Nintendo isn’t ‘doing’ E3 this year as such, pulling out of doing a conference at the event as Sony and Microsoft have done and choosing to stream its own Nintendo Direct event online instead. This afternoon Ninty rolled out the familiar favourites, including Mario, Donkey Kong and Link.
Super Smash Bros. Wii U and 3DS
We start with perhaps our favourite Nintendo title that’s going to be reinvented for both Wii U and 3DS: Super Smash Bros. We have trailers for both titles which reveal a number of characters – we spotted Fox, Kirby, Pit, Samus Pikachu, Mario and Link as well as Capcom’s Mega Man. The Wii U title features full 3D graphics whilst the 3DS version has a more fun feel to it with cell-shading effects. Both versions of the game will be out in 2014.
Via Eurogamer
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Another classic Nintendo character not spotted in the Smash Bros. trailer but likely to make an appearance will also get a Wii U game of his own. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is a classic 2D platformer with a sprinkling of 3D sequences and new camera angles for good measure. Donkey and Diddy are there and we’ve also got Dixie Kong as a playable character. She has a pony tail which allows her to fly and hover, Rayman style. Developed by Retro Studios, the guys who did Donkey Kong Country Returns, Tropical Freeze will be out later this year. We can’t wait to meet the walrus pirates.
Super Mario World 3D
Super Mario World 3D is the latest set of adventures involving everyone’s favourite dumpy Italian and is a sort of follow-on from Super Mario 3D Land on the 3DS. From the first trailer Nintendo has teased us with typically jolly and colourful worlds as well as four player co-op modes – best get saving for those GamePads first, guys! Whilst he has his name in the title and will reap the royalties, there are also switchable characters which each bring advantages – little Toad is a fast little fellow, for example. Luigi and Peach are also playable characters, but we’re not exactly sure what Peach brings to the mix – I mean, other than your little sister, who really picked Peach in Mario Kart 64? We’ll be able to buy Mario’s latest title later this year.
Mario Kart 8
Mario also stars in another long-running Nintendo classic being rehashed for the Wii U: Mario Kart 8. Shown off for the first time today, Mario Kart 8 follows the tried and tested platform laid before it by classics such as Mario Kart 64 but with new twists. The biggest change seems to be crazy walls: upside down, vertical, the lot – the new tracks shown off so far seem to be Rainbow Road-esc in their craziness. Vehicles are new, with hover cars, motorbikes and even cars with gliders attached. Mario Kart 8 will arrive in 2014.
New Super Luigi U
Not content with having his own side adventures chasing ghosts, Luigi has barged in on Mario’s spotlight with a Super adventure of his own. This 2D platformer is much like many Mario games of old but features the green plumber taking on a number of tricky enemies including his arch nemeses, the ghosts. You can even play as Nabbit! You’ll be able to buy and download this title for around £20 from the Nintendo eShop from June 20th or in physical game form on August 25th.