Although the E3 is still a busy affair in Los Angeles, the press conferences are over. I had my hopes pinned on Nintendo to make it a perfect E3 for me, but sadly, it didn’t happen. (my wishes were here). I was at the edge of my seat yesterday. Reggie (of Nintendo of America) appeared and talked about battle, challenge, speed and excitement in games, referring to the games shown in the intro. We saw ARMS, that’s to be released this week, and FIFA 18, a soccer game that’s available on all consoles.
But then he said: ” The game..is also something else. It’s a journey, a passport to new worlds. Maybe it’s… ” I thought…here it comes. He’s now going to talk about a game that doesn’t include fighting, speed, contest or battle. He’s going to mention that you can also visit a new world of your own making. In short, I was so sure he was going to mention Animal Crossing. But he didn’t. He went on to talk about an odyssey. Mario’s Odyssey of course.
To make it short: I was sorely disappointed. I know there were a lot of games mentioned that you might like, and I will wrap them up here. All Nintendo games that can be played handheld, Switch games included. But the fact that I couldn’t bring myself to do that yesterday clearly shows how deep my disappointment was.
Is there one you are you looking forward to?
Splatoon 2 (Switch)
July 21, 2017
I guess most of you have already played or at least heard of this third person shooter, featuring the inklings and lots and lots of colour. You can play multiplayer online through an internet connection or play locally through split-screen or local wireless. The game also features LAN support for local private tournaments.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (Switch)
Q4-2017
This JRPG is the sequel to the first game with the same name, this time we follow a new character who is searching for Elysium. Or should I say, finally a JRPG? Seems that there weren’t many announced across the various consoles.
Kirby (Switch)
2018
A platform featuring pink blob Kirby, and has puzzle elements in it. It looks cute and colourful. Seems Nintendo is very happy with this IP, as we’ve seen many games in the past already. Instead of just devouring everything he comes across, this time Kirby can also befriend his enemies instead of eating them, after which they join the player as either computer-controlled or multiplayer allies.
Pokkén Tournament DX (Switch)
September 22, 2017
Fighting game where players use Pokémon to duel with each other.
Metroid Prime 4 (Switch)
I bet the fans are over the moon when this announcement is concerned. This is a science fiction action-adventure featuring Samus Aran.
Yoshi (Switch)
2018
This one surprised me too. Yes, Yoshi is cute and colourful, but I don’t think the last adventure he had on the WiiU did very well. Maybe swapping wool for paper will help! So, another side-scrolling platformer.
Fire Emblem Warriors (with Koei Tecmo) (Switch/ 3DS)
October 13, 2017
This hack and slash game is being developed by the same team that developed Hyrule Warriors, but now you can take the role of multiple characters including original characters Rowan and Lianna, and characters from Fire Emblem games including Chrom and Marth.
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle (with Ubisoft) (Switch)
August 29, 2017
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is an RPG with turn-based combat and elements of exploration. The game features eight playable characters: Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Yoshi from the Mario franchise, and four Rabbids dressed as the former. The characters wield guns that shoot laser beams. The game has two-player local cooperative play.
I actually liked watching Miyamoto on stage with Ubisoft co-founder Yves Guillemot. They had such a lot of fun!
Rocket League (with Psyonix) (Switch)
Q4, 2017
Rocket League is a soccer game, but with rocket powered vehicles. The game includes single-player and multiplayer modes which can be played both locally and online
Super Mario Odyssey (Switch)
October 27, 2017
Super Mario Odyssey puts players in the role of Mario as he travels across various kingdoms beyond the Mushroom Kingdom, traveling to them on a hat-shaped ship named “Odyssey”.The game returns to the freeform, exploration-based level design previously featured in Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine. The game also features levels inspired by real-world locations, such as the New York City–inspired level “Metro Kingdom”. Mario retains several of his classic platforming techniques, such as wall-jumping and ledge-grabbing. A core feature of the game is Mario’s ability to throw his cap, known as Cappy, which is used in various ways, such as for attacking enemies, using it to temporary possess them and take control, and activate objects.
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions (3DS)
October 6, 2017
This game was originally released for the Game Boy Advance. Players will control both Mario and Luigi as they make their way through different worlds to take on a number of enemies and track down the evil Bowser. Everything from color and moves have been updated for 3DS technology, meaning the game looks sharper than it ever has. Bowser’s Minions, the new addition to the game, will include a new mode that the original 2003 game didn’t have. Minion Quest will expand on additional characters and introduce an entirely new story, which will focus on Captain Goomba and his cast of minions who are tasked with saving Bowser— for players. It also includes a new battle system and, according to Nintendo, will be almost as long as standard stand-alone campaign. 
Metroid: Samus Returns (3DS)
October 6, 2017
This side scrolling game is a reimagination of the 1991 Game Boy game Metroid II: Return of Samus. The game is scheduled to launch in September 2017. The bounty hunter Samus Aran journeys to the planet SR388 to hunt and eliminate the parasitic organisms known as Metroids.
> Or should I say, finally a JRPG? Seems that there weren’t many announced across the various consoles
You can say that again. I thought something was odd about this E3, and you just made me realize what it was. A single RPG was announced, if I’m not mistaken. Very little in the way of puzzle games or anything even remotely risky. Lots of fighting games and shooters. Looking at it from different lenses, there’s not much diversity in there in the way of RPGs.
I will say that there are some that have been announced: Lost Sphear from Tokyo RPG Factory will be debuting some time in early 2018 for Switch, for one lonely example.
We may just be in between development cycles! They’re coming! 🙂
I didn’t have time yesterday evening to research all other gaming companies aside from the big ones, but there’s not very much announced of interest for me. I wonder if we need all these action games, shooters and platformers. Why don’t they think of games that are appealing to the more casual gamers too? I think there’s a whole group of people who stay away from the Switch now, but will embrace it at the first mention of a good Story of Seasons or Animal Crossing!
I was hoping to see news about a new Animal Crossing title too. It was a slight disappointment that it was missing from E3 news, but its time will surely come.
Happy to see they’re finally making new Metroid titles. Going to pick up Metroid: Samus Returns for 3DS and Splatoon 2 for Switch. I even extended my summer vacation to be able to spend more time playing Splatoon 2, lol.
Outside of Nintendo offerings, 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim by Vanillaware and Atlus was the game I was looking forward to most at this year’s E3. Going to get the Vita version if they offer it outside of Japan. Undertale for Vita was great news too!
I’m glad you got some good ones to look forward to. Extending your summer vacation to play!! I shall look at Undertale, and believe it or not, I’m actually happy to see Harvest Moon Light of Hope coming to the Switch.
> Or should I say, finally a JRPG? Seems that there weren’t many announced across the various consoles
You got it. Which is why my excitement level about E3 wasn’t very high. This is also the reason why I haven’t bought a Switch yet. Only reason would be one or more exclusive top-tier RPGs – like Xenoblade 2. I really want a new main series Fire Emblem game; not a Warriors spin-off. But I know that’s where the money beckons … sigh.
I guess you’re right about the titles that generate the money, but like I wrote earlier: I’m convinced a whole new group of gamers that are sitting on the fence now will flock to the Switch for Animal Crossing. I’ve heard a lot of reactions from Nintendo fans like ” this is the first Nintendo console I didn’t buy immediately. I’m still mad at them for not giving me an AC for WiiU. ”
They’ll be another Fire Emblem game, they’re moving all further development on to the Switch. This was the first E3 with the Switch released – there will be more bombshells next year 🙂 and Xenoblade 2 is nothing to shake a stick at!
I loved pretty much every game announced during Nintendo’s spotlight, especially Super Mario Odyssey and its new possession mechanic, so I’m excited. But I can see where some more game announcements would be nice, like Animal Crossing. I’m still pretty hyped thinking about the experiences I’ll be having on both handheld and docked mode: Mario + Rabbids, Fire Emblem Warriors, Xenoblade 2, and the new platformers.
I loved Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga on the Gameboy advance, so that is the only one in the list I am looking forward to for the 3ds games.
I think Sarah enjoyed the game as much on the GameBoy too, I know it’s one of the earlier RPG. Even before Bowser’s Inside Story, which is the only one I played.