With the E3 2015 show floor now open, I made a bee line over to the Nintendo booth to gets some hands-on time with their hottest upcoming releases for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. I had a chance to check out many games shown on Nintendo’s online streamed Digital Event, including Mario Maker, Yoshi’s Woolly World, Star Fox Zero, and more. Let’s take a look!
Super Mario Maker
Releasing on: Wii U
There was a huge crowd gathered a Nintendo’s Super Mario Maker stage (see in the image above), where fans had a chance to build and test their own level creations. This game is going to revolutionize the Super Mario Bros. franchise as it allows everyone to use the touch screen on the Wii U GamePad to design, test, and play their own custom-built levels. Hundreds of tools, objects, and characters are at your disposal, but what I thought was most exciting of all is how you can select graphic styles all the way from the original 1985 Super Mario Bros. to the more modern, detailed look seen in the New Super Mario Bros. games!
Yoshi’s Woolly World
Releasing on: Wii U
Next up, I played through one level of Yoshi’s Woolly World co-operatively with fellow Canadian games journalist Steve Tilley (from EP Daily & Sun Media fame). It’s so much fun! When playing together with family or friends you can decide to work together to solve puzzles and beat levels, or you be devious and have a little fun. For example, one Yoshi character can “swallow” the other one whole, allowing that Yoshi to carry his partner in his belly over dangerous territory and then spit him out safely on the other side! However, if you want to cause a little trouble, you can always eat your partner just for fun (or sometimes, but accident!) which Steve did to me a couple of times and we both laughed. Also, I had a chance to see the new yarn Yoshi amiibo (seen there to the left)–how cute is that!
Star Fox Zero
Releasing on: Wii U
Next, I played through one level of the new Star Fox Zero. Old school fans of the series should be very excited because this is classic Star Fox gameplay enhanced by the Wii U GamePad. This game is meant to be played as a dual-screen experience, allowing you to see your ship and game world on your big screen, and get an “in the cockpit” view from your GamePad. All your favourite characters are back too, like Fox, Falco, Peppy, and Slippy! I can’t wait to play more!
Skylanders SuperChargers amiibo
I was really surprised during Nintendo’s Digital Event to see that the company is partnering with Activision to bring ambiibo characters into Skylanders! Yes, you heard the right. In Skylanders SuperChargers, releasing this fall, you’ll be able to play as two iconic Nintendo characters–Bowser and Donkey Kong. These are special versions of these characters, called Turbo Charge Donkey Kong and Hammer Slam Bowser, which have new looks, weapons and abilities. While I’m still wanting to get a nice, up-close look at these new amiibo, I did peak into the live Nintendo Treehouse broadcast (seen to the left) where they were shoing off the amiibo. What’s most exciting of all is that you can twist their bases to change them from Skylanders to amiibos!
Metroid Prime: Federation Force & Metroid Prime: Blast Ball
Releasing on: Nintendo 3DS
Last, but not least, I played a round of Metroid Prime: Blast Ball–the same game we saw played at the Nintendo World Championships. It’s a 3 vs. 3 sporting game resembling soccer where you have to shoot your blaster weapon at a ball and try and get in the goal. However, once you do score, the goal shrinks in size making it more difficult to score the next goal. I had an intense 1 vs. 1 match of Blast Ball (with 2 other AI companions on each side), and it was, pardon the pun, a blast to play! We also found out at Nintendo’s Digital Event that Metroid Prime: Blast Ball is being bundled with Metroid Prime: Federation Force, a new four-play adventure, giving you two games in one!
What a fun Digital Event Nintendo put on, and it was even cooler to get some hands-on time with these games! There is a lot to look forward to on Nintendo platforms this year!
Did you watch the Nintendo Digital Event? Be sure to share your thoughts on the Nintendo games and announcements in the comments section below!
For more E3 related information visit Best Buy Canada’s E3 Gaming Page
