As in the past couple years, Nintendo didn’t come to this year’s E3 with a live press conference, instead presenting a pre-taped “Digital Event.” Nintendo used the fact that they weren’t live as an opportunity to turn up the wackiness dial, introducing the world to Muppet versions of Shigeru Miyamoto, Satoru Iwata, and Reggie Fils-Aime, who then all transformed into Star Fox characters.
The Digital Event was fun overall, but a bit low-key when it came to announcements. Nintendo unveiled some interesting stuff for the 3DS and hardcore fans, but the presentation might have been a bit baffling for those who weren’t already dedicated Nintendo fans.
We’ve already covered some of this in stand-alone breaking news, but you can catch up on all the important stuff from Nintendo’s 2015 E3 Digital Event below…
– Nintendo pulled the wraps off Star Fox Zero. The game, which is being co-developed by Bayonetta creators Platinum Games, comes out this year and will feature a variety of different vehicles, including a walker robot and gyrocopter. You can check out trailers and more information about Star Fox Zero right here.
– Nintendo’s amiibos will be compatible with the next Skylanders game.
– Nintendo announced beforehand that they wouldn’t be showing Zelda Wii U at E3, but that didn’t mean their Digital Event had no Zelda content. The announced The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes, a new co-op focused Zelda action game for the 3DS.
– Nintendo also confirmed that they’re working on a 3DS version of Hyrule Warriors.
– Metroid is returning! In the last way you probably expected/wanted! Metroid Prime: Federation Force is a four-player multiplayer shooter featuring chunky, simple graphics and, apparently, no Samus. Hoo boy, fans aren’t going to be happy about this one.
– The next Fire Emblem is coming to North America next year, where it will be called Fire Emblem Fates.
– We got another Xenoblade Chronicles X trailer, which is looking as epic as ever. We also got official confirmation of a North American release date: Dec. 4, 2015.
– Yo-kai Watch, which is basically the new Pokemon in Japan, is coming to the 3DS in America. If you have any young kids in your life, you will be hearing a lot about Yo-kai Watch when the game comes out late this year.
– Paper Mario is crossing over with the other Mario RPG spin-off series, Mario & Luigi for Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam. This is the most meta thing ever. I’m not sure if I should applaud Nintendo for this, or be afraid that they’ve permanently disappeared up their own asses. I’ll be playing the hell out of the game, I know that.
– There’s a new Mario Tennis coming out for Wii U this year because why not? Everybody’s always up for tennis!
– The presentation ends on Mario Maker, which lets you create some pretty nutty stuff. You can check out some of said nuttiness right here.
And that’s all the Big N wrote! Again, not a blow-away show by any means, but between Xenoblade Chronicles, Mario Maker, and Star Fox, I know what console will be keeping me most busy over the holidays. What about you? See anything you’re particularly hyped for in Nintendo’s press event? Any exclusions you’re particularly bitter about?