Okay, so what did you think of the showing at this year’s E3? Pretty impressive, right? I agree. I was especially excited about the 3DS lineup. With all the titles shown and announced, there’s no question that the 3DS software is going to include some seriously killer apps. Let’s take a look at it:
- Animal Crossing
- Kid Icarus: Uprising
- Mario Kart
- nintendogs + cats
- A Boy and His Blob
- Paper Mario
- PilotWings Resort
- Star Fox 64 3D
- Steel Diver
- Dynasty Warriors
- Metal Gear Solid Snake Eater 3D “The Naked Sample”
- Pro Evolution Soccer
- Dead or Alive 3D
- Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon
- Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Chaos Theory
- Ridge Racer
- Kingdom Hearts 3D
- Resident Evil Revelations
- Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition
- Shin Megami Tensei
Notice anything unusual about one of the titles up there? Take a long look; you’ll get it. Still wondering? It’s not that hard.
Give up? Well, there’s one game up there that doesn’t fit. The reason it doesn’t fit is that it is not part of an established series. Which one is it? No surprise, it’s Steel Diver, and that’s the one and only. We’re all pumped for the new system and what’s to come, and I’m no exception, but looking at what games are announced and going to be available, I’m kind of taken aback at how few original games are going to be coming out.
It’s possible that Nintendo, or another software developer, has come up with a secret blockbuster that we don’t know about. It’s very likely that this is true, or that the beginnings of such are in place, but I’m surprised that nothing brand new was shown on the E3 floor, save Steel Diver.
It’s an interesting juxtaposition, because I am completely pumped about every single franchise entry that was announced for the 3DS, and not really that bothered by the lack of all-new franchises or content. The fact that I’m not bothered is kind of what’s bothering me, here. I’m okay with not having a lot of never-before-seen content. Kid Icarus has technically lain dormant enough to feel fresh, but it’s not something never-before-seen.
Plus, I’m alarmed at the sheer amount of remakes upcoming. We’ve got remakes of Star Fox 64, Ocarina of Time, and Metal Gear Solid 3, among others. I agree that it’s really impressive that we’re able to get games of this caliber on a handheld system, it’s also somewhat scary thinking that the floodgates are open and now we can expect remakes or ports of every lame PS2 or Wii game that’s out there, and possibly some that are yet to come.
Anyway, just some concerns amongst all the goodness of this E3. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to play Ocarina of Time some more to practice for the 3DS version.
I agree, Aaron, that it’s a bit alarming. I think it may take a year or so before we see truly innovative and original uses of the hardware, similar to the original DS. And from these creative ideas will come new franchises.