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Pre-E3 2006: Nintendo Press Conference
Lights. Cameras. Wii!
Rather than bore gamers to death with an hour of statistics, Nintendo spent the majority of the conference focusing on the thing that matters most: the games.
Wii Games List
Super Mario Galaxy
If there’s ever a game I dream of upon the unveiling of a new Nintendo system, it’s Mario. Having missed GameCube’s launch, I did not expect to see Mario hopping around Wii just yet.
It’s times like these that it feels good to be wrong.
One of the first games shown – and one of the games to garner the most cheers – was the Wii-exclusive sequel Super Mario Galaxy. A new Mario with new, never-before-seen levels, unexpected tricks, and a few familiar faces to prevent anyone from saying, “Where’s my mushroom?”
In Super Mario Galaxy, Mario seems to have found a way to control gravity. He can glide through the air with ease (yes gamers, using the simplicity and innovation of the Wii controller), run along planet-shaped environments (remember the 1000 Marios tech demo? It’s like that but better), and jump, hop and skip in a number of cool and unique ways. And just to clarify, these planet-shaped environments are like giant balls that Mario can literally walk all over. Around, underneath, on top, everywhere! The kind of gameplay experience that this will provide has yet to be determined, but given Mario’s history, how can we not be intrigued? Tomorrow’s show floor unveiling should reveal more.
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Wii-exclusive version; GameCube-exclusive version shipping same day, the exact date of which has yet to be announced, other than that it will be the same day the Wii hits stores (which also has yet to be announced).
Nintendo gave a preview of the Wii version of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, highlighting its unique innovations over the standard, GameCube edition. Using the Wii controller’s motion-sensing technology, Twilight Princess lets you use the controller (in conjunction with the analog stick attachment) to aim with Link’s bow and arrow. You can look anywhere you want simply by pointing the controller anywhere you desire.
The grappling hook and other tools/weapons will utilize the controller in a similar fashion. During the presentation we saw Link fighting a couple of grizzly enemies. Environments were big and beautifully designed, looking slightly more improved than the GameCube version introduced at last year’s E3. We could assume that the extra development time allowed them to enhance the graphics, but seeing it on Wii, you couldn’t help but say, “Whoa.”
Wii Sports
Tennis. Golf. Baseball. Each utilizing the Wii controller in the expected way: based on the way you play the sport in the real world. Pull back and swing for golf – speed and length of the swing appears to affect the game very realistically. The same goes for baseball, where you’ll be hitting homeruns in no time. Tennis was demonstrated more extensively, with Nintendo’s finest on stage (Shigeru Miyamoto, Reggie Fils-Aime, Saturo Iwata, and the winner of the AOL Wii contest), battling in a game of two-on-two. Each man swung in a different, perhaps clunky and unprofessional manner, proving that anyone can pick up the game and play it with little (hopefully zero) frustration.
Pilot Wings
The ultimate console flight simulator. We hope. Not much was revealed outside of an impressive video, but if the other Wii titles are an indication, Pilot Wings will be an unforgettable addition.
Project H.A.M.M.E.R.
Swing the Wii controller to destroy enemies.
Sonic Wild Fire
Developed exclusively for Wii, Sonic Wild Fire has the graphics of the Sonic Adventure series, but will feature all-new gameplay that takes advantage of Nintendo’s motion-sensing technology. How, exactly? Only Sega knows for sure, but take one look and you’ll be excited.
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
More running and gunning, tons of new environments, plus unique Wii-specific gameplay.
Madden 07
Pass, kick, and score by swinging the Wii controller? You bet!
Rayman 4
Not much is known about this new edition, but in the video presentation Nintendo showed a small child frantically swinging the Wii controllers.
Elebits
This quirky Konami game has me baffled. Ken Reilly compared it to Katamari Damacy. Will it turn out to be so frantic? We’ll know more soon.
Dragon Quest Swords
Hack-n-slash your way to a safer, more peaceful fantasy world.
Super Swing Golf PANGYA
Developed by Tecmo, this new sports game features cool character designs and will likely feature some of the best motion-sensing gameplay mechanics around.
One Piece Unlimited Adventure
A new chapter in the One Piece series makes it to Nintendo Wii.
Finalfurlong Revolution (working title)
Horse racing. Gameplay details unknown.
Dragonball Z
Fighting game action, Wii-style.
SD Gundam G Breaker
Quick battle scenes shown. Looks good, but very little was revealed about the title.
Sengoku Action
Dynasty Warriors for Wii? That’s what it looks like, with plenty of hack-n-slashing for you to feast on.
Necro-Nesia
Looks like a survival/horror title with lots of creepy bugs/monsters to kill. The graphics seemed a little lighter than the horror games we’re used to, but this is Wii. With nothing concrete announced, anything could happen.
Fire Emblem
Only CG footage shown; no gameplay details revealed.
SpongeBob
Tony Hawk Downhill Jam
Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles
Exclusive version of the GameCube original. New features TBA.
Red Steel
First-person shooter / slasher with the inspiration of a PC shooter and the familiar feel of a console game.
Disaster: Day of Crisis
A disaster is coming. Can you save the world?
Fire Emblem
Only CG footage shown; no gameplay details revealed.
SpongeBob
Wii-enabled gameplay in a familiar world and setting.
Tony Hawk Downhill Jam
Nothing was announced, but I’m stoked at the motion-sensing possibilities.
Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles
Exclusive version of the GameCube original. New features TBA.
Excite Truck
Twist and turn the Wii controller for a unique, free-flowing, unprecedented driving experience.
After the presentation of Wii titles, Nintendo reinforced the point with another presentation. Then another, followed more demonstrations of the games we had previously seen. And you know what? I still left the event wanting to see more. “Yeah, uhh…Nintendo? Could you show that Mario trailer again? Three times wasn’t enough.”
Nintendo DS Games List
You didn’t think Nintendo was going to leave the DS in the dust, did you?
Star Fox DS
All hail Star Fox! Only a brief video was shown, but it was by far the most exciting announcement in the DS lineup.
New Super Mario Bros.
We’ve been salivating for this one since its unveiling two years ago. Where is it now? In nearly complete form, ready to ship nationwide next week. Expect amazing power-ups that make Mario as big as the screen, unusual (yet familiar) game worlds, clever references to the original Mario game, and more hours of replay than a statistician could calculate.
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
Another previously announced title, this new Zelda game features dual-screen gameplay, touch screen gameplay, cel-shaded visuals, and original puzzles. This game will be too hard to resist on the show floor without even playing it, Phantom Hourglass has already risen to the top of my DS wish list.
Mario Hoops 3 On 3
Mario basketball taken to Nintendo’s dual-screened handheld. Wireless multiplayer confirmed.
Mario Vs. DK: March of the Minis
The name says it all. Expect a colossal amount of miniature fun.
Diddy Kong Racing
Whoever thought these guys would return? Expect more of the same racing gameplay you love in handheld form.
Yoshi’s Island 2
Because one island just wasn’t enough.
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon – Blue Rescue Team / Red Rescue Team
Two new complementary Pokemon games will be hitting the stores this fall, and this time around you don’t play as Pokemon masters (or master wannabes). You play as the Pokemon themselves!
Big Brain Academy
More mind games.
Tony Hawk Downhill Jam
Different from the Wii version, this new Tony Hawk almost looks cel-shaded. Very impressive and highly anticipation-worthy.
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