E3: Nintendo

E3: Nintendo

Each and every year I root for Nintendo more so than any other console due to having a special place in my heart. I, as well as many other, have grown up playing countless Nintendo titles and want to see them succeed. Since the Gamecube was released,  it’s been a  hard fight for gamers to justify purchasing a console from them. The Wii was not much better, and the Wii U is finally up to par with being able to compete with Xbox and Playstation. A few great titles have come from the Wii U such as Pikmin 3, Mario Kart 8, Super Mario 3D world, and many others. Is this the year that Nintendo gets back in the ring as a worthy contender?

Starfox Zero

We’ve been waiting for a great Starfox game for some time now and finally our prayers were answered! However, there are some concerns with the game. The art style has remained similar to the N64 Starfox, which does pull at out heartstrings but at the same time, games with updated graphics like Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and Super Mario 3D world have been well received. There were new combat modes shown in game from gyro, land, r Plane, and more. I believe it’s safe to say this will be interesting. Set to be released in Winter of 2015.

 

Tri Force Heroes

Although Nintendo announced just a few months before E3 that there would be no mention of Zelda, we came to find two Zelda titles announced. Tri Force Heroes is the first of two that allows up to three players to become Link and travel around defeating bad guys and stopping evil. Unique features of the game include various sets of clothes that offer different abilities. Set to be released in Fall of 2015.

Hyrule Warriors

Hyrule Warriors for the Wii U was loved and cherished by all who were able to play it. It comes as no surprise that they would released the game to their DS platform as well. This new game features more content than the Wii U version by allowing for Wind Waker characters to also participate in battle royales. Set to be released in 2016.

Metroid Prime: Federation Force

Many Nintendo fan’s first crush was Samus Aran from the Metroid series once they found out the main character of their beloved video games was a girl all along. We’ve had both awesome and terrible Metroid games in the past and now that we have the Wii U, we yearn for a new Metroid game. Our answers were half answered by Nintendo releasing a new Metroid game but for the DS and you do not play as Samus but three currently unknown characters while fighting enemies in space. The game features a unique art style unique to the other Metroid games but it all feels so awkward. Set to be released 2016.

Fire Emblem Fates

I hope that no one ever truly knows just how much time and energy I have dumped into Fire Emblem games through my life. (Spoiler, it’s a lot) I have yet to play their previous title but Fates seems to be the sequel and it looks fantastic. Everything we love from a Fire Emblem game and so much more. Set to be released in 2016.

Genei Ibun Roku #FE

This was the biggest “WTF?” of all the games shown during the conference. Featured completely in Japanese with out subtitles, hell not even the title was in english, we were given a crazy trailer showing various scenes from the game of a modern day setting that switches to fantasy and then merges the two. Both 3d graphics, as well as animated scenes were displayed. It looks interesting to say the least but the lack of translation for the American fans left a sour taste in many mouths. Set to be released in 2016.

Xenoblade Chronicles X

I will give Nintendo credit that they are pumping out the RPGs left and right. Xenoblade is another title that I am looking forward to purchasing for the Wii U. Giant robots, laser swords, anime style artwork, and everything an awesome J RPG needs to take too many hours from my life. Set to be released in 2016.

Animal Crossing: Happy Home/Amiibo Festival

Two animal cross games were announced but neither really seem to be strong enough to warrant two sections. The first is Happy Home which allows players to decorate houses as they please, previously players were unable to go into detail when moving/placing furniture but Happy Home allows them to place whatever objects they wish, where they wish. It features a few other new options and is set to be released September 25th 2015. The other Animal Crossing game announced was Amiibo Festival where you must first purchase an Amiibo of an Animal Crossing character and then the character comes to life in game where players are able to partake in a Mario Party like adventure with a Animal Crossing skin.

Yoshi’s Wooly World

If there is one thing that Nintendo is the king of it is making adorable games and Yoshi’s Wooly World is no exception. Yoshi goes on a whimsically adventure in a world made up entirely of wooly as he, and friends, run around solving puzzles and travels the world. Set for release October 16th 2015.

Youkai Watch

This was another surprise trailer in which I had little knowledge of. Apparently, it is going to be a similar game to Pokemon where you fight, train monsters, and go around the world.  Set to be released in Winter of 2015.

Mario Tennis

Another Mario Tennies game! Woo! Set to be released Winter of 2015.

Paper Jam

What happens when you take regular Mario and merge it with Paper Mario? Apparently you get two colliding worlds where everyone has a counterpart. In Paper Jam you play as Paper Mario and Regular Mario to solve puzzles, defeat enemies, and work to reverse whatever caused the worlds to merge. Set to be released in 2016.

Mario Maker

This was one of the biggest announcements at E3, Mario Maker. This will allow anyone to create their own Mario adventure filled with all the traps they could ever want. They mentioned Online play so expect people to not only be playing your creations but you playing other Mario Maker’s levels. The game features a series of skin going as far back as the first Mario to more recent 3D renditions.

Unfortunately, Nintendo was still the weakest as far as the battle of the consoles go. My only hope is that more game announcements will come out in the months between this E3 and next. I love Nintendo but I crave more amazing games that I know they are capable of creating. 

What are your thoughts on this?