Nintendo Spotlight – Not What We Expected

Nintendo began E3 with its usual low expectations. Prior to the spotlight, it announced it would only focus on games released this year. With little to anticipate, it had seemed we were predestined to accept more trailers of Splatoon 2, Super Mario Odyssey, and DLC for Breath of the Wild. But with much energy surrounding Nintendo with the successful launch of the Switch, they’ve rejuvenated themselves and produced their finest E3 in a long time. This Nintendo Spotlight only lasted 25 minutes, but was action-packed, and pulled a lot of surprises.

The Return of Samus Aran

With no trailer, no visual footage, and just a forty-second period of anticipation, you’d be forgiven for thinking Metroid fans have jumped too soon. However, the announcement of Metroid Prime 4 is perhaps the most exciting news of E3 2017. It’s been a long decade of waiting for Samus Aran’s return, and the Switch will be the perfect home for her. If there was ever a game to show Nintendo’s intent, this was the one, and it shows they have an exuberant amount of confidence and ambition for the Switch.

Our Eight Pokémon Journey

Tsunekazu Ishihara announced the Pokémon Company was working on an RPG for the Switch, with an expected release next year. They had previously confirmed Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, and Pokkén Tournament DX in a Pokémon Direct conference last week, which was less than spectacular. The announcement of a possible eighth generation of Pokémon so soon is astonishing, especially as Sun and Moon were only released last year.

Let’s Go to Elysium

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 was the first trailer shown, and it revealed a candid likeliness to Breath of the Wild. Other than some awkward voice acting, the game looks utterly beautiful and is a huge sci-fi, open-world RPG for the Switch. It got plenty of airtime, with a three-minute trailer, likely because it will be released holiday period this year. The sequel to 2010’s Xenoblade Chronicles, it will follow a group of new heroes as they make their mark on the land of Elysium.

On a Fateful Day

An evil dragon has appeared, and it’s time for revenge. Fire Emblem Warriors has been shown on the Nintendo Spotlight presentation for E3, and it definitely looks like it’ll be intense. Fan favorites, such as Marth, Xander, and Ryoma will feature, along with some new characters. The game follows Hyrule Warriors, the Legend of Zelda version of the game that was released on the Wii U and the 3DS. It should, therefore, be noted that Fire Emblem Warriors will not follow the usual turn-base strategy game it usually does. The game will launch on the Nintendo Switch and the 3DS this fall.

Trial of the Sword

As we’ve already known, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild has a DLC or two coming. The first installment, The Master Trials, will be released on June 30, and it is packed with additional features. This includes the ‘Trial of the Sword’ mode, where the player will be forced to fight waves of enemies, without any existing equipment. Completing the trial will increase the power of the Master Sword, allowing it to do double damage all the time. Additionally, a master mode and new armors and costumes will be added, including the Korok mask that helps you find those pesky koroks. The second installment was also teased, The Champion’s Ballad, showing the champions alongside Princess Zelda.

To Cap it Off

Super Mario Odyssey showcased a lot more footage. The story seems to have been revealed, revealing a Princess Peach in a wedding dress, being kidnapped by Bowser. Mario’s cap allows him to take control of different creatures, including goomba! The game looks stunning and shows a wide variety of different worlds, including a world full of dinosaurs that you can use your cap to control. The possibilities seem endless, and it looks set to emulate the success that previous 3D Mario games have enjoyed. Super Mario Odyssey will be released on October 27.

Final Thoughts

Without a doubt, the most exhilarating E3 Nintendo have had in a long time. They set expectations low and then pulled out some huge games for next year. On a 25 minute presentation, Nintendo has stolen an E3 that’s usually destined for Sony. Whilst not showing much footage for their 2018 releases, they didn’t need to. They’ve revealed some huge franchises for their newest console, and that’s all it needed to created excitement for Nintendo fans. There might be further announcements as E3 progresses to the Nintendo Treehouse, although I imagine they won’t get as big as Metroid Prime 4.