Going into E3 here is my "state of da industwy" address:
Sony
Not a fan of PlayStation, not a fan of Sony's recent SJW censorship, not a fan of no cross-play with them...so not really looking forward to PS5. They said they wouldn't be @ E3...and they didn't, which then means they could bait Microsoft to reveal their new hardware.
Microsoft
But they didn't reveal the next XBOX, they talked it up a lot using buzzwords as they do and they did a tradition stage show, but it was pretty fast-forward boring. I see Microsoft as being on their way out of the hardware business. Project Scarlet isn't vaporware, it's coming, and I'm sure it'll be nice for those into that, but overall I see the XBOX business moving away from hardware and instead to software: os, ui, dev tools, online, streaming, stores, XBOX Live & Game Pass as the platform that they will be bringing to hardware outside their own (PC, smartphones, even competitors). This is smart for them, a "way out" on bleeding money hardware. There still is a next XBOX, of course, but I see them aiming that at the premium customer and already talking down userbase sales. The real money for them will be software, even on other platforms. Not a fan of XBOX, but with them buddying up to Nintendo, I'm cool with Game Pass games coming (like Cuphead), Banjo-Kazooie in Smash and it'd be cool if Rare (Rare Replay, Banjo, Killer Instinct, Battletoads, etc.) came to Switch...
Google Playdia
Who cares...really. Everyone is gonna be streaming games, it's not exclusive to you, Google! The aim with this is that BS Utopian future where we pay 20 different bills a month to Google, Hulu, Amazon, Microsoft, WB, Netflix, Disney, etc. and anyone else who wants to leverage their content to make you pay for (literally) nothing...you don't have rights to what you pay for...you can't hold it, collect it, use it, own it...it's there's to make you jump through hoops to taste it or take it away on a whim. In the mean time, the content isn't new, the service will have lag no matter what and this opens the door for other companies to come in and do the same, only with their own original stuff you have to pay them to get. This kinda stuff always sounds good on paper, but you don't own it, you pay for it, but it's not yours like physical media is. What's funny is, as I was watching the presentation for this live on YouTube the video stream for it was lagging and bumped down in resolution and Google servers in general were choking on games from the Google Play store...all while they're boasting there would be no streaming problems. Yeah, I believe that!
EA
Woo Star Wars Force Unleashed again...oh wait, it's something else? Same difference. EA sucks and this new Star Wars game will be $60 to $100 (special editions) at launch, but will quickly lose value and be in the bargain bins soon after...just like Battlefront...just wait and see. Someone else needs the Star Wars license...even the new Lego Star Wars will do better. Sorry, EA shit-porting to Nintendo platforms for generations means they're dead to me. They gonna make a new EA Sports game for Switch with kiddie big heads...they never learned. Make more Def Jam & Street sports games EA, all your other shit is tired, including Madden.
Activision/Blizzard
This giant merged company will split apart one day, WOW can only carry the Activision side for so long. Like EA, shit-porting to Nintendo makes them irrelevant to me and, it seems, to other game players...COD only comes once a year...and they leave a lot of money on the table ignoring Nintendo with it.
SEGA
The thing to focus on here with Sega is the new mini Genesis they're making which now has (non-functioning) Sega CD & 32X ornaments for it...ha ha. With so many game collections out there containing these titles, I don't think this machine is worth it, though...
Atari
Still a no show on the new VCS. I smell vaporware scam on that!
NAMCO Bandai
Nothing really of note, to me. New DBZ game, again. God Eater 3 is coming, as well as this popular arcade fishing game...
Square Enix
Not a fan of Square...except Seiken Densetsu (Mana series) and they had nothing at their conference on that...just delayed FF7 remaster bla bla bla. That made the Mana games that much sweeter to be unveiled by Nintendo instead (great that Nintendo got to do it and 3RD parties are letting them be the ones to announce these things) since it was more of a surprise. My friend is glad they're remaking FF8 on Switch! Controversy over Tifa's breast reduction, too...ha ha ha...ethics committee, pffft ha ha ha
CAPCOM
DMC HD coming to Switch (not even an official look from CAPCOM?)...is this for your chance to get Dante in Smash, CAPCOM? Oh more RE ports, great...oh, digital-only future, wakka wakka wakka. No Dino Crisis remake, either.
Konami
They're redeeming themselves to me a lil' bit by doing more with what they've been sitting on...guaranteed it's 'cos of Bomberman's success on Switch. But still too much digital-only business, Konami...come on! Metal Gear Solid remake? No Kojima, no Switch...oh well. They did announce an interesting mini-console, though...
Bethesda
Caught up in pre-E3 hype I caught this conference live and it was mostly good. DOOM Eternal & Wolfenstein Youngblood coming to Switch like it's a big-boy console...good! Waggle Elder Scrolls Blades, though...not so good...thought the days of these throw-away games being put on Nintendo platforms was done? Maybe I'm being too harsh? They're also developing streaming middleware tools and showed of a (bad?) mobile Kommander Keen game. Then one of my favorite creators, Shiji Mikami (Clock Tower, RE, DMC, God Hand, etc.), came out with this cute girl to show off their new natural/super-natural mystery game that Bathesda is publishing: Ghostwire Tokyo...probably won't be on Switch, but game looks interesting...
Devolver Digital
These presentations for the last few E3's have been very entertaining and they throw some support Nintendo's way. I love that this year they went for a Nintendo Direct style...
Limited Run Games
Trying to be funny like Devolver Digital but failing...yet I love the work this small company does so I watched. These guys show that there is a demand for physical over digital and also what the big boys should be doing! I mean if these lil' guys can bring out hard copies of stuff in this digital age, what's CAPCOM, Konami & other companies' excuse? On with what they showed: a re-release of another CD-ROM FMV classic on modern consoles: Corpse Killer (hopefully on Switch later?) and a deal to re-release classic Star Wars games (that has a lot of promise) so look out EA!
1UP Arcade
I'm on the fence about 1UP Arcade machines. They're small and don't seem durable, but they've been making some good game selections. In this video they're showing of Star Wars, CAPCOM Marvel (with Marvel Super Heroes, X-MEN Children of the Atom & The Punisher) & 4-Player TMNT (with TMNT Arcade & Turtles in Time) and they're lookin' tempting...
Before E3, Nintendo hosted Splatoon & Smash tournaments, but the inventation I found fun to watch was for Super Mario Maker 2...
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Nintendo Direct for E3 2019
I like the overall flow of this Nintendo Direct...all about software, no hints to new hardware (even though most "industwy" people thought that was what they'd show) and there was a lot of software they covered quickly (not wasting too much time) with plenty of surprises. Humorous way to bring in Reggie's NOA replacement: Doug Bowser, too...very entertaining presentation overall.
Dragon Quest Hero in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
This is to celebrate the long history of DQ on Nintendo platforms that I welcome. The Dragon Ball universe (also Akira Toriyama art) wouldn't fit with Smash Bros. but this is the closest thing to it. Love that each costume is a different hero from each DQ game (including Dragon Warrior/DQ1's hero)!
Luigi's Mansion 3
Love the Gooigi reveal with his abilities & weaknesses, co-op and (4 swords-esque) multiplayer for this.
The Dark Crystal Tactics
Total shock to me 'cos I love The Dark Crystal and I didn't even know about there was a new Netflix series coming! Not really into these type of tactical genre games, but this could lead to other games based on The Dark Crystal that I'd like to see.
The Legend of Zelda Link's Awakening
Was already looking forward to this, but then they added a new dungeon maker into it...wow...think of the potential for The Legend of Zelda Maker someday?
We later find out through Nintendo E3 2019 TreeHouse that there's a new cute Link's Awakening Amiibo and that this dungeon maker will use Zelda Amiibo's to add elements to the editor. Side note: yes, that is the Dan Owsen (for you long time Nintendo nuts) and the hot Audrey Drake (from the Nintendo TreeHouse where they showed off Breath of the Wild gameplay for the first time).
Trials of Mana & Collection of Mana
Some get real emotional about Final Fantasy...me...it's Secret of Mana. Square had brought out a Secret of Mana remake on PS4 and a Seiken Densetsu Collection in Japan and it has been a dream of mine to have these stateside on Switch. So glad the dream is coming true. So far, no Secret of Mana remake on Switch (why not???), but there is Trials of Mana (a Seiken Densetsu 3 remake which is a big deal as it's never officially been released in the west before) and then they announced Collection of Mana for the west! Amazing!
This is the TreeHouse for the games, but in a later interview those heading up these games said they didn't realize there was much of a following for Mana in the west...what...seriously...how did they not know? After many failed attempts on PlayStation, GameBoy Advance & Nintendo DS at psuedo-sequels to originals you'd think they knew that it was Seiken Densetsu 2 & 3 that were popular...even spawning fan-made translations & ROM hacks from years ago! The best selling is Secret of Mana on SNES...again...how did they not know people wanted this? Then we also find out that the reason Square could never officially translate Seiken Densetsu 3 (which they're now calling Trials of Mana) is 'cos they lost the source code to many of their early games! Nintendo still had their source code, though...so...boom, Trials of Mana & an English Collection on Switch. Thank you, Nintendo! Cause for concern: still no Secret of Mana remake on Switch and that they're changing the Seiken Densetsu 3 remake which will take out co-op (why?). The Collection of Mana will still retain Secret of Mana's (3-player) & Trials of Mana's (2-player) original co-op! Side note: I want that Rabite plushie!
Fire Emblem The Three Houses
Coming so soon, can't wait...grrr...so many good games coming this year!
Resident Evil on Switch
RE0 & RE1 are already in the Origins pack, plus there's RE Chronicles & RE4 and now they've announced RE5 & RE6 are cmoing so that's good! But what about the true remakes of RE1, RE2, RE3 and a port of RE7 (on Nintendo Labo VR)? Still dreaming for those!
No More Heroes 3
Travis Touchdown is back! Here's the full Grasshopper Manufacture "Fuckhead" Trailer...
Contra: Rogue Corps
They already blew my mind with Mana coming back...now Contra?! Wow. Cause for concern: seems to be like the lesser 3D PlayStation-type Contra's (would prefer 2D Nintendo-type Contra's), but it's from the original makers of Contra III: Alien Wars (SNES) & Contra: Hard Corps (Genesis) so that's good. 4-Player...yes! Guns will overheat now, though...and I don't see one-hit kills...this'll be a lil' different gameplay for Contra, but I'm in. In a later interview, I found it funny how the makers blew off questions about the story/characters saying it didn't matter 'cos it's a Contra game...it's about killing stuff, not story. They also pointed out they were against tge idea of DLC for it which is refreshing these days. Then they showed the full (impressive) roster of games on the Contra Anniversary Collection. Konami, finally doing good. Also amazing that 3RD parties are letting Nintendo showcase these games first...great Nintendo Direct & Nintendo E3! Red Band trailer for Contra Rogue Corps...
Panzer Dragoon
Okay...enough of these outta-nowhere announcements! No, keep 'em coming, I hope more of this type of stuff is in our future. A remake of the Sega Saturn classic on Switch! There was talk Panzer Dragoon was coming back...but a full remake...on Nintendo Switch? Shock & awesome!
PokéMon Sword & PokéMon Shield
In revealing more on this Direct it seems they made it a point that you could use the PokéBall Plus as a virtual pet function, but that you may not be able to use it as a controller...maybe they've learned that forced motion control (like in Let's GO) was not liked. In watching the TreeHouse for it, I'm glad the game could be played with a normal controller set-up, the open field (which is very BOTW feeling) could have Let's GO or random-ish encounters, that there were PokéMon GO-esque raids where other players could join and that the menu's/UI were much cleaner than in Let's GO. I think it's lookin' good...but I guess some don't like that all previous PokéMon aren't in it from past games so you can't "catch 'em all" but I don't mind.
Animal Crossing New Horizons
It's getting delayed, but there's already enough games this year for me! It's neat how this series re-invents it's simple idea...this time it's a Gilligan's Island type situation where you have to start from scratch with making everything. Nook celphone...ha ha ha! 8 player online...cool. Little to no interaction with the mobile Animal Crossing Pocket Camp...okay. I love Animal Crossing, but it's a time-zapper...I think if they could somehow go through all past versions and integrate them together for the future (with Mii's & Tomodachi Life, too) and make it a game service & hub then it'd be more convenient to start all over again and make it a part if every day gaming. But I'm dreamin' again. This game will make me start all over again, but I'd prefer my dream to come true..
Banjo-Kazooie in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Nintendo killed this E3! Love the reveal which was much like King K. Rool's reveal. May play similar to Duck Hunt Dog, but still looks different enough. They brought in original artists/musicians for this, too. The design is between the original N64 version and the newer Nuts'n'Bolts character models...could this be the new design for a future Banjo game...would such a game be the same when most original Rare Banjo team left (working on Yuka-Laylee) and could such a game appear on Switch? This is a shock as this is a former Nintendo property, but who's maker (Rare) is owned by Nintendo competitor, Microsoft. Really makes you wonder what else Microsoft may do for Nintendo in the future?
The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild sequel
The "one last surprise" was a sequel to BOTW. Not much info, yet this was the most talked about thing of E3. They had to point out that this wouldn't be like Majora's Mask was to the Occarina of Time, though. A continuation of the BOTW story, maybe Hyrule will get bigger or deeper, maybe they'll add co-op playing as Link & Zelda together?
Other Games:
-Witcher 3 had been rumored for a while and many thought it'd be too hard to port to Switch...wrong...and it's believed this Switch cartridge will be 32GB which is near Blu-Ray disc level of storage! Not really something I'll get, but good to see more serious (in content & technical prowess) games.
-Deamon X Machina looks great & HORI announced a new set of Switch JoyCons for it. With this, Astral Chain, Fire Emblem & others all having such an anime look that, this may attract or detract certain audiences.
-Astral Chain from Platinum Games also looks good, but I thought the mechanized look to the Chimeras on a leash make them more like harnessed mechs than they do leashed legion/demons...which doesn't seem to fit to me? Maybe they wanted it too look more futuristic and/or less like Bayonetta? I like how you can control your Chimera around an enemy to wrap them up in chains.
-Empire of Sin? Guess I'll have to look into it more 'cos I didn't know what it was...coming off the Astral Chain trailer with the Platinum Games logo made me think it was Bayonetta 3 (set in the past) but I was wrong.
-Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 looks good, too. Still can't believe it's Switch exclusive. They showed it'll have Marvel Knights, X-MEN & Fantastic 4 stuff...but as DLC? Yikes?
-The Sinking City...what's that?
-Dead By Daylight...friends rave about this, gonna look into it.
-Alien Isolation...didn't know this was coming, I thought when this game originally came out it was broken, but people seem happy it's coming to Switch?
-Stranger Things 3...between this and The Dark Crystal, seems Netflix is doing more games...weird to me?
-there were a lot more games but I'm just highlighting things I wanted to point out
Coming away from this Nintendo Direct was very satisfying with so much to look forward to and a bright future for the Switch! They didn't show anything Metroid or Bayonetta (which are still coming, but further out), but that's not really a let-down 'cos there was already so much else they showed. So much coming out just this year and it already feels like next year will be packed, too! All of this, still, with no talk of new hardware...it's about the games!
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Then began the post-E3 struggle to pre-order the new games & Amiibos coming soon. Got all the Amiibos pre-ordered that I could, plus the Link's Awakening Dreamer Edition and Collection of Mana (which is getting a limited (why?) physical release)...but the GameStop clerk looked at me funny when I asked to pre-order Contra: Rogue Corps (still not listed to pre-order yet?). The struggle with this stuff is a topic I think I'll have to write another page for: digital vs physical!
Of the Switch titles I talked about here that I want to get many are digital only or up-in-the-air on whether they're getting a physical release or not...that's so dumb to me. Things from CAPCOM & Konami especially...then there's Square Enix not releasing physical copies of their biggest franchise: Final Fantasy (although, there is a GameFly rental listing for a physical copy of FF8?)...I mean, why?