Note: I'm taking a page from from my blogging pal Viewtiful Justin's book and making this post about today's E3 2013 Nintendo Direct (watch it here) a stream-of-consciousness affair.
Pokémon X/Y--The game, due out on Oct. 12, continues to look great. I like how the battles have a cartoonish flair to them.
Also, fairy-type Pokémon? That's all I needed to hear.
Super Mario 3D World--Huh. I'm not what I think about that cat power-up. Everything else looks nice and clean, though--like Super Mario 3D Land, but better.
Wait, you mean we can control Peach again? SOLD. That said, I'm not entirely sure about the gameplay. I expected something Super Mario Galaxy-esque, and this isn't it. Still, it seems fun.
Mario Kart 8--I know some will be confused by my next comment, but I thought this one looked really good. Surprisingly good, even. I guess I didn't expect the Wii U version to look quite so ... detailed.
I also really like its F-Zero-esque elements--you know, the anti-gravity stuff.
Bummer about the "spring 2014" release date, though. Wasn't it supposed to be out late this year?
Wii Party U--Zzzzzzzzzzz.
Don't get me wrong, I'm sure it'll be fun in its own way, but it's really not my cup of tea.
Wii Fit U--That we're still waiting for this game is either a joke or a travesty or both, if you ask me. Seriously, a December 2013 release? It should have been out in December 2012. Sigh.
Art Academy U--Seems interesting enough, although I'm not sure it's something I'll get for myself. After all, I bought both previous Art Academy titles and have yet to really "play" them.
It'll surely be a boon to those who use Miiverse, though.
Third-party Wii U games--Wait, you mean such a thing exists? Just kidding (kind of).
Wii U and 3DS eShop games--Is it wrong that Coaster Crazy Deluxe excited me the most out of this montage of upcoming digital releases? Oh, and Mutant Mudds Deluxe also looks good--well, except for the design of its protagonist--as does Shovel Knight.
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD--This one looks much better than it did in the last E3, I must say. The question is: if I buy this version, will I finally complete the game? (Sadly, I got stuck while playing the GameCube original and never returned to it.)
The Wonderful 101--It'll be out before The Wind Waker HD (in mid-September)? You don't say!
Still looks like a lot of fun, of course, but I worry that due to the lengthy delay of its release it's going to receive a rather lukewarm reception--which would be too bad, as it looks really unique (something that can't be said about a lot of Wii U games--or games for any other console, for that matter--these days).
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze--Another good-looking Wii U game, no doubt. I'm not sure I'm up for another Donkey Kong Country game at this point, though, to tell you the truth.
That said, I like that Dixie Kong's making a return to the series.
Bayonetta 2--New hair and outfit(s), huh? Personally, I preferred the longer hair, but that's just me. Still, the game looks over-the-top fabulous, as it should. It's not coming out until sometime next year, though. Boo.
Also, Nintendo/Platinum are going to be smart and release a Wii U version of the first Bayonetta in advance of the second, right? Right?!
X--Monolithsoft's Xenoblade follow-up is as visually impressive as ever. Gameplay looks similar to Xenoblade, which I think is great, although the addition of the mechs should add a bit of spice to that game's formula--or at least that's what I'm hoping.
Super Smash Bros. for 3DS and Wii U--Would you believe I originally (and rather stupidly) believed this last trailer was for the Wii U version of Animal Crossing?
Anyway, both versions of the new Smash Bros. game look really nice to my eyes, although I'm not entirely sure I'm on board with the art style being used for the 3DS iteration. Of course, I'm not exactly the biggest Smash Bros. fan in the world. In fact, I doubt I'll get either version this time around, although I'm keeping an open mind due to the fact that an Animal Crossing villager has been added to the roster.
A few additional thoughts--No price drop or new bundle for Wii U? Also, where's Yarn Yoshi? Or Dragon Quest X? Or first-party 3DS games besides Pokémon X/Y, such as Yoshi's Island 3DS (aka Yoshi's New Island)? What about third-party 3DS games like Fantasy Life or Dragon Quest VII or Bravely Default?
Also, I have to say that I'm getting the distinct feeling that the Wii U is on its way to being another GameCube for Nintendo. There's nothing really wrong with that, of course, especially since the GameCube is one of my all-time favorite consoles (despite the fact that it was a flop), but I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a bit disappointing after the success of the Wii.
So, that's what I think of this morning's E3 2013 Nintendo Direct. What did all of you think about it? Did it satisfy you? Disappoint you? Enrage you? Bore you?
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
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28 comments:
I saw a lot of things I want to buy. Pokemon, of course. They sold me on Super Mario 3D World by adding Peach and making comparisons to Super Mario Bros. 2 (which is my favorite entry of the NES era). I won't be able to resist Mario Kart 8 or Smash Bros., either.
I want to play the Monoith game. It looks like a Monster Hunter clone, but I don't have a problem with that. By the time it arrives, I'll probably be semi-finished with MH3U. Maybe.
But I'll do a day one download for The Wind Waker HD. I played through the GameCube version twice, and I'm looking forward to playing it again. I hope they restore the missing dungeons or maybe streamline that bit near the end where you sail from island to island to island to island ad nauseum for Triforce pieces.
I agree with everything you said in the first paragraph of your comment, Terry, except for the bit about Smash Bros. I barely played the Wii iteration, so I'm a bit unsure about this one. That said, the AC villager may push me to buy it anyway :)
I think the Monolithsoft game looks amazing, personally. Day one for me, no question.
I also think The Wind Waker HD looked great but, again, I'm not sure if I'll buy it. Regardless, I have a feeling the bit near the end WILL be streamlined with this release. Iwata said changes would be made, and I'll bet that's one of them.
I'm not interested in the Wii U so I didn't watch the Nintendo Direct, but is this the extent of their E3 news? There isn't anything in the 3DS lineup outside of Picross E and Attack of the Friday Monsters that I'm interested in, and I was hoping this E3 would give me more stuff to look forward to. I've been playing Dragon Quest IV on the DS and my frothing demand for DQ7 has only increased, and I'd like to think there's still a chance of the game getting localized.
The inclusion of Shovel Knight made me so happy. I've been watching that game progress with so much anticipation for a while now. Woo-hoo.
I had tears in my eyes when the Animal Crossing intro to Smash Bros started. So cute I died a little. But really...what a GREAT fake-out by Nintendo. And MEGAMAN?! Hell yes.
Am I correct in understanding that you weren't entirely jazzed about cat Mario? I was cheering. That little meow is adorable. And...playable cat Peach. Enough said.
I should qualify the Smash Bros. statement by pointing out my sister has four children, so the game will get plenty of play whether I'm there or not. lol
Oh, that's nice! I definitely feel like Smash Bros. games are more fun when you've got other gamers to play with (as opposed to competing against AI). In my case, I've got no one to play with, so I don't find them to be much fun.
I'm not the sort to agree with the line that says Nintendo just keeps milking the same franchises over and over, or rather, I don't agree that it's a problem! But this lineup isn't doing much to establish any identity for the console. I'm psyched for 3D Mario World in particular, but it (along with NSMB) isn't going to be for the WiiU what Galaxy was for the Wii.
I wouldn't say it's Nintendo fanboys that will pull the WiiU up from the Gamecube level of sales, but I do think they still have a good advantage just by being Nintendo, not necessarily that they have all those key franchises but that they're just really different from other console makers and I think we're all a lot more aware of that than we were back when the GC was floppin'. The WiiU is the only console that really feels like it's serving up the kinds of games I want to play! But I would sure like to see more new stuff. Looking at all the "new" games on the PS4 and Xbone, you couldn't really be faulted for thinking that maybe hardware tech DOES drive innovation. :P
Yeah, I'm sort of in agreement with Michaelstearns in that I think Nintendo should keep going to these particular wells - they are what sell consoles for them. No one is buying a Wii U because they want to play Watchdogs on it. They may buy Watch Dogs for it because they already have a Wii U - but that Wii U is getting purchased for those familiar, popular franchises imo.
That said, Smash Bros and Mario Kart were easily my favorite titles shown. 3D Mario titles just never resonate with me the way the 2D ones do.
I thought Nintendo played it really, really safe. They were going to be 3rd fiddle to Sony and Microsoft no matter what they did because those other two had consoles to show off, but another surprise or two would not have hurt as I know I was already familiar with pretty much everything Nintendo rolled out. A Metroid/Kid Icarus/some Zelda/Star Fox title would have been a nice cap to it all.
Kitty Mario! Woohoo! LOL
So cute. Damn you Nintendo for tempting me so!!
>.<
I love the look of Bayonetta 2 and X -- can't wait to see/hear more on them!!
Mario Kart 8 looks great! Semi tempted, even though I've kinda vowed myself not play it again haha
I couldn't agree more, Michael. Although I think it's fine for Nintendo to continue to make sequels to its many franchises (hell, I EXPECT and WANT them to do this in many cases), I'm not sure some of the sequels shown here are going to do for the Wii U what Nintendo thinks they're going to do.
Other than Mario Kart 8, I mean. Which looked WONDERFUL and surely will sell shitloads upon release (and for a long time afterward). But it isn't coming out until spring. Boo.
Anyway, as for your comment about Nintendo being in a different place than it was back in the GC days: I hope you're right. To an extent.
I say "to an extent," by the way, because I'm not sure it really matters to me if the Wii U "wins" this upcoming generation or ends up GameCubed (i.e., in third place).
All I really care about is Nintendo staying in business and making enough dough to be able to produce the games and even systems I want.
So, if they can do that while not "winning" the generation, so be it.
I agree with you, too, Chalgyr--especially with your comments about Smash Bros. and Mario Kart. That said, I think Mario 3D World looked like a lot of fun. Or at least a good bit of fun. It'll be interesting to see if that's really the case, though, once it's out.
Also, I agree that Nintendo played it safe here. I wonder why? Well, I mean, other than "maybe that's all they had to show at the moment."
Still, they could've showed more of the 3DS, and they probably could've shown a few more Wii U games, too. Hell, even Miyamoto said they considered showing Zelda Wii U.
Like last year's E3 showing, I think this one (for Nintendo) really could've used one more wow-worthy game.
Ah, so you're a fan of kitty Mario, eh? I don't know why, but I find it/him a bit odd. Oh, well, maybe he'll grow on me.
I love the look of Bayonetta 2, too. Also, I really do hope they find a way to get the original re-released on Wii U before part 2 comes out.
I keep forgetting that you have a tough time with Mario Kart, Igor. And yet you're still tempted to give it a go?
Sounds kind of like me and Smash Bros., really. Not that I "suck" at these games, really, but I definitely don't enjoy them as much as most people seem to.
As such, I'm always thinking I shouldn't buy the next one, but inevitably I do--because of characters like the AC villager and the Wii Fit trainer. Gah!
Yeah, I don't care about winners, I just want them to do well enough that their president doesn't have to step down or take a pay cut to show "humility" or something.
As much as I find Iwata appealing, if he is largely responsible for Nintendo's current woes I wouldn't feel too bad about his departure--if that's what ends up happening, of course. I'm really hoping he isn't chiefly responsible, though, because he's one of the few head honchos in gaming who doesn't seem like a stiff. (See: Reggie, Jack and whoever the hell is in charge of MS' Xbox devision.)
Yeah, if they need someone else to step up change their direction, then that's what they need! Besides Iwata's great personality, I also really like his developer background, something not all those other guys have. It's nice to think that a "developer" can be in charge, instead of a "suit!" If he had to step down I would hope they would have a way to keep him in the public view!
But I don't necessarily mean Iwata specifically, I don't want for the company to "lose face" as it were. I guess I sympathize with them a bit too much, maybe. But if they come back fighting, that's all that matters!
I hear ya, Michael, and I also don't want the company to "lose face," as it were. I don't think that's going to happen, though. I mean, the Wii U may end up struggling (and may not!), but the 3DS is doing well and is only going to get stronger this year. So, I think they'll be OK in the long run.
I really agree w/ that last comment in particular. One or two more 'it' games would have been huge. Ah well...
I wonder if showing off Zelda Wii U really would've helped? Personally, I'm barely interested in such a title, but I know many others are...
I can't imagine it would have hurt. Like you said - maybe not of interest to you, but to others. That's sort of the key really - show Smash Bros, Mario World, Zelda, Metroid, Kart... introduce a fighter, a platformer, and adventure game, an action title and a racer - increase the genres to broaden your appeal to more gamers.
Yeah, you're right. What you said also supports the suggestion that Nintendo should have shown off at least one new IP at this event (and X doesn't count, IMO, as it was shown earlier).
Shown earlier - and not shown enough of. Though I admit - I'm curious about what X will be. I'm also curious how small we can make these Disquss response boxes - I think we've hit the minimum width based on the last couple of replies. :)
It was revealed today that there won't be cross platform play for Smash Bros, due to the differences of the 2 versions.
Oh and have you downloaded the press kits? You can get super hi res promo images.
I agree that not enough of X has been shown so far--well, at least for those of us who are interested in it :)
I also agree about the width of these Disqus boxes. Argh!!
Oh, that's interesting to hear, Igor, especially since I thought they'd suggested there would be at least some form of interplay between the two versions.
As for the press kits: nope! That Bayonetta 2 art sure looks nice, though :)
You could rent the next smash bro(s) and then decide whether or
not you want to buy it. I'm guessing you can still rent games without using
services like game fly (Which I guess is something you could possibly have).I
actually haven't rented a game in awhile mostly because I can usually tell
whether I'll like a game or not from game-play clips. The worst that happens if
I buy a game is I'll find it overrated yet still enjoy it like with Xenoblade
which I didn't even spend money on because my boyfriend/room-mate bought it and
let me borrow it, though I'll probably buy X if he doesn't beat me to buying it.
Yeah, that's an option, I guess, but I probably won't make use of it. I played enough of the first SSB and SSB Brawl to know that it's not really my cup of tea.
I'm glad it exists and I think the idea is really cool, but I just don't enjoy playing it.
Oh, well, more money for other games, I guess!
BTW, I haven't rented a game in AGES. Honestly can't remember the last time I rented one...
Here is the website:
http://press.nintendo.com/E32013/
user: Nintendo
pass: E32013
Thanks, Igor!
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