Take it Or Leave It – E3 2014 – Nintendo

Welcome to Take It Or Leave It, where each week I pick out new comics and tell you if they’re worth the price and you should take them, or if you should just leave them on the shelf. Nope! This time, we’re looking at the big press conferences of E3 2014, ranking not only the shows themselves, but also the best, worst, and generally weirdest of the games that were shown during them.

Nintendo went with a rather different approach this year, keeping their presentation entirely digital instead of physically being there. With new Smash Bros, Pokémon, and Bayonetta games in the works, did they have enough new and exciting things to make it worth watching?

Nintendo Press Conference Sticking with a digitally streamed “conference” (if you could even call it that) was a bold move, but it paid off nicely. Starting with a skit in the style of Robot Chicken was unexpected to say the least, and the hilarious opening to the Smash Bros trailer is worth watching it for alone. Bringing some new surprises to the table along with some great info on the games already announced really reminded everyone why Nintendo has been and continues to be one of the biggest names in the industry. Verdict: Definitely Take It

Super Smash Bros Wii U The next installment in the classic and nostalgic 4 player free-for-all fighting game had even more announcements to make, as new characters and features were announced. One of these new characters is the legendary Pac Man, while the other is the much more obscure Lady Paletena. Your own personal Mii will now be a playable fighter as well, with different fighting styles to choose from (brawler, swordfighter and gunner), and different move sets for each style. Lastly, the 3DS version of the title now has a release date of October 3, 2014. Verdict: Definitely Take It

Amiibo It looks like Nintendo has noticed the huge success that titles like Skylanders and Disney Infinity have been getting lately, and is looking to borrow a bit from them. This will be a collection of figurines that can be used to unlock in-game characters and other items. Currently set to be supported by Mario Kart 8 and Super Smash Bros, we’ll have to wait and see if this trend can continue and give Nintendo the same kind of success. Verdict: Maybe Take It

Yoshi’s Woolly World Seemingly a successor to Kirby’s Epic Yarn, this title sees the classic green dinosaur and the world around. . . him? her? it?. . . turned into – you guessed it – yarn. Featuring a 2 player mode and yarn focused gameplay, it should lead to some cute, family friendly fun. What kind of audience this will attract, I have no idea, but it could work out pretty well. Verdict: Unsure

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker The little mushroom guy from the Mario universe is getting his own game. Featuring an art style that combines the usual 3D Mario games with something like Fez, you have to use different camera angles to navigate small islands and solve puzzles in order to obtain coins and diamonds. Although it won’t be as challenging as Fez – this is a game meant to be open to all audiences, after all – it looks like it could still work out in being a charming and fun experience. Verdict: Maybe Take It

The Legend of Zelda The beloved series is finally coming to the Wii U. . . and unfortunately, that’s about all we know so far. The art style seems to combine the slightly more realistic style of some of the recent installments, with a more colorful and bold overall look – similar to Wind Waker, except Link looks like an adult again. Sadly, this little of information can only mean that it’s going to be quite some time before it’s in our hands. Still, it’s Zelda, and that’s all we need to know to be excited about it. Verdict: Probably Take It

	Pokémon: Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire The “2nd generation” Pokémon titles are getting remade for the current handhelds, now including some of the features from 2013’s X and Y games. Mega evolutions will be returning for more Pokémon, and the game is scheduled for release on November 21, 2014. Verdict: Take It

Bayonetta 2 One of the more controversial sequels in recent memory (and not even because of the scantily clad protagonist), Bayonetta 2 looks to be one hell of a good deal for Nintendo fans. This new installment will include the original game alongside it, and will feature brand new, Nintendo themed costumes to wear. This title is sure to please fans of the original along with those of games such as Devil May Cry. Bayonetta 2 will hit shelves in October. Verdict: Take It

Hyrule Warriors Have you ever thought “wouldn’t it be great if there was a Legend of Zelda game in the style of Dynasty Warriors?” Well then, your wish has come true. Hyrule Warriors will be the first Zelda title that takes place on one single, large landmass, and will feature a large selection of playable characters. Cooperative modes will also be available, utilizing both the TV screen and Wii U gamepad. You’ll be able to beat up large numbers of enemies at a time in the Zelda world starting September 26, 2014. Verdict: Probably Take It

Kirby and the Rainbow Curse The sequel to 2005’s Kirby: Canvas Curse on the DS will be on the Wii U in 2015. The gameplay will be very similar to the original, drawing on the Wii U’s gamepad to control Kirby through the game. Kirby will also be able to transform into vehicles, including tanks and submarines. As I’m typing this, I have to wonder: did people really care enough about the game in 2005 to warrant a sequel a decade later? I guess Nintendo thinks so, but nobody’s right all of the time. Verdict: Maybe Leave It

Xenoblade Chronicles X The sequel to what some might call “the greatest JRPG of this generation” is coming. First revealed last year, there is now some concrete information on the title. Introducing new characters, at least one new race, and the other usual things one would expect from a sequel, the plot seems to focus on humans in search of a new home after losing Earth. The title has a lot of hype and success to live up to, but it looks like it will not disappoint so far. . . well, aside from the game being pushed back to some point in 2015. Verdict: Probably Take It

Mario Maker The topic of rumors for some time now, Mario Maker is now official and promises to let players create their own Mario courses. Choose between the art styles of classic 8 bit games or the modern 3D titles, then create and play the levels of your dreams. It all sounds like a fantastic idea to me, especially since chances are that there will be a way to share creations with friends and strangers alike online, leading to a crazy level of replayability. Mario Maker is set to release in 2015. Verdict: Take It

Splatoon Splatoon looks to be an 8 player, 4 vs 4 shooter battle game where players can switch between human and squid forms. The goal of the game is to cover as much of the area as possible with their team’s color of ink. It seems like strategy plays a very important role in this, as there are advantages to both of the player’s forms, the gamepad can be used to travel quickly around the area, and special weapons can be picked up to turn the tide. Is this too “weird” of a concept to work for a large audience, or is this the next surprise hit in the making? Verdict: Unsure

Jeremy Harrison has been into gaming and just about everything nerdy or out of the norm for as long as he can remember. He likes to keep an open mind about things, but also has a strangely high amount of fun getting into a rant or good debate. . . which is probably why he was recruited to this site in the first place. You can Email Jeremy or follow Jeremy on Twitter @NightmareAsylum or Facebook