Get busy digging or get busy dying: Terraria coming to Nintendo Wii U, 3DS in 2016

By Kris Wouk July 31, 2015

Terraria 4 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

After its initial release in 2011 for the PC, Terraria has made its way to quite a few platforms. The Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation Vita have all received ports of the game, as have iOS, Android, and Windows Phone devices.

Terraria isn’t done, either. Next up on its quest to conquer every known platform in existence are not one but two Nintendo platforms. 505 Games, which is in charge of of all of Terraria‘s console ports has announced that the game will be coming to the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U in early 2016, according to a post on the Terraria forums.

Unlike previous console ports, these new versions will make use of the systems’ touch controls for crafting and combat alike. While the 3DS only support four-player local multiplayer, the Wii U version of Terraria will feature both split-screen multiplayer for up to four players and online multiplayer for four-to-eight players.

2D_Terraria_3DS_USA small — Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Wii U version of the game will likely be similar to existing console ports, but the 3DS is a different story. 505 Games representative Deanzor writes that “3DS is less powerful than even a basic smartphone, and the lower screen resolution presents a challenge. Of course the two screens are also a massive opportunity, and one we will exploit to the full.”

As for the advantages, “the dual-screen functionality will no doubt allow these versions to play much more like the PC version of the game than the current one for consoles.” Unfortunately for some gamers, the 3DS version of Terraria will not support download play for multiplayer, so each player will need their own copy of the game.

Those who have bought the New Nintendo 3DS XL will find a few more control options that take advantage of the analog nub, but according to Deanzor, the options are “nothing that would prevent cross play between the consoles. We want everyone to be able to play!”

505 Games has a “few more surprises in store for this coming Holiday season,” according to the blog post, but will “save those for another time.” The Wii U version won’t be shown off just yet, but those looking to get a peek at the 3DS version of Terraria will be able to do so by visiting the Nintendo booth at Gamescom.

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Kris Wouk is a tech writer, gadget reviewer, blogger, and whatever it's called when someone makes videos for the web. In his…

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