Every year, I wait in anticipation for the Electronic Entertainment Expo (better known as E3). It is one of those major events that I look forward to every year, to the point that I have often called it “Gamer Christmas”, and why not? E3 is typically where the games we have been waiting to hear about are revealed, and we even receive a few surprises; something to whet our enthusiasm for when the real holidays come around and many of those games are finally released. While it has always been exciting to hear about the video game news from my living room, I have long dreamed of actually going to E3. Lucky for me, this year’s E3 will be the first one that I will have the opportunity to attend.
I have followed the E3 events since the 90’s, but it never occurred to me that I wanted to go until Nintendo’s reveal of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. I had heard and read about the fan reaction to the game. The trailer played, and there was nonstop cheering from beginning to end, and it was followed by Shigeru Miyamoto emerging from stage fog, wielding a Master Sword and Hylian Shield. Apparently, adult men were crying tears of joy. I suddenly wanted to become a part of that screaming mess. It is like my idea of a rock concert, only more amazing. To be fair, I have been to exactly one concert, a Nintendo Fusion Tour concert back in 2006, and I really only went for the games.
You can watch the reveal of Twilight Princess here.
Nintendo does not “celebrate” E3 in the same capacity as they once did, as their presentations have moved from the stage to online streams, so there may never be a crowd reaction quite like that again. It could be for the best. Thanks to these presentations, Nintendo talks less about a bunch of statistics meant to impress shareholders and more about what matters to the fans: the games. There will be no technical difficulties on-stage, like what happened to The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. These E3 streams also give Nintendo fans a common ground; those watching from home see the same presentation as those attending E3, and they can share that experience. My point is that I am excited about going now as I ever could be.
Pictured here: A Nintendo executive speaking to investors
I am a fan of The Legend of Zelda first and foremost, so I was disappointed that Zelda for the Wii U was not only delayed but will not be a focus at E3 this year. I had already known that I would be going to E3 by the time Nintendo had made this announcement, so the news hit me hard. I wanted to be one of the first to play this game. However, that does not mean that will I leave this E3 empty-handed of anything regarding The Legend of Zelda. I am certain that Nintendo will have something to show us to better explain why it was important for them to delay the game, and we may hear something about the gameplay, story, and title. If it means I have to wait until next year’s E3, by then, the game will be developed into something I could have never imagined.
I still have plenty to look forward to at this E3. Nintendo will bring us the Star Fox for the Wii U and Miyamoto’s new projects. If Nintendo believes they have the room to exclude The Legend of Zelda from the spotlight, they must have many other games that yet to be announced. We can always expect another great Mario game, and Metroid has waited long enough for another entry, as well as plenty of other IPs. Of course, it is not just about Nintendo. Hopefully, third party developers will bring great games to the Wii U and 3DS.
Maybe next year…
There are only three weeks until E3 begins, and it has become difficult to contain all my excitement as it draws near. When the time comes for the expo, I will be sure to help deliver quality news on everything fans would want to know, and I will follow up with an afterword of the event as a whole. Until then, I will keep my expectations high.
