E3 2009 Nintendo Press Conference Impressions

Those that did not comment on my previous blog but still read it, I thank you very much. So once again, here I sit the day after E3 2009 Nintendo Press Conference to bring you my impressions, opinions, try to paint a picture to your minds for those of you that cannot even see E3 as I have. And also again, I thank G4TV for broadcasting E3 2009 Live which gives me the opportunity to my mind and personality to the world of gaming. Though many may not be following right now, but I've got to start somewhere right. So without further delay, here's what Nintendo had the pleasure of bringing to us at this year's E3 Press Conference.

Nintendo had a lot to live up to this year coming in from last year's press conference not only making a lot of hardcore gamers feel ousted, but also leaving Nintendo fans themselves with virtually nothing to look forward to. Granted Nintendo still presses on strong with sales figures baffling and amazing us month to month with the sheer amount of product movement since last year's E3, but many I've spoken to, from developers to just every day shoppers as well as Nintendo Fan Boys, the majority of users question what do they have to look forward to, or why do they bother to hold on to a system that doesn't deliver a title that really drives me to play it? It didn't help Nintendo either when The Nielson Company release their report, "The State of the

Video Gamer" in late 2008, where they stated that while Nintendo was the most highly sold system, it is also the least played of the current generation of consoles. Even I took it upon myself to really find a game that said to me that I must buy it for my Nintendo Wii in the late part of last summer, and though I do enjoy playing on the Wii Fit, I cannot seriously say that there has been one Wii title that urged me to buy it. This is not to say Nintendo hasn't brought enjoyable games to its audience. Animal Crossing, cute and enjoyed by many along with the Wii Speak, it wasn't a hook that reeled s in. Now there are other games that were played by many Wii owners over the past year such as Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles, Punch Out!, Boom Blox, and Rock Band 2, fans have been looking to Nintendo make them say, "Please don't make me think I bought this thing for nothing". Well, while not out of this world, actual kind of out of this world, Nintendo did bring some blockbusters that surely give us something to look forward to.

• Super Mario Bros. for Wii

Gamer roots are something a lot of us older generation gamers boast about. Playing on our Atari 2600's with nothing but a stick and only 1 button, dumping countless quarters into machines at our local arcades, perhaps even playing on our 14.4 bps modems (little love the movie "Hackers" there), one of the games that you'll always hear about when you think of gamer roots is the classic Super Mario Bros. After a bit of talk of numbers, kind of sounding like last year all over again, Nintendo quickly changes gears to bring us a look at one of Miyamoto's latest creations, Super Mario Bros. for the Wii. This newest edition to the Mario Library brings us to our grass roots of the original Super Mario Bros. From their presentation and live demo, it appears that the game will take players on a jour

ney through many of the gameplay elements we all enjoyed in so many of our side scrolling favorites of the Mario series over the Nintendo console years. The level they showed resembled the first level of the first Super Mario Bros. game on the NES with the brick breaking blocks, simple greenery on the ground, and of course, the pipes. But later on in the level, the landscape turns changes into much of what we saw in Super Mario World for the Super NES, and ended back with the classic flag pole and castle at the end of the level. All very cool and cute as it just makes you reflect and reminisce of your gaming days of old. But the hook in this game is the 4 player simultaneous play. This element of play allows up to 4 friends to gather together and play together as well as compete for coins to rack up high scores. Of course, Nintendo besides refined graphics and returning characters like Toad, they had to add little Wii remote motions to give us nice little gadgets such as the helicopter suit shown in the live demo where the play would swish around the Wii remote to rotate the propeller on the character's head and fly about.

There really wasn't much more in terms of show in the game, but there are a lot gameplay mechanics that pop up with a suit, a power-up, and so on that make you smile remember doing the same type of actions in other Mario games. Though one more feature which allows for cooperative moves such as throwing your partner to knock down some koopas was demonstrated which will bring good team aspects to gameplay. All things together just gave us a small sample of what the game will bring, but in my opinion, not enough that really entices me to buy it. So I guess that answers this question, will I buy it? Probably not. Over the years, maybe it's just easy to say that I've become a violent gamer enjoying too much things like chain sawing locust in Gears of War, rather than jumping around with a cute little character. Maybe with my niece or nephew, but I don't see this joining my Wii library. The other selling point that they did not clear up was if the 4 player gameplay would be available online, not just locally. We'll see when it releases later this year in the fall.

• Wii Fit Plus
  

If you don't know about the Wii Fit and you call yourself a gamer, just skip this section entirely. Unless you've been living under a rock or maybe a hardcore Amish with no television, you can't go much of anywhere without hearing about the Wii Fit. Now I have one, and I do enjoy it as it doesn't so much call to me to play it, but much more of a symbol to myself that there is more to life sometimes than just sitting on the edge of my seat and killing things with lightning in Infamous, or torque bowing a guy in the head in Gears of War 2, it definitely does its job in trying to help people be more active. Not a lot has changed here with this new expansion of Wii Fit with Wii Fit Plus. More workouts obviously come to this title, but something very nice is a more in-depth workout tracker, and a workout playlist allowing you to link workouts one after the other which lets you customize works with small rest breaks in between for a more fluid workout. New balance games in this like Perfect 10, skateboarding, and even a Mario-like game that has you walk the path Mario would in such a game like Super Mario Bros. for the Wii. Wii Fit Plus promises be just as much fun as the first and deliver more to its fans. And now the question, will I buy it? Umm, no. Least not right away. I waited for the Wii Fit and picked it up just when I happen to see it while looking for something else to buy, there was never any pressure from me to buy it, but I figure I'll get it eventually if the Natal doesn't get me first. Will Fit Plus comes bundled in future Wii Fit packages and as a standalone title for those who already own Wii Fit this fall.

• Final Fantasy: Crystal Bearers

Appearing to look like a page from the Braver Fencer series, Crystal Bearers is a single player Action/RPG and looks good doing it. Though there was no live demo of the game, this still looks like a decent title for Wii owners that really enjoyed having the Final Fantasy series on the Nintendo system like the days of old. I'm sure many Nintendo faithful would of much rather seen the series stay with Nintendo, but alas, that's not the case, and this is what Nintendo fans are reduced to. I wasn't a big fan of the Crystal Chronicles game on the GameCube, and I really don't foresee myself buying this one, or better said, until I see a little more of the game, and even then, I don't think I'll purchase this one on its release. With no demo of what gameplay with the Wii remote would look like, though I'm sure some tried it at E3 themselves, it looks as though there is definite promise to its gameplay mechanics as many of the different aspects of the game itself look good for nice opportunities to use the Wii remote in different ways, one obviously being swordplay. Was this a mega hit for Nintendo, I really don't think so, but it was nice to see this first of 3rd party love for Nintendo. This title is exclusive to the Nintendo Wii, and why not.

• Kingdom Hearts by Square-Enix
  

Releasing September 29th is this relative classic; Kingdom Hearts makes its way to Nintendo Wii for the masses. Though Kingdom Hearts was a great game in itself, but this is one of the things that I get upset with Nintendo about, and it's this with a remake. Nintendo to me has geared a lot to the retro gamer, which is an audience that definitely should not be forgotten, but should not be the only catered to. Even the hardcore Nintendo followers cry out for new titles of their favorite lovable characters, not a look on how they can use the Wii remote. As a Nintendo Wii owner, I want to be marveled with revolutionary and intuitive ways to use the Wii remote with new titles and multiplayer, not another rehash on a game I've already played. The same case was with Okami released by Capcom on the PS2 first, then later on the Wii. Now the Wii version of Okami was great, but if I hadn't of bought on the PS2 already where it was fantastic too, I wasn't going to buy the game again just to try out some little motions on my Wii remote. For those that have never played Kingdom Hearts, this is a perfect game, but still, it's nothing new for many of us. I will not be buying this at all.

• Mario & Luigi's: Bowers' Inside Story DS
  

Here Nintendo moved to their DS titles which is obvious that Nintendo DS has claimed a strong percentage of the gaming market with record sales. And what kind of world would be in if Mario didn't somehow influence it. Miyamoto and his clever wit bring forth yet another Mario game with this one called Mario & Luigi's: Bowsers' Inside Story. This game takes the Mario brothers through a journey through just that, Bowser's insides. How the story comes about that Mario and Luigi somehow make their way into Bowser's body is unknown at this time, but with the trailer, the game looks to be very cunning in its use of the stylist and movement sensor in the DS recognized various motions with your fingertips on the first screen, and good use of tilt and pan movements causing the player to turn their DS around and around to complete different objectives. I myself am not very big into the handheld gaming because I usually don't have the time to play on my DS or PSP, but the game itself looks like a lot of fun and you can bet Mario sells games. He's a veteran and he knows what to do to get it done. But will I buy it? No, maybe presents for family, but not myself.

• Golden Sun DS
  

Golden Sun is one of the few RPG's from the Gameboy Advanced days that really stuck out in my head. With a solid story, nice characters, and good combat system, Golden Sun was a widely loved series on the GBA. The graphics were really impressive for a handheld title making full use of both screens on cinematics much like the Final Fantasy games on the DS; it's quite a beautiful piece of work. A nice surprise for DS lovers for this one, and even though the trailer game no idea of the timeline or story elements of the game, I can see this one being a really good seller for Nintendo DS players. Would I buy this one? You know, I just might, maybe not on release, but think it will be a good one for the collection.

• James Patterson's: Women's Murder Club - Games of Passion DS
  

Game's based on books? Nothing unheard of here. Here Nintendo began its turn in its conference to show how they are catering to the female gamer. Nintendo bombarded us with numbers at last year's conference, telling us how much the handheld market was starting to become dominated by female games. The female gaming audience has been targeted by games like the Sims, Brain Age, and Nintendogs. Interactive titles that focus on quick in and out gameplay for the most part, but also leaning on popular television show concepts like mystery and drama (Trauma Center anyone?) such as CSI to draw in the crowds of female gamers. Here we have James Patterson's: Women's Murder Club. No guys, it's not what you think. Just a simple mystery game of clues and who done it type stuff surround by a multitude of mini games. Games like this I usually can't get into and just must say aren't my style. I'm sure there are many that love these types of games such as the cellular gaming audience, but no I. It serves no justice really placing my take on the game but from the looks of it, it should fetch a decent return in sales for its target audience. Look for this title in October later this year.

• The C.O.P. DS by Ubisoft
  

Along with many others like Pets from developer Ubisoft, The C.O.P. is a action packed little game with decent graphics in relation to the movement and pace of the game, but once again, I'm not thrilled as this particular game doesn't cater to my style, but like other DS games and the support of Ubisoft itself, it will probably sell well regardless. Driving, running, shooting, and no explanation what the acronym stands for, it appears to do the job it was intended. No release date mentioned for this title, and no, I probably won't buy it.

• Style Savvy DS
  

Continuing with its female targeted audience, Style Savvy is another game of fun glamour and dress up for young girls across the world. Hair styles, make-up, shopping, runway shows, this game puts little girls in the driver's seat to be the top fashion model around. Games of this nature I can see doing better than most if it has a lot to offer in the customization department as well if it allowed for Wi-Fi connections or just connecting with friends wirelessly to compete and trade items. Like the previous game, I won't be buy this either, but look for this title probably this fall.

At this point in the conference, Reggie Fils-Aime exited conference and handed is back to Cammie Dunaway who began the conference. With last year, she went about with numbers and numbers and more numbers, and on and on, that it really just drove me batty and put me to sleep in many cases. But this time around, though she started off with the usual numbers giving credit to the soaring sales with the success of the Nintendo DSi selling 1 million units in its first month alone and 400,000 units of of the DS Lite since the DSi's release. Cammie continued on the theme that the roles of the DS Lite and DSi were about customization. Of how people placed gaming in their life, where they placed, and how it's joined so many people together.

• Flipnote Studio

Cammie rolled in from his numbers speech to the captivation that the DSi has induced into players all around the world. Expanding on this and the phenomenon of the DSi, Cammie introduced Flipnote Studio for DSi users. Playing off the successful use of the camera, Flipnote Studio allows for users to make their own sketch animated movies right on their DSi. Showing cool features in animation, brush strokes, and just photo editing, it really is a nice dynamic tool for the DSi. Since I don't have a DSi, I will not be able to enjoy this tool, but even if I did I wouldn't use it. Have my iPhone for that. Flipnote Studio will be available this summer to DSi users only.

• Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again DS
  

Are you sick of Mario yet? Well the world isn't. And as long as the world isn't, Miyamoto will continue to pump out Mario titles. Mario vs. Donkey Kong DS is all about bringing the retro style back much like its Wii big brother of Super Mario Bros. for Wii. More than just a platformer, jumping on koopas, collecting coins, and such, the trailer only showed a few brief elements of gameplay with the minis trying to march through levels much like in a Lemmings game, but the focus point here in this installment of the series is a new level design editor that puts the player in the position to make super complex levels and also upload them to the Internet for others to play and download other players levels. Looks cute and fun like other Mario games are, but I don't see think game joining my library at all. More importantly, it can't!! Why is that? Because you need a DSi as it will only be available as a download for DSi users. What is this to say about Nintendo? Playing favorites are they? Probably not, but since it doesn't need a camera, not sure why it's only for DSi users. Oh well.

• Wario Ware DIY (Do it yourself) DS
  

Honestly, I don't understand the fascination with this Wario Ware games, but they sell. When it came to the Wii, it was a great game that made use of the Wii remote. Quiky little motions making you shake, rattle, and roll in so many different ways it made it fun for so many. But now we return to the DS with Wario Ware: Do It Yourself. Another very short clip which at this time, kind of got annoying because these little trailers really didn't show enough in my opinion, but I'll get to that later. With Wario Ware: DIY, players take control of all those fun loving Wario games and make their own. Unlike Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again, Cammie stated that players will be able to share and upload to other DIY owners but made no reference that your games could be loaded to the web which doesn't really make sense but who am I to question Miyamoto's greatness. Look for this one this fall, except me, because once again, I won't be getting it.

• Fackbook Uploads
  

Connecting with friends is something all three consoles are stressing more and more. Microsoft showed us on day one their partnership with Facebook, well what's to stop Nintendo from doing the same? Coming this fall, DSi owners will be able to upload right to Facebook with pictures they snap, edit, and alter on their DSi's for the entire world to see. Nintendo probably trying to continue its play to its female audience with this application and show the Facebook community that they don't need an iPhone to post so easily to Facebook on the go. Implement this feature to your DSi this fall.

• Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks
  

Another famed character returns to life for Nintendo in the form of the Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks. The Zelda series has been one for me that has died down in the thrill factor for me, though Twilight Princess was highly enjoyable, but people have been enjoying Zelda for years and this one will probably not disappoint their audience with this one either. Though no trailer or teaser for this game at all, a little disappointing for fans but still something to look forward to.

Global Presidet, Mr. Satoru Iwata came to the stage starting off with the way Nintendo has made people really think about the way they play games. He went on to talk about how the age barrier of the gamer has been broken with the Wii that has had people that would never think about really playing games, now off the couches with their children, grand children, and so forth and bringing players from all ages together. To go on, Iwata talks about how not only are games to excite and thrill us, but to relax us as games are suppose to be fun, putting us in a state of mind to be free and release the day to day stresses of our normal everyday lives. With this, he introduces the following:

The Wii Vitality Sensor

This device does more than just track your pulse, but somehow track your mood and emotion through different readings it capture from your body. Not exactly sure what else its suppose to track but Iwata says that this peripheral will help players achieve greater states of relaxation to put them in a better state of mind. I would imagine that the Vitality Sensor would also be able to send its readings back to Nintendo for study into what types of people are playing their games and help develop future games to bring players to higher level of consciousness. Though no demonstration of the peripheral was shown, and you know, the first thing I thought to myself when I saw this was, "Great, another peripheral", the truth is that many people will still buy this thing. I would have to see some intuitive demos showing off some interesting uses for this thing before I'd buy it, but that goes for just about every smart shopper. But because Nintendo is Nintendo, and though it seems less people play the Wii more than Nintendo itself seems to believe they do, Nintendo has found the formula for marketing because despite what many can say about the library of games and lack of 3rd party support, they sell and they sell very well.

• Super Mario Galaxy 2
  

So what do you do now that you're Nintendo and you've just announced another peripheral? Why introduce another Mario game. But not just any Mario game, but the sequel to one of the bestselling titles of the Nintendo Wii which would be Super Mario Galaxy 2. Looks like more of the same type of play, and why not? The success of the first game would obviously bring back what players loved of the first game as the trailer they played clearly showed. Besides much of the same gameplay mechanics, not one new suit for Mario was shown, but there was one little surprise that people cheered for which was the appearance of Yoshi at the end of the clip. For myself, I don't own the first game, and I wouldn't mind but I just haven't brought myself to buy it because seriously, I'm playing other games, but my nephew really enjoyed the first one. Watching him play it, I was actually really impressed by its puzzle and platforming elements, clearly seeing how many could enjoy it. Once again, no live demo and no certain release date except to say 2010, will I buy it? It's pretty safe to say no. I'd like to buy the first one before I bought the second. But that probably won't happen any time soon either.

3rd Party Love Continues with the homage paid by Nintendo with 3 titles

• The Conduit by Sega
  
• Resident Evil: Darkside Chronicles by Capcom
  
• Dead Space: Extraction
  

None of these games we show in live demos, probably because these 3 could all be played on the showroom floor, but also because neither of them were any big of a surprise, though I would have loved to have seen some live demos of Dead Space. I loved Dead Space but I'm very hazy on buying a rail shooter based off the game, but the story intrigues me and its really pushing me on possibly buying this game just to know what happens. The Conduit is an interesting futuristic shooter that has a lot of people buzzing about not just its story but the look and feel of it alone. Then there's Resident Evil: Darkside Chronicles, which like its similar game before it in the Umbrella Chronicles has us riding the train once again to find out more of the world of Resident Evil through plot points in Resident Evil 2, 3, and Code Veronica. All 3 of these games look great, but as I mentioned, I'll probably just by Dead Space, and again Nintendo's recognition to its 3rd party developers with titles such as these was good to see instead of being absent from last year's conference.

• Metroid M
  

Well what would a Nintendo conference be without a surprise ending. Nintendo unveils before us a beautiful trailer for Metroid M. I had the idea that they would show Metroid Trilogy which was announced a few months ago, but this was a great surprised. Better still with the announcement was the collaboration of the game being done incorporation with Team Ninja which brought us the Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive series would be the key engineers of this new chapter in the Metroid series. Taking us away from the first person view, this game while absolutely beautiful, show Samus in a whole new light with vicious attacks and a somewhat brutal nature as I saw in one scene Samus jumping on an enemy, shoving her hand cannon into its mouth, and detonating a laser bomb into its mouth. Blistering stuff I must say. That alone has given me the greatest incentive to really declare that this is finally the Wii game that makes me tell myself that I have to buy it. No release date except to say 2010, but I can't wait to play it.

Final Thoughts

As I said, Nintendo had a lot to live up to, to bring a great show this year and helping us forget last year's sandbag conference. While Nintendo will never admit and firmly believe that last year's conference was solid if not just as great as this year's, I could only describe last year's conference as bland. As a more mature game myself, not meaning I don't enjoy games directed to the younger audience, but just that my own gameplaying habits have just grown with the business as I have in my choice of TV shows, movies, and music. I feel I probably don't enjoy Nintendo games as much as maybe I should with games like MAG, God of War, Gears of War, and Prototype really draw me in then Mario does, but don't be fooled, Nintendo's show this year was a incredible improvement from last year's in my opinion and they definitely brought something for everyone. Though they didn't achieve their promise of bringing the Wii Motion Plus as they said they would, with games like Rabbids Go Home, Red Steel 2, Super Mario Bros. for Wii, Tiger Woods Golf, Final Fantasy: Crystal Bearers, and Metroid M, Nintendo delivered a great show and I believe they have finally the heard the fans call for a different level of quality. I don't think Nintendo ever understood that going into last year, trying too hard to capture the faith of their system. Nintendo should have just had the firm belief that they would know that the fans are standing by their side, but they want something to show for it. Nintendo is greatly known for being super secretive as well as not ever pushing a product that they don't feel is a 100% complete, but I think that they should realize that gamers have accepted that there will be flaws, but that it's not that we as gamers will run at the sight of a single flaw, but that as long as the support is there, we will be there, ready and willing to play.

I haven't played a Nintendo Wii game obsessively for a very long time, but I feel Metroid M will bring back that feeling in my heart and give me something to put my faith back into their console while remembering where some of my roots came from growing up with Nintendo. Because I can't lie here, Nintendo has fed my passion for games for a long time, and to deny that would be like turning my back on my father. But to give a final reflection on the conference, I did enjoy the conference. Starting off okay, then getting better with Super Mario Bros. for the Wii and the Wii Motion Plus demos, taking a dip a bit for me hitting all those DS games, but then picking right back up with Mario Galaxy 2 and 3rd party love, but in the end I have to say that Microsoft's conference still stands tall against Nintendo, but I just hope that Nintendo keeps the energy going that fuels my appreciation for Nintendo and its innovation. Round of applause for Nintendo everyone.

Photos taken from G4tv.com, great coverage guys. Check out the full conference right there.