Another day and another conference to be excited for. As now what seems to be tradition, Nintendo have brought their own digital event to E3 announcing new games, figurines and teasing a few new pieces of content. Let’s see what they have for us!
STAR FOX: ZERO
RELEASE DATE: Q4 2015
PLATFORM: WiiU
Fox, Falco, Peppy and Slippy are back in a new adventure. Players pilot an Arwing in the traditional style of TV gameplay and, in a new twist, players can use the cockpit view on the GamePad to aim and shoot enemies using the gyro controls. Having two unique viewpoints offers distinct gaming advantages and frees up the TV for more cinematic moments in the title’s brand-new all range mode.
We haven’t seen a Star Fox game since the GameCube and going even further back with the N64. This was a good way to start the digital event. Being able to control the various vehicles in different situations should be a huge nostalgia kick to go back to. With the added features of the WiiU being introduced into the new game I’m excited to see what’s going to be release in the coming months.
SKYLANDERS SUPERCHARGERS
RELEASE DATE: 24th September 2015
PLATFORM: WiiU
Skylanders SuperChargers from Activision: Both Donkey Kong and Bowser guest star in the next Skylanders game, complete with their own vehicles and move sets that celebrate the lore and legacy of their 30+ years in the video game universe. As an added bonus, the Turbo Charge Donkey Kong and Hammer Slam Bowser Skylanders SuperCharger characters also work as amiibo in compatible Nintendo games, so players can store their save data in both modes with a simple twist of the figure’s base.
New Skylanders Amiibo’s have been announced alongside the new announcement of Skylanders Superchargers. While I’m not much of a Skylanders fan I like the idea of adding in Nintendo characters into the mix. Playing as DK or Bowser and smashing up some Skylanders seems like a great experience.
THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: TRI FORCE HEROES
RELEASE DATE: Q4 2015
PLATFORM: 3DS
Three players take on the role of individual Link characters and team up to solve puzzles and battle bosses in dungeons. The game features the same top-down view and visual style ofThe Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds. Players must work together, as the group shares all hearts. All three Links can stack on top of one another to create a Totem to reach new locations and solve puzzles or fight enemies. Different outfits offer unique abilities.
It looks like the 3DS hasn’t been forgotten in this years digital event. Looking like an upgraded version of Four Swords. With 3 players working together instead of four it should hopefully lead to some mind bending puzzles and co-operative gameplay.
HYRULE WARRIORS LEGENDS
RELEASE DATE: Early 2016
PLATFORM: Now coming to 3DS
The Wii U version of Hyrule Warriors comes to the Nintendo 3DS family of systems. In the portable version, experience new story elements and playable characters inspired by The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. New features allow players to enhance their tactics and switch between different characters on the fly as they explore and battle in Hyrule’s most famous locales.
Boy this game look pretty on the 3DS. Carrying on from the original announced on Hyrule warriors could mean buying extra characters for separate systems like in Smash Bros. but if you’re a fan of the Dynasty Warriors style of games then this should be right up your alley.
METROID PRIME – FEDERATION FORCE
RELEASE DATE: 2016
PLATFORM: 3DS
Up to four players can connect online or locally to take on co-op missions in this first-person sci-fi adventure set in the Metroid Prime universe. Players don a mech suit and work together as a team to clear out enemy-infested bases and complete objective-based missions. After completing the missions, up to six players can compete in Metroid Prime: Blast Ball, a three-on-three game that requires players to shoot a ball into their opponents’ goal.
I don’t think this was exactly what Metroid fans would have wanted from a Metroid game. I think maybe this game felt a little forced on Nintendo’s part but I think that the Blast Ball mode could be fun. I hope this will use online multiplayer and not have to be solely ad-hoc only.
FIRE EMBLEM FATES
RELEASE DATE: 2016
PLATFORM: 3DS
Two versions of the franchise’s new installment offer players an unprecedented choice: fight an opposing force or join the other side and try to make changes from within. For the first time in the series, players take on the role of the main character and command an army, while struggling to decide which path to follow: helping blood relatives or the family that raised him or her.
Turn based combat system similar to most JRPG’s makes it’s return here in the latest Fire Emblem game. With it’s pretty cut scenes a plenty in the trailer it was nice to see some short snippets of gameplay here and there.
GENEI IBUN ROKU #FE – Not final name
RELEASE DATE: 2016
PLATFORM: WiiU
(name not final): Set in modern Tokyo, young people come together to weave an epic tale alongside heroes from an alternate world. This brand-new RPG, developed by ATLUS, is infused with elements of the popular Fire Emblem series. In the struggle between the worlds of glamour and darkness, these young heroes rise to face the challenge
I honestly had no idea what was going on during this trailer. I thought it was the Persona 4 dance game at the start of the announcement but then I didn’t notice any of the characters. It sure looks really pretty on the WiiU though.
XENOBLADE CHRONICLES X
RELEASE DATE: 4th December 2015
PLATFORM: WiiU
Amidst an intergalactic war between aliens and human survivors, players fight for survival while exploring the massive expanses of an unknown planet. Weaponised mechs called “Skells” let players access every location they see. Players also can customise a lethal skill set of combat and defensive skills, called Arts, to strengthen their strategies and defeat enemies efficiently.
This is definitely one of the big games coming to the WiiU in the not to distant future. I think the graphics have gotten better since it was last shown which is great to see the developers are continually making improvements as the development progresses. It’s looks like something that hardcore fans and new players can get into and it’s great to see more fast-paced action games coming to the WiiU.
ANIMAL CROSSING – HAPPY HOME DESIGNER
RELEASE DATE: 3rd October 2015
PLATFORM: 3DS
One of the favourite activities in the Animal Crossing series now gets a full game. With more options than ever, players design interiors and exteriors of homes for hundreds of animal characters, and can even design a garden. They can choose where to place the home, and then pick out a house style and colours for the roof, door and fence before getting to work on the interior.
Alongside the announcement of the Happy Home game there are also more amiibo’s coming from Animal Crossing at the end of 2015
YOSHI’S WOOLY WORLD
RELEASE DATE: 25/06 in AUNZ!
PLATFORM: WiiU?
Collect, cooperate and get crafty with Yoshi in a world made completely from yarn, felt and other fabrics and textiles. Pulling on strings in the game usually leads to discoveries, while new transformations include Moto Yoshi, Mole Yoshi and Sky Pop Yoshi. The game’s simple platforming adventure challenges players to find hidden secrets. Tapping select amiibo characters to the GamePad creates new patterns for Yoshi, while new Yarn Yoshi amiibo let players control two Yoshis at the same time.
I not sure why making characters out of yarn bring some childlike glee out of me but I really don’t mind. This game looks adorable and seeing that many wooly Yoshis during the announcement makes me want one for my very own.
YO-KAI WATCH
RELEASE DATE: Holiday 2015
PLATFORM: 3DS
This game sold millions and became a cultural phenomenon in Japan. Now players in Australia and New Zealand get to experience the fun of hundreds of sometimes cute, sometimes spooky, and usually mischievous Yo-kai that inhabit our world. Players explore using their Yo-kai Watch to find Yo-kai, then befriend them and turn them into a team to battle other Yo-kai.
This game reminds me that Pokemon Snap existed and now I really want Pokemon Snap. The Yo-kai creatures do look kinda cool so we can see if they will have certain elements and attacks when the game releases this year.
MARIO TENNIS: ULTRA SMASH
RELEASE DATE: Q4 2015
PLATFORM: WiiU
Up to four players can compete in tennis matches that could only take place in the Mushroom Kingdom. With the addition of Jump Shots to hit high balls overhead, or Giant Mushrooms that when picked up make characters bigger, this Mario Tennis is reborn with features enabling players to aggressively go after higher balls.
Out of every tennis game that has been released, Mario Tennis is the one where I had the most fun. Whether it be single or doubles it was always fun to play as Boo and hit curved volleys every which-way to confuse the opponent. Now with Ultra Smash I’m actually looking forward to a tennis game being released on a console.
Super Mario Maker
RELEASE DATE: Summer 2015 in Australia and New Zealand
PLATFORM: WiiU
The next evolution of the Super Mario Bros. series lets people’s imaginations run wild. For the first time ever, friends can have fun playing through levels they create for one another. The Wii U GamePad controller makes it so easy for anyone to create levels; it may feel like simply sketching out ideas on paper. Players can enjoy a seemingly endless supply of inventive Mario levels from players around the world. The game includes a Hardcover Artbook totaling about 100 pages that illustrates the boundless possibilities in Super Mario Maker. Nintendo will also release two special Mario amiibo figures, one of which will be part of a limited edition software bundle, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the original Super Mario Bros. game.
I’m not sure if this was the best way to end the conference but it definitely something that has been missing from Mario games for a while. Being able to create challenging levels without hand holding and tutorials is something that everyone should enjoy.
CONFERENCE THOUGHTS
That’s a wrap! I think this Nintendo’s E3 showing maybe wasn’t as up to par as the previous ones. I’m really excited about the new Star Fox: Zero as well as Xenoblade Chronicles X. Showing the gameplay of both games right off the bat is nice to see from Nintendo. A lot of things past that didn’t really catch my attention and left me staring around looking for other things to entertain me. I guess I was expecting more info regarding the NX project that had been previously talked about but nothing seems to have come out of that. Maybe we will get more information closer to the end of the year?
WHERE’S POKEMON SNAP?! Seriously, I really hope something announced either at E3 or sometime this year because I think it is long overdue. Using the 3DS amera would be agreat addition to the series. All in all I think it was a little lackluster with only a few games really catching my eye.
Much of what Nintendo digital event was teaser trailers and vague date announcements but it was exciting all the same to see what was coming because the whole thing was just so damn charming! I think the best thing from the presentation wasn’t regarding the new releases at all. Getting to listen to Shigeru Myamoto chat about a game that I loved while growing up and the ideas behind the original 16-bit Star Fox is something different entirely.
You can watch the full digital event for yourself below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPDPSezEkcY