."

"I don't want to minimize the challenge of creating titles for new technology or the economic challenges of doing that, but if you get it right, it's a terrific time to launch a new IP," Zelnick concluded.

I can't say I blame Zelnick for his skepticism. Nintendo had a very mediocre E3 performance that failed to sell the Wii U to the millions who tuned in. Nintendo, being the only console manufacturer of the 'big three' to unveil a new system, had every opportunity to rule E3, but failed to do so. And you wonder why Zelnick is skeptical?

[Gamasutra]