E3 08 - What we know Nintendo is working on and speculation on what we'll see

[ziran]

It's that time of year again, E3 is around the corner (July 15-17, Nintendo's Press Conference is due 9:00am PST July 15th), so here's what we know Nintendo is working on internally. A lot of the info is from Shikamaru Ninja, so a big thank you to him, with other stuff from interviews, announcements and Moby Games. If Shikamaru Ninja, or anyone else, has any more info or catches something I've missed, post and I'll update, thanks! :)

Before I start, one thing - the way EAD works, and probably many of the Nintendo studios, while there are several producers in charge of teams, like Aonuma, Eguchi, Konno, etc, EAD is a collective. Each team can have multiple projects on the go, working in small units (the often talked about 'experiments'), until the core gameplay is perfected, then as a game nears release, the group working on any specific title grows with additional staff. This is why, for example, a designer on Zelda can also be seen on Wii Fit. This means the EAD group can be working on many titles at once.

Here's what Iwata had to say at this year's NCL year end financial briefing:

When we prepared the Wii software lineup from the end of last year to the first half of this year, we were very conscious of the fact that we had to make a strong enough lineup in order to expand the Wii platform install base. Of course, we are preparing for a variety of software for the latter half of this year. However, we are now feeling that the speed at which new information is consumed and made obsolete has become quicker than ever. When I think of today’s situation as a consumer, when I am exposed to new information too early on, I find that I am already tired of it when the product is launched. This is one of the reasons why we would like to keep news at bay until we really have to disclose them. Rest assured that we are preparing for a variety of products for the latter half of this year and early next year. Also, you will begin to see the many results of our third party partners, who have since recognized that Wii will be a platform for their success. So, I am hopeful that there will be rich contents available for Wii software in general. I am sorry but we are not ready to announce the details today.

If a title has been released in any territory I haven't included it.


Nintendo's Teams

EAD Software Development Group No. 1 - Hideki Konno
(Nintendogs, Mario Kart DS, Mario Kart Wii)
- ?

EAD Software Development Group No. 2 - Katsuya Eguchi
(Animal Crossing series, Wii Sports)
- Wii Music

- Animal Crossing Wii

- Wii Motor Sports


EAD Software Development Group No. 3 - Eiji Aonuma
(Zelda: Twilight Princess, Zelda: Phantom Hourglass)
- ?

EAD Software Development Group No. 4 - Hiroyuki Kimura
(Big Brain Academy series, New Super Mario Bros.)
- ?

EAD Software Development Group No. 5 - Tadashi Sugiyama
(Wii Fit, Sugiyama was also the director of F-Zero X)
- ?

EAD Software Development Group Tokyo - Takao Shimizu
(Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, Super Mario Galaxy)
- ?

Software Planning and Development Division No. 1 - Yoshio Sakamoto
(2D Metroid series, Rhythm Tengoku series (with Tsunku), WarioWare series, Card Hero DS)
- Rhythm Tengoku Gold


Software Planning and Development Division No. 2 - Hitoshi Yamagami
(Dr. Mario series, Super Princess Peach (with Tose), Tetris DS, Starfi series (with Tose))
- Densetsu no Starfi DS


Software Planning and Development Division No. 3 - Kensuke Tanabe
(Metroid Prime series, Battalion Wars series, Tingle)
- Various collaborations internal and external

Software Planning and Development Division No. 4 - Shinya Takakashi
(Brain Training, English Training, Kanji Training, Band Bros., some Wii Channels)
- Band Bros. DX


Intelligent Systems
(Advance Wars series, Paper Mario series, Fire Emblem series)
- Fire Emblem DS


Game Freak
(Pokémon handheld RPGs, Drill Dozer)
- Pokémon Platinum

HAL Laboratory Inc.
(Kirby series, Smash Bros. series)
- Kirby Super Star Deluxe

- Kirby Wii (GC pic)


Genius Sonority - Manabu Yamana
(Pokémon Trozei, Pokémon BR, DS Literature Collection, DQS with Square Enix and 8ing)
- ?

Brownie Brown
(Magical Vacation, Heroes of Mana)
- Blue Dragon Plus


Monolith Soft - Hirohide Sugiura
(Xenosaga, Baten Kaitos with Tri-Crescendo, Soma Bringer)
- Disaster: Day of Crisis


Retro Studios - Michael Kelbaugh
(Metroid Prime series)
- ?

Nintendo Software Technology Corp. - Shigeki Yamashiro
(1080 Avalanche, Metroid Prime Hunters, Mario vs Donkey Kong series, DS Crossword)
- ?


Collaborations with 3rd Parties:

Namco Bandai - Mario Baseball Stadium


Good Feel - Wario Land: The Shake Dimension


Tecmo - Fatal Frame Wii


Factor 5 - Kid Icarus (rumoured/probable according to IGN)


Announced games, possible teams:
Skip stated they have a new title for Nintendo in development
Artoon and Nintendo have hinted at a Yoshi's Island game for Wii
Treasure is working a Wii projects, one of which may be for Nintendo (thanks to Dascu)
Kuju is working on a new Wii game, maybe for Nintendo (thanks to Shiggy)


Expected games, possible teams:
NSMB 2 - EAD
Pikmin 3 - EAD
Zelda Wii - EAD


Clearly, many gaps. Nintendo is keeping tight lipped about what they're working on. What's their next big casual title after Wii Music? Will we ever see Wii Motor Sports?

We know very little about what EAD's doing, so while I'm sure they're going to be working on some casual titles they'll also be developing some games for more hardcore tastes. Pikmin 3 has been talked about on several occasions, so is no doubt coming, but if we'll see it this E3, who knows. There's a new Zelda in the works for Wii and likely DS, and maybe a new IP from Aonuma's team. Eguchi's team looks pretty busy, Konno's team has just finished Mario Kart Wii, but is capable of multiple projects so they could announce something. Kimura's team has been quiet, and may be a likely candidate for the new Pikmin game, and a new 2D Mario on DS or Wii. Shimizu's team could be working on something new, as well as a sequel to Mario Galaxy - Miyamoto expressed an interest in developing the formula, and given how broad it is it's not surprising, so we may get another 3D Mario game for Wii. Also, it could be a sequel to Mario Sunshine, there has been some talk about it, albeit vague. As for Sugiyama's team, well they've hit gold with Wii Fit, so they could be working on a new title, a game for the balance board, or even a game for a new peripheral.

Equally not much is known about SPD, Intelligent Systems and the other teams.

What's Retro doing and how will they fair after the departure of three key staff? I think Kelbaugh is a major part of the company so as long as he's there I'm expecting great things.

Is Genius Sonority putting the Pokémon Battle Revolution engine to good use and finally working with Game Freak on a home console RPG? They're probably already well under way on a Dragon Quest Swords sequel with Square Enix and 8ing.

What's NST working on with Masamichi Abe of Pikmin fame? They seem to be a sizeable team and with some fine tuning could come up with something great, will we see it this year? And will we ever see Project Hammer?

And what of Monolith Soft? Is there any tie between Matsuno's interest in Wii and this studio, and if there is will we see it at E3? More likely a Japanese orientated thing, but you never know.

Could we see a brand new game as this rumour suggests?
GamePro:

Or perhaps it will be something entirely new. "I've heard strong rumors that Nintendo is going to unveil an all-new game with all-new characters," says senior GamePro editor Sid Shuman. "E3 might make a lot of sense for that announcement, despite its smaller size this year." But most promising is the fact that Nintendo has yet to unveil its fall/winter lineup, something that would obviously make sense to do at E3.

Well, it's sure to be a fun ride whatever happens!


List of potential developers working on Wii projects (with Nintendo and for 3rd parties), some confirmed, some rumoured - thanks to GC|Simon:

Square Enix (working on FFCC and maybe some other games)
n-Space (working on one or more Wii games, maybe Geist 2)
JetBlack Games (a new studio which is working on DS and Wii games)
Zoonami (working on WiiWare titles and maybe "Game Zero")
Nibris (u know, Sadness)
5TH Cell (I guess they make a Wii version of Drawn to Life)
Firebrand Games (they made a engine for racing games, maybe they are working on Race Driver or Track Mana Wii)
Shin'en (I think they make a WiiWare game)
Beenox (working on a AAA Wii title and the port of the upcoming 007 game)
Renegade Kid (is a official Wii developer, working maybe on a Wii version of Moon)
Arika (developed Endless Ocean and this one was a success)
Paon (worked together with Nintendo on DK Barrel Blast)
Noise (don't know anything about them, but they made several Custom Robo games for Nintendo)
Camelot (developed Wii Love Golf, now they could develop Mario Tennis / Golf or Golden Sun 3)
Monster Games (developed Excite Truck, maybe the make a sequel or F-Zero Wii)
Next Level Games (developed the successful Mario soccer games)
iD Software (maybe working on Orcs & Elfes Wii)
Valve (want to make a "family" game for Wii)
Alpha Dream (developed the Mario & Luigi games for GBA / DS)
iNiS (Elite Beat Agents Wii?)
Ambrella (developed that WiiWare Pokémon Farm game, I think they are a 2nd party)
Silicon Knights (talked about Eternal Darkness 2, all rights of ED belong to Big N)
Fuse Games (developed some pinball games for Nintendo)
Jupiter (maybe Spectrobes Wii...)
EA Salt Lake (is responsible for some Wii games of EA)
Fall Line (a Disney studio which is working only on games for Nintendo consoles)
Atlus (Trauma Center, Baroque, ...)
Big John Games (don't know anything about them)
Platinum Games (Mikami's game is still unkown)
Cing (afaik they are working on King's Stroy with some other people)
Dimps (making the Wii version of Sonic Unleashed)
Grasshopper (Suda likes Nintendo)
Mitchell (developed this Magnetica game, maybe working on WiiWare games)
Nexon (I think they are developing Maple Story DS, maybe for Wii too)
Sora Ltd. (it's unknown what they are doing)
Spike (hmm, don't know anything)
WayForward Technologys (developed Contra 4 for DS)
Limelight Software (unknown)
Big Huge Games (working on a God game for Wii, they developed the Rise of Nations series)

And

Yasumi Matsuno (working together with Nintendo, but on what?)

[PantherLotus]

Pikmin 3, F-Zero Wii, Wii Sports 2.

[Gamecocks625]

I'd definitely take New Super Mario Bros. 2 and F-Zero DS

[Greymalkin]

All I ask if for a WaveRace Wii and it will make this worthless system actually worth something!!!

[Door2Dawn]

All I ask if for a WaveRace Wii and it will make this worthless system actually worth something!!!

[Xater]

I predict that I will be horibly dissappointed. :(

[Kazenone]

This looks extremely similar to last years E3, edit; atleast from Nintendo. Wii Music and Wii Motorsports, I wonder what is taking them so long.

[angelfly]

I'd expect them to see a new F-Zero game.

[Rapping Granny]

All I ask if for a WaveRace Wii and it will make this worthless system actually worth something!!!

. That and give me a hideo kojima game.

[krzyspc]

I predict that I will be horibly dissappointed. :(

I predict the opposite.

[Jethro]

Thanks for the summary. The potential is there that E3 will be Nintendos best in years.

[Neo Samus]

What I'm "hoping" for, F-Zero (at this point I don't care what system), Pikmin 3, Metroid 2-D (or 2.5D if done right), another Wii Sports title (with online done very similar to MKWii's setup would be an added bonus), and Some "GOOD" 3rd Party software.

Yeah I know I dream big. Sue me.

Edit: oh yeah, and a new Wave Race for Wii.

[farnham]

I predict that I will be horibly dissappointed. :(

so you really think that nintendo wont release software on wii or ds despite of the fact that their main venue always was and still is software..?

[Stumpokapow]

In case anyone wants to speculate, here is a list of every Nintendo franchise and the platforms they've appeared on.

[Fantastical]

It seems so different than last year's E3. I was expecting a lot, but I was deeply disappointed. I really shouldn't have been too excited, I mean we knew about 3 huge titles that had yet to come out - Metroid Prime 3, Super Mario Galaxy, and Super Smash Brothers Brawl. Not to mention Phantom Hourglass, a whole new Zelda. Mario Kart was announced, another huge title and we were surprised by Wii Fit.

It wasn't a ton of new stuff, but there were still huge titles. This year I feel will be much different.

We really don't know what to expect for the last half of the year. I would say Wario Land and Fatal Frame are coming, but I know Nintendo will have more than that. I'm expecting Wii Music to make an appearance, and I would LOVE Animal Crossing Wii to be there. There are a lot of unfinished projects as well, such as Disaster, Kirby, and Wii Motorsports. Will anything ever come from these?

[Gig]

Wait, Kirby Wii is still coming out I thought that got canned?

[Xater]

so you really think that nintendo wont release software on wii or ds despite of the fact that their main venue always was and still is software..?

No I predict that they will not announce anything I am interested in. I want a new Starfox or F-Zero but somehow I don't think the will do those.

[Azelover]

Thanks for the summary. The potential is there that E3 will be Nintendos best in years.

You mean just better than last one.

The best Nintendo E3 was 2006, nothing will beat it.. ever.

[TheGrayGhost]

I don't expect to see sequels to NSMB or Super Mario Galaxy. There's a reason there's only ever been one Super Mario per-generation since Super Mario World. The series is placed under tremendous pressure to represent the very best of gaming (read Iwata Asks, they were serious about dismantling the team if SMG didn't represent the next leap in game design), and I think two Super Mario games on the same console would really undermine the reputation of the series. Super Mario descending from the heavens is a rare event, and I think it is one of the primary reasons the character has managed to stay relevant in the genre and gaming in general.

Don't count on a sequel to Wii Sports, either. Nintendo has gone on the record saying it would be counter-intuitive to their disruptive strategy.

[Gamer @ Heart]

This may sound crazy but i am convinced that because we literaly know nothing about their release schedule for this fall and early next year for both DS and Wii, wether or not this E3 will deliever suprises or not is out of the question. Its gauranteed.

[Neo C.]

Way too many question marks. Hopefully they reveal some of their works.

[schuelma]

Wait, Kirby Wii is still coming out I thought that got canned?

It's appeard on Nintendo financial statements.

[Thomper]

I don't expect to see sequels to NSMB or Super Mario Galaxy. There's a reason there's only ever been one Super Mario per-generation since Super Mario World. The series is placed under tremendous pressure to represent the very best of gaming (read Iwata Asks, they were serious about dismantling the team if SMG didn't represent the next leap in game design), and I think two Super Mario games on the same console would really undermine the reputation of the series. Super Mario descending from the heavens is a rare event, and I think it is one of the primary reasons the character has managed to stay relevant in the genre and gaming in general. Don't count on a sequel to Wii Sports, either. Nintendo has gone on the record saying it would be counter-intuitive to their disruptive strategy.

I don't see a Super Mario Galaxy sequel coming up either, but a New New Super Mario Bros. seems much more likely. There were 4 Mario's on the GBA (ports, but still), the GameBoy (Color) had three. They've had plenty of time to develop a sequel, so I can still see it happening.

[Iced_Eagle]

I actually met Reggie yesterday and shook his hand!

I asked him if we were going to see some cool stuff at E3 this year. He then just looked at me, smiled, and said "You're going to see lots of cool stuff!"

[Gamer @ Heart]

You mean just better than last one. The best Nintendo E3 was 2006, nothing will beat it.. ever.

While the Wii reveal was a trumendous success, lets not forget E3 02. Nintendo's triforce of games. Wind Waker, Prime, and Sunshine not to mention Fusion and other handheld gems.

[Dascu]

More than anything, I want to see what Yasumi Matsuno is working on.

For the rest, I'd love to get a glimpse of the next Zelda (art style and general gameplay direction) and see what those two Treasure Wii projects are (though TGS would be a more likely location). Disaster DoC needs a status update. Oh, and let's not forget about the rumored Castlevania Wii.

As for E3 in general: Kenji Eno? Shinji Mikami? Team ICO? KojiPro's next game?

[Mithos Yggdrasill]

This thread is a wonderful idea.

[TuSeiSkeefoso]

Here is insider confirmation for E3 2008:

-New multicoloured Wii Console.
-Subtraction of one decimal place for friend's codes. Make's it much easier!!!
-Super Mario Foosball, Super Mario Mini Golf, Super Mario Olympics, Super Mario Hockey, Super Mario Football, Super Mario Paint 2 and Super Mario Does Dallas
-New multicoloured WeeWee Motes.
-Sequels to Zelda, Metroid and SSB.
-Upgrade to advanced Gamecu......... err, Wii hardware to now include BLAST PROCESSING!!!

Should be a great show! :)

[Starchasing]

My bet is that Nintendo will show at least one new game , an original IP, intended for the hardly core but with heavy emphasis on the wiimote and online.

[Mithos Yggdrasill]

I predict that I will be horibly dissappointed. :(

I don't think so. Nintendo will have its conference at the Kodak Theather once again. It is big and costly as place for conferences. So, I don't think Nintendo made this choice with no new games and a shitty boring conference. It would not make much sense.

I predict the opposite.

I predict something in the middle, because people expect always too many things.

[Dascu]

Oh, and this too:

[TSA]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=6pB647PE-80

Believe.

[farnham]

While the Wii reveal was a trumendous success, lets not forget E3 02. Nintendo's triforce of games. Wind Waker, Prime, and Sunshine not to mention Fusion and other handheld gems.

well you should not forget E3 2004

DS with Mario 64 DS, Yoshis Touch and Go, Polarium, metroid Prime Hunters, New Super Mario Bros, Mario Kart DS

and gamecube with Metroid Prime 2, Zelda Twilight Princess and Resident Evil 4 (the final build)

[v4gr4nt]

sooo,when is E3 again?

[Neo Samus]

Don't count on a sequel to Wii Sports, either. Nintendo has gone on the record saying it would be counter-intuitive to their disruptive strategy.

True, I forgot that they had mentioned that. As much as I would like a new Starfox (WarioWare made me want a new one soooooo badly) I have a feeling they might put it off untill maybe next year, only because they released two starfox games a year apart from each other not too long ago.

[Mithos Yggdrasill]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=6pB647PE-80 Believe.

I think I had never seen people excited for a single game like that. Zelda is really a franchise loved by almost everyone.

Better video with reactions

[TheGrayGhost]

E3 wasn't the venue it once was, and I think Nintendo's conference will not be the blowout that is sure to come. I mean, we KNOW great things are in the works. We know it. What the heck else would EAD and Co. be working on? But I think things will be revealed much more moderately and deliberate timing.

[Windu]

I'm really interested to see what Retro is up to. Hopefully we get some info about it at E3.

[[Nintex]]

Nintendo has a habit to show games that we didn't expect. Super Mario Galaxy came out of nowhere just like Super Smash Bros. Brawl. I wouldn't be surprised if they had a teaser for the next Zelda game. I don't think they'll have much for Q4 though.

[Mithos Yggdrasill]

I'm really interested to see what Retro is up to. Hopefully we get some info about it at E3.

Me too. More then any other game.

[Jethro]

You mean just better than last one. The best Nintendo E3 was 2006, nothing will beat it.. ever.

Wait and see ;)

[Shadowlink]

ACWII, Pikmin 3, F-Zero, and After seeing K. Rool's new look in Mario Sluggers. there is a chance that they will announce a new DK game.

[BrandNew]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=6pB647PE-80 Believe.

For real. I don't understand why people think this isn't going to happen–it's been two years since a console Zelda has been mentioned. We'll get a trailer.

[Mithos Yggdrasill]

For real. I don't understand why people think this isn't going to happen–it's been two years since a console Zelda has been mentioned. We'll get a trailer.

Read the post of Ziran: Iwata decided recently to not present ANY new game until it's near to be complete. And it's definitely too early for a new Zelda.

[Vinterbird]

Here is insider confirmation for E3 2008: -New multicoloured Wii Console. -Subtraction of one decimal place for friend's codes. Make's it much easier!!! -Super Mario Foosball, Super Mario Mini Golf, Super Mario Olympics, Super Mario Hockey, Super Mario Football, Super Mario Paint 2 and Super Mario Does Dallas -New multicoloured WeeWee Motes. -Sequels to Zelda, Metroid and SSB. -Upgrade to advanced Gamecu......... err, Wii hardware to now include BLAST PROCESSING!!! Should be a great show! :)

I hope that was a joke post. Because no way they are going to release a beefed up Wii and split the market. And way to much Super over every titel.

[JasonMCG]

I think, if anything, the new Zelda will be show at Nintendo's '08 Fall Media Summit at the earliest.

[Andrex]

Animal Crossing Wii.

Zelda.

Kid Icarus.

Crystal Bearers.

If they show just one of these they'll have won E3.

Edit- Second tier I expect more Wario Land Shake, F-Zero maybe, NSMB2, Castlevania Wii, and RE5: Wii Edition. :)

[Linkup]

Nintendo doesn't have anything for the second half of 08 remember?

Hope I can kick back to AC wii this holiday season, not saying I expect a release date though.

[Jethro]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=6pB647PE-80 Believe.

Woah, goose bumps! One of the best moments in my gaming history.

[oldergamer]

You guys are missing Punchout