Victim of Culture

E3 2009: Nintendo press conference review

This year sees E3 trying to return to its roots after a disastrous 2008 show.  One of the biggest parts of any E3 show is the console manufacturers’ press conferences.  They typically range from the epic (introduction of the Wii) to the horribly, horribly wrong (introduction of the PS3 and real-time weapon changing).  So how did this year go for Nintendo?

Another New Super Mario Bros. but on Wii
File this one under one of the worst kept secrets before the show.  Still, a new 2D scrolling Mario game, on the Wii?  It’s a point worth celebrating for the hardcore.  Four player simultaneous play?  Play as Luigi and Toad?  Sounds like Nintendo’s been reading this site.  Nintendo comes out strong.

Wii Fit is back with a Plus edition
Well, this also comes as a surprise to no one.  Not only because word leaked early about it, but also because Nintendo sold a billion copies of the original.  Make your own workout routines?  Tracks calories burned?  New balance games, including skateboarding and a Mario-style platformer?  Pretty much addresses most of the complaints about the original from fans.  Great news for fans, but nothing to sell it to the unconverted.

Shot through the heart by Wii Sports Resort
Archery?  Check.  Kayaking?  Check.  Skydiving?  Check.  Basketball?  Check.  Is Nintendo trying to run EA Sports off the console?  What else is left for them?  Wii Sports Resort is about the surest bet in gaming this year.  It’s guaranteed to sell millions and Nintendo has too much invested in this franchise now to screw it up.  Nothing earth shattering, but certainly fun looking.

Tigers, Crystals, and Steel—oh my!
Nintendo showed off Tigers Woods PGA Tour 10 and Red Steel 2 specifically as two titles that take advantage of the Wii MotionPlus hardware.  Both look good as third party titles, but obviously neither looks like system seller material.  Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers, on the other hand, is likely to sell some fan boys on the Wii and cause dehydration as people try to pronounce the entire name.  Nothing new or exciting, but good to see third parties represented.

A golden Bowser?  Nintendo’s award for the RPG faithful
Nintendo showed off both Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story, the new name for the third title in this RPG series., as well as Golden Sun DS.  Golden Sun DS features 2D sprites on a 3D background.  It’s very beautiful for the small screen, as is Bowser’s Inside Story.  Nobody can ever claim that RPG fans have suffered on the DS.  Its cup runneth over.

Cop: The Recruit.  Yes: That Is Really the Name.
A new DS title from Ubisoft that looks to ape Resident Evil 4 style gameplay.  Looks intriguing, but really, can we work on the title?  How about Generic: The Cop Game.  Game: The Experience?  Talk amongst yourselves.

What is a girl’s mode?  To be Style Savvy
A fashion title with a new name?  It will sell millions (many more than Cop, I am going out on a limb), so it’s above reproach at this point.  Not the cup of tea for most, but further proof that Nintendo is not backing down from this pledge to target all gamers.

Memo to Donkey Kong: Do It Yourself!
Moving Memo?  Check.  Mario Vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again?  Check.  WarioWare: DIY?  Check.  Nintendo not ignoring this whole DSiWare concept?  Check.  All three titles which let you create animations, short games, and, umm, terrorize miniature men(?) are coming exclusively to Nintendo’s new WiiWare-lite system.  Yes folks, these companies are serious about digital distribution.

Wii Vitality Sensor measures…?
Here’s a weird one.  Nintendo is introducing the Wii Vitality Sensor that measures your biorhythms by placing your finger in it, and attacking a cable to the Wii Remote.  What’s the usefulness?  Who knows?  Obviously it looks like something that could be part of Wii Fit Plus, but what about a Resident Evil game?  That could be fun if you had to try to manage your fright.  Eternal Darkness sequel, please?

It’s a me, Mario!  Again!
Mario returns for his second platforming game of the show as Nintendo introduces Super Mario Galaxy 2.  What’s new?  How about Yoshi?  Yeah, that’s pretty much all anyone needs to know.  Yoshi is back and you now want this game.  After the unveiling of New Super Mario Bros. Wii this came as a shock to see two Mario games for one system at the same show.

Metroid: Other M paging Cop: The Recruit for Awkward Titles Club meeting
Team Ninja (yes, the Ninja Gaiden guys) are making the new Metroid?  It combines first and third-person gameplay?  Samus speaks?  It might be her origin story?  Nerds all over the world just exploded.  Nintendo dos listen to fans…on some things.

Final Verdict
How can you complain about two new Mario titles and a new Metroid?  Yes, Nintendo continues to lean toward the casual market, but at least they showed they learned from last year and brought out some heavy guns for the hardcore demographic.  Either you love Nintendo or hate them.  Either the thought of a new Mario game brings joy to your heart or you’re completely indifferent.  You can complain about Nintendo not going all out with a new Zelda title as well, but you can hardly say they didn’t try.  There’s something here for everyone, if not quite enough new stuff.

Grade

B

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