Nintendo Direct: E3 2019 Post Reaction

If Microsoft’s failure this year spelled disappointment for the conference than Nintendo’s monumental display of prowess proved to be its salvation. Right from the outset, Nintendo demonstrated its dedication to rectifying everything the company had done wrong with its previous flagship console the Wii U. The Switch is by far a different type of beast, a hybrid handheld system that proves graphical strength can never compare to great games. Everything from Nintendo’s conference is spot on, from the new Smash Bros DLC to the Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild sequel. Fans were immediately greeted to some amazing exclusives that Microsoft simply could not compete with. Nintendo delivers on everything it promised with its new console and its 2019 direct is proof of this guarantee. 

The Highlights 

One of the greatest aspects of Nintendo’s showcase is the exclusive content viewers got to see in their press conference. Luigi’s Mansion 3 for instance, highlights the depth of creativity Nintendo has delved into in order to promote its mascot franchises. Even the new Banjo Kazooie DLC character pack in Smash Bros adds a level of variety to a game full of diversity. For two years now, one of the Switch’s main criticisms has come from its constant rehashing of Wii U ports at a full mark up. Now, it appears the Switch is focusing on new content and killer apps that push its hardware to the limits. Link’s Awakening, for example, symbolizes the company’s desire to transcend its predecessors’ mistakes. Rather than simply porting over the original title from years ago, the Switch is giving co summers a full-on remake that adds tons of graphical updates, new maps to explore, and an art style that resembles a stop motion animated spectacle. Such exclusivity of each title gives fanboys a sense of satisfaction that had not been seen by this company in the previous console generation. 

Remakes And Ports Done Right

Even with all the new games arriving this year on the Switch, that does not mean this year’s direct did not have its share of cross-platform ports and remakes. The biggest shocker came from the revelation of a high definition remastering of Panzer Dragoon, a run n’ gun shooter from the old Sega Saturn days. The trailer looked absolutely stunning and for all those familiar with the world of gaming, this game is a much-beloved part of an even greater long forgotten 32-bit franchise. The fact that Nintendo and Sega are partnering up for this remaster is spine tingling. Such surprises made this year’s direct worth revisiting. This degree of surprise was seriously lacking in Microsoft’s demonstration. 

The Disappointments 

With all the success of Nintendo’s conference, there were some mediocre revelations that felt more like s library filler than genuine releases. For instance, the rerelease of Resident Evil 5 and 6 on the Switch seems more like a cash grab by Capcom than true fan service. To release these mediocre entries in the storied franchise at full price is laughable at first, but disgraceful in the long run. Truly unnecessary when one considers the releases on display they have to compete with. Even the Witcher 3, which releases this fall, feels tacked on in retrospect. Having shared the console screen with Nintendo’s adversaries, such a port is inconsequential when compared to the rest of the show’s highlights. In the end, though, these are but minor blips when compared to the rest of Nintendo’s showcase and we must all thank the gaming Gods for it.