The Nokia Theater is always a great venue for a press conference, and Nintendo continues their tradition of making their press conference smooth and organized (unlike.. ahem.. some other companies…)
We arrived very early so got right up to the front of the line, which made our experience even smoother. Checked in, wristband get, all good.
The atmospheric difference between the Sony event culture and this one is astronomical. Sony was like a classy frat party. This is purely professional and “clean fun”. Security/event people here are wearing headsets and suits, and look like secret service agents. Metal detectors at the entrance. Sony’s was “party on, drink up, enjoy.”
Nintendo has a tradition of showing Nintendo trivia on the big screen before the show. It’s a good conversation starter.
“Tubba Blubba hails from which Mario game?” etc.
I’m glad I was able to update my 3DS this morning; I’ve already gotten over thirty StreetPasses and I have a feeling they’ll do SpotPass software as well.
There is a distinct lack of coffee or other refreshments this year, which is a departure from previous years. Green Warrior needs coffee badly.
This is the PREMIERE place to get StreetPasses, apparently:
My Miis. Let me show you them
Muse’s “Starlight” is playing as background music. The guy behind me is singing it.. Loudly.. and with as much soul as he can muster. Sigh.
Seeing some of the tweets coming from people who are just arriving shows that there is a level of annoyance with the “TSA treatment” we’re getting at the door.
Our early arrival paid off: we have awesome seats front and center. The theater is packed.
Nintendo keeps telling everyone to use the Wi-Fi that they’re offering for free; the problem is, it just plain doesn’t work. They’re also telling everyone not to use other Wi-Fi options, but there’s no choice. We’re using Verizon’s network: 3G on our Chromebooks, and we also have a 4G LTE MiFi. We’re online while others are struggling. Basically, if you don’t have a hotspot, you’re dead in the water here. None of these companies seem to be able to provide reliable Wi-Fi during their press conferences. Sony’s was garbage yesterday, and so was Ubisoft’s.
Live Zelda music from an orchestra! So awesome.
Nintendo is so much a part of our gamer DNA. Hearing a live symphony orchestra play this score is giving me goosebumps.
They are showing every Zelda game throughout history, surely leading up to Skyward Sword.
I think the guy behind me is actually crying.
Shigeru Miyamoto on stage, to live music. Such a stunning presentation.
“Hmmm. Zelda. It sure does bring back memories!”
Translator coming on stage now.
“The visuals for each Zelda game have evolved through each hardware platform, but so has the music. This music we just heard was from Skyward Sword. I hear it every day at work, but hearing it here performed by this orchestra in a hall like this is exhilirating!”
Now, they’re playing sound bits from the game, live. Miyamoto is pantomiming things like “holding up an item” and “opening a chest”. The crowd is delighted.
The Legend of Zelda, Link’s Awakening will be available for 3DS starting today.
Skyward Sword will be out this Holiday season, for Wii. Wii Motion Plus will be used for sword swinging and bow shooting. A gold, Zelda-branded Wii Remote will be available as well. It looks great.
You can tell that Zelda is Miyamoto’s true love. He is just radiating joy.
They’re releasing the Ocarina of Time soundtrack on CD as well as 25th anniversary soundtrack. A worldwide tour of the symphony will be taking place this year as well.
The guys on stage now are all Nintendo developers. These are some of the people who have brought gaming joy to most people reading this for most of our lives. These are the Willy Wonkas of gaming. Legends.
They are bowing very deeply, thanking us for being fans and gamers for 25 years. I wish I could stand up and bow back; they deserve our gratitude.
Satoru Iwata on stage now.
He’s talking about gaming philosophy; boundaries still exist in how game systems are defined. He’s making a point that consoles determine by their very nature what kind of audience they attract.
“We intend to create a new experience with our new home platform.” “Deeper and Wider” (hot?)
“The new platform will provide deeper game experiences than what even the most passionate gamer has experienced before.” Wider appeal to all gamers.
Our new home platform will be coming next year, however this year the 3DS is set to bring a whole new world of experiences.
Mario Kart on the screen now. Starfox “Do a Barrel Roll”, audience cheers.
A new Mario game, with Mario in a Tanooki suit
A NEW LUIGI’S MANSION!
Reggie Fils-Aime is now on stage. Five key titles for 3DS this week:
Mario Kart: A tricked-out version in full 3D. The karts are sprouting wings and gliding from high places; now they’re going underwater with propellors. So, we have road racing, air races, and underwater racing. Holiday 2011 release.
Starfox64 3D: A gyroscope-controlled flight or traditional button control. Instead of Starfox wingmen, you can have your friend’s faces say things like “Is that you, Slippy?” September 2011 release.
Super Mario 3D: Fully 3D, looks fantastic. This is a full 3D Mario adventure, Mario 64-style. It will be out this year.
Kid Icarus Uprising: Fully voice acted, a break from the Nintendo norm. Pit sounds enthusiastic. PvP combat with other people shown. AR cards for 3DS shown as well. Three-on-three multiplayer action. Coming this year.
Luigi’s Mansion 2: The music is just as good as the first. Poor Luigi never gets a break. Ghosts are harassing him everywhere. “Not a simple revision; an entirely new game making extraordinary use of 3D. Not one, but several mansions.” Release date not mentioned.
Now third party titles:
Cave Story 3D, Resident Evil: Revelations, Driver Renegade, Pacman and Galaga Dimensions, Tekken 3D, Metal Gear Solid Snake Eater. Big cheers for Cave Story, Tekken, and Metal Gear Solid.
“The biggest download news for Nintendo 3DS: Pokemon. Pokemon will spring to life in 3D.” Pokedex 3D being shown on screen.
The Wii-U has been announced. Wii U?
The controller is a tablet!
The console streams full HD to the tablet. You can switch off the TV and continue the game on the tablet. It’s apparently a Wacom-style drawing surface as well. Multi-touch.
You can play on the controller or the TV. They are now showing demos of how the controller can show different views of the game: On the ground, the controller shows a golf ball while on the TV the shot is putted.
Nintendo has done it again; the audience is going wild. We’re in awe. This is going to redefine gaming. Again.
This looks absolutely mindblowing.
6.2″ screen built in to the controller tablet.
Fully backward compatible with Wii software and accessories. Wii U looks like a modified Wii. Same size.
Tablet contains touch screen, microphone, inward camera, gyroscope. It is an interface for the Wii U. It has no processing power on its own; it streams HD from the console.
On a side note: Skyward Sword in HD looks phenomenal.
We want to create a strong bond between you, your TV, games, and the internet.
This is like Eyefinity for consoles; multi-monitors is going to change the whole paradigm; single displays will look dated after people get used to this.
HUDs, inventory screens, weapon loadouts can be shown on the controller in full HD while the main game interface is on the TV.
SMASH BROTHERS announced for both 3DS AND Wii U. Crowd goes wild!
Wii U tech demos being shown. Textures are excellent. Selective blur, ambient occlusion, looks like current gen PC graphics. Looks better than 360 and PS3.
Lego City Stories announced for Wii U and 3DS.
Now they’re talking to major third party developers. Developers are very excited by the new paradigm. Darksiders II announced as a launch title. Assassin’s Creed, Batman Arkham City, Tekken, EA Sports. AAA titles on Nintendo. They finally figured it out.
Now showing Metro Last Light, Ninja Gaiden 3. Blood and gore everywhere; I think they’re making a statement that core games will have a place on Wii U.
EA CEO is now on stage; Battlefield 3 on Wii U hinted at. He keeps talking about how strong the capabilities of the system are. I think the fanboys are going to go nuts. The Wii U will most likely trump PS3 and Xbox 360 in processing power; third party developers are strongly on board.
Here’s the brag piece. Touch-screen and dual screens changed gaming. Wii motion controls changed gaming. 3DS glasses-free true 3D changed gaming. Wii U controller will change gaming. Thing is, they’re right. Brag away. You’ve earned it, Nintendo.
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