E3 2004: Nintendo's All-Star Line-Up
Come and see our full preview of Nintendo's offering at E3 next week, led by big-hitters Zelda, Metroid and Mario.
Nintendo could steal the show at E3 in Los Angeles next week. Along with guaranteed appearances from all the biggest names in the world of Nintendo, the Kyoto firm is also threatening to unleash a new level of innovation and creativity with the machine code-named Nintendo DS.
Find out what's been going down in N's hizzouse on Tuesday.
Nintendo President Satoru Iwata believes games have come as far as they can in their current form, and the declining sales in Japan will start to follow suit in western markets - because these increasingly complicated, more realistic games are not opening up any new potential audiences.
Well this is going to be the show where Iwata's plan to do something about the situation - and effectively save Nintendo from another year of disappointment like last year - could quite possibly come true.
The core GameCube line-up covers all bases with Metroid Prime 2 which is virtually guaranteed to be fantastic, Zelda: Wind Waker 2, Pikmin 2 (see our review here) and Paper Mario 2 - if not the mythical Mario 128 as well.
GBA benefits from a shhining line-up including F-Zero 2 and the Classic NES Series - while Nintendo DS, surely the ultimate wildcard E3 has ever seen, will boast a line-up of around thirty titles.
Expect comprehensive coverage from Nintendo's Pre-E3 Conference on Tuesday, as well as from the show floor throughout next week.
Adam Doree
Director, Kikizo.com
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (GameCube) - Huge sequel to Metroid Prime, guaranteed to ooze quality. Solid details on Metroid Prime 2: Echoes are still lacking, but the first screens were recently released and give away some aspects of what will be in the game - including split-screen multiplayer. Samus must travel to a planet torn into light and darkness. Hunted by a mysterious entity and a warring race called the Ing, she must explore the light and dark worlds of this doomed planet to discover secrets and augment her suit's weapons and abilities.
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker 2 (GameCube) - Eiji Aonuma confirmed that the sequel to The Lenend of Zelda: The Wind Waker will be shown at Nintendo's Pre-E3 conference, and the game is likely to be playable at the show as well. Tentatively called The Wind Waker 2, the game is thought to be some way into development. Aonuma-san is the game's director, with Miyamoto-san recently moved to focus on getting Mario 128 finished and ready for an expected E3 showing in some form, according to reports.
Paper Mario 2 (GameCube) - Not a bad result if Nintendo lets us down again with no Mario 128. A key change in Paper Mario 2 will be the battle system, which combines both action elements and turns-based elements. After commanding an attack via a turns-based menu system, further input dictates the way in which your attack or technique will take effect, while additional strategy element adds further variables to the scenario. You can look forward to lots of Mario styled mini games, including a quiz show and challenges involving other characters from the Mario world, including Peach and giant Koopas. You'll need to stock up on supplies as you progress through the game, purchasing health to keep things going smoothly, along with a range of power ups - represented by badges - that give Mario special fighting abilities.
Pikmin 2 (GameCube) - Miyamoto's fascinating pet project is back with an even crazier storyline. This time You'll be able to alternate between controlling Olimar, the main characters, and his assistant, as you command your Pikmin to defeat enemies, propagate more Pikmin, collect precious doodads, and solve puzzles. A key part of the game will be to take advantage of new colours of Pikmin and use new items strategically - with more than 60 different species of enemy characters and randomly generated dungeons that span the planet, the game features even more game play than the original. You'll need to command red, blue and yellow Pikmin, as they all make a return, each with special abilities, like water resistance, bomb-carrying skills and invulnerability to fire.
Star Fox 2 (GameCube) - The Star Fox team is sent in to engage this new enemy but what begins as a standard combat mission quickly takes a drastic turn. Classic team members, Fox McCloud, Slippy Toad, Peppy Hare and Falco Lombardi, join forces with some new faces to create the most formidable team in the history of this celebrated series: the Star Fox armada! You can switch between flying an Arwing, driving a Landmaster Tank or engaging the enemy on foot as you battle through areas swarming with enemies. Co-op missions, which are played using split-screen with each player commanding his own vehicle, offer another angle to the action, or play with a "wingman," as one player rides on the wing of the Arwing (or side panel of the Landmaster Tank) and blasts enemies while the pilot drives. You can also get four players together and play together.
Donkey Konga (GameCube) - One day, DK and Diddy discover a pair of odd barrels on a deserted beach. After showing the barrels to Cranky Kong, they learn the barrels are really a legendary musical instrument that plays music not only when you drum on it, but also when you clap. Donkey Kong and Diddy decide that they will become famous musicians, get rich, and buy all the bananas they could ever want. Take control of characters from the Donkey Kong series in this rhythm and beat game - controlled with the Conga Controller - for up to four players. Earn coins by accurately beating drums in time to a choice of over 30 music tracks, including Mambo No. 5, music from Donkey Kong and Super Mario, as well as TV commercial tracks, J-Pop and more.
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures (GameCube) - Gather your friends and head to Hyrule for a legendary quest that fuses intense Zelda multiplayer competitive and cooperative game play. Four Swords Adventures features a unique game-play system that incorporates both the GBA and the TV - when you enter a structure or delve underground, your character switches from the TV to your GBA; when you emerge, the frantic action shifts back onto the main screen.
Mario Party 6 (GameCube) - This year's Party sequel to Mario Party 5 (pictured) promises to deliver more of the great multiplayer action that has made the series so successful. An expanded single-player mode, refined play control and a wide variety of bonuses add to the fun. If you're planning a game night with a group of friends, Mario Party 6 might just be an even more ideal game that it ever was before.
Mario Tennis (GameCube) - One of the greatest four-player party games on Nintendo 64 is now coming to Nintendo GameCube. Mario will be raising a racket once again, this time fueled by the powerful graphics on Nintendo GameCube. Information has been in short supply - but you can bet there will be some tennis involved.
Geist (GameCube) -
N-space developed first person shooter that debuted last year. Travel through the human world virtually unseen, using your abilities to slip through cracks, interfere with electronics, move objects and more. Face challenges from two unique angles--as a possessed human or a lurking spirit hunting its prey. Prepare for death matches with the dead in all-new multiplayer modes that combine first-person combat with unique ghost and possession mechanics.
Fire Emblem (GameCube) - Fire Emblem is reportedly coming back to home consoles after a recent GBA outing at E3 this year. That's about all we know, quite frankly.
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy Kong's Quest (GBA) - SNES conversion of popular DK-themed platforming antics.
F-Zero 2: Legend of Falcon (GBA) - Anticipated sequel to the awesome F-Zero GBA launch title.
Mario Golf Advance Tour (GBA) - Mario Golf - er, on GBA.
Classic NES Series (GBA) - Admirable use of humongous IP back catalogue in money-spinning NES re-releases of standalone games for GBA, including Bomberman, Donkey Kong, Excitebike, Ice Climber, The Legend of Zelda, Pac-Man, Super Mario Bros. and Xevious. Rock!
Satoru Iwata Video Interview - the late Nintendo president spoke with Kikizo in 2004 as 'Nintendo Revolution' loomed.
Kaz Hirai Video Interview - the first of Kikizo's interviews with the man who went on to become global head of Sony.
Ed Fries Video Interview - one of Xbox's founders discusses an epic journey from Excel to Xbox.
Yu Suzuki, the Kikizo Interview - we spend time with one of gaming's most revered creators.
Tetris - The Making of an Icon: Alexey Pajitnov and Henk Rogers reveal the fascinating story behind Tetris
Rare founders, Chris and Tim Stamper - their only interview? Genuinely 'rare' sit down with founders of the legendary studio.
The History of First-Person Shooters - a retrospective, from Maze War to Modern Warfare