Metroid Prime: Blast Ball, Mario Tennis; Ultra Smash, Zelda:Triforce Heroes, and more!
Over the course of E3, I had decided that I needed to go back to Nintendo every chance I got and it was a good thing that I did. They were giving out special Mario-centric pins based on Super Mario Maker with each completed demo and I love me some Super Mario! Let’s get right into Nintendo on the show floor
The big selling point for Nintendo at this year’s E3 was Star Fox Zero (which you can read about here) but Mario’s 30th anniversary was a close second. Hot off the heels of the Nintendo World Championships, Super Mario Maker was shown off and the devilish minds of people were on full display. One created level had you keep track of the “P” switch that you needed at the end of the level but you had to watch out for the fireballs coming out of the pipes. Another level had you blind jump down, aiming for a small opening. There was a beanstalk at the start, which tricks you into thinking you can just climb down and avoid everything, but that would be too easy. Nintendo fans have been asking to create their own Mario levels for years and they finally get their wish with Super Mario Maker!
Next up was team combat with Metroid Prime: Federation Force and the demo was Blast Ball. This was a three on three-soccer/hockey game where players control robot mechs to perform co-op missions. Federation Force, the full game wasn’t on the show floor but it will be team oriented, like I just mentioned where players will have to work together to complete objectives. Teamwork was an ongoing theme at E3 this year for Nintendo as The Legend of Zelda: Triforce Heroes was on display too.
The Legend of Zelda: Triforce Heroes has you teaming up with three of your friends or three computer-controlled players. This adventure has costumes with specific abilities because the world the game takes place cares a lot about fashion! That could mean one player has the sword attacks or one player has the specific attack you need. One thing I learned from the demo is that teamwork is key. If you don’t work with your team, you’ll get absolutely no where. The team before my team died again and again but my team, who worked together, made the demo look easy. It’s all about how you play it!
Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash was the perfect sports game for Mario on his 30th anniversary since he can harken back to his early years of refereeing. All kidding aside, Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash is a good addition to the Mario Tennis franchise. The demo looked like it didn’t have too many crazy special attacks or power shots. The only power shot in the demo was the Mega Mushroom roaming the court and making Mario and/or Bowser grow bigger! The Mega Mushroom is supposed to make shots easier but you’re larger and thus have trouble going across the court. That’s the weakness of being large and in charge but I will end with this, I totally destroyed the guy I played in the demo!
