What was missing from the Nintendo E3 press conference

But where are the franchise games?

(Credit: Daniel Terdiman/CNET News)

The Nintendo press conference at E3 2008 just ended and we're left scratching our heads. While we were glad to see the announcement of titles like Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and Rayman Raving Rabbids: TV Party, hardcore gamers loyal to the Nintendo brand were completely left in the dust. There was no talk of any first-party Nintendo games beyond the Wii-branded Wii Sports Resort and Wii Music. There was absolutely no mention of new franchises like Kid Icarus or even anything from the Zelda or Mario camp. This has everyone in the office wondering, "Where are the games?"

Also surprisingly, Nintendo did not address the crucial issue of system storage. With the release of WiiWare, Wii owners are quickly running out of space to download and save games. What most thought was a shoe-in to be announced at the Nintendo press conference went totally unmentioned. Nintendo didn't even tease any upcoming WiiWare games.

While many gamers complain about the Wii online experience, there was no mention of any updates to the system in order to improve online game play and matchmaking. Gamers must still rely on the 16-digit friend code that many find makes for a cumbersome experience.

Besides the accuracy-improving Wii MotionPlus accessory and the announcement of an original Grand Theft Auto game for the DS, we're declaring the Nintendo E3 2008 press conference an overall disappointment. Nintendo stressed the fact that their software is "evergreen," and it seems they're running with that mentality.

Stay tuned for coverage of the Sony E3 2008 press conference, scheduled to take place shortly.

[p-cro]

WE NEED ANY GTA FOR THE WII. i don't understand why there isn't more talk of this crucial missing link. if nintendo and rockstar can collaborate for the DS why in the world hasn't gta wii happened yet. i'm just hoping the allure of 20 million sales for the christmas season will convince these stubborn execs to give us what we want. until then, circuit city is offering a 40" samsung 1080p lcd with ps3 for $1400 and my credit card is sorely tempted.

[sting7k]

I think it is becoming pretty clear that while Nintendo's console is neat and ground breaking, it isn't for the hardcore gamers anymore. I only own 3 games, Mario Kart, Super Smash bros, and Zelda. There isn't really anything else out there worth getting. My Wii spends most of its time sitting unplayed until I have people over and we play some games. The other 95% of the time is spent on my xbox 360. I have a feeling the Wii will finally be hitting that brick wall soon and struggling to move anything with nothing new to play.

[Shaymojack]

For first party games, there was Animal Crossing. Not exactly hardcore, but better than another Wii-something game.

Let's hope for something better to come during the rest of E3.

[johnbuker]

GTA for the DS? Wow. I can't imagine that that will be anywhere near decent.

I own both the Wii and the 360 and have played both an equal amount.

I hadn't purchased a Nintendo System (other than handhelds) since the SNES and I found RE4, Zelda, Mario Galaxy, and Metroid Prime 3 to all be outstanding on the Wii and every bit as good as any game on the 360.

What's more disappointing to me is the lack of anything interesting for the DS. Nintendo could spit out a new 2D side scrolling Mario game every year and it would sell millions. The only game I've bought for the DS since the last New Super Mario game for it was the Zelda game.

[brizzam]

What about Resident Evil 4? That was the best game I ever played. Metroid was also pretty sick. And though I haven't played it, No More Heroes got rave reviews. We also have Mad World coming out in the future as well as some more hard core games. E3 hasn't been Nintendo's scene for a decade. I don't worry about it at all. The games and numbers are still there. Just try it.

[Lemon5]

I really don't like the way Nintendo's ego has gotten in the way. I mean they didn't show anything at all. Animal Crossing isn't that big of a killer app. Really, the only thing that was shown that was all that big was the Wii Sports sequel because it is going to ship with a hardware update. Nintendo, get that ego out of here, we want more Zelda and Mario games!

[34skyline]

I have the all three 360. PS3 and I just won a Wii a week ago from a local radio station raffle contest here in San Diego, The Wii is a OK system if you want to have fun with family and friends but if you want to play serious Games like the upcoming Street Fighter 4 Nintendo is never going to have that or Marvel VS Mortal Kombat Nintendo is not going to have that either,Gears of War 2 you'll be missing out alot if you don't have a 360 or PS3 it may cost a bit more but it's well worth it, just compare the games on the Wii to the 360 or PS3 games theirs no contest, I just wish Nintendo remake a new Super Mario series again like back in NES days but revamped, Right know i'm only playing Zelda and that's it, I don't really see that much good games that is worth spending $55 for NONTHING, well it's going to take a while for me to beat Zelda and I hope after I beat Zelda there will be better games if not I have the 360 and the PS3 to play on.

[Carlox1]

wow another sports game, only for keep giving some use to the wii motes, where are the real games! , and i mean that i want to see something more than a marios or zelda sequel

[Jedi-Robe]

Talk about tecnology....

We at Jedi-Robe.com were very lucky today to get an exclusive preview of the new film Star Wars The Clone Wars.

For those who are interested, I have posted my review.

Cheers.

Master Jedi-Robe

Clone Wars review: http://www.jedi-robe.com/news.html?newsId=47