Afterthoughts on Nintendo and E3 2009

In his biweekly column, "Down. Right. Fierce.," Chris Holzworth explores gaming topics from alternative approaches. Now, he wraps up Nintendo's showing at E3.

Afterthoughts on Nintendo and E3 2009

Well, E3 came and went, and shock and awe: Nintendo actually came through for me – in their own special way. If nothing else, they put on a much better show than they did in 2008. I guess it’s time for Mr. Holzworth to eat some crow, eh? This year was still a bit of a snore-fest, but by dropping a handful of unexpected announcement bombs, Nintendo managed to earn a shiny B- from me. What’s really impressive is that they managed to accomplish this with only three games: New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Super Mario Galaxy 2, and Metroid: Other M.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii appeals to both my nostalgia and my desire to play more platforming titles, particularly of the 2.5D persuasion. But let’s face it: New Super Mario Bros. Wii is just New Super Mario Bros. DS thrown on Wii with four-player co-op slapped in for good measure. Don’t get me wrong, I’m genuinely interested in the game, but I can’t help feeling that NSMB Wii represents the least amount of work Nintendo had to put into developing a game that would instantly appease its core fanbase. Also, what’s the deal with the blue and yellow Toads? Why not include a little more variety? I’d much rather play as Peach or Daisy than an anthropomorphic fungus. Since the game is still a ways off, I’ll go ahead and give Nintendo the benefit of the doubt that the Toad twins aren’t our only option.

As if bouncing around the Mushroom Kingdom weren’t enough, Nintendo also has Mario traipsing about the galaxy once more in Super Mario Galaxy 2. A lot of my colleagues predicted this sequel would be announced at E3, but I honestly didn’t see it coming. Historically, it takes roughly 5 years for a new 3D Mario game to be developed and released (before Super Mario Galaxy in 2007 there was Super Mario Sunshine in 2002, and before that there was Super Mario 64 in 1996). Super Mario Galaxy 2 is a honest-to-goodness Mario sequel, though, so the usual rules need not apply. Trouble is, seeing “more of the same, but new” I couldn’t help but roll my eyes a little. Most of its assets and gameplay mechanics, if not all them, are in place from the first of Galaxy. It just seemed like more lazy development on Nintendo’s part. I just had to put aside my "anti-Nintendoism" and remind myself that the game is a genuine sequel, one set in the same galaxy (pun completely intended), so I guess it makes sense. Besides, it sure beats waiting another five years for a new Mario game.

Metroid: Other M was easily the biggest surprise to come out of Nintendo’s E3 ’09 press conference. I read somewhere that Team Ninja was collaborating with Nintendo on a project for the Wii, but I never imagined that project would turn out to be a Metroid game. I’m a huge fan of the Metroid franchise, so I can’t help but be interested in a new Metroid. Even with my fandom, I’m concerned over Team Ninja’s involvement. Sure, they make great games like Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive, but that’s all they’ve made. While I enjoy combo-chaining mayhem and ultra-violence, that’s a far cry from what Metroid is all about. At its heart, Metroid is about exploration, not combat. For me, what will ultimately make or break this game, is how much of it is 2.5D, which is based on how involved the Metroid Fusion development team is. If it turns out the game is over 60% 2.5D, well, that will put my worries to rest. Until then, pessimism prevails.

Don’t let my penchant for pointing out the flaws in things fool you. I really do feel that Nintendo pulled through, just not quite to the degree that I’d have liked. New Super Mario Bros. Wii and Super Mario Galaxy 2 both constitute platformers, which I wanted more of, and Metroid: Other M – while not the nerdgasm-worthy 2.5D reimagining of Super Metroid that I’d much rather see – still tugs at my heartstrings. Heck, they even pulled the curtain back on Golden Sun DS, which sees the return of a RPG series dear to my heart. Too bad it’s not for Wii. One thing’s for sure, though: Mario is going to need a major vacation in 2010, and Nintendo must still re-evaluate their business plan. They can’t save face by exploiting that poor little Italian plumber year after year. Or maybe they can, who knows?

Chris Holzworth is the creator of new game + and a contributor for Geekadelphia. Feel free to passively stalk him via Twitter.