NoA planning a big show this year for E3

[Julius Seeker]

<a href="http://www.gametrailers.com/gametrailer ... d=0">Video interview with Reggie Fils Aime, gametrailers</a>.

The video is a bit old, but gives some good info.

The show may have become less commercial, but it looks like it may remain a very important show for information. In short, Nintendo says they're going to unveil what they have in store for the second half of 2008 on the Wii at E3; including a major title to be released this holiday season that everyone will want to play.

Speculation on what it could be? I really don't know, with Zelda, Mario, and Smash already out of the gate, and Mario Kart not too far ahead, Nintendo has already released all of their traditional flagship titles. A Donkey Kong title was mentioned, and I would really like to see one since nothing substantial has been released in the series since the N64 days.

What could it be? There are a number of major franchises Nintendo has not released yet: Animal Crossing, Donkey Kong, Kirby, and Star Fox. of course, it could be something completely new as well. Miyamoto did confirm that one more Zelda game will make it to the Wii (this was around the launch of the system), but I would say that is going to be 2009 or 2010 since Zelda titles are rarely released close together.

My personal opinion, the major game will be Animal Crossing. My reasoning is that Nintendo announced at GDC that they would be releasing a game which utilizes a payment plan for online service; Nintendo launched their original WiFi service with Animal Crossing on DS, the game went on to be a massive success selling 10 million units. Animal Crossing would be the perfect title to launch their subscription service, and also the perfect title to come with a pack in storage device. Finally, of the franchises that Nintendo hasn't released yet on Wii, it is the biggest.

I do think there is the possibility of Donkey Kong, Kirby, and Star Fox to get released as well in the second half; but I don't think any of these games would be the major holiday season title. A Kid Icarus game is also on the way and I would guess it'll be for this year.

[Chris]

my guess......kid icarus.....

[Zeus]

Pikmin is almost a guarantee as is Mario Party 9. Beyond that not so sure. Star Fox they've fucking killed, the only version I'd want right now is #2 released on the VC (the SNES one that was finished but never released). DK is a very strong possibility, he's popular enough to make a splash even if Bongo Blast and Jungle Beat sold brutally. Kirby would be HUGE in Japan although not so sure how big it would be here.

Maybe we'll see a new IP or an Icarus game like Chris said? They did have Pit in SSMBB after all, they could be bringing him back.

[Eric]

Star Fox 64 was my favorite one.

[Zeus]

Star Fox 64 was my favorite one.

For sure, but we all have that one. I want the finished one that was only released on ROMs. Or even that Competition version one.

As an aside: why the FUCK hasn't Nintendo released Mother 1? We all know they translated it (how the fuck do they think a fan got a translated cart?). They're really lovin' to screw us on this Mother thing, aren't they? Thank the Lord for the Mother 3 translation guys.

[RentCavalier]

Star Fox 64 was my favorite one.

For sure, but we all have that one. I want the finished one that was only released on ROMs. Or even that Competition version one.

As an aside: why the FUCK hasn't Nintendo released Mother 1? We all know they translated it (how the fuck do they think a fan got a translated cart?). They're really lovin' to screw us on this Mother thing, aren't they? Thank the Lord for the Mother 3 translation guys.

Didn't the Mother 3 guys, like, quit or something?

[Zeus]

Star Fox 64 was my favorite one.

For sure, but we all have that one. I want the finished one that was only released on ROMs. Or even that Competition version one.

As an aside: why the FUCK hasn't Nintendo released Mother 1? We all know they translated it (how the fuck do they think a fan got a translated cart?). They're really lovin' to screw us on this Mother thing, aren't they? Thank the Lord for the Mother 3 translation guys.

Didn't the Mother 3 guys, like, quit or something?

Nope, they merged

http://mother3.fobby.net/

[Julius Seeker]

Star Fox 64 was my favorite one.

For sure, but we all have that one. I want the finished one that was only released on ROMs. Or even that Competition version one.

As an aside: why the FUCK hasn't Nintendo released Mother 1? We all know they translated it (how the fuck do they think a fan got a translated cart?). They're really lovin' to screw us on this Mother thing, aren't they? Thank the Lord for the Mother 3 translation guys.

Yes, they don't treat us Mother/Earthbound fans very well... I am seriously screaming for an official release of the first two titles on VC or a package of the trilogy on DS. A new official release in the series is LOOONG overdue, and the hardcore fans of the series are still continuously waiting and asking about it every day after 10-11 years. I mean, how many games have SUCH an active cult-hardcore fansbase as Earthbound? Actually, I can't imagine we won't see something this year, particularly after recent pressure on Nintendo from Starmen.net. Then again, I was fairly sure we would have seen something last year, and it is already almost April.


Speaking of cult-classics, I am eagerly anticipating the release of Soul Blazer. I REALLY want that one, Illusion, and Terranigma.

As for Kirby, very strong possibility, Kirby Superstar is receiving a DS remake. It was originally announced for VC back around Wii launch time.

[RentCavalier]

I'd love a Wii Kirby, especially if they put it in the vein of Mario Galaxy.

Kirby Galaxy!

[Zeus]

I say once the Starman guys get really close to releasing a patch, Nintendo will send them a C&D. It happened with Konami and the Rondo incident about 10 years ago. If there's one thing that Nintendo fights to the death it's to protect their right to control their properties as they please. We'll probably have to dig around for an underground release of the patch, which I'll do.

There's a VERY slight off-chance that Nintendo just steals the patch (if you read the progress, there's some insane hacking going on with the text; that level of effort is likely why they're not translating it themselves) from them (well, at an unfairly reduced price in the light of a lawsuit) and releases the game themselves through special order or something. But that's extremely unlikely

[Julius Seeker]

Well, NoA reps publicly acknowledged that they're looking forward to the patch. So maybe Nintendo will allow them to pitch and then contract them.

[Zeus]

Well, NoA reps publicly acknowledged that they're looking forward to the patch. So maybe Nintendo will allow them to pitch and then contract them.

NoA might like it but you think they make decisions on games being released here? This is a Japanese company we're talking about, they trust their American counterparts with their IPs about as much as you can trust Michael Jackson babysitting your younger brother.

They get told what they're going to release and they have to make the best of it. I promise you, NoA would have been all OVER releasing Mother 3 here, they ain't that stupid.

[Julius Seeker]

Well, NoA reps publicly acknowledged that they're looking forward to the patch. So maybe Nintendo will allow them to pitch and then contract them.

NoA might like it but you think they make decisions on games being released here? This is a Japanese company we're talking about, they trust their American counterparts with their IPs about as much as you can trust Michael Jackson babysitting your younger brother.

They get told what they're going to release and they have to make the best of it. I promise you, NoA would have been all OVER releasing Mother 3 here, they ain't that stupid.

Well what is confusing people is that everyone at NoA is aware of the project (both Reggie and Nintendo Power Magazine spoke on it) and that no lawsuit, not even a complaint was made; a complaint or lawsuit would be highly expected from a company like Nintendo. In fact what has happened is that essentially the opposite has happened; Nintendo reps have actually praised the efforts of the team; this is in the midst of Nintendo slamming down lawsuits against piracy of their other products.