Nintendo had been preparing for E3 2015, and yesterday it took the stage with its Nintendo Digital Event conference. The company showcased several games (some new, others long-awaited) for its Wii U console and the 3DS handheld. Don't miss the best Nintendo games at E3 2015.
Star Fox Zero
For the third consecutive year, Nintendo again delivered its Nintendo Digital Event conference at E3 2015. If there's one thing to recognize Nintendo for, it's knowing how to talk to its audience, reminding the industry that video games should be fun from the start. The event kicks off with a puppet skit featuring Satoru Iwata, Reggie Fils-Aimé, and Shigeru Miyamoto, the company's main representatives. At one point, the puppets become anthropomorphic animals to announce the new Star Fox Zero. The game works with both Wii U screens, with the GamePad acting as the pilot's first-person view. Now ships transform into bipedal forms in true Macross style. Star Fox Zero is being developed by Nintendo alongside PlatinumGames and will be available exclusively on Wii U before the end of 2015.
The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes
The Legend of Zelda remains alive with a new multiplayer game for the 3DS handheld. Based on the visual style of A Link Between Worlds, The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes is a cooperative title in which three Links of different colors join forces to fight enemies and solve puzzles. The core mechanic is the 'Totem,' an ability to climb onto another player's shoulders to reach new heights. There are also costumes that grant different abilities. If you're not interested in the multiplayer mode, you needn't worry since it can be played solo as well. The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes is being developed by Nintendo and will be available exclusively on Nintendo 3DS during fall 2015.
Hyrule Warriors: Legends
Also announced was the 3DS version of Hyrule Warriors. Hyrule Warriors: Legends is the portable version of the Wii U game, featuring additional characters such as Tetra and the King of Hyrule from The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, who can be transferred to the console version. Hyrule Warriors: Legends is being developed by Nintendo alongside Koei Tecmo and will be available exclusively on Nintendo 3DS. There's no concrete release date yet, but it's expected to arrive sometime in 2016.
Metroid Prime: Federation Force
If there's one thing Nintendo fans were waiting for eagerly, it was a new Metroid game for Wii U. Unfortunately, all we saw was a spin-off for 3DS. Metroid Prime: Federation Force is a cooperative FPS for four players where you play as a soldier of the Galactic Federation. The game includes elements similar to Metroid Prime Hunters on Nintendo DS. There's also a mode called Blast Ball, where two teams of three play a kind of futuristic soccer match, which is quite strange. Metroid Prime: Federation Force is being developed by Next Level Games and will be available exclusively on Nintendo 3DS. There's no concrete release date yet, but it's expected to arrive sometime in 2016.
Fire Emblem Fates
RPGs also made a showing, and this time we got to see the new Fire Emblem Fates for 3DS. This title is the twelfth in the Fire Emblem series, and the second to be developed for the 3DS after Fire Emblem: Awakening. The game takes place in the middle of a war between two factions, where the player can join one side. Each side offers different gameplay with notable changes in the story and difficulty. Fire Emblem Fates is being developed by Intelligent Systems and will be available exclusively on Nintendo 3DS. There's no concrete release date yet, but it's expected that the western version will arrive sometime in 2016.
Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem
Atlus also had its moment, presenting Genei Ibun Roku X FE, better known as Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem. The trailer for this crossover, which unites two of Japan's best RPGs, Shin Megami Tensei and Fire Emblem, shows several characters from both series in a colorful and action-packed adventure. Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem is being developed by Atlus alongside Intelligent Systems and will be available exclusively on Wii U. There's no concrete release date yet, but it's expected that the western version will arrive sometime in 2016.
Xenoblade Chronicles X
The Nintendo conference reached one of its highest points with the new Xenoblade Chronicles X trailer. This spiritual successor to Xenoblade Chronicles on Wii is set in the year 2054, when two alien races clash in a battle near Earth, causing significant collateral damage to the planet. Humanity is forced to evacuate in huge interstellar ships, one of which is the White Whale, which ends up crashed on the planet Mira. From there, the adventure begins in an open-world RPG with an emphasis on exploration, either on foot or in large humanoid robots. Xenoblade Chronicles X is being developed by Monolith Soft and will be available exclusively on Wii U starting December 4, 2015.
Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer
Two Animal Crossing games were also present. The first is Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer, a spin-off for the 3DS where players design houses for various characters, the adorable anthropomorphic animals. The game supports Amiibo in card format, which will be released alongside the game. Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer is being developed by Nintendo and will be available exclusively on Nintendo 3DS starting September 25, 2015.
Animal Crossing: Amiibo Festival
The second game in the series, which is also a spin-off, is Animal Crossing: Amiibo Festival. In this case, the gameplay is like a virtual board game, similar to the Mario Party series. As its name suggests, the game supports Amiibo figures and is compatible with Happy Home Designer cards. Animal Crossing: Amiibo Festival is being developed by Nintendo and will be available exclusively on Wii U before the end of 2015.
Yoshi's Woolly World
The moment of cuteness couldn't be missed with the long-awaited Yoshi's Woolly World. Similar in look to the adorable Kirby's Epic Yarn (in fact, they come from the same developer group), the game is set in a world where characters and scenery are made of yarn and fabric. And to keep the habit, the game also supports Amiibo figures, allowing you to play with Yoshi based on designs of different characters like Mario or Samus. Yoshi's Woolly World is being developed by Good-Feel and will be available exclusively on Wii U starting June 26, 2015.
Super Mario Maker
We finish with Super Mario Maker, the level editor where you can create and play your own Super Mario levels. The game includes the game modes and visual style of classics like Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario World, and New Super Mario Bros. U. Players can share their creations online for others to download, as well as participate in a challenge called 100 Mario Challenges. And we couldn't conclude without mentioning that it also supports Amiibo to transform Mario into other characters. Super Mario Maker is being developed by Nintendo and will be available exclusively on Wii U starting September 11, 2015.
