E3 2010: Preview Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

After viewing the famous Legend of Zelda Wii artwork (pictured above), it was incredibly difficult to perceive what exactly the new Zelda Wii game would end up looking like or play like going into this E3. From my thirty or so minutes with the demo for the new Skyward Sword, I can confidently say that it not only has a great art direction, but its gameplay thus far is fantastic and the new Wii Motion Plus dependent items and swordplay work very well and have the potential for a needed fresh and unique take on the franchise.

Pre-E3 2010: Nintendo

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.

SDCC: Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom Ultimate All-Stars Hands-On (Wii)

If you're wondering "What the hell is Tatsunoko?", It's okay, I thought the same thing the first time I heard of the game too. All you really need to know is that it is an incredibly fun entry into Capcom's Vs. series for the Wii, and I enjoyed kicking a little kid's butt using those fancy fight sticks you see in that picture up there.

As you may have guessed, Tatsunoko is a Japanese umbrella for several anime characters that are popular in Japan (to find out more, click here). The core gameplay itself is actually a bit simpler than most of Capcom's other offerings. There are three attack types: Weak, Medium and Strong that relate to the effectiveness of each character's actions. Comparing it to Marvel Vs. Capcom, Ultimate All-Stars has a two character per team maximum, and some extra large characters have to play solo. So fatty lovers, beware, you won't have any help carrying around that extra weight.

The graphics are absolutely stunning for a Wii game, and carry a crispness and unique art direction that you would expect from a Capcom fighter. No matter what anyone says, Street Fighter 4 could so work on the Wii after seeing Ultimate All-Stars in action. The fighting, despite being fairly straight-forward, is still fairly deep and many of the characters are pretty well balanced.

Other notable inclusions in the American version of the game is an online mode, a few extra unannounced fighters, and various bug and balancing fixes found in the Japanese version. I am highly anticipating Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom Ultimate All-Stars' tentative Winter 2009/2010 release.

SDCC: Star Wars The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes Hands-On (Wii)

After viewing a video or two of the game online for the Wii, I did not expect too much from this Clone Wars game. And I was so right to be skeptical. LucasArts continues to their cash-in on the kid friendly TV series with Republic Heroes.

Mind you, this is just a demo (and an E3 one at that), but I could tell just by looking at the menu screen that there was little work put into this Wii game. I glanced over to look at the 360 version and it looked vibrant and polished...what happened here LucasArts? Now, to the actual game itself.

Immediately, I noticed a bland palette of colors as my Clone Trooper blasted through an area filled with Separatist droids. You use the Wii Remote to aim your rifle at the respective targets, but the aiming was so slow and wonky I just ended up spraying bullets all over the place. Either this demo was poorly done, the Wii Remote was on crack, or this is going to end being one terrible licensed game. Unforunately, I wasn't able to sample any Jedi levels, but maybe it was good that I didn't.

Expect to see this game on store shelves for the Wii, Xbox 360, PS3, PS2. PSP, Nintendo DS, and the PC on October 6th, 2009. And bargain bins soon after.