I would also be interested hear from those people who haven't already purchased a Wii U. Have any of these announcements convinced you to purchase one?
I had a friend over after work to watch the Direct presentation with me. He's never really "experienced e3", so his views on what to expect were set fairly low. Also, keep in mind that he watched both Microsoft and Sony conferences with me yesterday, too.
Back-story on my friend: He's a very artsy person. He
likes Nintendo...sorta, LOVES Pokémon, is a competitive Smash player, but typically plays his PS3 for Guitar Hero and various third-party titles. He doesn't know much about the industry other than he's gone on record saying,
"I've noticed more and more games are looking brownish and greyish lately." He plays a lot of Call of Duty with his younger brother and cousin. My friend is 21.
First thing shown is
Pokémon - he spazzes out over the game. Can't wait to play it. Was already aware of the new Fairy type. Excited.
Super Mario 3D Land plays out - he's impressed, but not so much by the graphics...more on the new cat suit powerup. Says it looks fun. Next big reveal is
Mario Kart 8 - his jaw hits the floor and says,
"I can't believe how incredible that looks!" Was in awe.
Wii Party U / Wii Fit U - doesn't really care for these.
Art Academy software shows - is in disbelief how great a lot of that demoed artwork looks. Tells me I'll really be able to go crazy with my #SmashBrosInitiative Miiverse posts. (I liked that he remembered that...haha.)
Wind Waker HD - says he likes Zelda games. Ocarina remake on 3DS was his first foray into the series. WWHD really blew him away (no pun intended). It's at this point he says,
"Man, I have GOT to get a Wii U soon." Next is
DKC:Tropical Freeze - game has him smiling ear-to-ear. Says it looks incredible. LOVES the fur effect on DK.
"Yep. I'm getting a Wii U." X trailer plays - sits up in his seat. Jaw hits the floor again. Says the game looks as good as the games shown yesterday during MS and Sony's conferences. (I don't care what anyone says, Wii U can hold its own against MS and Sony's machines.) At this point, his hype meter has reached its peak, btw. And we all know what game is shown next...
Super Smash Bros. - Same thing. Jaw hits the floor. Villager character has him LOLing. Says game looks unreal. (I tell him that Sakurai typically goes all out, and is quite good at HD development - after all, Brawl's assets were developed in HD). Oh, but then Mega Man debuts in Brawl... (keep in mind, I was betting before we watched this Direct, that the Man that is Mega would debut in Brawl.) ...my friend flips a freaking lid, stands up and high-fives me, and just goes overall crazy for the game.
"Man, yeah. That's gonna be the best Smash Bros. ever!" Reiterates that he's going to buy a Wii U this fall. Really wants Mario Kart 8 and Wind Waker HD.
So, yeah. Nintendo's Direct really had a positive influence over a gamer who typically doesn't follow Nintendo and their games. I'd say they did a good job. There's a lot to look forward to over the next 6 months leading into autumn.
EDIT: Forgot to include Wondeful 101 and Bayonetta 2 in that summary, but my friend is excited for those games. Said W101 looks like Pikmin on acid, and Bayonetta is a game he could see himself getting in to.
Topic: So, we know what's freely coming to the Wii U for the year. That's SUPER! (Read 14697 times)
