E3 is a mere week away, and after giving hardware impressions not too long ago, I want to share what I'm looking forward to - and expecting - at E3. I will be listing things as an overall "things to expect," or in other words, "predictions." Some are an absolute given, others are a bit wonky. This isn't limited to the conferences, but the show floor as well. If there are third-party game mentions, they are exclusive to each company. For a winger, I'll have a "Wild Card" for each company; something so out there that you would never expect in...ever.
Nintendo
WILD CARD: Shigeru announces Ocarina of Time remake
Most Likely:
- The Legend of Zelda XVI Unveiled
- Golden Sun DS Unveiled
- Retro's New Game
- Donkey Kong is Back! (DKC4 or Jungle Beat 2)
- 3DS Unveiled
- Square Shows Final Fantasy V/VI DS Remakes
- Konami shows up with new Castlevania
- Wii Remote with MotionPlus built-in
- n-Space shows up with their new game (not Geist 2)
- Kid Icarus Returns
- StarFox!
- Easier Transfers of Digital Content between systems (WiiWare/Virtual Console/DSiWare)
- Further social integration (Facebook, YouTube)
- Virtual Console for DS announced, GameBoy support
- Metroid Dread for DS Revealed
- Dennis Dyack unveils Eternal Darkness 2 (BONUS: MotionPlus and Vitality Sensor support)
- Vitality Sensor main use: horror games
- Wireless Nunchuck
- No More Friend Codes!
- Netflix Channel
- Club Nintendo Stars-to-Points Conversion
Microsoft
WILD CARD: Select Xbox titles given facelift, Achievements and XBL support
Most Likely:
- Gears of War 3 Unveiled
- Halo Reach steals the show
- Project Natal name/release date/pricing/launch titles; Milo center of attention
- Too Human 2
- Ninja Gaiden III
- Shadow Complex 2
- Rare's Comeback (Perfect Dark 2, Banjo 4, Kameo 2, Killer Instinct)
- Valhalla's (Itagaki) first game is exclusive
- Xbox 360 Slim (Blu-ray compatibility, integrated Wi-Fi)
- Zune HD2 running WinMo7
- Clan support
- Cloud Storage
- Hulu and YouTube
- LIVE Anywhere finally goes anywhere, shows up on mobile devices (iPhone, Droid, etc)
- XBL Gold Price Drop, Platinum Tier introduced
- Games-On-Demand games cheaper, same day launch with retail
Sony
WILD CARD: Sony listens to cries on PlayStation.blog Share, implements top three most wanted updates in a firmware update available at the conference's closure (cross game voice chat, PS2 support and auto-syncing Trophies)
Most Likely:
- God of War: Ghost of Sparta Unveiled
- Killzone 3 Unveiled, "Poster Child" of 3D gaming
- Uncharted 3 Revealed
- Move pricing/launch titles
- Infamous 2 Unveiled
- The Last Guardian Unveiled
- Ratchet & Clank's new adventure
- Resistance 3 Revealed
- Kingdom Hearts 3 Revealed
- Premium PSN details/pricing
- PSP2 mentioned, not shown
- Slew of HD compilations (Ico/SotC)
- Jak & Daxter returns
- Non-beta Home release date
- Cloud storage
Final Thoughts
Nintendo has the biggest chance to steal the show, but also has the most to prove to gamers, and by that, I mean there is a LOT OF SHIT we want Nintendo to finally show. Sony has the most predictable show - and not just because of rumors and leaks - and Microsoft, well, they're an even playing field; things could go either way.
