Nintendo, like most companies, holds an investor meeting annually. The past few years in particular have been host to some great Wii announcements. This year we got progress updates on several 3DS and Wii games, as well as some great new Wii games coming our way.
Progress Updates
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is in the final stages of development. Despite this, Nintendo President Satoru Iwata says that we will likely see Ocarina of Time for 3DS first, which isn't supposed to launch until after e3. This means we won't see Skyward Sword until Summer at earliest, but I am betting it gets delayed until fall.
At the very end of the Gamecube's life Nintendo showed a Kirby game from HAL. Since then a Kirby game has appeared on each yearly release list, which we assumed was Kirby's Epic Yarn which released this past fall. It turns out that it was probably always this title, which has resurfaced in a brand new, action intensive trailer. I have to say, it looks a lot more interesting to me than Kirby's Epic Yarn ever did. Maybe that's because Kirby's Epic Yarn was originally supposed to star Prince Fluff- Kirby was only thrown in at later stages of development.
Progress Updates
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is in the final stages of development. Despite this, Nintendo President Satoru Iwata says that we will likely see Ocarina of Time for 3DS first, which isn't supposed to launch until after e3. This means we won't see Skyward Sword until Summer at earliest, but I am betting it gets delayed until fall.
At the very end of the Gamecube's life Nintendo showed a Kirby game from HAL. Since then a Kirby game has appeared on each yearly release list, which we assumed was Kirby's Epic Yarn which released this past fall. It turns out that it was probably always this title, which has resurfaced in a brand new, action intensive trailer. I have to say, it looks a lot more interesting to me than Kirby's Epic Yarn ever did. Maybe that's because Kirby's Epic Yarn was originally supposed to star Prince Fluff- Kirby was only thrown in at later stages of development.
Rhythm Heaven Wii is also well into development. It is playable solo, but is being built around a social experience for multiplayer. New footage featuring players spearing things with forks, slashing shadow demons with swords and playing ping pong in planes leads me to believe that it will be motion controlled, which worries me a bit. I'd like the option for motion plus integration or button presses as well but I am sure Nintendo will pick whatever is best.
The first 3DS system update will launch in May, including the ability to transfer DSi titles to the 3DS system using eShop. Gamers will also be able to download the 3DS internet browser at that point in time. Other new details on the 3DS include information on the HOME Menu which allows you to access your Game Notes, Friend list, Notifications and Internet Browser. Game Notes lets you write or draw notes on the lower screen while you are playing a game on the upper screen. Your friends list allows you to see if registered friends are online and what they are playing, similar to how Xbox Live works. Nintendo has also stated that most of their announced games for 3DS are finished or nearing completion, they are just spacing out releases better so there is never a software drought. Nintendo hasn't forgotten about the old DS either, showing a new keyboard for the impending Pokemon Typing game.
New Announcements
Two new Pokemon titles were announced to be in development for the Wii and 3DS. I am guessing a Pokemon Stadium like game focusing on the Black and White Pokemon games for Wii, which isn't too exciting in my book. I wouldn't be surprised to find out a completely new set of Pokemon games are in development for 3DS, but I am expecting a special 3DS Grey edition of the recently released Black and White games for 3DS.
The most major new announcement coming from Nintendo's investor meeting has to be Pandora's Tower: Until I Return to Your Side. Not much about the game is known, other than the fact that the teaser site features some beautiful music. Is this an adventure game or RPG about two lovers on a quest to reunite with each other? Not typical territory for Nintendo, so I am guessing this is coming from either Monolith Soft, the guys behind Xenoblade, or Mistwalker, the developers behind The Last Story. Speaking of Xenoblade, the game is still listed on the U.S. release calendar so we might see it this year after all. Pandora's Tower: Until I Return to Your Side is actually nearing completion and will be due out within the first half of the year in Japan.
The first 3DS system update will launch in May, including the ability to transfer DSi titles to the 3DS system using eShop. Gamers will also be able to download the 3DS internet browser at that point in time. Other new details on the 3DS include information on the HOME Menu which allows you to access your Game Notes, Friend list, Notifications and Internet Browser. Game Notes lets you write or draw notes on the lower screen while you are playing a game on the upper screen. Your friends list allows you to see if registered friends are online and what they are playing, similar to how Xbox Live works. Nintendo has also stated that most of their announced games for 3DS are finished or nearing completion, they are just spacing out releases better so there is never a software drought. Nintendo hasn't forgotten about the old DS either, showing a new keyboard for the impending Pokemon Typing game.
New Announcements
Two new Pokemon titles were announced to be in development for the Wii and 3DS. I am guessing a Pokemon Stadium like game focusing on the Black and White Pokemon games for Wii, which isn't too exciting in my book. I wouldn't be surprised to find out a completely new set of Pokemon games are in development for 3DS, but I am expecting a special 3DS Grey edition of the recently released Black and White games for 3DS.
The most major new announcement coming from Nintendo's investor meeting has to be Pandora's Tower: Until I Return to Your Side. Not much about the game is known, other than the fact that the teaser site features some beautiful music. Is this an adventure game or RPG about two lovers on a quest to reunite with each other? Not typical territory for Nintendo, so I am guessing this is coming from either Monolith Soft, the guys behind Xenoblade, or Mistwalker, the developers behind The Last Story. Speaking of Xenoblade, the game is still listed on the U.S. release calendar so we might see it this year after all. Pandora's Tower: Until I Return to Your Side is actually nearing completion and will be due out within the first half of the year in Japan.