E3 2017: The five best games from Nintendo's keynote
All the details on the games giant's conference, from Super Mario Odyssey to the first Zelda DLC
Nintendo's games conference at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) last night was only half the length of its competitors' but still still managed to pack in a bunch of new game releases and expansion announcements.
Highlights included gameplay footage of Zelda: Breath of the Wild's first expansion pack and the unveiling of a Pokemon role-playing game for the all-in-one Switch console.
Here are the five best games from Nintendo's E3 keynote.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Metroid Prime 4
Nintendo Switch players can look forward to an all-new Metroid game, the first major release in the series since Metroid Prime: Trilogy launched on the Wii in 2009.
Trilogy took the form of a 3D first-person shooter, with players controlling the cyber suit-wearing Samos as she fights against space pirates.
However, details of Metroid Prime 4 are being kept under wraps for now and Nintendo only showed a brief title screen to confirm the sci-fi shooter is in development.
Pokemon for Switch
Most Pokemon games launch on Nintendo's portable systems, but developer Game Freak has announced plans to create a fully-fledged version for the all-in-one Switch console.
No details or gameplay footage were announced at the conference and IGN expects players will have to wait more than a year to get their hands on the game.
Super Mario Odyssey
Nintendo unveiled an extended gameplay trailer of its upcoming Super Mario title featuring the Italian plumber clambering over a dinosaur and riding around a city's streets on a scooter.
New gameplay feature also revealed players can throw Mario's hat to take over enemy bodies, says Kotaku, a feature that could be used to take over a Bullet Bill and "ride across gaps" in the terrain.
Super Mario Odyssey is due to arrive in October, exclusively on the Nintendo Switch.
Yoshi's 2D platformer
Super Mario's trusty dinosaur sidekick Yoshi gets a dedicated 2D side-scrolling platformer similar to the Paper Mario series.
The game world has a cardboard and paper mache style to it, says Polygon, and players can interact with items and throw eggs at enemies. Yoshi can also collect coins and swallow enemies using his long tongue.
Yoshi's Nintendo Switch adventure arrives next year.
Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Master of Trials
Gameplay footage of the first downloadable content (DLC) pack for Nintendo's critically acclaimed Zelda: Breath of the Wild also featured in the company's conference.
The expansion adds a new game mode called Trial of the Sword, which The Verge says will see players "forced to fight waves of enemies" without the use of the equipment gathered in the main game's campaign. Completing these trials adds power to the Master Sword, "allowing it to deal double damage at all times".
Nintendo briefly mentioned the game's second DLC pack, The Ballad of Champions, although no gameplay was mentioned. It's expected to reach Zelda players "this holiday season", adds The Verge.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - November 2, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - anti-fascism, early voter turnout, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
Netflix's epic quest into gaming
Under the radar The streaming giant's entry into the video game industry has been a slow burn, but that could change soon.
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Pong at 50: the video game that ‘changed the world’
Under the Radar Atari’s breakthrough invention remains a ‘touchstone’ in the history of gaming
By Julia O'Driscoll Published
-
Lamborghini V12 Vision Gran Turismo: a preview of the rumoured Aventador successor?
In Depth Radical virtual concept to join Gran Turismo Sport roster next spring
By The Week Staff Published
-
The Last of Us Part II: latest trailer, new features, plot details and release date
In Depth Sequel finally set to arrive after seven-year wait - here are all the details
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Mario Kart Tour: what is the game and how much does it cost to play?
In Depth Nintendo’s mobile racer launches today
By The Week Staff Published
-
WRC 8 review: racing’s most underrated gaming franchise?
The Week Recommends Kylotonn’s latest rally game boasts a revamped handling model and F1-inspired career mode
By The Week Staff Published
-
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2019 - why is it so controversial?
The Week Recommends Rebooted shooter launches amid criticism over its portrayal of Russians
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Grid 2019 game review: can it match the highs of F1 2019?
The Week Recommends Codemasters’ revamped racer lands this week. Here’s what you need to know
By The Week Staff Last updated