Nintendo's E3 conference

Nintendo started with an orchestra going through tons of Zelda music. Quite a good beginning.

They announced some pretty good free stuff: 4 swords for the DSi, Excite Bike for the 3DS, and Pokedex (not exactly sure what it is) for the 3DS.

We got a quick look at a good amount of 3DS games, including a Mario game, Mario Kart, Luigi's Mansion 2, and Starfox, among others.  The best part, during the Starfox clip, "Do a barrel roll" was played.  My interest in the 3DS has recently very much increased.  Also, Cave Story 3D looks awesome. I hope it's more than just the same game with a graphical upgrade, and if it is, then I certainly want it.

Finally, Nintendo unveiled their new controller/console, the Wii U.  Yes, Wii U as in the sound a police car makes, or in horribly confusing sentences like: "Would you like to see my Mii on your Wii U?" (I'd recommend saying that out loud).  The reason why I wrote "controller/console" is because it was referred as both during the conference (mostly controller by Nintendo, though once Miyamoto said console, and console by other developers).

So, what is the Wii U?  It's basically another controller, with a screen in it.  It looks sort of like the Gamecube or Sega Dreamcast mods that put the entire system in a controller.  It has 2 joysticks, various buttons, a gyroscope sensor, and the screen is a touch screen.  It connects to the console, and they plan on having various types of games that you play on the tv and with the controller: it was shown that you could play on the tv, and then switch to the screen in the controller.  Also, it will allow for some multiplayer "asymmetrical gameplay."  Also, a new Super Smash Brothers game has been confirmed for the 3DS and the Wii U.

Basically, the Wii U seems a little gimmicky right now, but it has potential.  This is sort of how I felt about the 3DS last year, and I'm now wanting it a bit more, so it could work out.  Overall, Nintendo has a pretty good E3, especially if the Wii U turns out good.


Edit: I think the Wii U also comes with a new console, but it wasn't very clear during the conference, so I made my description somewhat ambiguous by saying 'console' and 'tv' instead of naming anything specific.