E3 2010 Thoughts

E3 2010 is winding down, and since I mentioned last year how disappointed in myself I was for not immediately blogging about it, I’ve decided to be proactive this year. This year’s E3 is really the true successor to Nintendo’s incredible E3 2006, and really, all the pieces fell exactly into place just as they did that time. That E3, I skipped half a day of school to watch the conference live on the computer, and it all worked out really well. This year, since my first year of college ended over a month ago, I didn’t have to worry about that. However, there were still some special things I wanted to do this year. I wanted to watch it on the living room HDTV, and with my older sister. She’s a big Zelda fan, too.

The best part was, Nintendo’s conference was exciting enough to keep her interested even after the Zelda portion was over. Just game announcement after announcement, one after the other, that captured both our attentions. Actually watching it was smooth too, no one else was in the house making noise, and it was sunny outside. Serene, even. Just a perfect day.

What about the games then? Quite a few were revealed for the first time, and I’m very excited about many of them. Such as…

…The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, for Wii. The last main console Zelda game was a huge, huge event for me leading up to its release. From its epic reveal in 2004, through 2005, all the way until its release alongside the Wii in November 2006.

While I have complaints about Twilight Princess, I thought it was a really solid game. Even still, I recognize that it took a bit too much fan feedback into account and didn’t feel truly like Miyamoto’s vision. I think Skyward Sword is exactly that, it just looks like a Miyamoto game when he’s in his top form and completely out there.

…Donkey Kong Country Returns, for Wii. When we got an SNES at our house, Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest was one of our only games (along with Super Mario World, Yoshi’s Island, and Hook.) The music was great (one of my favorite pieces of any game), the level design solid (the crystal mine levels were a favorite of mine), and the gimmicks fun and varied (roller coaster level for the win.) It wasn’t actually until years later that I realized the graphics were fantastic for the time, but there’s that too.

Point is, I loved Donkey Kong Country 2. It wasn’t until last year that I played the original Donkey Kong Country, via the Wii’s Virtual Console. It wasn’t as good. A bit too hard, bland themes, music wasn’t as great, controls were spotty… And I haven’t played the third one yet, although it’s on my to-do list before Returns comes out. And I can’t wait for that day.

…the Nintendo 3DS. It is just perfectly feature-filled. The biggest feature of course being the ability for the top screen to display 3D images without the need of glasses, which is just perfect. I have to be honest, I watched Avatar in 3D last December, but none of the 3D effects really did anything for me, and the glasses were kinda lame. But I’m excited at the possibilities for 3D on a gaming device, especially one that doesn’t require those lame glasses. The slider option is nice for times when 3D is unwanted or isn’t appropriate.

The other features are just nice things Nintendo didn’t need to include, but did. Prime example would be the graphics power, some of the games (including the next one on this list) look like mid-range GameCube games, at least to me. The resolution is nice and the screens are small enough to have a great PPI count so things will look pretty crisp. I also love that the top screen is widescreen.

One of the more surprising features? Nintendo is partnering with movie studios to make 3D movies available for purchase on the 3DS. Until 3D HDTVs get much cheaper, this may be how most people get their 3D movie kick. This also signifies Nintendo is putting a focus into the handheld downloadable content arena, which it’s only dipped its toes into with DSiWare before.

…Kid Icarus: Uprising, for Nintendo 3DS. Yeah. In screenshots the graphics aren’t as impressive, but they definitely are in motion. So here’s the trailer:

It just looks incredible. Remember though, that Kid Icarus and I go way back. Not quite as far back as fans who played the original when it first came out though, more like around 2005. The rumors around the Nintendo Revolution were swirling around at the time, with some focusing on the possibility of old franchise revivals. I got swept up into the Kid Icarus revival hype, which almost directly preceded the game’s protagonist, Pit, making a playable appearance in Super Smash Bros. Brawl:

Back to Smash Bros, it will not be a launch game, (*tear*), but will feature Wario, Zero Suit Samus, [Metaknight], Solid Snake, and Pit from Kid Icarus! Is this the sequel we’ve been waiting for since the Gameboy game? Nope. But seriously! Next-gen Pit! This is awesome!

I’ve always thought that Pit’s design in Brawl was about as perfect as can be, as were his attacks. I’m glad they’re not letting all that work go to waste and are giving him a chance to shine again, ironically on a handheld (Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters was the second and final game in the series until now, released on the GameBoy in 1991.) It is also believed to be a launch game. I absolutely can’t wait.

As an aside, while the original two games were platformers, this game seems to be an on-rails shooter with some hand-to-hand combat, like Sin & Punishment. It’s an interesting change, and while platformers are my favorite genre of game, I’m open-minded to the possibilities the shift can bring. And since it’s being directed by the creator of Kirby and Super Smash Bros., I’m placing more than a little trust in the end-product turning out to be great fun.

Speaking of Kirby…

…Kirby’s Epic Yarn, for Wii. It’s childish. It’s cutesy. It’s everything you could want a Kirby game to be. It’s been too long since a Kirby game has been out, and it’s long overdue. That’s about all I have to say about this game. Looks like great, stylish, platforming fun.

There are so many more, mostly for 3DS like Resident Evil Revelations, Metal Gear Solid 3D: Snake Eater, Mario Kart 3DS, Star Fox 64 3DS, Animal Crossing 3DS, and even The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3DS. Even if just the ports make up the list of launch games, I’ll have more than enough entertainment for a while.

Overall, a fantastic E3 and almost makes the four-year gap between great Nintendo E3′s worth it.