Home Gaming Nintendo’s winning E3 Digital Event – a recap

Nintendo’s winning E3 Digital Event – a recap

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MybodyisReggie

Yesterday, I asked who “won” E3. I was dismissive in the comments there about Nintendo’s as-yet unseen digital presentation, brushing it off entirely. As much of a Nintendo fan as I am, even I’ve become a bit disillusioned – and I expected nothing. I was wrong. Nintendo’s digital event was more adorable, more personal and more entertaining than all of the press conferences – and yes, they even announced a brand new IP. If I didn’t already own a Wii U, after yesterday, I’d want to.

If you haven’t watched it, you can do so here.

Nintendo kicked it off with a Robot chicken supplied, stop-motion animated Reggie Fils-Aimee self-referentially announcing that no, no new Mario game was being announced today, which somehow segued in to a bizarre anime-inspired fight between Reggie and Nintendo President Satoru Iwata, which then moved on to yes, you guessed it, a Super Smash Bros presentation. They showed that you’ll be able to use your Miis to brawl.

Nintendo then briefly showed its new Amiibo system, a Skylanders-like NFC toys-to-life system – with hints that Skylanders on Wii U may even be able to use them. Mario in my Skylanders? Yes please. Super Smash Bros will be the first game to use them, with support being added to Mario Kart 8 in future.

Nintendo then showed off some of its upcoming games  The first shown was Yoshi’s Woolly World, a 2.5D side-scroller with the same sort of aesthetic as the delightful Kirby’s Epic Yarn – only this time it contains full co-op.

Next up, they showed a bit of Captain Toad Treasure Tracker, which turns that little star-hunting diversion from Super Mario 3D World in to its own game.

Zelda boss Eiji Aonuma then showed off some of the brand new open-world Zelda for the Wii U, which has an art-style somewhere between Wind Waker and Skyward Sword. IT’s open world, so players are able to tackle the game in any way they see fit, instead of the linear route of previous games. Here it is in action. I want this. My body is ready.

Next up was a bit of footage from the newly announced Pokémon Sapphire and Ruby rehashes, with Primal Groudon, on the cover of Pokémon Omega Ruby, and Primal Kyogre on Pokémon Alpha Sapphire.

Next up m we got to see everyone’s favourite hair witch in Bayonetta 2 with news that the Wii U exclusive would include the original game as a free pack in. Bayonetta is one of the best action games in the history of video games, and its sequel is likely to be as good, if not better. Now you can get both.

We then got to have a better look at the Destiny Warriors Zelda game, Hyrule warriors, which pits Princess Zelda, Impa, Midna, and Link against hordes of enemies. It looks rather nice..for a Destiny Warriors game.

The big surprise, and a highlight for me was a brand new, first-party shooter from Nintendo. Only for a change, it’s a clever shooter that has nothing to do with death. Called Splatoon, it’s a shooter that has two teams of four trying to cover an area in their respective coloured ink. The hook here is that players can become magical squids, travelling within that ink for quicker movement and surprise attacks. It’s completely balmy, it looks fun, and it’s surprised the hell out of everyone.

A Wii U sequel to Nintendo DS game Kirby’s Canvas Curse is also on the way. Kirby and the Rainbow Curse is coming in 2015, featuring an HD, stop-motion world where everything is made from clay. It’ll build upon the drawing mechanics seen in the Canvas Curse.

Nintendo then showed off Monolith’s X, which is now called Xenoblade Chronicles X. It’s a game that’ll have any JRPG enthusiast giddy.

Nintendo lied. They did announce a new Mario game – but it’s not your usual. Instead, Mario Maker allows players to create and share their own dastardly Mario levels.

And that was it. Short and sweet, it was 45 minutes of bliss. As far as I’m concerned, Nintendo won E3. Their games may not be for everybody, but the company has proven it still has the power to surprise.

Later on, just after the even, it was announced that Tomonobu Itagaki’s Devil’s Third would now be a Wii U exclusive as well, for those who like blood, guts and dismemberment. \

Last Updated: June 11, 2014

82 Comments

  1. Alien Emperor Trevor

    June 11, 2014 at 08:36

    Shhhh, don’t tell the others that this is what a press event at E3 is supposed to do… SURPRISE PEOPLE! IN A GOOD WAY!

    Reply

    • Kensei Seraph

      June 11, 2014 at 08:38

      A lot easier to suprise people when they don’t have much hopes for anything from you.

      That being said I wonder what they’ll do for next year?

      Reply

      • Rinceinantici

        June 11, 2014 at 08:39

        Will they be around next year? Trololo

        Reply

        • Kensei Seraph

          June 11, 2014 at 08:40

          If what I’ve been hearing about these anouncements is half true then yes.

          Now excuse me while I go price a WiiU.

          Reply

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        June 11, 2014 at 08:39

        That’s true, and next year is next year’s problem. But honestly, did anyone expect any surprises from the other guys? Nooooooo………..

        Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        June 11, 2014 at 08:42

        Mario?

        Reply

        • Rinceinantici

          June 11, 2014 at 08:43

          Mario Kart 9…

          Reply

          • Hammersteyn

            June 11, 2014 at 08:43

            They should make a Metroid Kart or a Zelda Kart, change things up a bit

          • Rinceinantici

            June 11, 2014 at 08:43

            LOL.

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            June 11, 2014 at 08:50

            Pokemon Kart. It can mega-evolve into a monster truck or something.

          • Hammersteyn

            June 11, 2014 at 08:59

            LOL

      • Rinceinantici

        June 11, 2014 at 09:22

        Tehehehe

        Reply

    • Rinceinantici

      June 11, 2014 at 08:59

      That’ll never catch on!

      Reply

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        June 11, 2014 at 09:10

        That’s what she said.

        Reply

        • Rinceinantici

          June 11, 2014 at 09:10

          You’re doing it wrong!

          Reply

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            June 11, 2014 at 09:18

            Now you sound just like her.

  2. Viking Of Science

    June 11, 2014 at 08:41

    Yeah, So I’m sold on a WiiU, goodbye year end bonus….

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      June 11, 2014 at 08:42

      LOL

      Reply

  3. The Fires of Suzaku Burns!!

    June 11, 2014 at 08:43

    What impressed me even more was the post show, I stayed awake till lord knows what hour watching the Xenoblade X stream, which I have to add, and this is not just me being a JRPG fanboy, it genuinly looks brilliant. I was in awe with what I saw. The world is vibrant and alive and bursting with character. The gameplay looks like so much fun. The open world of Xenoblade X is what excited me the most. They said if you can see it, you can go there…

    Then they showcased Smash bros and Hyrule warriors…F**, this is what I want from E3 man, not the mindless clapping at the endless force fed hype. I live for moments when a company just connects with you, and doesn’t tell you to be hype for something, doesn’t do anything elaborate, they come down to your level and make it a personal affair…God I loved the Nintendo presentation SO much…

    Reply

  4. Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim

    June 11, 2014 at 08:44

    I think the best gaming system combination this gen is the PC+Wii U. Most of the eye-candy shooty stuff, all of the amazing Nintendo stuff.

    Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      June 11, 2014 at 08:55

      And you can do your taxes & play Excel. There’s more to PC than shooting :/

      Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      June 11, 2014 at 08:56

      Well yes and no.

      Reply

    • FoxOneZA

      June 11, 2014 at 09:18

      Can you Battlefield do third-person, first -person and hack-and-slash in one game? 😛

      Reply

      • Kensei Seraph

        June 11, 2014 at 09:24

        Are you talking about Skyrim?

        Reply

  5. oVgeeeeee Comet Drop

    June 11, 2014 at 08:49

    How sick is the new Link? Where is Bayonneta 2?

    Nintendo Seal of Quality. Never fails to impress.

    Reply

  6. The Fires of Suzaku Burns!!

    June 11, 2014 at 08:50

    I love Dynasty Warriors so..You know…HELL YES TO HYRULE WARRIORS

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      June 11, 2014 at 08:57

      Sorta busy with Dynasty Warriors 8. Guan Yu FTW

      Reply

      • The Fires of Suzaku Burns!!

        June 11, 2014 at 08:59

        I’m sorry Xiahou Dun is the most badass of them all. anyone with an eye patch is badass, just ask snake lol

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          June 11, 2014 at 09:06

          Hahaha that’s stereotyping

          Reply

  7. oVgeeeeee Comet Drop

    June 11, 2014 at 08:52

    BAYONETTA IN A Link outfit? Why am I turned on?

    Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      June 11, 2014 at 08:54

      Because you weren’t thinking of Margaret Thatcher in a Link outfit.

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        June 11, 2014 at 08:57

        Good heavens man!

        Reply

  8. Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

    June 11, 2014 at 08:59

    The fight between Reggie and Nintendo President Satoru Iwata…. Still a better anime style fight than the DBZ live action film (Or any of the street fighter films)

    Reply

    • The Fires of Suzaku Burns!!

      June 11, 2014 at 09:00

      Street Fighter online series is pretty good

      Reply

      • Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

        June 11, 2014 at 09:00

        Haven’t seen it so can’t really comment on that

        Reply

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        June 11, 2014 at 09:00

        Sponsored by Honda. Made me LOL the first time I saw that.

        Reply

  9. oVgeeeeee Comet Drop

    June 11, 2014 at 08:59

    It kind of makes the PS4 and Bone seem like the big dumb jocks that hide behind the bicycle shed sneaking a quick cigarette during lunch break at school. While the cool hipster Nintendo kid walks past showing off his walk the dog trick on his Yo Yo, attracting the attention of all the school girls.

    Reply

    • The Fires of Suzaku Burns!!

      June 11, 2014 at 09:00

      In what world is that. I used to show off my YoYo skills all the time. Ain’t never got no bitches

      Reply

      • oVgeeeeee Comet Drop

        June 11, 2014 at 09:02

        You probably had the Fanta yo yo and not the Black Coca Cola yo yo 😛

        Reply

        • The Fires of Suzaku Burns!!

          June 11, 2014 at 09:04

          ROFLOL!!!!!! Dammit, no wonder Jimmy’s yoyo brought all the girls to the park, damn right it’s better than mine

          Reply

          • HvR - THE Average GAmer

            June 11, 2014 at 09:20

            Sounds like a basis for new song:
            Jimmy’s yo-yo bring all the girls to the yard
            His tricks are better than yours
            His tricks are better than yours

        • Rinceinantici

          June 11, 2014 at 09:07

          You know it!

          Reply

          • Sageville

            June 11, 2014 at 09:56

            The big black one was for uber pros.

            I remember these professional yoyo-ers in red blazers touring SA, they gave demos at our local “Ok bazzars” and some of us won free yoyo stuff, it was frikken awesome!

          • Rinceinantici

            June 11, 2014 at 10:03

            Totally! I loved being a kid, these days they don’t get this kindda stuff.

          • z00bear

            June 11, 2014 at 12:58

            The best yoyos ever made

        • Alien Emperor Trevor

          June 11, 2014 at 09:08

          Fanta is for pro’s, Coke is for ho’s 😛

          Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      June 11, 2014 at 09:02

      You said cool & hipster in the same sentence. I’m not sure you know what those words mean 😛

      Reply

      • oVgeeeeee Comet Drop

        June 11, 2014 at 09:04

        Im to old to care.

        Reply

        • Brenz

          June 11, 2014 at 09:05

          I didnt care before you

          Reply

          • Rinceinantici

            June 11, 2014 at 09:08

            Maybe, but I’m sure grumpy OvG was older before you 😉

          • Brenz

            June 11, 2014 at 09:09

            Ive been grumpy since I was in the womb.

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            June 11, 2014 at 09:11

            Who do you think helped put you there?

          • Rinceinantici

            June 11, 2014 at 09:12

            0-O

          • Rinceinantici

            June 11, 2014 at 09:12

            He didn’t come from a womb, he crawled up the side of a test-tube, landed in a petri dish and was microwaved into being.

          • Brenz

            June 11, 2014 at 09:18

            Well that would put anyone in a bad mood!

      • Kensei Seraph

        June 11, 2014 at 09:05

        Glad I wasn’t the only one to suspect him.

        Reply

        • Alien Emperor Trevor

          June 11, 2014 at 09:09

          I’m shocked it took you this long. Everywhere we go he’s automatically the most suspicious looking person there.

          Reply

          • Kensei Seraph

            June 11, 2014 at 09:12

            I try to avoid suspicious looking people.

    • Brenz

      June 11, 2014 at 09:02

      Thats a very odd world that lives in your head…

      Reply

      • oVgeeeeee Comet Drop

        June 11, 2014 at 09:03

        Its even worse outside of my head 😛

        Reply

    • FoxOneZA

      June 11, 2014 at 09:11

      Calm your bits! PS4 will get Uncharted Master Thief Collection in a few years time along with GT5 HD Inception Remake 😛

      Reply

  10. Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

    June 11, 2014 at 09:02

    And this is why Nintendo will always remain valid. They are in it for gamers. Good old gaming.

    Say what you want about their apparent “backwards” way of thinking with family value games but their games are actually fun and still keep the old spirit of gaming alive.

    It’s not about the fancy graphics or the graphic violence or the super realistic physics. It’s all about good old FUN. The more I see of what they are planning the more I want to buy a Wii-U

    Reply

    • derp

      June 11, 2014 at 12:51

      Why does there have to be a compromise? Its almost if Nintendo doesn’t even bother.

      It sort of worked last gen because the Wii was cheaper than the other consoles, but now?

      Reply

      • Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

        June 11, 2014 at 13:28

        because they don’t need to spend a small countries total GDP to develop a game with ultra realistic graphics. It’s not needed

        Reply

        • derp

          June 11, 2014 at 14:14

          I am no saying they need ultra-realistic graphics, but this current set of games looks dated.

          Maybe it’s just me but I like seeing progress in games. Nintendo does exactly the opposite by selling the same game with minor improvements.

          And it is not a money issue, Nintendo have more cash than most other gaming companies.
          http://wiiudaily.com/2014/03/nintendo-not-doomed/

          Reply

          • Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

            June 11, 2014 at 14:35

            Their core design choices revolve around fun games instead of expending too much energy in creating new-age looking games. I’m actually quite ok with that

          • J_Joestar

            June 13, 2014 at 21:42

            Selling the same game with minor improvements and a new can of paint is pretty much the staple of the gaming industry these days, far beyond just Nintendo.

  11. Rinceinantici

    June 11, 2014 at 09:09

    Good to see the ‘underdog’ (as far as what people have been saying about their WiiU) deliver like this. Awesome stuff.

    Reply

    • FoxOneZA

      June 11, 2014 at 09:12

      The Wii U has been awesome for the past 12 months. People that are saying bad things are just throwing up the media’s opinions.

      Reply

      • The Fires of Suzaku Burns!!

        June 11, 2014 at 09:15

        This X 9000

        Reply

      • Rinceinantici

        June 11, 2014 at 09:17

        Either way, their sales have been low, so not awesome. Hopefully this will get them up!

        Reply

  12. Sk3tz0

    June 11, 2014 at 09:20

    WHAT NO POKEMON MMO… grrrr!!!! One day is one day… I guess..

    Reply

  13. CypherGate

    June 11, 2014 at 09:47

    Have to admit. Was the best show out of the lot. Out of all the shows Nintendos just had this excited FUN feeling to there games. I really like the Splatoon game. I think that looks like one of those addictive style games you cant put down. I miss those kinda games! Devils Third looks really fun as well. I honestly never played a Zelda game in my life, but always thought it looked fun. This trailer made me want to go out now and buy a WiiU lol Fantastic show Nintendo!

    Reply

  14. Mark Vincer

    June 11, 2014 at 11:52

    NINTENDO!!! IF I COULD WRITE IN LARGER FONT I WOULD!!!!

    Reply

  15. CAE9872

    June 12, 2014 at 08:34

    That intro – who needs Mortal Kombat X

    Reply

  16. CAE9872

    June 12, 2014 at 08:39

    Damn you Nintendo – how dare you appear from NOWHERE and take E3…and scarily how easily you did so! Now I need to consider actually buying a WiiU…

    F**K!!!!!!!

    Reply

  17. CAE9872

    June 12, 2014 at 09:41

    Splatoon looks awesome – a shooter game I can easily play with my young son and daughter.

    Reply

  18. Darren Peach

    June 12, 2014 at 16:47

    Nintendo targets a realm that I just don’t get. Sure, I played Mario Brothers and that sort of thing when I was but a little bean ( Youngster ). I am 36 years old and it does not appeal to me in the least. I may be slightly biased or dare I say, Narrow minded, When it comes to Nintendo games. Yet I feel no need to participate in the whole Nintendo thing.

    Reply

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