Opening day two for E3 2012 was the Nintendo Press Conference but it was a big disappointment, and could be a potential disaster for Nintendo. This lackluster performance is not a way to advertise the next big console for Nintendo, because a poor showing at E3 can only lead them downhill in this heavily competitive market. So without further ado, these were the shortcomings of Nintendo’s press conference.

Nintendo opened up with a skit starring Shigeru Miyamoto, game designer and producer for Nintendo (Mario, Zelda, Star Fox, Donkey Kong, F-Zero, Pikmin). Pikmin scurried around his dressing room with one getting stuck in his jacket pocket as Miyamoto makes his way to the conference floor. Once on the floor Miyamoto jumps right into Pikmin 3 for the Wii U.

Following this, Miyamoto left and Reggie Fils-Aime, President and Chief Operating Officer for Nintendo of America, stepped in and took the role of introducing details of the system and future games and their developers. Just taking a general look at Nintendo’s conference, it is like any other conference that one would see at E3. But usually the selling points of these press conferences are the unveiling of their big project that has been kept under wraps. So what did Nintendo have to offer?

Besides the already announced Pikmin 3, Nintendo offered a handfull of third party games, a rehashing of games that have already been released, a Wii Fit game that can count as a glorified add-on, two of the same type of Mario games, and an apology that they did not have time to discuss many of the anticipated 3DS games coming out.

Yes, there are quite a few amazing games in the lineup for Nintendo’s Wii U like Pinkmin 3, New Super Mario Bros U and New Super Mario Bros 2 for the 3DS, and Nintendo Land, which gives gamers a unique way to grasp of the potential of the Wii U (like Wii Sports to the Wii). But there was nothing that stood out and made the audience’s jaw drop in awe. The conference was like going to a movie that has been over hyped.

Nintendo really did a great job with creating a system for the casual gamer, as well as keeping their diehard gaming fans entertained, but out of all the games they showed off, they were games that we expected. Something that would have blown the conference out of the water would have been an introduction of an HD Star Fox or Metroid game.

By bringing in something that everyone wants, but does not expect, would have really brought the crowed to life. Instead Nintendo just offered us the firework effects from Nintendo Land. Instead of rave applauds, Nintendo received a dumbfounded look of disappointment from their audience. What Nintendo needs to do is learn from their mistakes and even if the project isn’t ready, give the gaming community something that will make them want to buy their system.

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About the author

David Sklepko
I am a Student of Anthropology at the University of South Florida. I have many interests in arts and entertainment as well as the culture of societies and how they influence various forms of entertainment.

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