Earlier iTech Post covered what to expect from the 2012 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), and now it’s time to cover Nintendo. The company is going to be the first the enter the next generation of consoles, so anticipation is high with almost a week to go.
Wii U Full Reveal
Teased last year, the Wii U was pitched as a successor of the Wii, returning with the Wii Remote controllers and introducing a new tablet controller. The former drew the most attention, partly because Nintendo said the device would allow games to be streamed away from the television. Details on the exact functionality are scarce, but Vigil - developers of Darksiders 2, launching on the Wii U - revealed games are downloaded in around five minutes.
Nintendo also promised during the conference it would support third parties, bringing out figures such as 2K Games' Ken Levine. Many felt the Wii lacked a wealth of third-party titles - again relying on first-party games such as Super Mario Galaxy 2 and The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword - compared to companies such as Microsoft: it invested in gaining timed exclusives, such as the Call of Duty DLC, ahead of Sony. Some of the rumored launch games are Batman: Arkham City and Pikmin 3.
New Super Mario Bros. 2
Announced January 2012, and estimated to release around August 2012, New Super Mario Bros. 2 is a follow-up to the Wii and 3DS versions of the original. However, Nintendo said before the game was announced it was a 2D Mario game. Screenshots showed Mario wearing a tanooki suit, which returned in Super Mario 3D Land, and the ability to fly via the P-Wing.
Pikmin 3
Much isn't known about Pikmin 3, but we do know it's in development. The title was originally scheduled to release on the Wii, but Shigeru Miyamoto said the game is a better fit for the Wii U. It's possible a trailer will be shown off during the conference, especially if the game is a launch title.
Super Mario Wii U/Zelda 3DS
Nintendo always builds up gradually to its first-party titles, so there's every chance the company will tease new Super Mario and Legend of Zelda titles. For the former, the last console title was Super Mario Galaxy 2 in 2010. For the latter, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword released in 2011 but Miyamoto has talked openly about wanting to do A Link to the Past-esque title. Could it arrive for the 3DS?
Retro Studios Project
The developer of the Metroid Prime games for the GameCube and Wii, along with Donkey Kong Country Returns, is rumored to be working on a Star Fox-Metroid Prime mash up. Nintendo reportedly holds the studio highly, and combining two of Nintendo's oldest franchises isn't easy. If true, don't rule out a reveal in Los Angeles.
When, Where, How
Nintendo's conference takes place on Tuesday, June 5 at 9AM PDT - after Microsoft and Sony - for an hour. Information between the event and now can be found at Nintendo's E3 Hub. The conference will also be available stream on Facebook and via Spike TV .
