Yup, I managed to squeeze out one more pun right there. Right before the end, isn’t that fancy? So what comes after Microsoft, Sony, EA and Ubisoft? Yes, it’s the company that’s probably been around the longest of all: Nintendo. Both in hardware and software, Nintendo showed time and time again who was the most innovative or plainly the most fun platform to play games on. Are they going to succeed this year? Was their conference better than Sony and Microsoft fighting like little children? Let’s find out.
Well… That’s awkward
Nintendo president and CEO Satoru Iwata was our host for Nintendo’s own little “conference”. They chose not to go for a traditional conference, instead pre-shooting a video where Iwata-san gave us everything new surrounding Ninty’s plans for the coming year and their Wii U. While I can praise Nintendo for doing their own thing and not following up all the sensation other publishers sought to bring this week, they could have done things a little bit better. The video was no less than awkward to watch, seeing Satoru smiling and announcing game for game as if he was filmed on webcam. But luckily they had a beautiful line-up. I sincerely hope Nintendo will, like last generation, rock this one and attract a lot of gamers. Why? Because the Wii U is a fantastic device (It’s a shame I don’t own one yet..) and games being released for it are as well. Oh, and a length of 40 minutes was a great length for a conference for me (Hear that Sony, with your 2 hours?).
Iwata started with news on the upcoming Pokémon games X and Y. It seems all colours and gems have run out at last, so they resorted to good old characters. Among the announcements was the introduction of a new Pokémon type, the “Fairy”. Pokémon like Jigglypuff and Clefairy, as well as Gardevoir (Yes, I still know their names!) will fall under this new type. Furthermore, “Pokémon-Amie” will be a new thing in X and Y. I have no idea what it exactly was, but it looked like some sort of Tamagotchi function which lets you make your Pokémon happier by regularly checking up on them outside of the actual game.
While I enjoyed watching these announcements, I was genuinely excited when Iwata revealed a game everybody loves and wants to play. A new 3D Mario is coming out! Titled Super Mario 3D World, this game will include a new Mario power-up (Cat Mario), as well as FOUR PLAYER CO-OP! That’s right, now you can explore amazing and colourful levels with three buddies! Just as in New Super Mario Bros, you can help each other, but you can also annoy your friend by blocking and delaying their progress, just for fun. The trailer ( which is included down below once again) looked immensely fun and I only had one thought while watching it: “I want to play this! Right now!”
But Nintendo wasn’t done yet. On top of a new 3D Mario, they also announced a new Mario Kart for Wii U. I really don’t care it’s already the eighth instalment of this series. Mario Kart is universal and timeless fun, and I would blame Nintendo for NOT making a new part for their new console. Among amazing new visuals and crazy new races, Mario Kart 8 will also include vertical race game play. Don’t get dizzy now! After Mario Kart 8 Iwata asked if we could bring up some patience regarding Wii Party U and Wii Fit U, since they need more time to perfect these two casual games. Sure Iwata, you look like a friendly guy.
New fairy type Pokémon and a nice little screenshot of the game.
Super Mario 3D World & Mario Kart 8. What a wonderful world.
Sony is there for the gamers?
It’s funny how we focus on Sony and Microsoft and how one is considered as a “gamers’ friend” right now, while the other is just stupid in his policy and vision. While they’re bickering, I believe it’s once again Nintendo who is the true friend of people who love games, mainly because they always stay true to what they are. Video games have an idea of “fun” inherent in their definition. And that’s what Nintendo brings all the way. They offer a nice range of third-party titles (the hardware is a lot more powerful than last time, so they can), like Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, Batman: Arkham Origins, Deus Ex: Human Revolution Director’s Cut, Disney Infinity, Just Dance 2014, Rayman Legends, Scribblenauts Unmasked, Disney’s Planes, Skylanders Swap Force, Splinter Cell: Blacklist, Watch_Dogs and Sonic Lost World. That last one is especially interesting, because it seems that it’s going to be a good Sonic game. And we haven’t seen that many good Sonic games in a long, long time.
Next to this neat list of third-party titles for young and old, one must not forget the amount of games they will release themselves. Remember, Nintendo makes hardware (the console) as well as software ( games). I already named a few titles last paragraph, but there were announcements on the way. Among them was Art Academy for Wii U, which is not that interesting for gamers, but quite interesting to artists who used it extensively on handhelds. With Miiverse and the Nintendo eShop, Nintendo wants to enhance their online capabilities. Many journalists saw this as a wrong step, regarding Nintendo as being behind on online functions. While I agree that they should step things up regarding online multiplayer, it’s things like these which make me return to my point of Nintendo doing their own thing. They’re unique and fall outside of the “Battle of the Biggest and Best” which Sony and Microsoft are entangled in.
Bring your paint brushes and pencils!
It’s time for some art.
A trailer for Nintendo’s eShop showed that not only Sony is supporting Indie heavily. With games like Ballpoint Universe, Cloudberry Kingdom, Ducktales Remastered, Dungeons and Dragons, Oddworld: New N Tasty, Shovel Knight and Coaster Craze Deluxe, they have quite a wide selection which is coming to Wii U. An update on Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD showed that it’s promising to become a beautiful game. Playable in 1080p, with shaders for the texture of graphics, the game looks reborn. More small changes will be announced later on, but one interesting was already revealed. The old “Tingle Tuner”, with which you could connect your Gameboy Advance to the Gamecube in the original game, will now allow you to send “messages in bottles” to your friends via Miiverse. Basically you just type a message, send it, after which your friend may pick it up strolling along the beach in game. Again a weird, yet original idea from Nintendo. Wind Waker will probably release somewhere in October.
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD. His name is Link. Don’t forget that.
More awesome announcements and updates!
An update on PlatinumGames superhero game revealed that this game will probably be one of the most fun to play. It’s a game brought down to its simplest concept: team up with some other superheroes (real players online) and fight a bunch of bad guys. It can be that simple. The Wonderful 101 will launch in Europe August 23, while releasing September 15 in North America.
Another game from PlatinumGames which made people happy, was Bayonetta 2. This game is just something special. A hack n slash/melee combo/Devil May Cry type/whatever you want to call it game with crazy pumped up music, crazy graphics and crazy dynamic game play, that’s Bayonetta 2. And it’s actually a Wii U exclusive, while the first game was only available on Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. The trailer showed the game’s craziness and also revealed that Bayonetta herself got a new hair style and outfit. You got to stay up to date in the latest fashion, of course.
Monolith Soft’s game “X” was very interesting to watch. A spiritual successor to Xenoblade Chronicles, it proved the strength of the Wii U’s graphics and showed some mechs, which are iconic to the franchise. Even more cool was the announcement of a new Donkey Kong Country, titled Tropical Freeze. This game will provide creative and dynamic new game play by using different camera angles, switching between 2D and 3D, as well as blending them. It looked very cool and had a great art style. Bonus fact: Dixie Kong is playable, alongside Diddy.
Being a superhero in The Wonderful 101.
Bayonetta 2, X, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Finally, two more great titles were announced. Nintendo knows how to end “smashing” and so they did with their newest Super Smash Bros. (See what I did there? Sorry..) Another example of a game you want to see on a new console of Nintendo, it also had a little surprise. Mega Man is joining the battle as a playable character! Very cool. The Villager from Animal Crossing and the Wii Fit Trainer will also be playable, but I honestly believe most people are much more interested in Mega Man. A last game that Nintendo showed not in the video, but later at the E3 hall floors, was Zelda: A Link between Worlds. Being a sequel to the critically acclaimed “A Link to the Past”, a lot of nostalgic gamers will be looking forward to this upcoming Zelda game.
The two new competitors for Super Smash Bros: Mega Man and Wii Fit Trainer
The Legend of Zelda: A Link between Worlds. I can see some of you cry right now.
My thoughts after this year’s E3
Ending with this “conference”, I had a lot to think about this E3. It’s always a special year when a new generation is on its way. I must say, even with the awkwardness of Nintendo’s way to present their new material, I truly enjoyed what they showed. Sony and Microsoft are heading the exact same way and will be competing heavily to be the best entertainment and powerful gaming console. But Nintendo was never like that. They’re just Nintendo, a video game and console company who want to let you have fun. As one YouTube commenter put it: “Nintendo is humble and giving fans exactly what they want, and I can respect that.” Of course they want to make money, but they almost never do it at the expense of their own unique style and ideas. They want to have games that breath Nintendo, and I think with the Wii U that they’re definitely doing just that. It’s uncertain whether they will pull off the same amount of sales like they did with the Wii, but I think they can with time. Nintendo is a solid and strong company, made for young and old, casual – and now with upcoming titles for the Wii U – also again for hardcore gamers.
Making a list of favourites this E3 I would rank as followed:
1. Nintendo
2. Sony
3. Ubisoft
4. EA
5. Microsoft
Purely based on the messages and communication I received from the conferences, I made this list. I heavily enjoyed Microsoft’s conference and their upcoming games, but after the other ones – and especially Sony’s conference – I just had an itch from them. They failed miserably in communicating their new ideas and may have lost the first battle in winning over consumers. Bummer. Whatever the case, I enjoyed the E3 as a little boy in a candy store, even if it was from the comfort of home. One day I hope to go there myself and run around like that same little boy in a candy store. But for now I’m satisfied with what I saw and I hope you are with what I told you. It has been a pleasure sharing it with you. Peace!
The “playlist” this time is actually the whole conference. Since it’s only around 40 minutes I found it pointless to make a separate list. Plus now you can experience the awkwardness of Iwata on his “webcam” video. Oh joy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rC8l1RKcBw
