One would be hard-pressed to deny that Nintendo’s 2011 e3 presentation was quite newsworthy. Here at Digitally Downloaded, we’ll outline the news items, as well as our personal opinions each step of the way.
Opening
To kick off the show, Nintendo presented a trailer featuring past Zelda games, eventually leading up to a trailer of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. In addition, Nintendo unveiled a free Four Swords game for the DSiWare service later this year. Later today, Link’s Awakening DX (originally for the Gameboy Color) will be released for the Virtual Console service on Nintendo 3DS. Nintendo will be releasing a gold Wii remote, two soundtracks (one via Club Nintendo), and they announced that a Zelda symphony will be touring this fall in every region.
3DS Releases of Note:
- Mario Kart 3DS: While it seems to be the same old Mario Kart with 3D, a new mechanic involving a glider was shown. The game will be out this holiday season.
- Super Mario: The first Mario game on a handheld built with 3D in mind. Out by the end of this year.
- Luigi’s Mansion 2: A full-fledged sequel to the original, featuring many more mansions than the original. A release date is not yet known.
- Kid Icarus: Uprising: Several unique styles of gameplay, voice acting, and an implied emphasis on story. Like Mario Kart, it will be released this holiday.
- StarFox 64 3DS: Multilayer features camera support to show the reactions of your fellow pilots as you fight. The game will be available in September.
- Super Smash Bros. 3DS: Not much about this title is known, besides that it will be featured on both the 3DS and Wii 2. No release is currently known.
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| Luigi’s second horror outing, 10 years after his first |
WiiU Reveal:
The WiiU’s defining aspect is its 6-inch touch screen, built right onto the controller. The device also features a more complex set of buttons than the Wii’s standard controller, closely resembling the classic controller but with a different button layout (as well as additional triggers). The controller can function akin to a DS’ second screen or as the console’s game itself. Interestingly enough, the device also browses the internet and makes video calls with its built-in camera, speakers, and microphone.
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| WiiU’s controller in action |
As for the actual console itself, Nintendo is offering improved graphics as the most note-worthy upgrade. There are also promises of an improved online component and backwards compatibility with the Wii remote has been touted. Nintendo went on to state that the WiiU’s controller will not be intended to replace the 3DS. It is meant to compliment the home experience, rather than be its own portable handheld controller.
WiiU Releases of Note:
- Aliens: Colonial Marines
- Assassin’s Creed
- Metro Last Light
- Super Smash Bros.
- Tekken
- Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Online
Wii and DS News:
Following the conference, Nintendo went on the announce the impending release of first party titles Kirby: Mass Attack, Mario Party 9, and Rhythm Heaven Wii. Nintendo also confirmed that the Wii Vitality Sensor is indeed still in development and not cancelled. However, much to the dismay of some, news for the two consoles was almost non-existent at the presentation (outside of the impending release of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword).
Following the conference, Nintendo went on the announce the impending release of first party titles Kirby: Mass Attack, Mario Party 9, and Rhythm Heaven Wii. Nintendo also confirmed that the Wii Vitality Sensor is indeed still in development and not cancelled. However, much to the dismay of some, news for the two consoles was almost non-existent at the presentation (outside of the impending release of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword).
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| Kirby’s new DS game |
Other Items of Note:
-Nintendo’s online for the WiiU is considered to be “open”
-Nintendo’s online for the WiiU is considered to be “open”
-WiiU launching sometime in 2012
-Nintendo showed off a presentation of “Chase Mii”, an innovative title that utilizes both the WiiU controller and Wii Remotes. It also seemed to imply that the console will support more than four players at once. Whether this will be a simple tech demo or a full-fledged release is currently unknown.
Overall Show:
Clark’s Thoughts: An impressive e3 from Nintendo, definitely living up to the hype for me. Sure, the 3DS situation could be better, but I’m enjoying the more subtle aspects of the conference such as the upcoming Four Swords game and the sheer number of possibilities that the WiiU presents to the gaming world.
Clark’s Thoughts: An impressive e3 from Nintendo, definitely living up to the hype for me. Sure, the 3DS situation could be better, but I’m enjoying the more subtle aspects of the conference such as the upcoming Four Swords game and the sheer number of possibilities that the WiiU presents to the gaming world.
I liked the Wii U presentation – obviously that was what most people were looking forward to. There weren't really many surprises for the 3DS though Luigi's Mansion was pretty cool. My immediate thought was this though: Was Skyward sword really the only Wii title announced? I didn't notice any others when I was taking my notes.
I liked the Wii U presentation – obviously that was what most people were looking forward to. There weren't really many surprises for the 3DS though Luigi's Mansion was pretty cool. My immediate thought was this though: Was Skyward sword really the only Wii title announced? I didn't notice any others when I was taking my notes.
They announced some Wii games, but none besides Skyward Sword made it into Nintendo's actual presentation. There's Mario Party 9, Rhythm Heaven, and a few other minor ones. They weren't terribly Wii-heavy, were they?
They announced some Wii games, but none besides Skyward Sword made it into Nintendo's actual presentation. There's Mario Party 9, Rhythm Heaven, and a few other minor ones. They weren't terribly Wii-heavy, were they?
I didn't even see the other games like Mario Party mentioned, though I've only had a chance to view the actual presentations. Disappointing for Wii owners though, that Nintendo appears to be maybe just a bit *too* forward-thinking unless the Wii U is coming out REAL soon.
I didn't even see the other games like Mario Party mentioned, though I've only had a chance to view the actual presentations. Disappointing for Wii owners though, that Nintendo appears to be maybe just a bit *too* forward-thinking unless the Wii U is coming out REAL soon.
It was a bit too 3DS-heavy for me and the 25th Zelda thing fell flat.
Reggie did mention that there absolutely are new Wii titles besides Skyward Sword, but was vague as usual. Unfortunately I don't see that list being very long and not all of us are interested in 'Wii Play: Motion'.
It was a bit too 3DS-heavy for me and the 25th Zelda thing fell flat.
Reggie did mention that there absolutely are new Wii titles besides Skyward Sword, but was vague as usual. Unfortunately I don't see that list being very long and not all of us are interested in 'Wii Play: Motion'.