Now We Know Why Nintendo Skipped E3

Nintendo doesn't have anything of value to bring to the table in 2013

It has no specific content that will attract an audience this year

The bigger problem is that it's going to fail to have anything worthwhile for a second straight holiday season.

Donkey Kong was a nice surprise but to see title after title announced for 2014 and beyond it makes the present day look very bleak

I agree. The E3 Direct was very underwhelming. Donkey Kong looked fun, but I can't help but be a little disappointed that THAT'S what Retro Studios has been working on. I was expecting something new from them. Smash looks cool.

Also, anyone notice how Wind Waker HD now looks like the original Wind Waker except in HD? The screenshots that they showed earlier looked very different.

Nintendo doesn't have anything of value to bring to the table in 2013

It has no specific content that will attract an audience this year

The bigger problem is that it's going to fail to have anything worthwhile for a second straight holiday season.

Donkey Kong was a nice surprise but to see title after title announced for 2014 and beyond it makes the present day look very bleak

Jaysonguy

Agreed, Nintendo has nothing. A shame,I can see myself never playing the wiiu once the ps4 comes out.

I agree.

As soon as they bowed out of having a large-scale presser most of us knew why - they had nothing to bring.  Still, I remained hopeful (though not optimistic at all) that it was more about their fear of competing against PS4/XBO hardware and less about their dismal lineup, but, sadly, it was more because of the latter.

Sad, because I really love the GamePad, but if Nintendo doesn't begin to take itself and gamers/gaming more seriously, this thing is gonna be dead soon.

Also, now that we know the price of PS4, the price of Wii U looks all the more ridiculous now.  It needs to be cut to $250 and fast.

I think Nintendo should be embarrassed today.  They made me, a day one Wii U owner with enthusiasm for the GamePad, very sad and wondering how much longer I'll keep this thing on my shelf as I do have a good offer on it.  I was hoping today would make me forget about that offer, but, since it's a good one, I may pull the trigger, and opt to buy another Wii U if/when Nintendo ever gets serious about this thing.

I don't know about you but I have a lot of Wii U games to play this year.OreoMilkshake

They needed more and they're playing it safe, but Mario Kart 8 really should've been out this year.

That being said - New Super Luigi U, Pikmin 3, The Wonderful 101, Rayman Legends, Super Mario 3D World, Watch_Dogs, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze. I'll have stuff to play. That plus a bunch of 3DS titles, Nintendo has my money this fall. 

I'll definitely have games to play this holiday season, but SSB is a bummer in the sense it won't be out this year. Megaman is dope though.

I agree. The E3 Direct was very underwhelming. Donkey Kong looked fun, but I can't help but be a little disappointed that THAT'S what Retro Studios has been working on. I was expecting something new from them. Smash looks cool.

Also, anyone notice how Wind Waker HD now looks like the original Wind Waker except in HD? The screenshots that they showed earlier looked very different.

Tonindo

 i know why retro made another donkey kong..

star fox 50,000 copies sold

metroid 100,000 copies sold

donkey kong 5million sold  lol

"Uninspired." When I think about that display Nintendo just presented, as well as Nintendo's output as a whole for the past three years, that's the word that keeps coming back to mind. I think it's now official that Nintendo has blew any chance it had to truly "wow" people with the Wii U, or at least those outside of Nintendo's own die-hard fans. It's not just that Nintendo played it safe with the lineup in terms of the franchises they used, Nintendo didn't even try to convince anyone why the Wii U installments of its high-profile games will be unique or refreshing among their predecessors. They were totally focused on being HD console facelifts of mostly 3DS games, and that's the true downer.

Was it nice seeing Mario, Mario Kart, and SSB? For a while, sure, but once you get past the graphics (which doesn't take long), what's left to appreciate about them? What's even worse is that not every game even had the luxury of saying THAT much. Nintendo totally pulled the wool over everyone's eyes with the early Wind Waker screenshots, as the current version of the Wii U game looks totally like the GameCube version. And the new DKC game is even worse... Jungle Beat looks better! Is THAT the "secret" game Retro has been working on? Whatever happened to that "revolutionary" Gamepad that was supposed to make the Wii U a stand-out product, even with the upcoming consoles fast approaching? It seems like Nintendo has lost belief in what little potential the system and its key 'hook' had to begin with, and has quickly resorted to GameCube-panic mode.

You know, I don't think it's even worth the effort trying to make sense of what Nintendo is doing anymore. They've totally lost sight of the principles that made them so successful with the Wii, DS, and their other truly successful platforms and games, and have simply adopted the role of being a follower to the "industry's" rules (and a poor one at that). Their strategy looks outdated and their uniqueness appears to be all but a past memory right now. My hope is that the Wii U doesn't do too much damage to Nintendo, so they can refocus its priorities and efforts on a more creative and relevant system in the coming years.

[QUOTE="Tonindo"]

I agree. The E3 Direct was very underwhelming. Donkey Kong looked fun, but I can't help but be a little disappointed that THAT'S what Retro Studios has been working on. I was expecting something new from them. Smash looks cool.

Also, anyone notice how Wind Waker HD now looks like the original Wind Waker except in HD? The screenshots that they showed earlier looked very different.

KBFloYd

 i know why retro made another donkey kong..

star fox 50,000 copies sold

metroid 100,000 copies sold

donkey kong 5million sold  lol

i'm truly and utterly upset with nintendo's direct and put my wii u up for sale.
I just can't believe how average all the games were, mario 3d world looked just like 3d land on the 3ds. the wind waker looked virtually the same as the gamecube original, i am truly upset/shocked with nintendo.

can't believe that's what retro studios has been working on, i presumed it would mp4 or something entirely original. i am really shocked, im out. gonna buy a ps4 while the wii u is still worth something.

Whatever happened to that "revolutionary" Gamepad that was supposed to make the Wii U a stand-out product, 

Madmangamer364

i was surprised they just showed trailers and completetly ignored how the gamepad would be involved.

ubisoft convinced me more with rayman legends lol

I agree. The E3 Direct was very underwhelming. Donkey Kong looked fun, but I can't help but be a little disappointed that THAT'S what Retro Studios has been working on. I was expecting something new from them. Smash looks cool.

Also, anyone notice how Wind Waker HD now looks like the original Wind Waker except in HD? The screenshots that they showed earlier looked very different.

Tonindo

If they chose another studio to do DKCRTF, do you think it would have looked that good? I don't..They chose retro because retro made a pretty high volume seller.

Nintendo needs to sell systems. The only way to do that is to release the games that sold in high volume.. NSMB, DKCR, Mario Kart, SSB. Each one sold amazingly well.. as I mentioned in the other thread, it looks like 3D World is to teach the NSMB fans (yes all 20+ Million of them) how to play a 3D Mario game.... Super Mario Galaxy sold 10 million units, no where close to where the NSMB did.

I'm excited to get all of these games in my hands, I think people are nuts to call it underwhelming.. Maybe your push your expectations too high? I went in not expecting anything, therefore I was impressed with everything that was shown... minus scribblenauts, disney's games, skylanders.

[QUOTE="Tonindo"]

I agree. The E3 Direct was very underwhelming. Donkey Kong looked fun, but I can't help but be a little disappointed that THAT'S what Retro Studios has been working on. I was expecting something new from them. Smash looks cool.

Also, anyone notice how Wind Waker HD now looks like the original Wind Waker except in HD? The screenshots that they showed earlier looked very different.

Elem187

If they chose another studio to do DKCRTF, do you think it would have looked that good? I don't..They chose retro because retro made a pretty high volume seller.

Nintendo needs to sell systems. The only way to do that is to release the games that sold in high volume.. NSMB, DKCR, Mario Kart, SSB. Each one sold amazingly well.. as I mentioned in the other thread, it looks like 3D World is to teach the NSMB fans (yes all 20+ Million of them) how to play a 3D Mario game.... Super Mario Galaxy sold 10 million units, no where close to where the NSMB did.

I'm excited to get all of these games in my hands, I think people are nuts to call it underwhelming.. Maybe your push your expectations too high? I went in not expecting anything, therefore I was impressed with everything that was shown... minus scribblenauts, disney's games, skylanders.

I'm probably going to buy the new Donkey Kong too, but when I think of what Retro Studios could have been working on it feels like Nintendo is wasting their talent.

For the length of the presentation and the amount of great quality titles, it was good. There wasn't a dull moment besides the Wii Party U reveal (thank heavens they didn't show another Just Dance segment like they had for the past few years). I enjoyed the presentation much more than the other 2 hour conferences that suffered from some pacing and technical issues. But I understand what's being said here. Nintendo doesn't have nearly as much content coming like its competition (and most of that content seemed depressing with their gritty nature). And what's disappointed that most of the anticipated games are scheduled for a 2014 release. So nothing noteworthy is arriving this year besides Mario 3D World, Pikmin, and Wonderful 101. For sure, having a WiiU along side one of the consoles or a PC will be the best bet this generation.

Yea, it was a downer...did they simply don't have enough man power or did they just wasted time on other things - like social stuff? First it was a lazy 2D Mario now its a lazy 3D Mario ...definitely giving Super Cat Mario 3Dland 3DS game on WiiU a miss.

Guess Im getting Pikmin 3, maybe Wonderful 101 & Ubisoft titles & Deus Ex...will wait for Bayonetta 2 & X -> 2014. So when Nintendo said 2013 the year for 3DS, I guess they must have meant 2014 the year for Wii U? :P

They needed more and they're playing it safe, but Mario Kart 8 really should've been out this year.

That being said - New Super Luigi U, Pikmin 3, The Wonderful 101, Rayman Legends, Super Mario 3D World, Watch_Dogs, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze. I'll have stuff to play. That plus a bunch of 3DS titles, Nintendo has my money this fall. 

Haziqonfire

I just knew JaysonGuy was going to have a meltdown over Nintendo at E3. I'm fine with pretty much everything they showed. Mario 3D World needs a different title but I'm going to love it.

Nintendo listened to core gamers and years ago: Invested in Wonderful 101, Bayonetta 2. Invested in Monolith Soft giving us X right now.

Nintendo listened to core gamers who loved the c(lassic) Donkey Kong Country Returns by Retro so they had Retro make:  A new Donkey Kong Country game due out this November.

Nintendo listened to gamers who have been asking for a multiplayer 3D Mario game since Super Mario 128 rumors started back in 1997: They finally gave us that with 3D World

They didn't have any surprises but I'm fine with it. Remember last month how they revealed the 3DS XL and a few titles two weeks AFTER E3? Could happen again.

And Smash BROS. Wow. Didn't expect it to be THAT PRETTY and run at 1080p. 

Also, how the **** is adding anti-gravity stages to Mario Kart not big? I don't get it? Do you guys just want Diddy Kong Racing 2 or something? This is a huge change to the core Mario Kart formula. Also, wow the game is pretty.

I don't understand how what Nintendo showed is "playing it safe"? 

They added parkour and four player multiplayer to a 3D Mario for the first time. That's a huge change, changes levels, stage design, and everything.

They're adding anti-gravity to Mario Kart and video recording. The anti-gravity on it's own basically makes courses twice as big, adds a whole new mechanic to the game.

They went out of their way to fund games like Bayonetta 2 and Wonderful 101, how on earth is that "playing it safe" when both are basically guaranteed niche hardcore games that will never sell all that well?

Not to mention the acquistion of Monolith years ago leading us to an ambitious open world RPG in X. When as the last time Nintendo developed an open-world RPG (Zelda is more action adventure) Tell me?

I don't know but it sounds like a lot of people wanted Nintendo to change the core fundamentals of 3D Mario and Mario Kart 8. That just isn't going to happen. I wish we would hear a fair amount of complaints when the newest GTA has you driving to X location to shoot Z number of bad guys for Y reason. Core concepts are always re-used, it's how you tweak them that matters.

 Luigi U, Pikman,Rayman Legends, Wind Waker, Donkey Kong and Mario 3D besides downloadable Ducktales is about what I can afford for right now.

I don't understand how what Nintendo showed is "playing it safe"? 

They added parkour and four player multiplayer to a 3D Mario for the first time. That's a huge change, changes levels, stage design, and everything.

They're adding anti-gravity to Mario Kart and video recording. The anti-gravity on it's own basically makes courses twice as big, adds a whole new mechanic to the game.

They went out of their way to fund games like Bayonetta 2 and Wonderful 101, how on earth is that "playing it safe" when both are basically guaranteed niche hardcore games that will never sell all that well?

Not to mention the acquistion of Monolith years ago leading us to an ambitious open world RPG in X. When as the last time Nintendo developed an open-world RPG (Zelda is more action adventure) Tell me?

I don't know but it sounds like a lot of people wanted Nintendo to change the core fundamentals of 3D Mario and Mario Kart 8. That just isn't going to happen. I wish we would hear a fair amount of complaints when the newest GTA has you driving to X location to shoot Z number of bad guys for Y reason. Core concepts are always re-used, it's how you tweak them that matters.

bonesawisready5

Mario WiiU looked like Wii port in HD it was very underwelming. I don't like the whole multiplayer aspect of it either. It just looked dull in comparison to Galaxy.

MarioKart 8 looks ok and all but I'm not a huge fan of racing games.

Smash Bros just aint my thing either not into fighters too much.

Wind Waker HD looks cool but not much difference then the Gamecube version. I can't see paying full price for a hd conversion.

Donkey kong looked great I just wish Retro would have shown Metroid instead.

Out of everything I've seen on the WiiU Bayonetta 2 was probobly the best thing on the system.

I've always loved Nintendo but I'm not running out to buy a WiiU anytime soon or if at all. I might just wait till the end of the WiiU's lifespan and buy the 15 or so good games it has. 

I'm pretty happy with what was shown, (except that it's pretty much all coming in 2014) I'm more concerned with what they didn't show, like third party support and games we didn't know were going to be discussed before the show.

wait what , 

i guess you slept through the direct, wiiu has 

 donkey kong country 5

nsmluigi 

wii party 2

super mario 3d world

 zelda windwaker

wonderful 101

bayonetta 2

pikmin 3

mario kart 8  -next yr

 ssb -next yr

  still got zelda and yarn yoshi as well as game and wario   ,and indie/eshop games , 

and some third party titles to  and did i mention wiiu is the snes2 ,  look at the line up ----dkc , super mario world 3d! 

I enjoyed the Direct. The only disappointment is the release date for MK8. Regardless, it looks like a great game and worth the wait, I'm sure. 

I also think Nintendo may be abondoning E3 altogether. The only new game announced for this E3 edition of Nintendo Direct was Donkey Kong. So it's possible to see more announcements later this year/next year (not at E3). 

I don't know about you but I have a lot of Wii U games to play this year.OreoMilkshake

I agree. The E3 Direct was very underwhelming. Donkey Kong looked fun, but I can't help but be a little disappointed that THAT'S what Retro Studios has been working on. I was expecting something new from them. Smash looks cool.

Also, anyone notice how Wind Waker HD now looks like the original Wind Waker except in HD? The screenshots that they showed earlier looked very different.

Tonindo

Yes to both of these.  I think the direction DK is taking is all wrong, and I am sad that is what Retro has been up to.  I also noticed that WW HD is...Wind Waker in HD.  yippee.  I was hoping for a new look like they showed in the screens early on.  

My thoughts on WiiU's E3 is this.

Mario Kart 8 - some great addition to the gameplay style and beautiufl graphics.  With that said I am very worried about it being too much like MKWii rather than MK7.  Heres to hoping it remains fun to play and balanced (as balanced as MK should be anyway :P)

Super Smash Bros U - its smash bros......

SM3DW - not at all what I was hoping for.  Could be great, but right now I am very skeptical and dissapointed

Nintendo's E3 as a whole - decent at best.  THings could turn out great when more details get revealed about each game, but right now I am just unimpressed and dissapointed.  Nothing caught my attention or made my jaw drop.  Third parties brought the most good this E3, but SOny also did a great job.  Infamous SS is probably my most anticipated first party game of the three, but then again there is so much left to know about each game.  

I'm happy and fine with the amount of games they showed and it gets me excited as a future Wii U owner. The problem really is the lack of 3rd party support and how a lot of the games released for the PS3 and 360 aren't showing up on the Wii U. I'd understand if it was a game only the PS4 and X1 could run but if there are PS3 and 360 versions also being made then why can't they release it on the Wii U as well? Ubisoft seems to be supporting the Wii U but now I've read that they are scaling back support for it. I'm still happy and excited to own a Wii U but I think I'm definitely going to have to get a PS4 to get the most out of this gen.Kenny789

I think if they can cut price a little, sell at least 1 million + during holidays in America and start to maintain 100k+ per month in NPD through early 2014 we'll see Activision, Warner Bros, and Ubisoft give it multiplats for a while. Whether that is enough to convince EA, Take Two, or others I'm not sure.

damn sad day for wii u owners..me included cos ive got one loldaveg1

How?

You're getting an exciting open world RPG, X.

You're getting a sequel to one of the best 2D platformer last gen, DKC:TF from Retro

Mario Kart 8 mixes things up with 1080p @60fps, video recording, anti-gravity and more. Smash Bros is 1080p and adds new fighters and will be amazing coz, y'know it's Smash

Mario 3D World is the first 4 player 3D platformer game I've ever seen and is the culmination of the long Super Mario 128 development essentially. It's literally an entirely new area of platforming.

Not to mention a remake of a good Zelda, a few party and fitness games, and Nintendo is going out of their way to fund niche hardcore third party games like Wonderful 101 and Bayo 2.

Not to mention that Watch Dogs looks glorious on Wii U, COD Ghosts was confirmed for Wii U, Batman Arkham Origins, Scribblenauts Unmasked, Sonic Lost World and Splinter Cell, and Assassin's Creed IV all look good on Wii U.

How is that a "sad day"? They just threw out pretty much every big third party game in late 2013 (except GTA V but whacha gonna do y'know?) plus a slew of first party stuff for this year and next.

[QUOTE="Kenny789"]I'm happy and fine with the amount of games they showed and it gets me excited as a future Wii U owner. The problem really is the lack of 3rd party support and how a lot of the games released for the PS3 and 360 aren't showing up on the Wii U. I'd understand if it was a game only the PS4 and X1 could run but if there are PS3 and 360 versions also being made then why can't they release it on the Wii U as well? Ubisoft seems to be supporting the Wii U but now I've read that they are scaling back support for it. I'm still happy and excited to own a Wii U but I think I'm definitely going to have to get a PS4 to get the most out of this gen.bonesawisready5

I think if they can cut price a little, sell at least 1 million + during holidays in America and start to maintain 100k+ per month in NPD through early 2014 we'll see Activision, Warner Bros, and Ubisoft give it multiplats for a while. Whether that is enough to convince EA, Take Two, or others I'm not sure.

ubisoft said it has very few games planned for wiiU now...looks like they are ver preoccupied getting the ps4 ansd xbox1  get off to a good start.

after that...well see if we get next gen ports....X and mariokart 8 show that the wii can have the same level of smoothness to the graphics as the other consoles...but im sure some htings will have to be toned back a little. question is..will they do it?

i think as long as the 360 and ps3 are still around then will will keep getting ports..

the amt of wiiUs sold will bring 3rd party to wiiu...but not the mainstream games. they make you buy another console for those.

honestly though...i dont care much for those cinamtic 3rd party games and shooters...i am interested in some of those games though..like tomb raider, kingdom hearts 3 and few others. so iguess ninty trying to scure some of those games is fine. everyone has different tastes.

[QUOTE="bonesawisready5"]

[QUOTE="Kenny789"]I'm happy and fine with the amount of games they showed and it gets me excited as a future Wii U owner. The problem really is the lack of 3rd party support and how a lot of the games released for the PS3 and 360 aren't showing up on the Wii U. I'd understand if it was a game only the PS4 and X1 could run but if there are PS3 and 360 versions also being made then why can't they release it on the Wii U as well? Ubisoft seems to be supporting the Wii U but now I've read that they are scaling back support for it. I'm still happy and excited to own a Wii U but I think I'm definitely going to have to get a PS4 to get the most out of this gen.KBFloYd

I think if they can cut price a little, sell at least 1 million + during holidays in America and start to maintain 100k+ per month in NPD through early 2014 we'll see Activision, Warner Bros, and Ubisoft give it multiplats for a while. Whether that is enough to convince EA, Take Two, or others I'm not sure.

ubisoft said it has very few games planned for wiiU now...looks like they are ver preoccupied getting the ps4 ansd xbox1  get off to a good start.

after that...well see if we get next gen ports....X and mariokart 8 show that the wii can have the same level of smoothness to the graphics as the other consoles...but im sure some htings will have to be toned back a little. question is..will they do it?

i think as long as the 360 and ps3 are still around then will will keep getting ports..

the amt of wiiUs sold will bring 3rd party to wiiu...but not the mainstream games. they make you buy another console for those.

honestly though...i dont care much for those cinamtic 3rd party games and shooters...i am interested in some of those games though..like tomb raider, kingdom hearts 3 and few others. so iguess ninty trying to scure some of those games is fine. everyone has different tastes.

They never said "few wii u games", said "less exclusives"

I don't know about you but I have a lot of Wii U games to play this year.OreoMilkshake

Here's someone I can agree with.

As someone who has a full-time job and other activities, my gaming schedule is pretty filled up until the end of the year. :D

It's was quite underwhelming from what I saw. X looked decent but im not waiting a year just at the off chance that it might turn out well. 

Nothing in the whole lot really called to me that much, even bayonetta just looked like the first in a new body suit, which was a bummer. Of course E3 hasn't been bad, others have done decently at least.

No, they skipped it because it's a waste of time and effort.

New Super Mario Bros U

New Super Luigi U

Super Mario 3d World

Sonic Lost World

Rayman Legends

Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze

Epic Mickey 2

Nintendo doesn't have anything of value to bring to the table in 2013

It has no specific content that will attract an audience this year

The bigger problem is that it's going to fail to have anything worthwhile for a second straight holiday season.

Donkey Kong was a nice surprise but to see title after title announced for 2014 and beyond it makes the present day look very bleak

Jaysonguy

will most likely end up getting for Wii U
Deus Ex

Sonic Lost World

Pikmin 3

Donkey Kong:TF

Rayman Legends

Splinter Cell Blacklist

Watch Dogs

Wondeful 101 *maybe*

can't wait till next yr tho. :)

Edit: After watching Donkey Kong E3 gameplay...Im getting it :P

I don't know, the more I look at Mario Kart, the more I'm impressed.  The thing with this E3 was that there were games shown for the first time, really, on more powerful consoles.  With Nintendo games youve really got to play them to appreciate the level polish. 

...Obviously the absense of a really stunning Mario game was a disappointment.  However, just about every Nintendo game shown will probably be a must own title.

[QUOTE="Jaysonguy"]

Nintendo doesn't have anything of value to bring to the table in 2013

It has no specific content that will attract an audience this year

The bigger problem is that it's going to fail to have anything worthwhile for a second straight holiday season.

Donkey Kong was a nice surprise but to see title after title announced for 2014 and beyond it makes the present day look very bleak

simomate

Why should he? Everything he said was fairly valid (and I'd even argue against the "Donkey Kong was a nice surprise" part), and it's something others have agreed upon.

Honestly, though, I think it's all a matter of where you stand with the Wii U as a whole. For most of those who already have the system or were certain to pick it up, Nintendo's showing probably was a good one. If so, awesome! Nevertheless, the point Jaysonguy brings up makes sense. How exactly does the struggling Wii U plan to find an audience this year? It's from primarily that perspective where Nintendo's E3 showing comes off as very flat.

The lineup Nintendo's going with down the stretch is wishy-washy at best when it comes to appealing to non-Nintendo fanatics. The game most likely to draw attention would be Super Mario 3D World, but by being a 3D Mario with a December (meaning AFTER Black Friday) release on a system already having seen a Mario game of a typically more attractive mold a year ago, it doesn't have the best of odds. Zelda WWHD will pretty much come and go for all except those actually looking forward to it, as it's no system-seller by any means. What the leaves is Donkey Kong Country trying to shoulder the burden of being Nintendo's "Big" holiday game, and that's borderline laughable. Between being sandwhiched between older platforms that are already selling better and new ones about to make a huge splash on the market, the Wii U's future doesn't exactly look bright still. (That said, Wii Fit U could be something of a wild card in all of this, but doubtful.)

This was a moment where Nintendo needed a slugger to hit a homerun, yet settled for a double. It's still nice, but whether or not it's actually enough remains to be seen. That fact alone, despite Nintendo showcasing its biggest brands on the console front, is what should be most alarming. The end of the year is going to be a very telling one for Nintendo and the Wii U, and I believe that it will also be a humbling one for a company that believes that its brands can single-handedly save what has been a lackluster console thus far.