E3 2012: Nintendo Keynote

As is now tradition with E3 I will write the following as a Live Discussion and throughout the week I will pool the information together and bring more details.

• The video kicks straight off with Pikmin in Miyamoto’s dressing room. Miyamoto makes a Goldberg style entrance without pyro.
• The Wii U is important as it’s a game advice you can use without the TV.
• Pikmin 3 is officially announced and it looks incredible.
• There’s a rock Pikmin that breaks hard objects.
• Basic controls use WiiMote and nunchuck.
• You can use the GamePad that allows you to use it from the map with up to four leaders.
• Captain Olimar is not one of the leaders. This is a secret so far.
• Pikmin 3 is a deeper challenge.
• Reggie tells us there will be 23 games shown .
• Changes how you interact with your gaming friends and TV.
• This includes Hulu, Netflix, Youtube, Amazon video.
• The Wii U Gamepad will unlock the key.
• The Wii U will be able to use two Gamepads.
• A video is shown telling us about the Gamepad and what it can do. Nothing new.
• Miiverse is shown again with the home hub screen we’ve seen already.
• New Super Mario Bros. U announced. As mentioned at Nintendo Direct this will utilise Miiverse.
• There’s a flying squirrel suit.
• Yoshi can become a balloon.
• Yoshi can fire bubbles.
• Some Giant land looking levels.
• Arkham City re-announced now called Batman Arkham City Armored Edition.
• Martin Tremblay takes to the stage.
• Arkham City is important to WB.
• As suspected the Gamepad will allow you to use the X-ray visuals.
• During game play a new mode will make Batman stronger.
• The Batarang will be able to be controlled using gyroscope.
• Scribblenauts Unlimited seems an obvious title for the console. It’s announced.
• It will also use multiplayer.
• Mass Effect 3 is announced.
• Tank Tank Tank.
• Tekken Tag Tournament 2
• Trine 2: Directors cut
• Ninja Gaiden 3
• Aliens Colonial Marines
• The Wii U will use the fitness and music genres. Wii fit and Wii fit plus has sold 43million.
• Reggie says the balance board looks like a plastic bathroom scale and yes “his body was ready”.
• Wii Fit U is shown. Nothing to add. Wii Fit U may work well with being able to put the TV on whilst playing on the Gamepad.
• There is a Wii Fit U pedometer shown.
• Wii Fit U obviously works with the TV off, this is genius.
• Sing is a karaoke song where the Gamepad shows the lyrics and not the TV.

3DS news

• There will be a full 3DS conference tomorrow.
• New Super Mario Bros. 2 is all about the gold. Coins are everywhere.
• Raccoon tail will allow flight.
• Released in NA in August.
• Paper Mario will use stickers which will be your battle commands.
• Will be physical and digital.
• Luigi’s Mansion 2 will use multiple mansions.
• Higher emphasis on ghost catching.
• Castlevania 3DS.
• Epic Mickey Power of Illusion
• Scribblenauts Unlimied will be 3DS as well.
• Kingdom Hearts 3D.

Back To Wii U

• Lego City Undercover seems to be a reverse GTA but in Lego.
• You solve the crimes.
• This looks great fun.
• Chase McCain, you’re a legend!
• The video ends with building a warp pipe.
• This will also be on 3DS.
• Ubisoft are on stage here. Chances are the games will be the same announced as yesterday.
• Zombi U
• Rayman Legends
• It’s a social innovative console according to Ubisoft. They say thanks.
• Just Dance 4 the Gamepad will be used like a DJ and you can pick what dances they have to do and include a strike the pose mode.
• Zombi U gameplay is shown. The Gamepad is used for inventory, a scanner, to break free.
• The Gamepad allows you to take a picture and become a zombie in the game.
• It seems to come in a cool box too.
• The same video is shown as at Ubisofts conference with their other five titles: Sports Connection, Rabbids Land, Avengers, Assassins Creed 3 and Your shape fitness.
• Back to Nintendo here. Nintendo Land is Wii U’s Wii Sports.
• This has your Mii visiting a theme park which has 12 different attractions each based on a Nintendo franchise.
• This will be both good for multiplayer and playing alone.
• This will be key with Miiverse.
• This will launch with the WiiU this holiday season. Not sure if this will come with console or not.
• End.
• Nothing really new that would market to the hardcore market. Good grief.