Nintendo began their press event at Los Angeles’ Nokia Theatre this morning pushing the idea that their systems “serve every player”.
Their huge display screen, live orchestra, and Global president Satoru Iwata’s claim that Nintendo intend to go “deeper and wider” (a statement which is already gaining traction as an internet meme) may have had some thinking what they were really trying to get across was “size matters”.
Following some playful live orchestration of Zelda motifs complete with enthusiastic gesturing by the game designer Shigeru Miyamoto, the 25th anniversary of that series was celebrated with an avalanche of Zelda release announcements. Existing Zelda games being moved to new platforms included The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (available from today at the 3DS e-shop, complete with a new dungeon), Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D (out on 3DS this year), and Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (out this year on the Wii). The latter will utilise the Wiimotion Plus for swinging Zelda’s sword and launching arrows, and a special gold Wiimote will be available when the game is launched. Expect improved frame rates and graphics across the board here.
Brand new Zelda content was also showcased. The Legend of Zelda: The Four Swords was promised for later this year, a title which shares name but not content with its GameCube/GBA forebears. It should be available on DSi and 3DS, and will be not only four player, but also free.
All Zelda-related notices were rounded out with a small plug for the Legend of Zelda 25th anniversary concert series, which features Zelda themes played by a world-touring symphony orchestra, and the Legend of Zelda Ocarina 3D soundtrack which will be free to those who register the game with Club Nintendo. Dates for the orchestral shows are yet to be announced, but a CD based on the recordings of these shows is expected to be used in Skyward Sword.
Nintendo’s Global President Satoru Iwata was up next, and he stated that the goal of Wii and DS was to expand the gaming population, and erase the gamer borders of age and gender. “Deeper and wider” was his phrase – his vision is for something that gives deeper experiences than any hardcore gamer has experienced, yet has wide appeal.
Nintendo’s US President Reggie Fils-Aime then took the stage to showcase a five key franchises on the 3DS: Mario Kart, Super Mario, Luigi's Mansion 2, Kid Icarus and StarFox64. We only saw 2D presentations, but obviously all will play in 3D.
Mario Kart looked suspiciously like Mario Kart Wii, albeit with hang-gliding and underwater sections, as well as customisable karts. Some classic levels from the DS and Wii versions were shown too. Super Mario 3D was touted as being "built from scratch", although the raccoon suit is back. A rolling attack was a new feature too, and the game’s Mario Galaxy-esque presentation was tantalising.
Luigi's Mansion 2 expands its predecessor’s side-scrolling into the third dimension, and several new mansions are included on top of the original ones. Kid Icarus Uprising showcased online battles, which took the form of team-based 3-on-3 affairs. A giant Medusa was introduced as a villain, and augmented reality cards were used to conduct battles. StarFox64 3DS utilises motion control Sixaxis- style and the 3DS’ cameras record the reactions of vanquished opponents as well as your victorious mug. Expect late-2011 releases for all five games.
Further down the hierarchy were Ace Combat 3D, Tetris Online Inc, Cave Story 3D, Resident Evil Revelations, Driver Renegade, Pacman and Galaga Dimensions, Tekken 3D and Metal Gear Solid Snake Eater 3D, all of which we saw the briefest clips of.
Then it was on to a presentation regarding an online shop being constructed for the 3DS, which is to feature game demos, ports of classic Game Boy games in the form of a virtual console, classic console titles given a 3D makeover, and randomly, for a limited time a free downloadable version of Excitebike, which turns 27 this year.
Finally, some 3DS Pokémon features were showcased including a Pokédex (free with the latest 3DS system update) which comes with 16 Pokémon pre-registered. Collecting other Pokémon involves scanning augmented reality markers or receiving them from friends. Further, Pokémon images can be superimposed onto photos taken on the 3DS.
See our Special Report for the latest about Nintendo’s new console, the Wii U.
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