Live Blog: Nintendo’s E3 2009 press conference

So readers, what did you think was the best part? Will you run out to buy a vitality sensor?

And that’s it for Nintendo’s keynote presentation!

Yep – end with the slogan.

More Samus, “deeper into the Metroid universe.”

Everyone’s Game!

(For Wii). Bigger applause there.

That woman at the end who Samus was talking to looked a lot like another version of Samus.

It’ll be out in 2010

That was a lot of un-suited Samus in that intro. Did she has mystic powers as well?

Wow… the footage looks amazing. Looks like it’s part platformer, part shooter and part beat-em up.

Project M presents a new Metroid Game! Metroid: Other M.

Nintendo’s working with Team Ninja!

“New edgier game also coming from us.”

Nintendo’s making a new, edgier game?

All three of those games will be playable at E3.

Smattering of applause.

(The trailer, I mean)

It’s got full voice over, and looks quite frightening.

Dead Space: Extraction – Wii exclusive. I think I heard a few “Ahhs” from the crowd.

EA’s Dead Space Extraction’s the last title we’ll be seeing a video from.

This is Nintendo being afraid of losing the “hard core” gaming crowd.

Looks like, based on the gameplay videos, it could be an on-rails shooter.

Capcom’s Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles is the next “harder” game announcement

I wonder if he’ll mention the Wii exclusive Tales of game… I doubt it, since it’s not really a “harder” game. Most likely we’ll see something on Dead Space.

Three examples of “harder” third party titles that will be Wii exclusives: The Conduit’s first.

(Read us, Reggie!)

“I read the blogs, too.”

Anyone think that a new Zelda Wii announcement could still squeak in?

A lot of globes, flipping platforms, a few ships in space, extra Yoshi goodness. Flower grow, lands turn black-and-white.

Super Mario Galaxy 2 is on it’s way. Reggie’s back on stage.

The Bee costume returns. And, at one point Mario made a world turn monochrome after hitting a block.

We’re watching gameplay footage of Mario exploring all the new worlds.

Looks a lot like Galaxies so far.

Looks like a Mario Galaxy follow up. This time, Yoshi’s along for the adventures.

A second full Mario 3D title is coming!

Sounds like another Mario announcement is coming.

Hour mark.

Satoru Iwata has left the stage, and Cammie’s back.

Vitality Sensor – Maybe they can use the info. online to gauge the excitement levels games and game levels create to make better games. (Sounds like they want to help people relax.) Psychologists are gonna love that when it’s released.

It’s supposed to help you see how the inner world of your body works, and become more relaxed.

It’s an add on peripheral that attaches to the base of your Wii Remote. You stick your finger into it.

TiVo “current game players” suggesting that even noobs know Super Mario Bros.

Satoru’s just annnounced the Wii Vitality Sensor.

“Most of the names was talk about today are familiar even to current (?) players.”

Now I’m wishing I’d kept count of how many times Everyone’s Game came up.
Satoru is discussing how all the games mentioned during the conference could be played by everyone.

“In a sense each of these cold be considered everyone games.”

He once again used the Everyone’s Game catchphrase.

“Ideally it is possible to create products to satisfy advance players and novice players together.”

I mean, how people “thought” the best games needed advanced skills.

He’s discussing how originally the best games were the ones that needed advanced skills to play.

“People who never played games in the past may never play them in the future.” Nintendo is trying to focus on non-gamers. (That is the great untapped market.)

149 million in Japan, US, and Europe might be interested in playing games.

295 million people actively playing video games in Japan, US, Europe.

“We divide people into three categories. Those who happily play games, those who say they’ll never play and those who might some day.”

Satoru Iwata’s taking the stage.

Companies are really laying on the slogans this year.

“In our world, everyone’s game.”

Once again, we see the Everyone’s Game tag-line.

“Playing is believing.” Maybe the most meaningful E3 quote of all time.

It’s playable on the E3 show floor.

“The great majority of DSi owner spend the majority of their time enjoying what professional creators create for them.”

Oh! The Legend of Zelda Spirit Tracks is up!

“Creating content is only half the fun. No matter how goofy you make your friend look… the satisfaction comes when you show off your creation to your friends.”

Starting in Summer 2009, you can upload DSi photos to Facebook.

You can share the microgames from WarioWare DIY online.

The WarioWare game where you can create your OWN microgames is coming to North America.

Mario vs. Donky Kong – DS – playable at E3, Ony a DSiWare game, June 8, 2009, release.

WarioWare DIY!

It’s playable on the show floor, and will be available as a DSiWare download on June 8, 2009.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again! DS is going to be customizable. You can create your own puzzles

FlipNotes Studio Summer – 2009 release.

Flipnotes Studio, which makes you let your own animations, is headed to the DSi.

DSi sales figures – surpasses 1 million units in 2 months (and 400,000 more DS Lites). “The difference between the DS [Lite] and DSi is personalization.” Talks about manipulating content. “People don’t just consume entertainment, they create it and share it with their friends.”

She’s showing off Moving Memo.

I think she’s leading up to a Warioware Made in Ore release.

We’re now seeing a montage of people discussing how they like the DSi.

Ah, DSi stressed there. “Already capturing the passion of players.” (Double meaning with the double cameras).

Now we’re finally going to hear about the DSi and DSi games.

“The Nintendo DS equals diversity.”

As you can tell, I’m excited.

You also get a fully customizable avatar and store, and are able to put together runway shows.

More “tweener” focus by the game industry. They must have had a marketing meeting this past year.

It’s a game with 10,000 items that lets you run your own shop, help customers and put together outfits.

Wagamama Girl’s Mode! It’s coming to North America as Style Savvy!

You play an undercover cop. Looks like part shooter, part driving game. It looks pretty interesting.

Women�s Murder Club will have a DSi-only element. Maybe they are beating Sony to a graphic novel announcement?

Ubisoft is bringing Cop: The Recruit to the DS. It’s supposed to be an open world game. Perhaps a more lawful version of Grand Theft Auto?

Women’s Murder Club: Games of Passion. Who’d have thought Nintendo would release a visual novel game. There are mini-games in it as well.

Oh, there is the DSi mention. Silly me.

40 min and not one DSi mention. Hmm.

James Patterson’s Women’s Murder Club game/interactive novel is coming to the DS

Cammie’s back on stage. Meanwhile, I’m wondering if Golden Sun GBA carts will unlock extra content in Golden Sun DS.

(I knew you’d love that). Returns after six years away from systems.

It’s looking gorgeous. We’re seeing video sequences and in-game exploration now.

I was NOT expecting that! I thought he was building up to the Zelda Spirit Tracks game.

2010! GOLDEN SUN DS!!!!

It’ll be out in North America and Europe in the Fall.

We’re seeing a nice intro video for the game. Apparently Mario and Luigi get sucked inside Bowser and have to get out.

Oh! Mario & Luigi RPG: Bowser’s Inside Story is coming to North America.

Bowser “that long-time bad guy, really does suck.”

(A couple of the game voices sound like a less annoying Jennifer Tilly – why doesn’t she do more voice over work? Oh, wait, I just answered that.)

It’s basically the Japanese trailers we’ve seen, only with English voice acting and text.

Now Reggie’s talking about the Sept 29, 2009 release of Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days.

It’s looking really good. We’re seeing gameplay video of battles, FMVs and world exploration.

Nope, we’re hearing about Square Enix’s Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers

Could this be about Zelda?

Now Reggie’s discussing RPGs.

More 3rd Party games were sold for the Wii and DS than any other platforms last year.

Another EA Tennis game will use it as well, but I caught the name. Reggie admits that every real world flaw will appear in the game, due to Wii Motion Plus. Red Steel 2 will require Wii Motion Plus to play.

Virtua Tennis 2009 will come with Wii Motion Plus as well.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 will include Wii Motion Plus

Wii Sports Resort’ll be out July 26, 2009.

Reggie’s made a surprise comeback! 19 to 17!

Bill’s winning, 11 to 4. Seems like a real 3 point contest.

It turns out they aren’t playing one-on-one. Instead, they’re seeing who can shoot the most baskets.

Reggie back on stage to shoot some hoops. They crack wise about the poor archery score.

And now he just missed. He’s bringing out Reggie to play Basketball with him.

Wow. He just got a 7!

The archery looks great. I like the blur outside of your center of vision. Camera auto zooms as you shoot.

Now, he’s showing us how archery works. The nunchuk controls the string, the remote the bow. Release a nunchuk button and the arrow flies off toward the target.

Skydiving is how you get to WiiSports Resort. They are really pushing the WiiMotionPlus and saying it’s much more than the WiiMote.

That intro alone is enough to sell me on Wii Sports Resort.

Skydiving – the WiiMote was super-imposed on the Mii to show the precision of the control.

I never thought skydiving could look so adorable. He’s linking together his skydiving Mii with lots of other Miis.

First, we’re watching Bill’s Mii jump out of an airplane to the resort. He’s skydiving!

All those events/actions with Miis. Now, we’re going to see Bill Trennan again and a demonstration of Wii Sports Resort with Wii Motion Plus.

A smattering of applause.

Now these images are combined with a what looks like a new version of Wii Sports. We’re seeing kayaking, archery, basketball, frisbee and sword slicing.

I do like that it will round out the WiiMote. They are showing a video of live action people playing various sports with a WiiMote – sorry, WiiMotionPlus. A lot of slo mo and background grids as if they motion captured everyone.

We’re now seeing a video montage of athletes, warriors and players using a Wii Remote with Wii Motion Plus attached. They’re basically performing the same actions they would if the Wii Remote didn’t have the Motion Plus tacked onto the end.

Again with the “Plus”

“Next advance in game control that takes us from [WiiMote] to [brighter WiiMote].” It’s the new adapter, WiiMotionPlus adapter that appears to click to the back of the WiiMote. Changes the profile a little so the controller is more rounded than square. “An unprecedented level of physical reality by adding precision control.”

Supposedly, Wii Motion Plus will make games feel and play more realistically. Reggie keeps saying physical reality and precision control.

Oh, it’s just Motion Plus.

“Primary weapon for all of this is ‘interface.’” (Screams of Ubisoft’s “confluence.”)

Sounds like he’s here to announce a new controller.

Reggie Fils-Aime takes the stage.

Somehow, I get the feeling that it’ll attract more people who don’t already own Wii Fit, than people who already own it. Reggie Fils-Amie just stepped up.

“WiiFitPlus Should keep Wii right where it’s always been – top of mind.”

It’ll arrive as a bundle with a balance board and as a stand-alone game.

15 new balance games are added. Perfect 10 to try and get number combos that total 10 is one. There’s also a juggling game. And, there’s even one where you go through an obstacle course as Mario.

“Think of this as Brain Age for your back side.”

“This can’t be entirely about fitness. What makes this ‘Nintendo’ is that this is also fun.”

You can omit exercise interludes, target certain body areas and keep track of calories you’ve burned.

6 new strength and yoga aerobic activities appear in Wii Fit Plus.

WiiFitPlus – apparently “Plus” is the new “i” (which was the new “2.0″) for new product naming.

Wii Fit Plus! It helps you find a workout routine that’s perfect for you.

Was it 3 seconds? I’m not sure. Well, you have to touch the flag quickly for extra points.

Now they are targeting “all consumers.” “Millions of people who never stepped up to gaming until they stepped on this.” Shows the WiIFit board.

New Wii Fit announcement!

30 or 3 seconds? He said 3 but probably meant more.

Holiday 2009 for New Super Mario Bros. Wii. It’s playable at E3.

Cammie, as Mario, came in fourth.

The screen pans out if players are spread out a lot. If the lead player moves too far ahead, the players who are slacking fail. At the end of the level is the typical flag and castle. After one person touches it, everyone else has to touch it in 30 seconds to get bonus points.

Camera also pans back for view of more players and to see more of the sky (and underground) as well. Plenty of hidden areas as well.

The newest transformation is Propeller Mario. You can spin around to fly, or find new areas or attack.

Propeller suit – sweet.

All four players are using Wii remotes in the vertical position to play. There’s single player and multiplayer. Sounds like you can switch between them on the fly.

not just “more levels,” but more players, Multiplater. The background looks shaded (and faded), which is more accurate. Platforms are rounded. Lots more angles and rounded areas than earlier Mario games. Rock patterns are not as replicated and have more texture and less repeated.

You can pick up other players. When people die and come back, they arrive in a bubble. You can play co-op or try to beat out everyone else.

Bill Trennen says that more players is the key. Cammie comes on with three other people. Mario, Luigi and two different color Toads appear on the screen.

New Super Mario Bros. 3 – Bill Trennen comes on to explain.

We saw a Mario montage lead into an announcement. She mentioned bringing Mario into the 4D realm. New Super Mario Brothers for Wii is the game!

New Mario game!

Cammie Dunaway is discussing how Nintendo’s trying to reach the people who aren’t typically defined as gamers. Everyone’s Game seems to be the catchphrase for the keynote.

The conference starts with a flashy video of gamers holding Nintendo controllers and cool poses.

We’re seeing a lot of catch phrases on the screens. Games for Everyone. Stuff like that. Cammie Dunaway is taking the stage.

Probably a lot of fitness games as well – that sees to be esp. popular now – “think green, think lean?”

And so it begins.

I’m guessing this will be mainly big DS announcements, like US localizations of Warioware Made in Ore, Tomodachi Connection and Wagamama Girl’s Fashion Mode.

I’m thinking WiiMotionPlus will be a big deal this conference since it’s already been mentioned by Ubisoft and EA.

Hi everyone. Nintendo’s press conference starts any momemt now. So we’re just waiting for it to begin!