The recent Nintendo Direct broadcast has revealed a truckload of exciting news from the Japanese gaming giant. Racer Mario Kart 8 is set to have its inaugural 200cc race mode, whilst the level creation title Mario Maker was given a September release window. Meanwhile, Nintendo announced a wide number of new amiibo figures, including those for Yoshi's Woolly World and Splatoon.

Those looking out for more adult titles may have felt a little disappointed, however, as there was a bright and colorful feel to most of Nintendo's announcement. There is a real lack of adult-themed games on Nintendo's Wii U console, and Nintendo fans may feel envious seeing the likes of Bloodborne on rivals like the PS4 and Xbox One. There may be a good reason for Nintendo's hesitance, however - previous adult titles such as ZombiU have failed to reach commercial success, with Ubisoft dropping plans for a ZombiU sequel.

There was some exciting news hidden in the Direct broadcast for horror fans, though. Nintendo is planning to release Fatal Frame Wii U in North America, and will do so in 2015. Details about the release can be found over at the Nintendo Direct broadcast, with Nintendo also stating the title will be available in Europe, where the series has been known as Project Zero.

The game will likely be a translated port of the Japanese release Fatal Frame: Oracle of the Sodden Raven, which launched in September of last year in Japan only. It's unknown whether the North American and European release will keep the same name, or whether the Western localisation of Fatal Frame Wii U will carry a different monicker. With E3 just weeks away, no doubt either Nintendo or developer Tecmo Koei will reveal more about the title soon.

It's an exciting piece of news for American fans. Fatal Frame has not had an American release since Fatal Frame 3: The Tormented in 2005, with US audiences missing out on Fatal Frame 4 entirely. European fans have had more luck, as a re-release of Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly for the Wii hit shelves in 2012 as Project Zero 2: Wii Edition. Even so, Fatal Frame Wii U will be a rare Western release for the franchise.

Fatal Frame: Oracle of the Sodden Raven uses the Wii U gamepad itself as an essential part of the gameplay experience. Players are able to use the gamepad as a camera, which allows intrepid ghost hunters to see in-game enemies. The camera also acts as a weapon, letting players capture ghosts whilst traversing through the game's story. The gamepad has previously been used this way in the aforementioned ZombiU, where it gave players the ability to scan the environment. Let's hope Fatal Frame Wii U can be more successful than Ubisoft's title.

Fatal Frame Wii U will release later this year for the Wii U.

Source: Nintendo Direct