E3 2009: Nintendo press conference (Wii Fit Plus, FF: Crystal Bearers, Project M, and more)
E3 has officially kicked off today, and after the showing that Microsoft had yesterday it seems hard to trump it; that isn’t going to stop Nintendo from giving it a shot. Statistics aside, here are the games that were seen today:
• New Super Mario Bros. Wii
After the huge success of the first game on the DS, a sequel was more than likely to happen; it being on the Wii was somewhat of a surprise. While the main story of the first game was appealing, the mini-games were quite possibly the most entertaining aspect overall. This time around, the multiplayer is within the main game (imagine Zelda: Four Swords, but in the Mario world); up to four can play, with two players as Mario and Luigi, while the other two players control separate Toad characters. There is competitiveness to the game, with scores tallied up after each stage, including how many enemies were killed, coins picked up, etc.
Release Date: Holiday 2009
• Wii Fit Plus
This new iteration of Wii Fit adds six new strength and yoga activities, and can find workout routines tailored to users; the customization can help users target a body area for toning or strengthening, while it will also keep track of how many calories you have burned. Fitness aspect aside, 15 new balance games will also be included, like skateboarding and juggling.
Release date: Fall 2009
• Wii Sports Resort
In Nintendo’s new tradition of getting your ass up off the couch, comes the successor to Wii Sports. As one of the first games to be compatible with the upcoming Wii MotionPlus peripheral (see: another thing to attach to your Wiimote), 1:1 motion control will be possible with the new set of games to enjoy. What I find amusing is you start off the game jumping out of a plane and skydiving down with other skydivers, with your chute opening up saying “Welcome to Wii Sports Resort”. A graphical boost has been given, but still appears along the lines of what the first game looked like. Basketball and Archery were also seen, with more activities to be revealed in the months leading up to its launch.
Release Date: July 26, 2009
• Red Steel 2
Remember the first game, and how everyone was going bananas about real-motion sword control? Yea, that didn’t turn out so hot (I should know, I had the game*whimpers*). Maybe the second time around won’t be so bad? After seeing the leaked trailer, the E3 trailer, and the demonstration given during the Ubisoft press conference (that report will be up soon), I can this with the utmost confidence: It is what we were originally promised, and so much more. With the addition of Wii MotionPlus, true 1:1 sword control has finally been achieved, with varying levels of slash attacks, air combos, and quick-swap from your sword to your pistol. A money system is also integrated into the game, which will either go towards your overall score, or will be applied towards purchasing new weapons or upgrades to weapons you already have. Best part is the game will come bundled with MotionPlus at launch.
Release Date: Holiday 2009
• Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story
Following in the footsteps of the first two Mario & Luigi games, the brothers are back again, but this time, they somehow end up inside of Bowser. Gameplay – and jokes – will be like the previous title, with the added mechanism of affecting what Bowser does in the world, completing puzzles and advancing the story.
Release Date: Fall 2009
• Golden Sun DS
Now this I wasn’t expecting. Being a fan of the first game (but missing out on the second game), seeing this return onto the DS will most likely pull another $30 out of my pocket.
Release Date: 2010
• James Patterson’s Women’s Murder Club: Games of Passion
Probably already taking the prize for ‘Longest Name for a Video Game’, this plays out like an interactive book, with three characters you can play as; not much else was said.
Release Date: Fall 2009
• Cop: The Recruit
Coming from Ubisoft, it has a GTA-style to it, but not much else was said on it.
Release Date: Unknown
• Style Savvy
Originally known as Girls Mode in Japan, this game lets you dress up your avatar, organize boutiques, and also compete in runway contests (i.e. this is the game you buy for your daughter who still likes Hannah Montana. Overall, the game is about running a fashion boutique.
Release Date: Unknown
• Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!
Mario’s tiny robotic versions are coming back, except it will be a DSi exclusive (sorry, DS!); the third installment in the franchise will allow for the creation of levels from the ground up, and allow users to upload their custom maps either locally or over wi-fi.
Release Date: June 8, 2009
• Warioware DIY
Another DSi exclusive, you can design your own games from scratch, with everything controlled by the player.
Release Date: Coming Soon
• Super Mario Galaxy 2
The first full sequel to a 3D Mario game on the same system, SMG 2 appears to have the same gameplay as the original, with a slight improvement in the graphics department. And yes, the bee suit is back.
Release Date: 2010
• Metroid: Other M
What was known earlier as simply ‘Project M’ has now been revealed as a brand new Metroid game, with Team Ninja (of Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden fame) behind the wheel, and not Retro Studios (which originally made the Prime trilogy). There is a blend of first and third-person gameplay, with a slew of cut-scenes, helping to go deeper into the Metroid universe and learn more about Samus. It doesn’t look half-bad, and Samus appears to have some pretty badass moves this time around.
Release Date: 2010
Other games shown that we already know of/will report on later:
The Conduit
Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles
Dead Space: Extraction
Grand Slam Tennis
Virtua Tennis
Final Fantasy: The Crystal Bearers
Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days
Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks
And last (but not least), the “what the hell?!” moment for the Nintendo press conference goes to the Wii Vitality Sensor; in a nutshell, it’s a pulse detector, similar to the ones they slip on your finger when you go to the hospital. The sensor will let you see the information relating to the inner world of your body….in other words; this will somehow work in conjunction with Wii Fit.
Next big presser is Sony, followed by reports on Ubisoft, EA, and anyone else that wanted to brag about their sales figures.
