The Grinder: (Only?) Two-Player Co-Op, Motion Plus Support and Competitive Multiplayer

We’ve known a few things about High Voltage Software’s second major Wii FPS, The Grinder, for a little while now: it will feature a grindhouse art style and gameplay reminiscent of Left 4 Dead, use The Conduit’s Quantum 3 physics engine, and support both online and offline multiplayer.

Several gaming publications also have reported that the title will feature four-player co-op both offline and online.  This information appears to stem from an IGN interview conducted last year wherein High Voltage stated that “We think Left 4 Dead set the standard for this type of game and we fully intend to support four players.”

Now, however, gaming magazine Nintendo Power has revealed in its February 2010 issue that The Grinder is “being designed for two-player co-op play locally and via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, and will also include a traditional competitive component.”

So the good news is that competitive deathmatches a la The Conduit’s multiplayer will be alive and well in this title, perhaps both online and offline.  The bad news is that it appears the local and online co-op multiplayer may have been cut in half from four to two players.

Other than that, Nintendo Power has reaffirmed that the title will support the Motion Plus accessory, which gaming website Kotaku talked about last year in its feature on the game.

We’ve contacted High Voltage for comment on whether or not the multiplayer has been halved or not, and whether it applies to offline, online or both.  We’ll keep you posted on any information we receive.