Nintendo E3 2015 recap

The 2015 Digital direct opens with puppet versions of Iwata, Reggie, and Miyamoto transforming into Star Fox characters. It has begun.

If you didn’t have time to watch, here’s everything that Nintendo showed off at this year’s E3.

Star Fox Zero 

Nintendo made a multitude of announcements today during their E3 presser, beginning with Star Fox Zero, the newest entry in the series. Packed with new vehicles and the beloved Star Fox crew, Star Fox Zero is slated for Holiday 2015. 

It was revealed that the GamePad will provide a cockpit view, providing a first-person view on the GamePad and a third-person view on your TV. 

Nintendo then went on to discuss amiibo, and a new partnership with Activision and their Skylanders franchise. Three Nintendo figures will be usable only on Skylanders Superchargers for Wii U, and will be usable in Nintendo games outside of Skylanders.

The Legend of Zelda: Triforce Heroes

Then, a new game was announced, The Legend of Zelda: Triforce Heroes for 3DS. This game allows players to work together, solving puzzles and dungeons. The game has the same visuals as The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds. 

The Legend of Zelda: Triforce Heroes received a Fall 2015 release window.

Metroid Prime: Federation Force

Nintendo detailed Metroid Prime: Federation Force, a Metroid game with 4 player co-op. Not much was really revealed, other than a 2016 release window. The game will be on 3DS and come with Blast Ball.

Xenoblade Chronicles X

We were then shown a trailer for Xenoblade Chronicles X, in which the game received a 12/4/15 release date. With Zelda Wii U slated for 2016, Xenoblade Chronicles X will be one of the most anticipated Wii U games this year. 

Loads of misc. titles from familiar Nintendo faces

Nintendo went on to unveil Animal Crossing: Amiibo Festival for Wii U, which is essentially Mario Party meets Animal Crossing. The game utilizes amiibo functionality, and new Animal Crossing amiibo are on their way for the new game. 

We then got a closer look at Yoshi’s Wooly World. The game offers couch co-op and amiibo functionality. Yoshi’s Wooly World also got a U.S. release date of October 16th, 2015.

Then, Mario and Luigi: Paper Jam Bros.,a game that combines Mario and Luigi and Paper Mario, was announced. This game looks really cool, and will release Spring 2016. 

A new Mario Tennis game was also announced, Mario Tennis Ultra Smash. This game will come out in Q4 2015, which could mean holiday time of this year or early 2016. Not much here, it looks like a standard Mario Tennis game. Visually it looks pretty good, and will, if anything, beef up the Wii U library.

The next installment in the Fire Emblem series was then named for the west, Fire Emblem Fates. It will arrive in 2016. Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem will also release in 2016. 

Mario Maker

Nintendo then went in-depth with Super Mario Maker. We learned that Link, Marth, Isabelle, Yoshi, Luigi and Wii Fit Trainer will all be playable in Super Mario Maker via amiibo. Super Mario Maker will release in the U.S. on September 11th of this year.The next installment in the Fire Emblem series was then named for the west, 

No Pokemon, Zelda Wii U, or true Metroid? The press conference left a lot to be desired, while offering some exciting games in 2016.

Out of what Nintendo has to offer this year, Xenoblade Chronicles X and Super Mario Maker look great. Star Fox Zero has me cautiously optimistic, however, I feel that it will come down to the controls and how the new vehicles make the player feel. 

The Legend of Zelda: Triforce Heroes has me excited as well, and the co-op should be very fun. But perhaps the reason I am truly unhappy with this press conference is because of Metroid Prime: Federation Force. I feel that this isn’t quite what makes Metroid great. I haven’t played the game so I have to reserve judgment, but based on what I saw this is not a Metroid entry that I wanted.