Okay! So, with the initial shock and awe over with after a day to let it sink in: here's some of my more rational thoughts...
First up: the big 3DS update.
It's here, and if you don't have it yet, you definately should. It adds eShop, spotpass and Browser as well as a few minor tweaks. For instance, you can now use A and B buttons to confirm and cancel (instead of being purely touch-operated) in the home-menu. Also, when hitting the off button, they removed the ability to put it in sleep mode, telling you to just close the system instead.It's great, because it gets rid of a completely redundant feature.
Eshop is great and needs no further introduction.
Also, DSi Owners also get a free software download that allows them to put their old DSiware on the 3DS. I don't own a DSi, but I figured those among you that do would like to know.
Pokedex 3d is a free eShop download that was briefly mentioned in the e3 presentation. It's nothing major but it's a free download so what are you gonna do?
It's basically a highly detailed databank for the over 150 Unova pokemon from Black and White versions. It has the flavour text, height, weight, evolution chain, egg groups and complete available moves list of the pokemon, as well as fully animated 3d models. It also has AR functionality so that you can actually go nuts with those 3d models, but it requires AR markers which require printage. Since there's 1 for each pokemon, this is likely to eat through paper and ink cartridges like nothing but on the upside, you can quite easilly do crazy stuff like those AR picture movies Tridy posted sometime ago.
It starts out with a mere 16 pokemon, but you can get more through Spotpass. Also, internet claims the AR will still work even without having the 'dex entries. You're just missing out on all the info.
Probably not so hot if you don't own pokemon black or white versions though. Oh, and finally, a little button labled 'update' may provide hope for those of you hoping to see the old pokemon in there sometime.
Exitebike 3d.
Also briefly mentioned in the presentation. It's old pixelated Exitebike... In 3d. It's kind of crazy. It has 5 obstacle courses, which can be exitebike-d through either alone or with AI opponents (which just serve as more obstacles). It also has a Track designer, so you have stuff to do when you beat all 5 courses.
Also, just to re-iterate: it's old pixelated exitebike, but in 3d. Whoever came up with that idea needs an award, because it's the most redundant and needless, yet somehow still really cool features I've seen in quite a while.
Moving on to the rest of the e3 presentation:
So yeah. New Mario.
Somehow I'm starting to think that 'Super Mario Bros. 3D' is a pun on 3D and Super Mario Bros. 3. What with the tanookie powerup and music note blocks and all. My impression is that it's probably going to be just that. A classic mario platformer a la New Super Mario Bros, but in Galaxy-like three dimensions. (Hey, New Super Mario bros was 2d for all intents and gameplay purposes after all) The small (hatless) mario, tanookie mario and star-power mario seem to support that.
Interesting to note is that the maple leaf turned Mario into tanookie, rather than racoon. Also, wishful thinking obliges me to hope for the return of the Hammer Bros suit.
Starfox 64 3d... You know, online or not, it still looks pretty good and at the very least has local multiplayer. I'm not saying this is insta-buy, but I think it at least merrits a good look-see.
Also, Peppy said 'Do a barrel roll!'
(Press Z or R twice)
Mario Kart. It's Mario kart. Of course it's going to be pure chaotic fun. I like how it rivals Mario Kart wii for graphics, which is cool considdering the size difference between a 3ds cartridge and a wii CD. No bike in sight, but the hangliders are new. I am wondering wether it and the propellor will be just add-ons to the karts, or if entire racetracks will be built around them... Kart customisation is awesome and so is the trailer music. I'd recognize Mario Kart 64's main theme any day.
I had to double take Kid Icarus for a moment.
-It should be noted that I am not at all familiar with the franchise and my only impressions of it come from Smash bros and a few sources which I find less than notable.-
So based on my knowledge, the last thing I was expecting was Pit lugging around a big sword, wolverine claws and a laser cannon. I say, this new trailer got me a lot more interested than the one from last year.
Also multiplayer. With a stroke of luck, it's online. But even if it's not, there's still the big sword, wolverine claws and laser cannon.
I'll admit. I didn't expect a sequel to Luigi's mansion. Never played the first one, but I heard a lot of comments on it and it's shortness and general okayness. So yeah. I'm wondering where this will go.
And off course Luigi falls for the same trick twice. The Mario brothers eat gullible soup after all...
Smash bros 4... You know, I've rarely heard so much cheers for just carefully dropping the idea. I'll admit, when I heard it was also coming out on 3ds, I joined the crowd. I've felt Smash to be a great handheld franchise for a while, and to hear it make the leap is kind of a big deal for me.
But it's still a carefully dropped idea, so let's not go wild over it until they show some footage or images.
Just be sure to exchange friend codes with me sometime.
It's funny. Tridy and I have been briefly discussing the 25th Zelda anniversary. Of course, when I claimed to not at all be surprised if Nintendo would just slap a few old games together and tag it with a $30,- price tag, Mr. Miyamoto decided to prove me wrong big time.
Link's awakening, for six bucks on 3ds virtual console. Now all I need to do is actually get six bucks into my 3ds.
Ocarina 3d, coming out next week. And the trailers are looking good. It has hint movies as well as mirrored Master Quest and a boss rush mode. Yeah, this is a winner.
Four swords on DSi ware. Hopefully with online connectivity.
, but that's wishful thinking. Also, it still needs to be seen if it will show up in the 3ds version of the DSi-ware shop.
Skyward sword, later this year. Kind of a big deal. I'm not sure if I'll buy it yet. Probably will anyway though.
Gold wiimote. Awesome bonus feature. Probably hot as a collector's item too.
CD's for the early lucky ones... Admittedly kind of redundant with the internet and all, but actually having a CD with soundtrack does seem to be a lot more awesome than having to google it.
Probably also very hot as a collector's item.
The orchestra playing classic Zelda jingles.
You just gotta love how Mr. Miyamoto pretended to have found an item.
And off course, Wii U.
... I got nothing. Blown away. Speechless and a little spooked on how it basically takes away my main reasons for not playing much TV consoles. It also seems a little like something out of a science fiction movie, with that parrot appearing on TV and all.
Also, I feel like I should point out that Mr. Fils-Aime double stressed the 'prototypes' part. So that footage with Link battling Armaghoma may just be a showoff of the machine's graphical capabilities, rather than a future game title. Kind of like back when they showed Link battling Ganon to show off the Gamecube...
-But I may be wrong. I'm just stating what's on my mind here.
So yeah. All in all:
Stunned. Even moreso than last year. And last year had everything from 3ds to Metroid and Kirby.
Minor nitpicks: Mr. Fils-Aime and Mr. Iwata seemed to struggle slightly with a few of their lines. Nothing major.
Also, some major props to Mr. Iwata for trying so hard to speak english through his thick japanese accent. Especially when you notice how Mr. Miyamoto clearly preffers someone to translate for him.
That's all.
Ellie out.