Nintendo started their E3 press conference with a bang, unveiling a four-player Mario game called New Super Mario Bros. Wii. Up to four players can play co-operatively and explore new levels in a classic 2D world. If you don’t have any friends, you can play by yourself. This new game was definitely a surprise. Yes, we knew Nintendo was going to announce a new Mario game based on their badly-curtained booth, but we were all expecting Super Mario Galaxy 2… but wait! Nintendo announced that too! Super Mario Galaxy 2 will be similar in a lot of ways to the original Wii bestseller, only with better graphics, more levels and Mario’s faithful companion Yoshi. Super Mario Galaxy 2 will break through the atmosphere next year. “Like Four Swords but with Mario” will hit your TV during the holidays.
Nintendo, always out aiming for the casual audience, announced what could be called an expansion to Wii Fit… Wii Fit Plus. Featuring more customization options and a multiude of new games including 15 new balance games and 6 new workouts, Wii Fit will be sold in a bundle like the original game but also as a standalone game for those who already have a Balance Board and don’t want (or need) another. Satoru then announced yet another accessory… the Wii Vitality Sensor. He didn’t get into specifics, like when it’ll be available or when or how, but my sensors indicate that there’s a good possibility that this new accessory will tie in with Wii Fit Plus.
Finally, we get to the good stuff. First, a new Metroid game is being developed for the Wii by the remainders of Team Ninja, the people responsible for the Ninja Gaiden series. Metroid: Other M is coming next year and will feature a mix of first- and third-person gameplay, a new art style, and of course, classic Metroid platforming. The game will dive deeper into Samus’ backstory. Finally, Nintendo satisfies the demand for a new Golden Sun game with Golden Sun DS, another game you’ll have to until 2010 for. Like other new game announcements, details were limited. The only thing we know now is that the game is an all-new adventure with 3D graphics.
Other small announcements include the upcoming ability to take photos with your DSi and post them directly to Facebook (a lot of consoles seem to be getting Facebook compatibility. First the 360, and now the DSi.) Then there’s WarioWare: D.I.Y, a game that gives you the ability to make your own micro-games from scratch. A very unique game, indeed. Next we have Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story, the second sequel to the hilarious GBA game Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga. In this new game, you’ll play as Mario and his brother Luigi as the two explore Bowser’s body. Introduced in the sequel are new gameplay mechanics where the Mario Bros.’s actions influence what Bowser is doing. Finally, there’s Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again! This is another sequel to a GBA classic, only this time it’s the 2nd sequel to Mario vs. Donkey Kong. Unlike the last DS entry in the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series, Minis March Again! will be a DSiWare-exclusive. It’ll go on sale June 8 for 800 Nintendo DSi Points.
Overall, this was a pretty good conference. But I must admit, Microsoft’s was a bit better. Sure, Nintendo had Super Mario Galaxy 2, but Microsoft had Project Natal and Milo! There are plenty of Wii and DS games just announced today that I can’t wait to get my hands on.
[originally posted on Little Gaming Blog]
