There was a time when E3 was a really, really big deal.  Now, it’s simply a really big deal.  One of the biggest factors of its whole big dealness comes from the console manufacturers’ press conferences.  They typically range from the epic (introduction of the Wii) to the horribly, horribly wrong (introduction of the PS3 and real-time weapon changing).  So how did this year go for Nintendo?

Shaun White Snowboarding uses Balance Board
Well, here’s a big surprise.  Snowboarding games are going to use the Balance Board?  Great, but could it at least be a good series of snow boarding games?  Maybe a new SSX?  Why has EA abandoned that series?

Animal Crossing: City Folk
It’s finally here, and it’s an awfully lot like every other Animal Crossing title.  Yes, there does seem to be a bigger emphasis on online than in the past, but it still isn’t exactly the MMO version many were hoping for.  Essentially, if you’re sick and tired of this series or it never appealed to you in the first place, nothing here is going to make you change your mind.  Still, good to hear it’s coming this year.

Wii Speak microphone
So, being Nintendo and all, they had to do microphones a bit different.  Their solution?  A community microphone that sits atop your television.  That’s great and all, but the last thing the Wii needs is yet another accessory.  Seriously, Nintendo is starting to challenge Lego for the amount of stuff you might step on in the middle of the night.  Still, good to see Nintendo taking steps toward voice communication.  How well it works in practice, being such an odd design, will determine its real value.

Wii Sports Resort
A marquee title to show of the new 1:1 motion controls of the Wii’s other new little gadget.  A Wii Sports sequel is exactly the sort of software they needed to show off.  Millions of Wii owners have basically bought the system for the original Wii Sports, and many will invest in this fun looking sequel.  Probably the biggest plus of their entire conference, which is maybe not the best sign.

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars for DS
An original Grand Theft Auto…for the DS?  Yep.  It’s not a bad idea, but the sort of open world gameplay with nice 3D graphics can’t possibly be ported down to the DS.  Compromises will be made, and when they are series like this usually fail.  A new Grand Theft Auto for the Wii would have been a safer bet.

Wii Music features 50 instruments
This game simply looks insane.  Fun?  Maybe, but can they really recreate 50 instruments in any sort of realistic manner where it will still be fun?  It’s the wild card of Nintendo’s presentation.  It will either be the next Wii Play (huge seller, but poor gameplay) or Rock Band (a total sensation to the gaming scene).  Here’s hoping for the latter, but not ruling out the former.  Nintendo needs this game to be both good and a huge seller.

Final Verdict
Nintendo gave a fairly poor press conference this year.  There’s just no other way to put it.  While big titles such as Animal Crossing: City Folk, Wii Music, and Wii Sports Resort will sell well to a casual market, the hardcore market was entirely ignored.  The rest was more window dressing than even Microsoft’s conference.  Nintendo will continue to print money thanks to this, but they’ll win few praises.

Grade
C -

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