Nintendo's E3

[dadevvtsvre]

So Nintendo had their E3 press conference today. The main item of interest was the Wii U - Nintendo's next console, slated for release some time in 2012.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpUit2GR7Oc

It's kind of a weird sounding name but the Wii was the same way at first. Apparently it plays off the pun the Wii (we) started. (u = you) (nintendo's never been great at namings things)

It's created some mixed feelings. I will admit that at first the controller looks incredibly clunky and uncomfortable, especially compared to the Wii's relatively sleek design. But initial hands-on reviews are very positive, and it could create a lot of creative opportunities for developers to take advantage of.

One of the main draws about the Wii U is the fact that it can play games either on the TV or on the 6.2-inch touch screen. So, for example, if you're using the TV to play Wii U and somebody wants to watch baseball or something, you can transfer the game to the controller's screen.

Other items of interest:
-New Super Smash Bros. is in development for both the Wii U and the 3DS (yes holy shittttt yes)
-Wii U is getting third-party support for games like Batman: Arkham City, Assassin's Creed, and Battlefield 3
-A new Skyward Sword trailer
-new Mario Kart 3DS trailer (gliders and underwater segments?? :O )
-video of a new Super Mario game for the 3DS (tanooki suit makes a comeback, hell yes)
-Four Swords and Link's Awakening DX will be available for download on the DSi and the 3DS
-new trailers for Kid Icarus and Star Fox 64 3D
-Luigi's Mansion 2!
-something about lego

A lot of people are divided over it. Some think that Nintendo "won" E3 and totally kicked ass, other feel they failed miserably. How do you feel? Is the Wii U another gimmick console? A legitimate threat?

 

[dadevvtsvre]

Honestly, I'm really not sure how to feel about the Wii U! I mean, first impression are not so great, but I had the same reaction towards the Wii's controllers as well. I think once people actually get the Wii U into their hands and try it out for themselves, they'll be more impressed - or at least have a better grasp of what it really is.

I mean, Nintendo has yet to make a bad console, right? (although a lot of people think that the Wii is a bad console, sooo)

On the topic of Zelda. I was feeling pretty lukewarm towards Skyward Sword up until today. The videos/gameplay I had seen looked mediocre at best, and the graphics looked like a not-very-impressive blend of Wind Waker's and Twilight Princess'. But after seeing Skyward Sword's newest trailer (and hearing the orchestra perform the theme) I can honestly say I'm pretty stoked about this now!

I mean, look at this. Watch this and tell me it's not gorgeous. It's like Studio Ghibi: The Game and has me so stokedddddd (also, Ni No Kuni :B )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWDCYK73lvI

One of the things I've really missed from recent Zeldas is the lack of an truly interactive town. One of the best parts of Majora's Mask was Clock Town - interacting with the townspeople, affecting their lives, seeing how their daily life changed depending on your actions. It looks like this sky realm might be something similar to that.

Apparently the entire overworld (as in, Hyrule) will be a dungeon of sorts, much like the Metroid games. Which is a really neat concept.

I'm a bit worried that the constant "puzzle-solving" aspect of fighting enemies will get tiresome. Skyward Sword utilizes Motion+ for 1:1 combat, and you have to use your sword in complex ways to take down enemies in bosses. I think Twilight Princess handled enemy combat pretty terribly (waggling the WiiMote every ten seconds got old very fast) but I hope it's handled better here.

Still no Pikmin 3 news

 

[Pokémaniac]

Wii U's not bad, they've mentioned some interesting applications for it, Skyward Sword looks amazing and I want to play it(I enjoyed TP even though I can't be bothered finishing it), but I think the main thing is

PROFESSOR LAYTON 4'S BEING TRANSLATED YESSS

(Okay maybe that's just me)

Also I should look at the Mario Kart trailer huh

 

[bacon]

What I got really excited for was the Luigi's Mansion 2 trailer. I think that the 3ds games that they introduced alone got me all excited and pumped, especially since all of them are coming out this year. I think that this is the lineup that should of came out during the launch period or during the summer. But seriously, Luigi's Mansion is like one of my favorite Gamecube games of all time mainly because it was so different. That mario game should be super fun (pretty much every mario game is great). Mariokart should be super cool as well as long as they learn from their mistakes from the wii one. Starfox should be interesting as well.

They sort of forgot about the wii though so. x:

The new console looks super neat. I am really glad they are getting third party developers into the mix. My problem with the wii is that it had the potential it just never lived up to any of it. It was almost as if the wii turned into a console for your average 8 year old kid over a console for more hardcore gamers. I was hoping they would of ditched the whole wii title. Anyways, I am wishing that they keep their promise and try to put more effort into the games so that more hardcore players will get more life with it. There just simply wasn't enough good games for it, mainly because of the lack of 3rd party support.

That Zelda game looks awesome. It looks like they are introducing Vaati which is cool because i sort of secretly like him better as a villain than ganon. x:
It also looks like they are having a lot more fun with the game and trying a bunch of new stuff, which is usually a good thing for nintendo. Usually games from nintendo that aren't trying to set any new standards end up being the best anyways. I think that Twilight Princess was more there to awe while this new zelda looks more like its just trying to do a bunch of new things. Which is wonderful.

 

[Cait]

(o.o) I like the console, am in the middle of coming up with a joke or insult to make fun of the crappy name. I think the last decently name Nintendo console was the Game Cube or the Nintendo 64. Seriously! Although, the 3DS is pretty good, too! I like the transfer thing and I am really looking forward to seeing what games are coming out at the start of it. Since they are focusing on 3rd party developers, who are really excited so it says something, even if I will always make fun of the name. Heck, I'm still making fun of the WII's name! I hope they have some good RPGs and even more action RPGs, looking forward to seeing the new metroid game, that I've heard they might be developing.

I wonder if Luigi's mansion 2 is going to be really good and what system it's coming out for... I heard my brother talking about it, but he didn't say. I love that game, the first one was really fun!

 

[bacon]

Luigi's Mansion is coming out for the 3ds.

 

[Mega Flare]

I dont see the Wii U being as sucsesful as the Wii was... whats the point of really getting it if you got a ps3 or a 360 already? But thats just me. Though i am pumped for smash bros for the 3DS... i hope its good unlike brawl lol.. Also mario kart! my 3DS might finaly get some use. 3DS= most overpriced handheld of all time.. sony is going to rape it with the vita lol

 

[bacon]

what a typical megaflare answer

 

[Fusty]

The new Zelda looks great indeed, I don't own a Wii but my sister does so I'll just have to "borrow" hers.
Wii U? I'll have to see/know more about it to truly give my opinion on that, so far all I can say is that the controller looks incredibly uncomfortable.

 

[Pokémaniac]

It does for a second, but in comparison to the size of your hands it doesn't seem too bad. It's basically an iPad-size(which is wholly intentional in my opinion), and apparently those work fine. It probably has a grip on the back, too.

 

[Fusty]

Yeah well I guess I can't really judge the controller until I actually get a hold of one.
Nintendo probably knows what they're doing.

 

[Pokémaniac]

Oh and apparently they're going to make a Super Smash Brothers for the Wii U AND the 3DS!

 

[Skyla Doragono]

I admit, I'm kinda baffled by this. Lately it seems like the new game systems coming out are trying to sell us on what gimmick is better. First the Wii had their motion system, and when that became popular, PS3 and 360 adopted it to with various changes (PS3 gave you this wtf ball wand thingie and 360 said fuck the controller). Now it's like Nintendo's the big kid that just had his lunch money stolen, so he's retaliating with a bazooka.

Not that the WiiU is a bad idea. I can't tell you how annoying it is sometimes to be in the middle of a really good game, and then someone wants me to HURRY UP AND SAVE because there is something on TV they absolutely HAVE TO watch. I would certainly buy it just for that, though I can't imagine how much it's going to cost. Especially if it has a touch screen implementation too.

Glad to see all the awesomeness coming out for 3DS. I admit that I only wanted it for one game, but it's nice to see that there are other games that are going to make it worth the money.

Also, Skyward Sword looks epic. Lets hope they don't do to that what they did to Twilight Princess.

 

[RavenTDA]

When I first saw the Wii, I was so super impressed. It's like a long time ago you see so many people moving the remote control to the side in hopes it would make Mario jump just a bit father. XD! And then they came up with a controller for movement. The Wii U however looks like it has some nice things to it but I don't think it's completely worthy for an entire new system. I'd be more satisfied with it just being an add-on controller to the Wii. Maybe I need to have it actually in my hands and try it but that also makes me wonder. I have really tiny hands and can't play on certain controllers, like certain guitars for guitar hero or rock band with my small hands make it IMPOSSIBLE for me to play on because they're meant for much bigger hands. In the old days I had issues reaching certain buttons as well. So with this new one I feel like it might be a bit too big for me now that they've shoved a screen on the pad and I also wonder about weight issues. I'm like ridiculously weak and I'd not be too happy if the controller was too heavy for me for comfort. :\

 

[Ellie]

I'm disappointed the WiiU is a new console. I thought it was just an addon. I can't afford a new console right now. Or ever. However, progress is progress, and I can't complain much for something being unaffordable.

 

[dadevvtsvre]

It's probably not going to come out until Summer 2012 at the earliest. Would likely be towards the holiday season, though.

It's also worth mentioning that the current Wii U design is still very much a prototype, and could change before it's released.

 

[Meness]

and also guys HD Zelda

http://www.ign.com/videos/2011/06/07/e3 ... tid=110801

 

[candle]

that zelda thing is really just a tech demo to show how the new controller might work with a core game, but still...

it looks fuckin sweet.

 

[Ellie]

Bah, the design of the console itself leaves much to be desired. The old console, while clean and white, still had a clear uniqueness about it, whereas this looks like it could be any console, almost even just a smaller form 360 without the curve.

 

[Meness]

that zelda thing is really just a tech demo to show how the new controller might work with a core game, but still...

it looks fuckin sweet.

Yeah I know. I posted it for the sole reason of showing the graphical prowess. And besides, we ALL know a zelda is bound to come out for it.

Bah, the design of the console itself leaves much to be desired. The old console, while clean and white, still had a clear uniqueness about it, whereas this looks like it could be any console, almost even just a smaller form 360 without the curve.

I totally agreed. First thing that came to mind when I saw it was, "ZOMG NINTENDO STOLE AN XBOX". But this is still a prototype, it could change in time~