Want to see what our friends at Gaming Lives, Robot Geek, Life’s a game and We are Arcade really thought of this years expo? Want to see which new releases we just can’t wait for, and which are doomed for the gaming bargain bin? Then watch below.

P.S. Apologies for the dark filming. They always make expo’s so dark… Why are they always so dark…I guess its so there is no light reflecting off of the screens… Still annoying though…

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Skyward Sword’s Link has been born and raised on Skyloft, a floating island above the clouds. That most awesome moment of the trailer, where Link jumps off that ledge and flies through the clouds? That’s a pivotal moment in the plot, wherein Link discovers there is a land below where he lives.

Previously, he wasn’t aware there existed anything below him. Upon arriving in the land below (though how he lands is anyone’s guess, seeing as he clearly didn’t bring a parachute with him for the jump), Link discovers the land is ruled by an evil force. Link’s new task is to then defeat the evil force and bring peace to the land, which involves him travelling between Skyloft and the as yet unnamed land below. Okay, so that second part doesn’t sound entirely new and fresh, but I’m someone loving the idea of Skyloft, and what can potentially be done there.

When a new Zelda was announced for the Wii, all anyone had to go on for a long while was the single concept image of Link and a silver woman. Rumours went around everywhere, but the top one garnering the most coverage was the idea that the silver woman was in fact, the personification of the Master Sword. Oddly enough for a Zelda rumour, this turned out to be remarkably accurate, and she is in fact, the Skyward Sword in a humanoid form. In fact, the Skyward Sword is the one who leads Link to the land below, and gives him guidance and direction, acting as the game’s Navi/Tatl/Midna. Later on in the game, it has been revealed that the Skyward Sword ends up becoming the Master Sword. A Zelda fan rumour turning out to be true? I’m as surprised as you are.

Other little factoids include the ability to sprint, the HUD having the ability to be turned off if you want it to, and the visual style being heavily influenced by impressionist paintings, and was one of the first parts of the game locked down and decided during development. The game is rumoured to take place in that wonderfully complicated Zelda Timeline before Ocarina of Time and possibly most Zelda Games, which would make sense, seeing as the Skyward Sword does in fact become the Master Sword. The other major rumour to come about is that the game will feature flight heavily, with air travel and air battles being a new addition to the series. The odd phrasing being banded around is that the sword itself helps you to travel between the lands. Watch this space.

After the E3 conference, Nintendo had a series of developer interviews on their website, one of which being with Miyamoto and Aonuma talking about Skyward Sword revealed a lot of additional details, too. For one, the game was named after the development idea that the sword could be charged up to gain energy by pointing the wiimote upwards, rather than holding a button, which felt less natural. The sword pointing upwards became a symbolic idea, and thus inspired the game’s subtitle. Another thing expressed was the idea that people felt that Twilight Princess was too big a game, and that affected the need for a strong foundation during development. The developers expressed a desire to increase the game density and amount of ideas within the world without making it a smaller world.

One idea I found particularly interesting was the internal debate over the Motionplus. Aonuma, during early development, felt that being able to swing the sword around freely and making that fun were two separate things, and because it lacked effectiveness, the Motionplus was given up on for a time during development. It returned in the game when Miyamoto told the producer of the Wii Sports Resort games to challenge Aonuma, as if Wii Sports Resort could use sword fighting mechanics effectively, why couldn’t Aonuma and Skyward Sword? This caused some of the technology from Wii Sports Resort to be borrowed, and Motionplus to come back to Skyward Sword for the Swordfighting, which now felt a lot more natural. The double hookshot was also mentioned from the Twilight Princess games, saying that they loved the idea of it, but they wanted the idea to be more natural and freeflowing. The sense of immersion in the game will be key to helping you understand its universe and to enjoy the denser world you’ll then be given.

Finally, some of the older traditional puzzles probably won’t find their way into Skyward Sword. Miyamoto and Aonuma mentioned there would be no more giant block pushing. They laughed and joked about how the whole idea of pushing giant blocks, especially ones bigger than Link himself was silly, and they found the whole idea ridiculous, so puzzles like that may not be prevalent, or even existant within the game. Aonuma and Miyamoto instead expressed a great affection towards the “Back to Basics” idea, and taking the great core ideas and making them denser, rather than overcomplicating the formula.

Skyward Sword will be out in 2011, and as PlusXP’s Nintendo fanboy, I’m already preparing to call it next year’s Game of the Year.

The conference kicked off by looking at the new Zelda for the Wii, now subtitled ‘Skyward Sword’. Looking like a mix between the graphical style of Wind Waker and Twilight Princess, it gives an artistic style that looks incredible. Hoping that the Wiimotion Plus addon will help to make all of the controls and complicated layouts an element of the past, Shigeru Miyamoto came onstage to demonstrate after a video that helped inject some humour into the proceedings. However, his demonstration would prove to be worrying as ‘Wireless Interference’ would prove to make controlling and showing off the game difficult, and left those onstage to apologise profusely and assure the crowd that “This didn’t happen in the rehearsal” and “When you play the game for yourself, you’ll see it works”. The WiiMotion Plus does seem as if it’ll give a better sense of control, despite the worryingly demo, with weapons being more refined to accomodate motion controls, such as the ability to aim where you throw, drop and roll bombs, new weapons such as the Beetle launcher which allows you to guide a Beetle around which can pick up additional items for you and the Whip, as well as old items like the catapult. It was then announced that Skyward Sword would be delayed until 2011 as the development was taking longer than expected.

Despite some demo issues, I fell in love with this game like it was love at first sight.

Then next up, Mario’s involvement with sports was given another boost with Mario Sports Mix, also to be released in 2011. Thankfully, Nintendo saw fit to combine several sports games into one, rather than release them separately, and will contain Volleyball, Hockey and Dodgeball with the traditional Mario Sports twist.

Following up on this, Nintendo took the time to point out the staying power of the Wii, and how it had managed to sell the most in December 2009 than any other console had ever sold in a month, that more games had been sold for the Wii than anything else, and that Wii players use their console more than other Console players will use their consoles. To keep this in mind, Nintendo showed off another ‘bridge’ title for Wii Party. Basically looking like a reskin of Mario Party, but with the more neutral and casual Miis, Nintendo hopes that Wii Party can hope to appeal to all audiences and attract more people to the console. Keeping with a tilt to the casual side, Nintendo then confirmed that Just Dance 2 would arrive on the Wii in the Christmas season.

Acknowledging that nothing had been mentioned or shown of Golden Sun DS since last E3, Fils-Aime then showed off the first footage of the game, now subtitled “Dark Dawn”. Taking place a generation after the first two Golden Sun games, Dark Dawn will combine 3D characters with new summons and touch screen controls, and will hit the Nintendo DS in the Christmas season.

Moving on from one kind of golden to another, Reggie Fils-Aime then showed footage taken from a focus meeting about Goldeneye 007 for the N64, asking just what made it so revolutionary. It was then revealed that Activision are to remake the original game for the Wii, which’ll hit in the Christmas season like everything else. The new Goldeneye will include reworked sections from the original with added content and Daniel Craig as James Bond. While admittedly, it looks like an odd reworking of the game, only time will tell if it’s a remake worthy of the game, or another Rogue Agent.

I think you'll find the support for a Goldeneye remake was quite, DAMning... No dice? Dam.

Moving on, the conference turned to Epic Mickey, taking Mickey to a while new level while exploring the old and new Disney with unique twists. One of the gameplay innovations will be Mickey’s paintbrush, with which he can either create or destroy the environment around him. By using paint, he can create new environmental scenery, people and platforms, and with the paint thinner, he can destroy those things, as well as that which he creates. The story is also focused in a way that multiple playthroughs will be in order, with plotlines and sidequests done so that they can be completed with multiple outcomes which will all build to different, unique endings. It will also combine elements of side scrollers, as was demonstrated with the level containing a retro throwback to Steamboat Willy. Before leaving, it was discussed how difficult it was to balance both innovation and heritage, and its hoped that the game gets that balance right. Epic Mickey will be hitting the Wii exclusively in the Christmas season.

Reggie then talked about the creation of Kirby, and his lack of a home console outing for a long while, and that this would be recitified with a new Kirby game, also hitting the Wii during the christmas season. Kirby: Epic Yarn has an incredible unique art style which is reminiscent of Yoshi’s Island and Yoshi’s Story, and Kirby can use yarns to move about the environment, take new forms, and has an art style which combines seemlessly with the gameplay and the incredibly cutesy and upbeat music. There also looks to be a return of the companions from Kirby Super Star, and the side scrolling nature of the game looks like an amazing return for Kirby which should hopefully find its way into Wiis everywhere.

First he was real, then trapped in a painting, Kirby, how long are you going to string us along like this? I'll leave now...

Dragon Quest 9 was then discussed, as well as its massive impact in Japan, selling 4.2 million copies, and one such reason being the tag mode as well as the ability to go into multiplayer with friends. Reggie hoped that the game will have a similar impact in the US when it hits July 11th.
Dragon Quest 9 was followed by a quick look at Metroid Other M, which will be hitting the US at the end of August.

Continuing to prove that Reggie Fils-Aime knows how to segue, he then talks about Retro Studios wanting to handle a different series after their work on the Metroid Prime games. He then revealed that Retro Studios have been working on Donkey Kong Country Returns, showing off a reel of footage, including mine cart action, Diddy Kong, and the same level of gameplay that made the originals so great. A bombshell game revival with another christmas bombshell release, meaning that Nintendo are packing the Christmas season with one of its most intense lineups for the Wii in years.

Retro Studios hits E3 with the bombshell Donkey Kong Country revival.

And then came the talk that everyone was waiting for. No, not the Wii HD becoming a reality, the 3DS. After talking 3D for a while, smack talking the need for 3D glasses, and showing off a reel detailing the history of 3D, the 3DS raised up from a tiny platform and was finally revealed.
So what are the details of the 3DS that was kept so under wraps? This is what we were able to gather:
-The top screen is a 3.5 Inch Widescreen.
-It has an analogue slider, allowing for a greater level of control, as well as the D-Pad.
-The ability to turn 3D off is available with a slider.
-The touch screen at the bottom will not have 3D, as Nintendo discovered during development that touch screens and 3D don’t go amazingly well.
-The Graphics are much improved (witnesses to the gameplay claim it’s the same level as the Wii)
-It’ll contain a gyroscope and motion sensor.
-It’ll be back compatible with the Nintendo DS.
-There are two cameras on the case, meaning that it’s possible to take 3D photos as well.
-Can show 3D Hollywood Movies and Trailers
-The Tag Mode from the DS also makes a return, but the games can be updated without the games being on or in the 3DS. If you pass someone else, you can get ghost data and new data.
-The 3DS will automatically seek out Wifi and Internet.

All I know is, I want 3.

Then, Project Sora was finally announced to be Kid Icarus Uprising, with the protagonist himself swooping in and apologising: “Sorry to Keep You Waiting!”
Nintendo then dazzled everyone with a gameplay reel showing graphics nearing the level of the Wii. Other games announced at this point included:
-Saints Row
-Professor Layton: Mask of Miracles
-DJ Hero 3D
-Resident Evil Revelations
-Assassin’s Creed
-Kingdom Hearts
-Metal Gear Solid (Later confirmed to be Snake Eater)

Just before the end of the show, Nintendo finally showed off another reel with a humorous side, as Iwata, Miyamoto and even Fils-Aime himself were sucked into the world of the Nintendo 3DS. A bunch of items from Nintendo series flew out of the 3DS at the end, confirming future Zelda, Mario, Mario Kart, Starfox and Donkey Kong games, and even a possible Smash Bros game.
With that, Nintendo finished up their conference with a massive selection for the hardcore this Christmas and the show stealing 3DS.

As Plus XP resident Nintendo fan, I was left without a doubt that Nintendo stole the show, and revealed a lineup and future console that need to be in my life in future. What did you think?

-Jokesound

Zelda has always been one of my favourite Nintendo series’, mainly Ocarina of Time, Wind Waker and Twilight Princess; although I’ve completed Majora’s Mask and some of the handheld titles, those three are the ones that really stick out in my mind as being masterpieces. Ocarina of Time was spectacular for an N64 title, with a vast, vibrant world, breathtaking dungeons and bosses, and a ton of things to do. To top it off, it introduced Adult Link to the series, who I found infinitely cooler than his child self; though many other fans would disagree. When Wind Waker came around, I – like many – was incredibly put off by the return of child Link and the new visual style. Although not necessarily the spiritual successor that I hoped for, I eventually accepted it and enjoyed it for the great game it was in its own right. And last of all, Twilight Princess delivered what everyone wished of the Wind Waker, giving us a brand new Zelda that gave us all of the good elements of Ocarina of Time and improved upon it, the first title ever to feature only the adult version of our silent green-clad hero.

However, it’s been almost three years since the release of Twilight Princess, and it’s getting to that time where we begin to wonder… what’s next for Zelda? There’s been the odd handheld title, but personally I see these as filler, leading up to the next grand adventure. But what can they do? Wind Waker gave us a beautiful, young adventure, the child Link off on a colourful quest to face the darkness, and Twilight Princess perfected the greatness of Ocarina of Time, giving us the mature and gritty Zelda we’d dreamed of for the eight years since it’s N64 predecessor. How could they possibly follow up from those two without being too similar?

Well, for now we can’t really know. However, we do have the first bits of news regarding Link’s latest adventure – so listen up and see what you make of it. The new title has apparently been in development for almost four years, so it should be well on the way by now.

At E3 this year, the first piece of artwork was shown relating to the next Zelda – in a very similar style to that of Twilight Princess. I for one am glad to see this, as TP had my favourite style so far. This image may give up a little more information than you may initially realise, however, as Link is notably missing his legendary Master Sword, his right-hand empty (looks like they’ll be continuing to make Link right-handed for gameplay’s sake). However, the female figure in front of him bears a strange resemblance to the sword’s hilt, the blue “robe” forming the familiar shape, a gem adorned at her centre. Co-incidence? I doubt it. It particularly reminds me of the “closed hilt” version seen in The Wind Waker. If this is so, perhaps the creature is some sort of sword spirit/fairy, maybe leading us further into the sword’s history - but that’s just my speculation!

Although the new artwork clearly looks in the same vein as Twilight Princess, it seems that this may not be the same Link as that of the most recent title, as this will apparently be set in a different era to Twilight Princess. Miyamoto’s exact words were “Well, the story setting for this Zelda is, of course, in a completely different era and Link is older than he was previously. More approaching adulthood. There is one hint. Maybe from the art work you can see that he’s not holding a sword.”  – so it sounds as though it could go either way, possibly suggesting Link is ‘older than he was in Twilight Princess’ or perhaps just an older version of Link than we’ve seen before. If it isn’t the same Link, it is strange that the artwork is very much the same, as in the past each new Link has generally come with his own design.

More recently, IGN had an interview with series producer, Eiji Aonuma – and for the first time we have a little information as to the game itself. Seeing as Twilight Princess was merely a GameCube port in essence, the new Zelda will be the first title produced specifically for the Wii, meaning it’s controls should be more even more integrated into the gameplay. According to Aonuma, the game will actually feature 1:1 swordplay using the MotionPlus add-on – sounds intriguing, but I’m a little skeptical – we’ve never seen true 1:1 swordplay before, so I’ll believe it when I see it. Looks like I’ll have no choice but to splash out on the controller add-on, though..

It’s also been said that the new Zelda will change the regular structure of the series, diverting from the classic “Field-to-dungeon-to-field” scenario seen in the previous titles. Although I have no problem with new ideas, I hope this won’t see the game with a more linear style, without Zelda’s usual free-roam, side-questing nature. In Nintendo Power’s August 2009 issue, Miyamoto did claim that the new Zelda ”[is not] going to be that radically different” than past games in the series.”, which is reassuring.

Hopefully we’ll hear more soon, it’s a bit of an unknown situation really seeing as the news only gives us more questions, rather than spelling victory or doom for the future of Link. Whatever the new structure is, I believe that Nintendo will make a quality game, but I’m unsure if they can top the classic format with anything better, while keeping the sheer epic scale of exploring Hyrule – I’d feel gutted if they drop the free-roam aspects. I only hope that the series doesn’t divert so much that it loses it’s Zelda feel – hopefully they don’t stop Link from playing the silent hero!

-Leon

New Super Mario Bros Wii

The new super Mario bros game looks set to be a great game with 4 player co op play (as far as piking each other up and saving each other for danger) with Mario, Luigi and 2 toads. The use of the wii motion sensor is a big factor of this game. for example you ca lock on to a see saw and balance it to help you accomplice.

There are also a whole host of new Items such as the the propeller suit to fly high into the sky and for some reason you can change into a penguin.

Super Mario Galaxy 2

The announce meant of this game is bound to set some Mario fans off. The first game was massive when it first came out and this one is set to better the last with Yoshi as a playable character who can be inflated to get to new areas.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9pWgEp86cM]

Metroid: Other M

A new metroid is gonne hit wii. Yay! Not much is known as yest about the game but be sure to check here for more info for my E3 Wrap up post later this week.

New Wii Zelda!

Sounds great but there was not much said at all, no trailers really and only one piece of art work. But its coming…..sometime.

Golden Sun For DS

This is huge news for me, I love golden sun and to see a revamped DS game is awesome!  3D Issac and well here is the trailer!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ep_zdkpo6RM]

Now onto the Sony side of things!

God Of War III

The long awaited game sequel to the franchise coming march 2010 has been demoed at E3! The game looks fantastic and with brand new physics new to gaming and Kratos looking shinier than ever this game is set to be a ground breaker. Here’s the demo in action!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcjL2VA6eDQ]

Final Fantasy XIV!

But its another MMO. May be good news for some people, but I didn’t think  much of FF XI online. But t promises to be a great game.

PSPgo!

The new announced console was to be expected at E3 seeing all things have been leaked about it. What it does have is No UMD drive, but can still play old PSP games, You will have to download the to the console, also there is a 16 gig inbuilt hard drive for game saves and old psp games. It also has a slide function and to m looks quite interesting. Look for yourself.

Image from IGN.com

Well that was day 2 down, wander what day 3 will bring?

Garv!