So Nintendo had a Nintendo Direct conference on Wednesday, Nintendo is taking a different approach than most gaming company’s and has decided that probably about almost every quarter they come out with a recorded show that pretty much show cases there progress so far and gives updates on new project releases, and what have you. So this is just my thoughts and recap on the event itself.

So first and its the amazing news, The Legend of Zelda : Majora’s Mask is coming to the Nintendo 3DS and it is coming Spring 2015! The mill was a constant buzz on this one and now it is finally becoming a reality. I am so excited to see it, just getting the facelift like in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D and apparently will have the same level of difficulty and retain its essence. I loved Majora’s Mask for Nintendo 64, and now I will get to be able to play it again on my 3DS on the go. I think this was an amazing move by Nintendo to really bring back great pieces of the franchises that they are known for, and I’ll bring more up on that in a bit ;-). Then we heard about a new Nintendo 3DS game called Code Name S.T.E.A.M . A turn based tactical RPG with a steam punk imaginative crossover of classic literature, Abraham Lincoln is in it so is Tom Sawyer, Tiger Lily (From Peter Pan), The Lion (From Oz), I am not to familiar with this game but from what I have seen in this Nintendo Direct it seems like it should be a lot of fun. Its like Advance Wars but in real-time. Mario Kart 8 is getting not 1 but 2 Expansions in the upcoming months to follow, where they will be bringing an F-Zero Course! Link from The Legend of Zelda! and new skins for different character and vehicles. Mario Kart 8 was a Home-Run for Nintendo and I am so ecstatic that they are going the right way with DLC and online play especially with the support for Super Smash Bros. Wii U.

What I think one of the major major focuses on in the show were the Amiibo’s. Amiibo’s are launching November 21 along with Super Smash Bros Wii U and what Nintendo was really stressing is all the in game content that Amiibo’s will be unlocking in for current and future releases. Out of the box already in Mario Kart you can unlock new skins for your Mii’s that correspond to your favorite characters, in Hyrule Warriors using the Link Figure you can unlock a new weapon, and of course you have all the features for Super Smash Bros Wii U and soon on the Nintendo 3DS. This is just so cool, I mean my poor wallet is crying right now. I did like Skylanders and the whole new concept of bringing toys to life on screen was awesome but my one major gripe was with so many characters to purchase and variations that it would become a really expensive and obsessive hobby for which I really do not have the time or money for. But with Nintendo at least they are releasing them in small waves so it makes me able to digest it a little easier, or this is just me trying rationalize my love for Nintendo. With just these titles already the future is looking awesome!

Other titles were given names like the New Kirby game for Wii U, and NES Remix coming to 3DS, and it was some more info revealed on one of my more anticipated Nintendo Titles Splatoon. Now this was the game I was watching for during E3. I finally saw a shooter esque multi-player game for Nintendo, with the right Nintendo charm attached. This game looks like so much fun and I really hope they have some great online support, originally I didn’t think this game would have a 1 player mode but now it has been announced, that a 1 player mode will be available. I honestly think I was happy just knowing of the Multi-player, not so sure how I feel about the single player yet but we shall see as this game develops. The thought also just crossed my mind can you imagine if there were Amiibo support for this game and getting different upgrades and skins O____0 mind blown!

Lastly and this one took me by complete and utter surprise and this is a 2 parter which I told you I would come back to. But The Duck Hunt Dog will be playable in Super Smash Bros!!! Talk about over excited. Nothing for almost 30 years on Duck Hunt and than BAM! Duck Hunt Dog which is probably one of the most iconic characters in all of video games just for the laugh and taunting alone will now be playable. If that weren’t enough they then threw a left hook and are bringing Duck Hunt to the Wii U Virtual Console, using the Wii Remote. I am sooooo soooo excited that I can hardly contain myself. I am glad they are bringing back classic franchises for a new generation of gamers so they can see and experience the titles I grew up with as a kid.

Overall Nintendo knocked it out of the park again and Nintendo has had an amazing year of 2014 and will have an amazing 2015. 2014 brought Nintendo Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros, Bayonetta 2 and so many more titles. Nintendo welcome back to the top of the heap and show all of these gamers what Nintendo can do!

– Keith

Now that we got that out of the way let me start by saying that this years E3 was fantastic! I would probably even go so far as to say it was one of the best in years because not to toot my own horn as predicted it was ALL about the games! Now I wrote the blog about not even being day 1 and how amazing of a start it was. So not gonna regurgitate the same stuff I have already stated.  Let me get to the meat of the show and dive full in by listing the E3 games that took us by storm this year and my games of the show. While not all games I will sit and mention in great length and detail I will again reitirate that this was all about the games this year! So much so that I had reserved literally about $200 dollars worth of reserves at GameStop, which as I list the the games I will provide links so that you too can also reserve these titles if available before time runs out so without further stalling here are the top games I seen at E3 :

Best Xbox Exclusive Game :

Sunset Overdrive
(Insomniac Games) Release: 10/28/2014

Runner Up:

Ori and the Blind Forest
(Moon Studios) Release: TBA

This one was really really really tough. Microsoft’s show while enjoyable I could not really shake the feeling that it could have done better. I digress though. Sunset Overdrive third person shooter from the legendary studio that brought us Ratchet & Clank. The game looks first of absolutely gorgeous. When I first saw the trailer at last years E3 I thought this game would be something to look out for but actually seeing the game-play footage and the slew of weapons that you will be able to use. The game play looks like the GTA style sandbox game but its really has emphasis on speed and jump and grinding on power lines and rails. Cover does not seem to be an option in this game, along with a huge 8 player multi-player seems like one of the games that is going to define the Xbox One. The runner up was this beautiful Xbox exclusive game Ori and the Blind Forest. As soon as I watched the trailer for this game I was absolutely mesmerized by the beautiful graphics. The game play is a puzzle platform type with what seems to have a beautiful story to match its graphical style. I had a hard time deciding between Sunset Overdrive and Ori and the Blind Forest. Reason I went for Sunset Overdrive because it will definitely be released this year will Ori is still to be announced, so thats why I gave it the runner up title.

Best PlayStation Exclusive Game:

No Mans Sky

(Hello Games) Release: TBA

Hands down Sony blew me away this year as much if not more then Nintendo, now while No Mans Sky is yet to have a release date it did have a playable demo at the show. And I am sorry this game looks absolutely Amazing! The game is about adventure, survival, exploration, and did I mention that it is literally endless. The developers promise that every game is going to be different for every player that no 2 worlds where you start will be alike. This is a huge promise and I do hope that Hello Games can produce on this one. The exploration aspect seems astonishing. The fact that you can truly explore a world find resources for trade and barter. I forgot to mention that your a space explorer and you have a ship. The part of the game I am looking forward to is the Dog fighting space travel Star Wars feel that you hop into your ship and fly to any system to explore. Its in the first person also to really give you the depth that you are this character and doing the exploration. This is why I had no problems picking this game as the perfect PlayStation Exclusive. I know some people would say pick Destiny or The Order 1886 or even Bloodborne, but this game I feel is whats gonna really just blow everyone away at its release.

Best Nintendo Exclusive Game:

Hyrule Warriors
(Omega Force, Team Ninja) Release: September 26, 2014

Super Smash Bros. Wii U & 3DS
(Bandai Namco Games) Release: Wii U: Q4 2014 3DS: October 3, 2014

What can I say Nintendo I would give them all game of show, and all the awards on the face of the planet, but I gotta be fair here. This one I could not just choose one so it had to be a tie between what the new Legend of Zelda IP Hyrule Warriors and Super Smash Bros. for both the Wii U & 3DS. Super Smash Bros. was the star of Nintendo’s lineup. They had a huge tournament for the game and from what I have seen from the Showroom floor it was marketed everywhere. I dunno what I can really say about Smash Bros. other than…Its freaking Smash Bros! The core mechanics of the game haven’t really changed too too much from platform to platform starting from the N64 to the Wii. Granted the character roster, the trophies, stages, and graphic have always been tweaked from platform to platform. What I love most is that they are actually bringing back the Nintendo GameCube controller! Just goes to show you GameCube was the superior system! The thing that definetely blew me away though was the introduction of Pac-Man! I honestly did not see that coming, so now you can have an old school showdown of Pac-Man vs. Mario vs. Sonic vs. Mega Man. It is just bad ass. Where I am really going to focus on is at no surprise to anyone is Hyrule Warriors. I am very very excited for this title. I kind of went over my excitement in my previous entry so not gonna beat a dead horse to death. The game has just this certain appeal, its mostly because its a new Legend of Zelda title but because its bringing a new spin to a classic franchise. I can’t wait to bring the massive scale of Hyrule to my Wii U, hack and slash Moblins and other forces of evil in a grand scale and not only play as the main Hero Link but as Zelda, Impa, and a slew of other recently announced characters.

Best Multiplatform Game :

Alien:Isolation
(SEGA) Release: October 7, 2014   Consoles : PS3 , PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, & PC

Lots of games to really choose from in this category, it was a real twister because what I really saw this year was a lot of Multiplatform games however it was mostly a peeing competition with Sony and Microsoft because there was going to be exclusive content to each system so I really didn’t want to pick one console over the other when it came to games like Batman: Arkham Knight which has supposedly more exclusive items to PS4, Destiny where each console was getting different content, and even Dragon Age: Inquisition which is getting exclusive Xbox One content. So I decided to go with Alien: Isolation. I know what most people are thinking, the Alien franchise as far as video games are concerned have a very long track history of being absolute god awful pieces of crap. However this looks like the Alien game we have been so desperately waiting for. The game takes place before the events of Aliens and you play as Ripleys daughter trying to solve the mystery of her mothers disappearance.  This game looks absolutely horrifyingly scary. This looks like its really bring back the suspense of the survival Horror genre. The Xenomorph (The Alien) can literally be very unpredictable, your going to be spending most of your time trying to hide and at all cost avoid the Xenomorph who can crawl through vents the ceiling and is just a hunting killing machine. If the Xenomorph wasn’t enough there are more then just Aliens to fear aboard. My only fear with this game is that what they are showing is always as “A Work in Progress” and that it will not live up to what we have been expecting. mostly because of the horrible lawsuit that followed Colonial Marines. If they can produce what they have shown so far it should be an amazing game for not only the franchise but for the survival horror genre.

With so many games to choose from this year was a real nail bitter and while I wish I could give awards in every category and say how great everything is that would take WAY TO LONG… This year was all about the games. This is all leading up to and with out further ado I bring you my E3 :

Game of Show :

Evolve
(Turtle Rock) Release: October 21, 2014   Consoles : PS4, Xbox One, & PC

Now I know what some people are thinking, that why didn’t I choose a Nintendo Game? Why didn’t I choose maybe an RPG or an Adventure Game? Why is it that FPS always seem to win game of show? Did you sell out Keith?

Well let me say that this game looks absolutely sick! I picked this game because of it originality and because this is what Next Generation is!  It is like Monster Hunter Ultimate on Steroids, Crack, and Viagra all at the same time. Made by the Legendary Team who brought us Left 4 Dead comes Evolve. Evolve is a first person shooter but there is a twist to it. It is a 4 player vs. 1 Player game. You can play as either the one of 4 classes of Hunter either a Trapper, Medic, Assault, or Support or even play as the Monster that is being hunted. I think this game not only looks beautiful but plays insanely. The goal is if your the hunters to take out the monster and if your the monster take out the Hunters. If that wasn’t enough though you got a giant rampaging ever upgradeable monster to deal with but you gotta deal with different elements of the game such as just the surrounding where a rock isn’t really a rock but some monster ready to tear you to shreds! It is really help defining the new age of multiplayer that you see in games like Monster Hunter. You can upgrade your character or monster as playing through as the game progresses. The game seems fast pace strategic and over all just a leap forward for the next generation consoles. This is the game to watch out for!!

In conclusion, I know I left out a lot of games that either flew to under the radar like Tales of Xillia 2 or Kingdom Hearsts HD 2.5 ReMix  or games that are so in your face like Rainbow Six Siege or Mortal Kombat X. I think this years E3 was one of the best by far. Two things I seen shine at this years E3 was that independent studios are finally getting the recognition and time of day they so richly deserve because a lot of these games aren’t made with Millions dollar budgets but can contest with the best and biggest Studios out there.  Secondly the war has really begun with the exclusive content to different systems. I dunno how I feel about this, because its really forcing me to buy multiple copies of the same goddamn game. Which is what companies want for you to spend money!  I digress…I wish I really had more to really write about all the games I didn’t get to talk about but then again I am just one man and these are the games that stood out to me the most. These are my opinions. And while I reserved more then just the games listed above this is really only the tip of the iceberg. I look forward to the next few months as these amazing titles are released!

-Keith

While Nintendo decided to take a different route when it comes to E3 mostly because they have been making tiny announcements with there Nintendo Direct conferences through out the year but all I can really say for Nintendo at E3 this year was WOW! What a show! I loved the Robot Chicken / Super Smash Bros introduction it was both exciting and funny! I also could not believe that it was Reggie’s 10th E3 anniversary I remember when he first took the stage and was talking about how he’s all about kicking ass and taking names, and dared to step up to Sony by telling them that there console sales were not his Problem! But I digress… Started off with Super Smash Bros, I cannot wait for this title and the fact that there are now Mii’s and the newly announced Amiibo. The fact that Nintendo is throwing their hats into the ring for the NFC figures with exclusive content to Nintendo games the skies the limit! Imagine being able to play Super Smash Bros Wii U with an ever expandable cast that you can customize your own Link with different move sets! Or even being able to put the Nintendo characters into different games. Then once the Super Smash rolled up, we were treated to the exciting Kirby’s Epic Yarn like game Yoshi’s Wooly World and Captain Toad Treasure Tracker.  you had Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire remakes for the 3DS with some new Mega Evolutions and a release date of this year. Then we had amazing new IPs like Splatoon that looks like the game to own on the Wii U, it is a Shooter game that really has an emphasis on fun. You play as squids the spread your ink. The main objective being that you dominate the map with your ink. This game is slated for 2015.

This is where however I go off the handle. The crown jewel in the mighty Nintendo Empire. We were treated to not only 1 new Legend of Zelda  game which is a new IP known as Hyrule Warriors, but two a new Zelda Wii U (Pending Title I assume) game play trailer!! First Hyrule Warriors, just WOW! I mean a hack and slash Zelda game like Dynasty Warriors. The title is after all made by the same team who developed Dynasty Warriors. So excited for this title, originally I thought this would be exclusive to Japan simply because Dynasty Warrior while it was a wonderful games for the PS2 weren’t exactly terribly popular here in North America. But the fact that you can actually play with not only Link but Zelda, Impa (Zelda’s bodyguard, nanny, mentor), and Midna (from Twilight Princess) will be playable characters alongside the green clad hero. What really makes this game seem so amazing is just the grand scale assaults of enemies instead of the small skirmishes you generally experience in the franchise. That and it is staying true to the series by incorporating Links arsenal of weapons other then the claimed sword such as Bombs, and even the Fire Rod. With a release of September 26th this is a title that I already have claimed into my Zelda Collection. This however was not the highlight of the announcement. The best being the Trailer for the New Legend of Zelda Wii U. Eiji Aonuma the series director and designer announced not only the style art style of this New Zelda game but that they are making  a departure from the traditional mechanics of the Zelda Franchise. He stated that it will have a different approach to meet your objectives. With a beautiful scene appearing behind him we see Hyrule, in its peace and serenity followed by an action scene where a mechanical laser wielding machine disturbs the calm and lays chase to link where Link then confronts him. There are so much speculation rumor circulating this game that 2015 can not come quick enough for this title. This will be a welcome change to the series. While if you have not guessed it The Legend of Zelda series is by far my favorite series of all time, I think a refresh is definetely needed and welcome. I think this really changed with the mechanics in a Link Between Worlds where how you approach the dungeon does not have to be so linear and that you don’t need to defeat one dungeon to conquer the next. I really cannot wait to see how this game develops with its announcement of E3 2015 and possible same year release date.

So all and all Nintendo, had a fantastic Direct Show, followed by the Nintendo Treehouse (Which I would give a 1UP life to just be on that team being the Nintendo fan boy that I am). The Treehouse special had the man himself Miyamoto on as explained new game developments one which was leaked however not was shown at the show… StarFox! The games they did show like Giant Robot and the Security camera game looked quite like the traditional MO of Nintendo but look fun none the less.

My only real thing that I really wished from Nintendo was a little more titles that would be released this year instead of a handful of titles that would be released this followed by oh expect these major titles come out in 2015 like Splatoon, Zelda and Mario Maker. But then again with Super Smash Bros Wii U and 3DS , Hyrule Warriors, and Pokémon Ruby Alpha and Sapphire Omega. I think Nintendo is giving us a good heap of games to expect in the coming few months. Great job guys and I cannot wait for Hyrule Warriors!!!

-Keith