The Road to E3 2011: Nintendo Report Card

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Posted May 25, 2011 - By Guest Writer

With one newly launched platform (the 3DS), and a mysterious new console on the way (which is set for a grand unveiling at the show), Nintendo has a particularly exciting E3 2011 ahead. It’s been a good year for the publisher, though sales of the ultra-successful Wii are slowing down after a stellar five-and-a-half year run – creating fertile ground for a successor. The 3DS, still technically in its “launch window”, has plenty to prove, and the prospect of several juicy new titles in favorite franchises like Resident Evil, Metal Gear Solid and even good old Kid Icarus is whetting appetites left and right.

But enough about the future – let’s now dial things back one year and see how the big N fared at E3 2010.

E3 2010 Nintendo Press Conference »

After years of lackluster E3 showings, where press clippings from “mainstream” media and seriously lame casual offerings like Wii Music and the “vitality sensor” crowded out the good games, Nintendo made a massive impact at E3 2010. With the spectacular introduction of the 3DS, and a lineup of exciting exclusives – including Zelda: Skyward Sword, Donkey Kong Country Returns, GoldenEye 007, Disney Epic Mickey and Kirby’s Epic Yarn, Nintendo surprised even the most jaded of show attendees. Everyone was buzzing about the 3DS at last year’s show – thanks in large part to the success of the little system’s powerful effects and Nintendo’s success at getting attendees’ hands on one.

The press event itself was the company’s best in ages, with heavyweights like Reggie Fils-Aime and Shiguru Miyamoto holding court demonstrating the new 3DS and upcoming Wii blockbuster The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. A ridiculous number of nostalgia-tripping titles were announced or featured, starring everyone from Kid Icarus to Kirby to Samus to Donkey Kong, with Mickey Mouse and James Bond (of the surprise GoldenEye reboot) holding up the third party side. Even main man Mario was featured in Mario Sports Mix.

The 3DS was absolutely the highlight of the company’s E3. From its bombastic unveiling at the press event to the steady stream of excited show-goers chatting about the device on every corner of the show floor, this was the hardware win of E3 2010. More than anything, people seemed excited about the prospect of glasses-free 3D that could be tuned to one’s own liking – and the fact that lines stayed long at Nintendo’s booth despite a large number of units speaks volumes to the buzz factor.

Titles/Hardware that have been released:

Donkey Kong Country Returns – read the review
Kirby's Epic Yarn – read the review
GoldenEye 007 – read the review
Metroid: Other M – read the review
Disney Epic Mickey – read the review
Mario Sports Mix – read the review
Just Dance 2 – read the coverage
Wii Party – read the review
Nintendo 3DS – read our coverage
Nintendo 3DS Third Party Titles
Nintendogs + Cats – read the coverage
Pilotwings Resort – read the review
Golden Sun: Dark Dawn – read the review
Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies – read the review

Titles/Hardware that have not been released:

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword – read the coverage
Kid Icarus: Uprising – read the coverage

We’re going to go ahead and give Nintendo an “A+” for last year’s show. The first truly inspiring line-up in years, an incredibly buzz-worthy platform launch, and the best actual press conference – after years of almost hilariously bad events – all contributed to Nintendo’s strongest E3 since 2006. Bringing out tons of sexy women chained to the Nintendo 3DS prototypes was the coup de grace.

This year, the biggest item on Nintendo’s radar is the new console. Is it an HD Wii with gyroscopic touch screen controllers, or any other of the random rumored designs, or are we looking at something else entirely? Console announcements are the tentpole events of E3 – they don’t happen every year, but when they do, our already hype-centric industry goes into full overdrive. We’re also expecting to hear plenty of 3DS news – especially Nintendo’s plans for the mobile store – and more details about what’s surely the publisher’s biggest title this year - The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword.

Get your motion-plus controllers primed and park a tab right here for all of your E3 2011 coverage.

Danielle Riendau is a freelance writer, digital media professor, and nonprofit web ninja from Boston. You should follow her on twitter for all of the relevant links and details:

Tags: E3 2011, Features, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo DS, Videogames, Wii

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JoeMississippi

I have a 3DS and let me say, Nintendo is really going to have to step up with their game line up for this year and next. SSFIV isn't THAT great and Splinter Cell 3D is just sad. I am excited for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D and the 3DS's graphics are great, but Nintendo's going to have to bring some good games to the show this year.

Posted: May 27, 2011 12:30 AM
Gamingguru16

BRING ON NEW SMASH BROS. GAME :)

Posted: May 26, 2011 6:22 PM
SSJ4Pedestrian

If they make another Super Smash Bros. Then i will buy the new console. Only reason i bought the wii.

Posted: May 26, 2011 12:19 PM
JTsoppy137

nintedo cant count on their big games to save them all the time zelda looks and sounds good but with the motion controll

Posted: May 26, 2011 8:10 AM
DBJAY

And the result of getting an A+ at E32010?

Nintendo reported a 66 percent fall in quarterly operating profit on slowing demand for its Wii videogame console and a stronger yen, and stuck to its forecast for full-year a fall of 12 percent.

Posted: May 26, 2011 6:22 AM
Fat4all

While I do think Nintendo will have to do more work in order to keep people interested this E3 (due to the fact they had quite a steller last year), I think they may be able to pull it off.

Unfortunatly, it's almost as if they have nowhere to go but down, while Microsoft has nowhere to go but up, because of their mediocre showing last year.

Sony is usually right in the middle, and will probably stay there. I can't see them having anything so huge it would cause them to leap to the front of attention... unless it's "The Last Guardian" footage on stage... that would be nice...

Posted: May 26, 2011 1:52 AM
OzzyA

Ben999999
I think Skyward Sword will come out this year for Wii since Nintendo is intent on celebrating Zelda's 25th anniversary and I'm sure Skyward Sword is part of that celebration.

Posted: May 25, 2011 9:40 PM
FreshCut_T70

How is Wii Party a "bridge game"? its another lame party game, and Dance games are so 2004 but so is the Wii (GameCube) Reggie says people say they only play Wii Sports and Wii Fit...hes right. The Wii is slowing down and they still want to put out party games. Hopefully the 3DS will have a variety. 2010 was lame for Nintendo so will 2011.

Posted: May 25, 2011 9:39 PM
BaronVonWhittico

More than anything, even more than seeing the actual console announced, I just want to see the games they'll have for Project Cafe. If they can bring the same type of games at the same quality as the AAA titles on the other consoles, along with the same crazy Nintendo greatness, then I will be all for this thing. Great Nintendo games every couple of months isn't going to be enough this time. Nintendo is doing the smart thing by getting third party developers all over this thing, and that's what needs to be focused on to at least prove it can compete on a level playing field. Once that's done, Nintendo can roll in with their flagship franchises without worrying too much.

Posted: May 25, 2011 9:23 PM
FreshCut_T70

The Wii is a lost cause but the 3DS looks interesting and some of the games look good. It seems like anytime Nintendo does well at an E3 is because of old franchises like Zelda, Donkey Kong, Kirby and Mario. Its 2006 all over again and thats not good for the Wii.

Posted: May 25, 2011 9:22 PM
superdookieness

Skyward Sword Release Date I cant wait any freaking longer!

Posted: May 25, 2011 9:15 PM
SonyNmbrOneGuy

I'll man up and say it. I was wrong. I thought for sure G4 would bash N as usual but not only did that not happen, they gave them an A+ O.o

Imagine that...a non MS console getting a good score for bringing more than just trivial features...

Posted: May 25, 2011 8:24 PM
Jag23

I want to see Punch Out in 3D! That would be epic!

Posted: May 25, 2011 7:41 PM
EarthBound_master

Need to announce Pikmin 3. US releases for Trace Memory R, Xenoblade, The Last Story, Last Window, Pandora's Tower, Chibi-Robo: Happy Rich Big Sweep & Fire Emblem: Monsho no Nazo would make my year. 3DS Virtual Console GBA games also need to be announced, starting with Mother 3 ( fan translation is exceptional). I'd also love to see Project H.A.M.M.E.R. finally get finished & released, even if it's on the new console. Lastly, give us Smash Bros 3DS!!!!!

Posted: May 25, 2011 7:38 PM
Wozman23

They stacked last year with a lot, if not near all, of their quality titles, so I doubt they can repeat that. Their new console needs to impress the hardcore.

Posted: May 25, 2011 7:26 PM
Tmidiman

:::Insert sound of crickets here:::

Posted: May 25, 2011 6:52 PM
slackersphere17

definitely had some quality games come out. Too bad the Wii doesn't get any credit as a legitimately fun console because of outspoken "real gamers".

Posted: May 25, 2011 5:55 PM
Ben999999

No way Skyward Sword comes out this year...or for the Wii. Look for it in 2012 as a launch title for the new console. We've been down this road with Twilight princess.

Posted: May 25, 2011 5:42 PM
GeneralKumar

Dont have a Wii, but they did have a good year!

Posted: May 25, 2011 5:12 PM