Nintendo Faves Returning: GoldenEye, Donkey Kong, Kirby, Metroid

The holidays in 2010 are going to be busy judging by the lineup announced by Nintendo at their E3 press conference today. The mix is heavily reliant on old favourites such as Zelda, Samus, and Mario. But we also get a hit of nostalgia as Kirby, Goldeneye and Donkey Kong appear for the first time on the Wii. The only new IP announced was Disney’s Epic Mickey, a game that uses painting as its theme and gameplay.

See a rundown of the games demoed by Nintendo after the break.

Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

Whip it Indiana Jones style--barring any wifi interference

The game was extensively demoed by Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto. This is the first Zelda to use the Wii Motion Plus. The sword and various other weapons (whip, bow, slingshot) all respond to the heightened sensitivity. The whip looks the coolest as you get an Indiana Jones vibe. However, some interference in the room caused the Wiimote to go wonky and Miyamoto couldn’t demo all the features of the weapons. Players can also throw or bowl bombs using the Wiimote. Look for this game in 2011 although attendees got an early taste at the end of the event.

Mickey heads into the world of Steamboat Willie.

Another game that was throughly demoed for the audience. The demo began with Mickey in the Wasteland, a setting populated by elements from the Disney theme parks, familiar characters, and forgotten characters of yesteryear. The RPG employs a paint mechanic. Mickey can choose to create new items by painting them in or he can erase elements using paint thinner. Both actions have a consequence, good for creating items and bad for erasing them. The producers, Warren Spector and Adam Creighton, promised that the world and story would change dynamically based on the player’s choice.

The other cool element was the ability to jump into classic films and play a platforming sidescroller. We saw Mickey jump into the black and white world of Steamboat Willie and jump around that old-fashioned environment collecting greengjems. It’s a great retro look.

GoldenEye 007

The name is Craig... Daniel Craig.

Ready to return to the days of playing multiplayer Goldeneye in your mom’s basement? You’ll get your chance this holiday season when Nintendo releases an updated version of the game for the Wii exclusively. But instead of Pierce Brosnan you’ll get the icy Daniel Craig as Bond instead. All your old favourite characters return like Jaws and Oddjob will be available to slay your opponents mercilessly in the 4-person, splitscreen multiplayer. Release date was pegged has holiday 2010.

Donkey Kong Country

Stock up on your bananas.

Another Nintendo 64 game makes a triumphant return–this time it’s Donkey Kong. Media was only shown a trailer but the nostalgia factor was high. The only other piece of information was that we’ll see this game during the 2010 holidays.

Metroid Other M

Samus looks a little perturbed about something.

Samus and her metal ball of fun also return. At the presentation, Nintendo President and CEO Reggie Fils-Aime promised it would satisfy the more hardcore players in the audience. And judging by the reactions around us, he was right. Again, details are scant but you won’t have to wait long as the game drops on August 31. Perfect for your Labour Day weekend gaming binge.

Kirby’s Epic Yarn

Knit one, purl one. Kirby's back.

This will be the first Kirby game in seven years. The pink blimp returns in a game where the graphics are made from virtual yarn and cloth. In the trailer, Kirby looks like an embroidered element that jumps around. He also drew back castles as if they were curtains, went behind the “wall” of the background and created bulges behind the cloth, and decreased gaps in the ground by tightening the “cloth” of the ground. It appears Kirby’s Epic Yarn will take advantage of the unique features of cloth similar to how Super Paper Mario played around with paper.

Those games got the devoted fans at the press conference cheering. The other games… well Nintendo thinks that these games offer an experience only they create ie games for families.

I didn't think Yoshis had enough arm extension to play volleyball.

• Wii Party–a derivative of Mario Party. Instead of the Mushroom Kingdom characters, your Miis can participate in board game fun. Release date is Holiday 2010.
• Mario Sportsmix. The iconic characters are back, jumping into volleyball, hockey, dodgeball, and basketball. Look for this in 2011.
• Just Dance 2. The first one was a hit so here’s the sequel. Up to 8 players can dance up a storm to the 40+ new songs. Holiday 2010 release.

While I’m very glad to see GoldenEye and Donkey Kong return to 2010, it makes me wonder if Nintendo is going to ever create new IP or if Mario and Link are doomed to forever appear on each new console. It appears the innovative content is going to be generated by third-parties like Disney’s Epic Mickey.