Pre E3 2012 Nintendo Direct Live Blog

Nintendo jumps the gun on E3 and decides to do a Nintendo Direct presentation right now! I'll be updating the blog as news trickles out. Let's see what comes of it shall we?

3:04: Wii U controller is now dubbed the Wii U Game Pad and does not include the circle pads. Iwata explains why they changed back from circle pads to analog sticks. The sticks will also be clickable. NFC reader for cards and other devices to communicate. The controller will be able to control your TV as well like a remote without the Wii U powered on.

3:10: Nintendo will also offer a Wii U Pro Controller. Looks very similar to XBox 360 controller. Explained as a hardcore controller. All black... ooh so hardcore.

3:13: Now showing a cheesy gamer playing on a black Wii U and game pad. Showing a guy posting to a social network while playing a game, pauses and types a question. Looks like you will have your Mii on a social network format that you can access on the pad at any time. Looks a lot like Twitter.

3:15: The cheesy gamer has a live video chat with someone from the Network that he got an answer from.... not sure if that guy is on his friends list or a random person. Looks like Nintendo is going to build their own social service. Mii characters all over the screen, it's the Wii U menu when you turn on the system. "Mii Wara Wara". Your Miis, your friends, and Miis in your country are grouped in categories by what game they are playing. Even games you may not have on your system. The network interface is called "Miiverse". Can be accessed at anytime even when playing on the TV or Game Pad. Think about having Swapnote and Pictochat in your hands.

3:22: The "Miiverse" network can be used by game developers and integrated into games.

3:25: "Miiverse" will be able to be accessed on Nintendo 3DS, PC, or any Web Device in the future. All linked by the Nintendo Network. Will be the platform to connect all future Nintendo products.

3:26: You can use the Wii U Game Pad to browse the internet and select what content you want to show on the TV separate to what is one the Wii U Game Pad. It's not clear how that will work but seems like an interesting idea. How practical is this?

My Thoughts: It was a short and brief but seems to be very telling of Nintendo's plans. With the Nintendo Network and Miiverse, it does look like Nintendo is finally on board with the social media space. It looks like it is going to be easier than ever to communicate with the Nintendo Community at any time you wish. It's not clear yet how easy it will be to register your friends or strangers into the system. Also it is not clear if the Nintendo Network will be integrated with other social media platforms such as Twitter or Facebook. The most interesting thing to me is how developers will take this new network and use it in their games. That for me lies the real power of the Nintendo Network. Let's just hope they don't use it to start placing targeted DLC advertising into our games.

What do you think? Did you like what you saw in the presentation? http://www.nintendo.co.jp/nintendo_direct_pre_e3_2012/en/index.html

Nintendo 3DS Conference 2011 Live Blog. Prepare for horrible Japanese translations

This is probably a horrible idea and is a blog first for Who Burned My Toast, but with minutes to spare before the conference starts I am going to live blog the conference the best I can.

Prepare for misinformation and lots of horrible translations, since I don't know Japanese. So kick back and check up every so often to see how its going. Oh crap it's starting.

8:00 PM: Things start off with a skyward sword hi-res intro. Godd damn it someone needs to move the camera up. Half this carp is cut off! Hi-Res Cut scene and now Miyamoto is on stage with with sword and shield. Talking in Japanese.

8:04 PM: Four Swords Zelda, shows characters playing in all the different Zelda games in honor of Zeldas 25th. No release date given yet.

8:05 PM: Miyamoto is breaking out the wiimote with motion plus. Fears of E3 are running high. Will the demo go well this time? I don't think so. Don't do it Miyamoto San. Don't lose your honor!  So far it looks like Miyamoto isn't playing at all just mimicing different cut scenes and explaining in hand gestures. Is this a good sign?

8:08 PM: They are showing all the gameplay elements possible with Wii motion plus... holy shit just saw link in a mine cart and catching butterflies! Lots of environments being shown.

8:10 PM: Epic boss battle with link flying around a giant bird-fish thing. Bosses are huge in this game.

8:11 PM: Game Montage for 3DS games, Tekken, RE Revelations, Animal Crossing, Monster Hunter shown!

8:14 PM: Wii game line up until the Wii dies in Japan. It's already dead here. Nothing new here so far.

8:16 PM: Showing sales chart for consoles.. snore. Comparing Male Vs Female. A Pink 3DS Shown! No second nub here. Ladies Nintendo has you covered.