E3 | Highlights of Nintendo's Press Event

Nintendo launched its new console and controller at their media briefing this morning to a cheering crowd.  Global President, Satoru Iwata, discussed the goals of the company in boundaries between gamers being dissolved.  He mentioned boundaries between sexes, generations and gaming styles.  Because of wanting it to be a system for every gamer, it is called “Wii U.”  Though he said nothing about gamers with disabilities, I have high hopes for the Wii U in playability and accessibility.  Nintendo is hoping to revolutionalize gaming, again.

Wii U

The Wii U controller is both simple and “infinitely complex.”  It features a touch screen, motion control, as well as your standard Nintendo controls.  It will be used in conjunction with the previously released peripherals including the wiimote, nunchuk and fit board.  I haven’t yet been able to try it first-hand, but it looks as though users will be able to use the screen and motion easily so button precision may be less problematic for our readers.  The Wii U can be used as a controller, a console and a personal gaming device, but isn’t designed to be a handheld device.  It offers a microphone, speakers, headset jack and rumble support.  The headset jack can definitely be of assistance to our readers who have a hearing impairment or for our readers who simply want to play without their spouses getting upset.

The front facing camera is particularly exciting for us.  This feature opens up a whole new realm of possibilities in that certain games can be played without a need for a wrist flick or rapid movements.  The demonstration of this feature was that of the gamer acting as a missile and directing the controller to find its target.  The player onscreen moved slowly and easily.

Nintendo commented that this console will allow for the greatest variety of games and game play yet.  It can only been seen what this means for our readers.

Legend of Zelda

This year is the 25^th anniversary of the Legend of Zelda series.  Nintendo was very excited about the new theme songs and the integral part that music will play in the latest Zelda games which will be released for each Nintendo platform.  They are very proud to release an amazing looking version for Gameboy Colour that will be downloadable by the end of the day.  Over the next few months gamers around the world will be able to play Zelda on all their systems from Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D (Nintendo 3DS) to Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword for Wii.  An exciting potential development for disabled gamers is that Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword will be using the Wii motion plus which developers say will make for more accurate sword swing and easier use of the bow and arrow.  The developers and executives say that this is the best Zelda experience yet.  This round of Zelda releases are the most creative and will make learning the Zelda series much easier.