Nintendo was the second of the Big Three to hold its E3 Media Briefing (i.e. Press Conference) and the company was eager to make up for its lackluster 2008 showing. There was a time when Nintendo's conference was the most anticipated of all since they had built a pedigree of saving all--and I mean just about all--major announcements for the annual trade show. The last few years have seen the immense rise in "casual gaming" on the backs of the Wii and DS, and that focus has caused Nintendo to suffer in the eyes of the hardcore. Fear not, for Nintendo made sure that they wouldn't leave E3 2009 without a splash... or even a few. Read on...
Megaton Surpsise Game Announcements
We already knew from last year that Nintendo was at least working on new Mario and Zelda games, so we fully expected at least one, if not both, to make an appearance this year. Nintendo cut right to the chase with New Super Mario Bros. Wii, an extension of the concept behind one of the best-selling games on DS. The Wii's increased horsepower means that this new game features 4-player co-op platforming in 3D but on a 2D plane in a brand new adventure. Though compelling, this was a disappointment for most, and gamers in the audience were ready to be bored once more. Nintendo, however, was just pulling some strings, and near the end of the press conference revealed two HUGE surprises via trailers (see the roundup to watch): Super Mario Galaxy 2 and Metroid: Other M. Galaxy 2 marks the first time that Mario has appeared on the same console twice since making the jump to 3D and promises to be about 90-95% new content yet equally as long and in the same planet-based model of its predecessor. Perhaps even bigger news to some is confirmation that Yoshi will play a big role in the game as well. Metroid: Other M came from absolutely nowhere and is being co-developed by Team NINJA of Ninja Gaiden fame, and it appears to share the same sort of gameplay style albeit sci-fi'd up (and Team NINJA promises that they arn't setting out to make a hard action game like Ninja Gaiden). Furthermore, the other part of the collaboration is the team responsible for the latest 2D Metroids: Metroid Fusion and Metroid: Zero Mission.
MotionPlus is All the Rage
As expected, the Wii MotionPlus peripheral was heavily focused during the conference before it finally sees the light of day at the end of the month. The device was announced at last year's E3 and allows for 1:1 movement in the game. More of WiiSports Resort was shown and it actually seems like a decent title now. In addition, it was revealed that Red Steel 2 will be bundled with the device when its released this fall, alleviating concerns of the title having to cater to a splintered install base.
Casual Gamers Get News Too
Wii Fit Plus was announced at the conference as well and features all sorts of new exercises that are designed to be even more active and keep the user involved and moving for 20, 30, or 40 minutes (maybe even longer, or less). The Wii Vitality Sensor was also revealed, which is a device that you stick your finger in and it tracks heart rate. Not really sure what applications it could have, but it was...well, there.
Nintendo is King of Handhelds, Too
Hot off the release of their new DSi, Nintendo brought out some new games for its handheld juggernaut. The biggest reveal was a brand-new Golden Sun DS. Also spotlighted were previously-announced games Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story, Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, and The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks. The DSiWare store got a boost with the reveal of Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis Rise Again coming out next week, and the announcement of a Facebook app coming out this fall.
Notable No-Shows
Pikmin 3? Project H.AM.M.E.R.? Disaster: Day of Crisis? The rumored Kid Icarus reboot? Retro Studios' next project (which may just be Kid Icarus)? Silicon Knights' Wii project? And the godfather of videogames, Shigeru Miyamoto? Nope, all these were absent, though Miyamoto did show up at...
Post-Conference Roundtable Discussion
this. Where he promptly showed some artwork for the in-development Zelda game (no photos were allowed) and revealed that the new title "may" require MotionPlus. Its probably not going to be ready until 2011, but the thought of a MotionPlus-equipped Link is the stuff of fanboy wet dreams. Now if only we could get that MotionPlus lightsaber game made as well... come on LucasArts!
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