Gaming giant Nintendo is revving up for another excellent year of gaming at E3 2010. Although the Big N’s presence at the gaming convention these past few years has not been spectacular, they have positioned themselves to either blow everyone away with new software and hardware, or terribly disappoint fans and gaming press everywhere by giving another unsatisfying performance. The former is certainly more plausible than the latter, thanks to Nintendo’s own realization of previous years’ faults, and promises to right their wrongs with some great new product and breathtaking revelations.
With recent blockbuster hit Super Mario Galaxy 2, the House of Mario has proven once again that it knows how to create amazing new experiences using familiar characters in a way no other company has been able to accomplish. This is why Nintendo, expecting to show a new highly anticipated Legend of Zelda title that will pave the way for “hardcore” motion control experiences, and a new portable game system called the 3DS, is in a brilliant situation. Being sandwiched between Microsoft’s and Sony’s own conferences, Nintendo’s media briefing has the capability to quiet the hype around Microsoft’s new games and also create unreachable expectations for Sony’s showcase, debilitating both competitors before the press can even get their hands on the games on the show floor.
Hardcore Motion Plus proof of concept? Let's hope so.
The threat of the HD gaming consoles and their Wii motion control alternatives may pose a problem if Nintendo does not come out with guns blazing at this E3. Luckily, Nintendo has a bevy of choices to impress their audience. Expect there to be long lines to demo Nintendo’s 3DS, as it promises to bring portable 3D entertainment to the masses without the need for stereoscopic glasses. If Nintendo has their way, there will also be other interesting innovations within the handheld system to steal thunder away from Sony’s rumored PSP2. Besides the 3DS, a new Pikmin game, a popular real-time strategy franchise, is very much a possibility at the show. It would not be surprising to see another big Nintendo intellectual property like StarFox and/or F-Zero revealed at the media briefing with possible demo’s available thereafter.
Other highlights to their conference could include the new Wii Vitality Sensor, which as of this writing is still shrouded in mystery. All that is known about the device is that it is capable of taking the pulse of a player, but what real value could that add to a gaming experience? If Nintendo responds with some extraordinary exclusive games that appeal to more than just mom, pop and grandma, there will not be much else needed for them to excite console gaming fans. On the handheld side of things, a new generation of Pokémon games is to be present at E3, along with a more in-depth hands-on with GoldenSun DS, and prequel to the cult-classic PlayStation 2/Wii title Okami, called Okamiden, is expected to make an appearance as well.
Please don't be another useless peripheral...
Nintendo is in a most peculiar position for this year’s E3. With massive announcements, game trailers and demonstrations most certainly being prepared for their press conference, E3 2010 could be more exciting than the Big N’s 2004 debut of Zelda: Twilight Princess or their 2006 media blowout of the Wii. It could also leave a lot to be desired, as their famous E3 2003 PacMan VS. presentation is known for. Either way, the anticipation is building, and with only a few more weeks until E3, we won’t have to wait much longer for the answer.
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