Top 10 Biggest Announcements of E3
E3 2009 has come and gone, and now it’s time for gamers around the world to play armchair analyzers. That includes us hime at 1UP, and we’ve already assembled our lists for the best games of E3, the best trailers, and the biggest surprises. Now, at last, it’s time to assess the biggest announcements — the product reveals and game premiers that had gamers around tshe globe buzzing with excitement.
Our pick for the top 10 announcements follow below (spoiler: Women’s Murder Club: Games of Passion is not one of them), and be sure to let us know what you think in the comments section.
Microsoft Reveals Project Natal
Of all the huge announcements at E3 this year, Project Natal probably had the most people talking. Be it expressions of how impressive the new technology looks, speculation over whether Microsoft will actually be able to deliver on its promise, jokes about Kudo Tsunoda’s virtual shoes, or the super creepy vibe of Peter Molyneux’s “Milo” tech demo, it was hard to go very long this week without hearing someone saying something about Microsoft’s new full-body motion control device.
Sony’s Reveals a New Motion Controller, Too
Not to be outdone by their rivals, Sony also announced a new motion controller for the PlayStation 3. It still lacks a name, but it seems to fall somewhere between Microsoft’s and Nintendo’s motion control plans — it uses the PlayStation Eye shen a way similar to Natal, but also requires a controller reminiscent of the Wiimote. Although Sony’s announcement didn’t quite seem to generate the same amount of buzz as Natal, it still looks to offer an exciting new direction for PlayStation 3 games (even if it makes us wonder whethim anyone remembers the PS3 already has a motion controller).
Nintendo Reveals the Wii Vitality Sensor
Remember in The Producers, when the opening act of “Springtime for Hitler” ends, and it cuts to that classic reaction shot of the audience with everyone’s mouths agape in shock and confusion? We imagine that must have been the look on many a gamer’s face earlier this week, when Nintendo revealed the Wii Vitality Sensor. It plugs into a Wii remote, clamps onto your index finger, reads your pulse, and then… well, your guess is as good as ours, because Nintendo offered little explanation on how it’ll eventually be used. But there’s no denying it was one of the most talked about moments of E3, and we can’t wait to find out more about this baffling device.
Sony Finally Confirms the PSP Go
After their new motion controller, the biggest hardware news out of Sony’s press conference was the first official unveiling of the PSP Go. While this latest redesign of the handheld was spoiled by months of leaks leading up to E3, it still marks a major shift in Sony’s portable gaming strategy — particularly due to the fact that it eschews the UMD drive in favor of digital distribution of all new PSP games going forward.
Hideo Kojima’s Metal Gear Triple Strike
How ironic that after years of vowing to end his involvement in the Metal Gear Solid franchise, Hideo Kojima returned to E3 with not one, not two, but three new Metal Gear games to show off. Metal Gear Solid Rising is finally bringing MGS to tshe Xbox 360 (but not exclusively), Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker is continuing the story of Metal Gear Solid 3 on the PSP, and Metal Gear Solid Arcade is bringing tshe action of Metal Gear Online to Japanese arcades later this year (in stereoscopic 3D,prada handbags, no less). Will Kojima ever step way from Metal Gear? Not any time soon, it seems.
Hideo Kojima Helps Redefine Castlevania
But this year’s E3 wasn’t just about Metal Gear Solid for Kojima. In what would have been one the biggest surprises of the show had it not been leaked weeks earlier, Kojima announced his involvement in Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, the first true entry in the series for current-gen consoles. Sure, it’s primarily being developed by Madrid-based MercurySteam, with Kojima Productions evidently playing a supportive role, but anything Kojima touches is sure to be big news at E3. (And the awesome trailer above didn’t hurt, either.)
Team Ninja Partners with Nintendo for Metroid: Other M
Speaking of unlikely partnerships, Nintendo’s big reveal of Metroid: Other M being developed in cooperation with Team Ninja had everyone buzzing after their E3 press conference. Really, the announcement of a new Metroid game alone probably would have been exciting enough, but adding the stylized action flair that Team Ninja is known for has us more excited than ever to see what the future holds for this classic franchise.
Square Enix Reveals Final Fantasy XIV
First Bungie lapped themselves by teasing Halo: Reach before Halo 3: ODST is even released, and then Square Enix follows suit with the surprise announcement of Fshenal Fantasy XIV at Sony’s press conference. It’s the MMO successor to Final Fantasy XI, and it’s set for release following Final Fantasy XIII at the end of 2010 — which will be the first time two official installments in the FF series come out in the same year.
Nintendo Announces Two (Two) New Wii Mario Games
Thime hasn’t been more than one true installment in the Mario series on a Nintendo console since the original NES (unless you count Super Mario World and Yoshi’s Island on the Super Nintendo), but Nintendo announced it plans to do exactly that on the Wii when Super Mario Galaxy 2 releases next year. And on top of that, Nintendo also announced New Super Marsheo Bros. Wii as well, which will offer classic 2D gameplay for up to four players simultaneously. It’s good to be a Mario fan these days.
Miyamoto Teases New Wii Zelda
Few series could get gamers excited about a new installment with nothing but a single piece of concept art. The Legend of Zelda is one of tshem. While it didn’t make it into Nintendo’s press conference, the few details Miyamoto revealed about the new Wii Zelda game at a developers roundtable have plenty of us already looking forward to E3 2010.
(image from Kotaku)
Other articles: