Nintendo E3 Direct Wrap Up

Finally, the anticipation all leads up to this moment. Nintendo President Satoru Iwata fades onto the screen and it’s time to see what Nintendo has to offer at this year’s E3.

The Nintendo E3 Direct stream kicks off with a new Pokémon X&Y trailer, the trailer shows off some nice gameplay footage and the game looks great. The 3D cel-shaded direction Game Freak have taken with the visuals suits Pokémon perfectly. Also announced in the new Pokémon type, Fairy, which is strong against Dragon type Pokémon, who are known to have few weaknesses. Pokémon X&Y can be expected worldwide on October 12th.

Next up is Super Mario 3D World, the latest Wii U title starring Nintendo’s moustached mascot. A spiritual successor to 3DS’s Super Mario 3D Land, which was fantastic. The game includes 4 player multiplayer, with playable characters including Princess Peach, Toad, Luigi and, of course, Mario himself. The latest power-up to add to Mario’s arsenal is the Cat-Bell Mushroom, which gives Mario and pals a cute fursuit, which lets the player run quickly and climb walls. Expect Super Mario 3D World to be available in December.

Satoru doesn’t let up on revealing new games, and shows us gameplay footage of Mario Kart 8, the Wii U instalment in Nintendo’s legendary Mario Kart franchise. Mario Kart 8 includes many Mario characters, available vehicles include bikes as well as karts, as in Mario Kart Wii, and as in the 3DS title Mario Kart 7, there are also underwater and aerial sections of the courses. The biggest surprise, perhaps being a new anti-gravity mechanic. Mario Kart 8 promises to be a solid Mario Kart title, and a potentially great online multiplayer title for Wii U. Expect Mario Kart 8 in Spring 2014.

Iwata next shows us footage of Wii Party U, and mentions Wii Fit U, both titles he admits are being delayed. A delayed game is eventually good, a bad game is forever. Wii Party U will see release in October, and Wii Fit U in December.

Miiverse, Nintendo’s Wii U-only social network, gets a mention, and a Wii U Art Academy will be released so Miiverse artists get more drawing options. This will be available this summer.

Next, Nintendo shows off a 3rd-party hype reel. Assassin’s Creed IV, Batman: Arkham Origins, Batman Arkham: Origins Blackgate (3DS), Deus Ex, Just Dance 2014, Rayman Legends being just a few of the games mentioned.

 

Another hype reel shortly after, including all the Wii U 2013 eShop releases, including Mutant Mudds Deluxe, Cloudberyy Kingdom, Coaster Crazy Deluxe, and the amazing DuckTales Remastered.

Afterwards, the first gameplay trailer of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD. The game looks gorgeous in motion, and has some additions such as the ability to sail faster. Wind Waker HD will be available in October.

The Wonderful 101 from Bayonetta developer Platinum Games is up next, and looks beautiful. The trailer shows off “Unite Mode” which is activated by drawing symbols on the Wii U Gamepad. The Wonderful 101 looks like a great title for Wii U, and is available September 15th, and Mr. Iwata mentioned that there will be a Nintendo Direct broadcast dedicated to The Wonderful 101 closer to release.

Next up we get to see Retro Studios’ game which has been in progress since Donkey Kong Country Returns on Wii, and it’s a sequel, Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze. Penguin Vikings are the antagonists, and the game will have traditional Donkey Kong Country gameplay. The Donkey Kong Country series has been known for fantastic visuals since the Rare developed titles released on the SNES, and Retro Studios, as expected, are looking to do it justice. Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze will be available in November.

Another title from Platinum Games, Bayonetta 2, is shown, with the first proper trailer. The game’s visuals look fantastic, and the game includes all the sexual flair that has become expected of it. Bayonetta 2 will be available in 2014 as yet another Wii U exclusive.

Which brings us to the unsung hero of Nintendo’s E3 Direct broadcast, Monolith Soft’s spiritual successor to their Wii masterpiece Xenoblade Chronicles, we have X, a Wii U exclusive that looks incredibly beautiful. The world looks huge and expansive, as Xenoblade fans would expect, and it seems mechs will feature heavily in the game, which were seen in Xenoblade Chronicles but were not playable. Mechs can fight, fly and turn into on-ground vehicles. The game looks absolutely fantastic and should hopefully release in 2014.

Next, a trailer starts, looks like an Animal Crossing villager opening a letter. The letter’s seal bearing a symbol known to Nintendo fans. The latest instalment of the spectacular Super Smash Bros. franchise got a beautiful trailer. The 3DS title, featuring different stages and graphics, has a cel-shaded style, whilst the Wii U version has an incredibly sharp HD style, edging towards some of the more “realistic” yet colourful Nintendo titles. Mega Man was announced as a playable character, and his abilities, such as Leaf Shield and Super Arm will be familiar to Mega Man fans.

Later in the day, Sakurai also announced the Wii Fit trainer will feature in the game, and the Super Smash Bros. website has had a character page added. Super Smash Bros. for both Wii U and 3DS will be released in 2014. Personally, I can’t wait.

 

That concludes the summary of Nintendo’s E3 Direct, what do you think? Are you pleased with what Nintendo has showcased, or do you think the Wii U isn’t a worthwhile purchase?

Please let us know in the comments below, and for all things E3, stay on Worlds Factory.