The Electronics Entertainment Expo (E3) is scheduled to commence at 12pm PT/ 3pmET, but some gaming companies like Nintendo held press conferences in advance. This morning Nintendo streamed its ‘Nintendo Direct’ online show to announce a slew of new games set to hit its flaghship Wii U as well as hand-held 3DS. Nintendo made headlines when it opted not to take the E3 stage to demonstrate its next-generation line of games, hoping instead to fly under the radar as Xbox One and PlayStation 4 will most certainly steal most of the limelight.
Gotta Catch ’em All
What’s more Nintendo-esque that Pokémon? The first announcement in the new line of games by Nintendo this morning was Pokémon X and Pokémon Y, both for 3DS. This update in the long-running series features new pokémon to catch and train, as well as a new feature that allows the user trainer to pet and tickle their caught pokémon. Because nothing says “good trainer” or “good rapport with pokémon” than having the ability to virtually soothe them. Both games will be available October 12.
Cat-Mario
That’s right, Cat-Mario. The new power-up for Super Mario 3D World‘s protagonist is Cat-Mario giving our plumber-turned-hero the ability to scale walls in feline-like fashion as well as to slash enemies with his claws. This also for 3DS four-player co-op will feature the popular supporting cast of Peach, who has her signature hovering feature back; Toad, who looks to run swifter than ever; and Luigi, who might not be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound but certainly looks a bit springier than usual. Look for 3d World to hit the retail shelves in December of this year.
‘Zelda’ Remake
One of Nintendo’s most popular franchises, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is the latest installment in the Zelda series and looks to boast crystal clear graphics for when main character Link bobs on the sea on a leaf, uses his hookshot with reckless abandon, learns his way around a sword, fights goblins the way the Bs will take on the ‘Hawks, sees the bird that steals his sister (spoiler alert?), and much more. This game for Wii U will debut in October along with Pokémon X/Y and looks to be a formidable addition to the ever-popular catalogue.
Smash for Wii U & 3DS
One of the most sought after information from Nintendo’s announcement this morning had to do with the evocative melee Super Smash Brothers franchise. Nintendo announced, to the delight of those raised on Nintendo 64’s and GameCube’s similar versions, Super Smash Bros. 4 for both Wii U and 3DS in 2014. Though little was announced in terms of detail, we know that Nintendo is suiting up Mega Man for a character reboot, complete with metal blade, Leaf Shield, Flame Blast, and of course his Super Arm.
Bottom Line
Compared to Microsoft and Sony, whose Xbox One and PlayStation 4 are the consoles game-makers will be hoping to get their games on, Nintendo looks as if its days might be numbered. However, reintroducing some of its most popular games for its Wii U and 3DS gaming systems was probably the right move instead of opting for a completely overhauled next-gen console.
People don’t take to Nintendo because of graphics or cutting-edge software. They enjoy it because its nostalgic and its games are classics with iconic characters. If Nintendo wants to get over its dismal quarterly earnings and continue pumping out games that people love. Electronic Arts (EA), who is certain to have collections of games to showcase today, already said it doesn’t plan on producing any Nintendo-carried games for the near future, so Nintendo ought to go back to basics if it wants to keep enduring.
