Rodea The Sky Soldier Lives Dated For September For The US

NIS America has confirmed that Rodea the Sky Soldier will be released in US and Europe this September.

The game will release simultaneously on Wii U and 3DS on September 22 for the US, and then on September 25 in Europe.

First print copies of the Wii U version will come with the original Wii version, on a separate disc. This Wii version will offer Wii Remote support, a feature that did not make it on the Wii U version. This changes up gameplay considerably, as the original Wii Remote controls requires you aim at an object and press the B button to fly, in parabolic arcs. For the Wii U and 3DS versions, you draw the arcs on the touch screen yourself to curve him into whatever direction you prefer.

The game has seen little change visually in the upgrade from Wii to Wii U, as well as on 3DS, but this release actually has more meaning beyond the game’s own merits. Rodea was long considered a lost game, having originally been announced in 2010. Rodea’s creator, Yuji Naka, claimed that the game was finished in 2011, but its Japanese publisher Kadokawa went quiet for years regarding the game’s release.

Considering Nintendo is now publishing Wii games digitally to Wii U, perhaps could they offer the Wii version of Rodea digitally as well?

Are you one of those longtime Wii owners looking forward to the game? Or are you more skeptical about a game delayed four years? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.