Nintendo’s E3 press conference just ended, bringing a ton of insane surprises. A new Xenoblade Chronicles, Metroid Prime and Pokemon game for the Nintendo Switch are all arriving sometime over the next couple of years. I slobbered all over my laptop, feeling my inner child practically shoot out of my chest. Microsoft, Ubisoft and Bethesda’s press conferences left me saying “meh,” but Nintendo did the exact opposite.
Because I am a child and need an outlet to express my glee, here’s what I thought about the 25-minute long journey that was Nintendo’s 2017 E3 press conference.
Gimmicks Galore- According to Regis Fil Aime, the theme of this year’s E3 conference was “battle,” but I think it was actually “gimmicks.” Nintendo feels like they have perfected the formula with some of their franchises, boiling down the basics of fun and adventure into tidy little side scrollers.
Kirby, the newest adventure with the hungriest pink scrotum, allows you to turn enemies into friends and to also combine powers or solve new puzzles. It’s an average Kirby game, where you suck up enemies, beat bosses and fight Whispy Woods, but with a small twist. Planet Robobot, the last Kirby game on the 3DS, was also an average Kirby game, but with a mecha suit gimmick. I love all Kirby games that don’t involve racing or yarn, so I’m okay with Nintendo reskinning a Super Nintendo game and calling it new.
Yoshi’s Paper World- The same thing can be said about Yoshi , the spiritual successor to Yoshi’s Island . The yarn device from Yoshi’s Wooly World has been scrapped for something else entirely: the ability to move behind levels. The world seems to be made out of construction paper giraffes and dragons, which don’t actually seem very threatening. The cutesy aesthetic, the bubbly music and, relaxing levels work for Mario's whipping dinosaur. I’m not as excited about Yoshi as I am Kirby , but I’ll most likely end up playing both.
Nintendo Learned About Esports- Bringing it all back to that “battle” theme, Regie plugged a few big tournaments Nintendo is having at E3. From Splatoon 2, ARMS and Pokken Tournament . Nintendo has had a long, rocky history with the competitive fighting scene, refusing to offer actual support for Super Smash Bros. Melee for most of its lifespan. The Japanese corporation must have realized that keeping a vibrant fighting game scene alive attracts other players who think they might have a chance to become pro, which then interests people who can’t play but want to learn. That’s how you get yourself a massive fan base.
No 3DS Games- I love seeing games on the Nintendo Switch, mainly because I just splurged and got one, but where was the love for the Nintendo 3DS? I’ve been a Gameboy addict ever since the original grey brick released over two decades ago, and I’m hoping Nintendo isn’t planning on dropping support for the handheld.
Not a single Nintendo 3DS game was shown – they were just saving them for Nintendo Treehouse streams later in the week. With only 25 minutes to whip every fan into a nerd-induced frenzy, they had to be selective about what they could show. They spent minutes announcing the announcement of a Pokemon game for the Switch, but had no love for the only handheld console I can fit in my pocket.
How did you feel about Nintendo’s E3 press conference? You can tell us, but if it’s something mean about Kirby you can just stay on reddit.
