The launch of the Nintendo Direct at E3 was somewhat surprising, but at the same time anticipated, since it involved Zelda, one of the company’s most successful sagas, with more than more than 117 million copies sold, and that since its launch in 1986, until the most recent Hyrule Warriors title, has given much to talk about in the world of gamers.
New images of the sequel to Zelda: Breath of the Wild (BotW), which has become one of the favorite games, were shown, along with Ocarina of Time. According to the small preview, we will see the world of BotW adding levels and battles from the sky of Hyrule, with catacombs and with Calamity Ganon as the main enemy. This title will be available until 2022.
The re-release of Zelda Skyward Sword was also announced, this story, the oldest chronologically in the saga, originally developed for the Wii, shows how the Master Sword was created. Now in its HD version it will exploit the use with movement of the joycons as the main game method for the use of the sword, the bow and the arrow.
Also as a celebration of the 35 years of the series, a Game & Watch was announced with the first versions of Zelda and as in its originally released version, it will function as a stopwatch and clock, but with the ability to use Link in minigames.
Nintendo at E3 2021: Mario and his friends
Mario, in addition to having a whole range of games on his own, has a number of spin offs ranging from sports to fighting formats. Although it was hoped to see some preview of the solo plumber, titles of the most successful franchise of the console were announced, ranging from Mario + Rabbids ; in conjunction with Ubisoft, through Mario Golf Super Crunch post-launch content.
Super Mario Party, announced an extension Mario Party Superstars here, boards and minigames from previous versions are added, including Mario Party 2 for Nintendo 64, one of the most remembered titles. In addition, it will be playable online multiplayer and will be available in October this year.
The Tekken series was also added in Smash Bros Ultimate, through its main character, Kazuya. On the other hand, a new installment of Wario: Ware Get it Together, a local multiplayer mini-game format, was announced.
Recovering the classics
Part of the company’s strategy has been to take games from the past and integrate them to the console, either remastered or in the form of an emulator. In this edition of E3 the reissues of the classics Dangan Ronpa, Worms, Super Monkey Ball and even the arrival of Tony Hawks Pro Skater 1 and 2 were announced.
And although only the long-awaited Metroid Prime 4 was mentioned, the announcement of Metroid Dread was also made, a game designed in 2D but with the use of kinematics and graphics from the new console, and from which you can find Amiibo of the protagonists.
Additionally, a Dragon Ball Z adventure open-world game was announced, based on the story spanning from Nappa and Vegeta to Majin Boo. Here you can combine playing the main stories, but in addition to helping citizens and completing alternate missions.
Mature formats
Despite being associated with low-violence games or children, to become a console that can also be oriented to adults who are looking for stories with more action, intrigue or even terror, Shin Megami Tensei V, in which you find yourself, were also announced. in an alternate Tokyo with demons and powers; or a new horror installment from Project Zero, based on the premise that you can catch ghosts with just your camera, in a dark world development.
In addition Bethesda continues with games for Switch and announced DLC for the multi-award winning Doom Eternal. These versions will be released later this year.
After the disastrous spell of the Wii U, which ended his early retirement, Nintendo took a big risk with its follow-up console, the Nintendo Switch. Once again, the company did not attempt to copy the successful recipe from Microsoft’s Xbox or Sony’s PlayStation business, but instead took its own approach.
Just over four years after the Switch’s March 2017 launch, it’s safe to say that the bid to make the Switch a hybrid between home and handheld was worth it. No other Nintendo console has gotten off to a better start in the United States and with nearly 85 million units sold, it is already the second most successful console Nintendo has ever made.
The controversy between Nintendo and Twitch
Prior to the E3 presentation, Nintendo urged streamers, especially on Twitch, not to broadcast the presentation, and that, if on the one hand it is already a tradition to react to the company’s announcements, even more so when a great launch was expected. like the sequel to Zelda. It even got to the point that the event organizer announced that he would not broadcast the presentation on Twitch.
Nintendo has managed to find a balance in delivering video games that play with the nostalgia of the greatest and that try to capture younger generations with game modes more adaptable to the current frenzy. But on the other hand, maintaining the gameplay without the abuse of violence, war and finding an interesting formula of pure entertainment, physical movement and console versatility that augurs a promising future for the company and the Nintendo Switch.
