It's day two of E3 coverage (the first day of the actual expo) at the Nokia Theater in LA, Nintendo is set to take the stage with their (hopefully) game changing new system the Wii U!
Nintendo actually started this years E3 on Sunday night. With a surprise live feed straight from HQ in Japan, by Mr. Iwata, the President of Sony Japan. He went over the recently named "Wii U Gamepad" and "Miiverse" and more that we can expect from today's media briefing. This surprise was, of course, welcome with all the anticipation going into E3 this week. I wonder though, were the big wigs at Nintendo Japan worried about Reggie's ability to present the new system? There was a lot of confusion coming out of last years E3 Media Briefing.
We begin today's Media Briefing with a intro video of Miyamoto backstage in a green room that is littered with CG Pikmin. He is getting ready to come on stage and the cute little Pikmin follow him out. In real-time on the stage now, Miyamoto jokes about the Pikmin being with the audience in the theater; overlayed graphics show the Pikmin among the crowd. Enter stage left is Miyamoto's translator.
Miyamoto describes the new mission for Nintendo. To break the console's dependence on the television. Video game consoles (proper not handheld) have never worked without the TV. Nintendo feels that is something they can change with the Wii U. Wii U brings unique, new game experiences to the two screen experience. In fact, someone can use the TV while you continue your game on the Gamepad.
The first game they announce is (duh) Pikmin 3. It's been 10 years since the last Pikmin game. Managing your Pikmin will still be the focus in this game as it was in the last. The enhanced resolution of the Wii U brings the game into focus like never before. In-game materials look more realistic than ever. A new "Rock Pikmin" is able to break hard objects. Motion controls in the gamepad allow precise targeting. The gamepad always displays the game map bringing deeper strategy to your game. Multiple Pikmin leaders allow you to cover more of the game map simultaneously.
The Purple Pikmin
Reggie Fils-Aime, President and CEO of Nintendo America, takes the stage exclaiming he feels just like a purple Pikmin. Reggie welcomes viewers around the world via the internet and television. They claim 23 Wii U titles are on display at the expo. Nintendo describes what Wii U means to gamers and non gamers alike and how it will change your life. "Wii U does three different things: It changes your gaming, changes how you interact with your gaming friends and changes the way you enjoy your TV." Wii U will revolutionize your living room, however, the focus today is strictly on gaming.
Wii U supports two wireless Wii U Gamepads. The controller itself, offers several intuitive controls: a front facing touch screen that can be used with a finger or an included stylus, a plus control pad (D-pad) and A, B, X and Y buttons, left and right analog sticks each with a push down function, the back side hosts dual trigger buttons (ZR and ZL) as well as L & R buttons in the top corners. Wii U Gamepad features motion control through a built-in accelerometer and gyroscope. Kinda surprising, is the built-in rumble feature. Also included is a front facing camera and microphone, stereo speakers and a headphone jack. The volume controller adjusts not only the gamepad but your television as well. Finally, an illuminated Home button will alert you to incoming messages.
Reggie is back talking about Miiverse. "Think of it as main street, a place where people congregate and mingle". Miiverse also acts as the home screen navigation for the Wii U. On screen we see the return of the Miis. Floating tiles, within the Miiverse, represent games and applications. Miis in the Miiverse are able to congregate around these tiles and swap messages. Wii U allows you to share screen images from games you are playing. Eventually you will be able to access Miiverse from your 3DS, smart phone or PC.
Wii U launches with a Mario game: New Super Mario Bros. U. Connect with Miiverse directly through the game. Get notes and images from friends while you play in real-time. It's Mario, just like it has always been only better and "new". Four players can play with Wiimotes with a fifth playing on a Wii U Gamepad. Nice to see that all the peripherals purchased for Wii won't go to waste
3rd Party Support* (*from last year)
Batman: Arkham City Armored Edition is the first 3rd party title they are showing. Martin Tremblay, President of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, comes to stage to talk about the enhanced gameplay utilizing the Wii U system. He is introduced by Harley Quinn's voice as "Marty baby". New features shown involve using the second screen to investigate your surroundings and for quick access to your armament. The accelerometer is shown guiding a remote control Batarang through a first person view. Batman can strategically place explosives and use the Gamepad to detonate them one at a time or all at once. New to the game is BAT-mode where you can fill a power meter to unleash a powerful new attack.
"Something for every type of player" Reggie moves on to say. He introduces Jeremiah Slachca from 5th Cell to announce Scribblenauts Unlimited for the Wii U. The definitive version of Scribblenauts. Scribblenauts is a kiddie-graphics, drawing based game. New to this version is multiplayer. Players can share drawings and work together to explore the game.
A montage of more 3rd party games follows: Darksiders 2, Mass Effect 3, Tank! Tank! Tank!, Tekken Tag Team Tournament 2, Trine 2: Director's Cut and Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge are shown. The montage ends with a glimpse of Aliens Colonial Marines.
More Plastic
Time to change focus to WiiFit. There are 43 million users of WiiFit. Reggie calls the Wii Balance Board a "bathroom scale". Wiifit was an easy access point for new gamers. WiiFit U is announced with a new peripheral called a Fit Meter, which is some kind of calorie counter that can keep track of your stats and goals. In a simulated experience on screen, the Balance Board is shown working with the Wii U.
Now Reggie talks about dance games. A new game tentatively called SiNG is introduced. SiNG is a music game with a new play style. The player who sings uses the microphone and the Wii U GamePad so they don’t have to face the TV. Not sure what we are seeing here in the video. If I had to guess it is a karaoke machine with a dancing element. SiNG is touted as a party game.
3D Without Glasses Continues
3DS news! Scott Moffitt, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Nintendo America, comes on stage to describe several new games coming to the handheld. Due to limited time he explains that 3DS games will be addressed in their own show online, Wednesday at 6:00 at e3.nintendo.com. Three new first party titles: A new, New Super Mario Bros. 2 is launching August 19th, Paper Mario Sticker Star is a new entry in that series with a 3D twist and finally the return of Luigi in Luigi's Mansion Dark Moon.
The Big Guns* (*if Mii's had guns)
Lego City Undercover is another family title coming to Wii U. Shown is Lego characters exploring a Lego built, sandbox style city. Players assume a detective role and use various tools to solve crimes. Looks like the wit and charm we expect from Lego titles is included. A portable version is in the works for 3DS.
Ubisoft joins Reggie on stage (they have been to every event so far!). Yves Guillemot, Co-Founder and CEO of Ubisoft, presents Rayman Legends-an all new Rayman game developed specifically for the Wii U and Zombi U-a survival horror game. He begins by underscoring Nintendo's commitment to bringing new gamers into the fold. Zombi U, includes gameplay like sniping and hacking which we've become accustomed to in such titles. As a bonus, Zombi U has a zombify mode that allows you to become a zombie yourself with the Gamepad's camera. Reggie demonstrates this on himself. Altogether Ubisoft is bringing eight titles to Wii U including Just Dance 3.
Wrapping up, Reggie has "one more thing" to show for Nintendo. Nintendoland is a new game that brings together various Nintendo titles in a virtual theme park. He compares it to Wii Sports as a game that helps you understand the new console. Katsuya Eguchi, Wii U Software Producer and Jonathan Yeckley of Treehouse, give us a walkthrough of Nintendoland. It capitalizes on the most popular Nintendo franchises. There are twelve "attractions" included in the game: Zelda Battle Quest, Animal Crossing and Luigi's Ghost Mansion are among the multiplayer attractions. Donkey Kong Crash Course and Takamaru's Ninja Castle are examples of the single player attractions. As expected, these seem to be shorter, party games to introduce players to the new Wii U Gamepad. They are fully integrated into Miiverse. Nintendo ends the conference with some in-game fireworks from Nintendoland.
The Wii U and Nintendoland will be ready for the Holiday season.
