E3 2011

[Overdoziz]

What's the point of a screen on your controller if you, you know, have a TV?

[Alg]

I...Just want to play video games...

I agree with this.

 

I'm tired of all this gimmicky innovation. I just want to play some damn games traditionally.

Indeed. Maybe, instead of gimmicks, they could try improving gaming as a medium? Forcing players to dance before their TVs isn't going to do a lot for making games seem like a legitimate form of entertainment.

[Danqazmlp]

What's the point of a screen on your controller if you, you know, have a TV?

 

What about when a family member/gf/friend wants to use the TV? Quickly switch to the controller screen and continue playing as normal. Want to play console quality games while lying on the sofa, outside or in bed? Switch to the controller screen. It's semi-portable console gaming basically. Add onto that all the things the second screen on the DS comes in useful for. I could see it becoming very useful in the future. I just want to see the actual console.

[Danqazmlp]

A small quote from somebody with hands-on experience of the controller, doesn't sound as bad as predicted:

 

Although it wasn't made clear during the press conference, this is a brand new console with an updated deck as well as a new controller. The decks are held safely behind plastic in all the demo stations, so few details could be gleaned. Imagine the Wii, but with curves, and you're done.

 

The new controller is comfortable in the hands, with smooth white styling and well-designed ergonomics. The buttons are all where you expect them to be, along with the dual analog sticks. It may look awkward in pictures, but in practice the controller is a joy to hold.

 

I was able to play the demo for New Super Mario Bros. Mii with no problems, and so far the game is simply New Super Mario Bros. in high definition, played on the television or simply on the controller. Both methods look great.

 

In fact, while we didn't find out what type of display is in the controller, we were immediately impressed by it. The image is bright, detailed, and perfect. The 6.2 inch size is perfect for the games we played, while still keeping the size you want from a controller. Very impressive.

 

Also, looking at pictures, it is smaller than it first seems. It looked quite large and bulky, but on other pictures, it actually looks a lot smaller, roughly A5 paper in size.

[Kimberly]

I'm glad I slept through the nintendo conference. Seems like I didn't miss much at all.

[PoorLepRecon]

Nintendo innovates again. How long until Microsoft and Sony bring out their copies?

Serious question; how is Nintendo being innovative? I haven't really been following the Nintendo conference or their new console so I'm kind of wondering. From what I've seen it's just a Wii HD with some weird controller.

 

The ability to switch between playing on your TV to a handheld instantly, the ability to play 2 seperate games at once, using the console for one and the controllers for another, and being able to incorporate touch screen, voice, motion, and traditional controller gameplay into any game.

[Demoli]

I'd like to add something:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoqZaxERf1U

 

Ok, I'm officially hyped the freak out for zelda.

[Kimberly]

I'm impressed. It seems they've finally found a good blend between Twilight Princess-style art and Wind Waker-style art. I'm looking forward to it.

[Danqazmlp]

I still love it, and still also love the Huge easter egg in the video.

 

I'm hoping we find out a little of the origin story of the Hero in Ocarina due to it being the first game set before that in the timeline. Although knowing Nintendo, they won't mention it at all. Also, what was the big monster swallowing the girl (presumably zelda?)

[Ginger_Warrior]

The orchestra at the start of the conference was impressive, hints at a more music-orientated game which I think is what Twilight Princess was badly missing at times.

 

In short: Nintendo think they can use the Wii's good name to keep the 'casuals' from the Kinect, and they can grab core gamers back with third party games backed up by Zelda and co.

 

Bold ambition.

[das]

What's the point of a screen on your controller if you, you know, have a TV?

 

What about when a family member/gf/friend wants to use the TV?

 

Don't most people have more than one TV?

 

 

I loathe motion gaming, and considering how much my Wii just sit's around unused compared to my other systems- Don't see myself rushing out to buy the Wii-U. The fact that it's getting Arkham City and other franchises I can play on my other consoles - is kinda lackluster.

[Demoli]

I still love it, and still also love the Huge easter egg in the video.

 

I'm hoping we find out a little of the origin story of the Hero in Ocarina due to it being the first game set before that in the timeline. Although knowing Nintendo, they won't mention it at all. Also, what was the big monster swallowing the girl (presumably zelda?)

 

That monster was most likely the representation of darkness, that or Vaati, which i'm still in firm belief is that wierdo dude.

 

Also, what easter egg? o_O

[Danqazmlp]

What's the point of a screen on your controller if you, you know, have a TV?

 

What about when a family member/gf/friend wants to use the TV?

 

Don't most people have more than one TV?

 

They do, but most don't have more than one console. Many people will have a main television which has everything hooked up to it, including their console, usually located in a family room. Take my house for example, we have the main TV in the living room which has sky+, a Wii and a 360 hooked up to it. The reason is due to it usually being the largest and best TV in the house. Now when other family members want to use the TV, others can't use the consoles. With the new screen, this would not be the case and you could continue playing. Or imagine being a student not being able to afford a TV, in theory (from what I've seen) you would be able to play without one, just on the controller.

 

It may not be the case for those who live alone or have Tv's to themselves, but for many people that isn't the case.

 

 

@Demoli: Watch this video of an earlier trailer, uses the same music. what do you hear in the second half?:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBaVUFZi9wg

[Demoli]

Oh, that easter egg, I thought there was something new on the new trailer :P

 

And aparently IGN has footage of the Chase Mii and Zelda HD tech demo, but i can't see them, has anyone seen them yet? How are they?

[ranqe]

looking forward to ocarina of time remake more than skysword, i hope skysword is going to be as glitchy as past zeldas

[Danqazmlp]

looking forward to ocarina of time remake more than skysword, i hope skysword is going to be as glitchy as past zeldas

 

I have to admit, I don't think I've encountered a single glitch in all the Zelda games I have played, which is Ocarina, Majoras mask and Twilight Princess, with multiple plays through each.

[Arch_Tyrant]

I...Just want to play video games...

 

[champion]

Pretty lame E3.

[H2PM]

I was only paying attention to BF3 and Skyrim.

 

So yeah, I'd really could care less about the other stuff from E3.

[Ginger_Warrior]

Well... You can't blame anyone else for your own ignorance can you really? All three companies had normal video games in their conferences if you bothered to look.

[H2PM]

Oh I saw them, I just didn't care for them. (talking about the games)

[Orpheus]

Well, my opinion? To absolutely no one's surprise, nintendo has outdone Sony and Microsoft in some respects. Vita seems a bit interesting but I'd like to see more first.

 

 

Naturally excited for Skyrim and BF3 though.

[Faux]

Nintendo innovates again. How long until Microsoft and Sony bring out their copies?

Serious question; how is Nintendo being innovative? I haven't really been following the Nintendo conference or their new console so I'm kind of wondering. From what I've seen it's just a Wii HD with some weird controller.

 

The ability to switch between playing on your TV to a handheld instantly, the ability to play 2 seperate games at once, using the console for one and the controllers for another, and being able to incorporate touch screen, voice, motion, and traditional controller gameplay into any game.

 

Sony already had something like that with PSP/PS3

 

not original, at all

[Veiva]

These are points I see being made all across the internet regarding the Wii U. And I just don't get them:

 

First, it's just a gimmick; bla bla won't sell. Er, the DS was a gimmick, but it sold better than anyone could imagine. The Wii was a gimmick, it sold more than anyone cared to know (besides Big N of course). The 3DS was a gimmick, and it's sold well so far (there's been no killer application yet, though).

 

Second, "no games wtf." Uh, I don't recall the DS having much more than tech demos? Maybe a max of a game or two.

 

Next, "it's copying the PS3 + PSP and therefore not unique." Ok, how many (good) games support 100% PS3/PSP interop? There's a difference between "we did it first" and "we did it well." I would also like to add, basically requiring it and having it optional are also totally different.

 

Another is "oh it's gonna be impossible to hold!" Yes, because you just so happen to have a Wii U controller and played with it for more than 1 second? Oh wait...

 

There's more but I can't think of them. Oh well. Nintendo innovates and "hardcore" gamers get their knickers in a bunch.

[Nadril]

I'm still waiting to see how this stuff holds up once it is released. If the console only just has the power of the current gen systems (who are by now 6 years or so old) than aside from cool mechanics it will still have the same issue the Wii had.

 

The other thing is that Nintendo needs to get some reasons for these core gamers to buy their consoles. Mario, Zelda, that stuff is great. However where is the reasoning to buy the Wii U? Where is the new, exclusive title that doesn't feature a Nintendo character we've known for 20 years?

 

 

I mean for me, as a primarily PC gamer, the things that sell me on a console are what exclusives it offers me. If it's multi platform, cool, I'll play it on PC. I feel like a lot of people feel the same way about their system of choice. However what got me into buying the PS3 was exclusives such as Uncharted 2. If that was not the case I would have absolutely no reason to own that console as, at the time, I already had a PC and a 360.

 

 

The Wii U is going to need to give that reason. Simply saying that it has a lot of ports on it doesn't really mean much. The issue with the Gamecube, going way back, is it didn't have a ton of really quality hardcore exclusives. Sure it might get the multi platform stuff but you compare the exclusives on Gamecube to the Xbox or the PS2 and it is no comparison. Sure the Gamecube had mario, metroid, zelda.... but how much is that still going to sell a console to the people who have played that kind of game 6 times before?

 

 

 

 

As far as the "gimicky" controller goes I think it is interesting. I really do think that having two screens seems like it would be really neat and useful. When the DS was announced I wrote it off as a gimmick. I saw no reason for 2 screens. However the DS has done great, interesting things with 2 screens. I feel like the Wii U could possibly do that without necessarily sacrificing the core experience.

 

 

To me a gimmick is something like Kinect. This is something that doesn't add into your core experience at all. This is literally a gimmick and the style of games you can play on the kinect is severely limited to the hardware. Even the Wii controller limited certain gameplay, to an extent. The new Wii U controller seems more like it can help just add a little extra to a core experience. An inventory system on the bottom screen for an RPG. A shot of the map or leaderboard for an FPS. I think that stuff is legitimately cool.

 

 

 

Of course none of that matters one bit if the core games don't deliver. Nintendo has been historically bad at controlling exclusive games outside of their own projects. If they can get some real stuff behind the system I could see myself getting it.