Nintendo E3 2010 Live Report

Good morning from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles! Neon Kelly here, just waiting for Nintendo's E3 conference to begin. We're due to start in about 20 minutes, but don't be surprised if we kick off late because there are HUNDREDS of people trying to get in.

Nintendo's shows are always a talking point at any E3, and this year we have the prospect of a brand new console to look forward to: the 3d follow-up to the DS.

We'll probably also see something of that odd vitality sensor that was shown off last year. More importantly, we should also be getting a decent look at a new Zelda game. We'd better, because if not there'll be a lot of unhappy people here!

The room is already packed but there's still a constant stream of people filing into the hall. Jaunty pop is blaring over the speaker system, and three large screens are cycling through multiple-choice Nintendo trivia questions.

So, anything else we want from this show? Well, it owuld be nice if Ninty gave away their new handheld to everyone here - but somehow I think that's unlikely.

After yesterday's showings, I think this year's E3 is in bad need of a few fresh ideas - and with any lucky, Nintendo will be the company to deliver them. There's certainly a real buzz surrounding the 3DS (which should be getting a proper name today).

And we're off!

Here's Reggie Fils-Aime. "Technology is only a tool. The thing that matters is the end experience"

This year, he says, Nintendo will raise the bar again....

The first glimpse of Zelda on screen receives a cheer from the crowd. The title: Skyward Sword!

Miyamoto has appeared on screen, holding his sword and shield. Apparently the swordplay for the new game will use the remote and nunchuk to replicate a sword and shield...

Woah! Shigsy just walked through a screen at the back of the stage! He's actually here to demonstrate the game!

All you need to play the game is the stick, the A and B button, and the C and Z buttons. Everything else is done with swipes and motion controls. Z gives you a lock on for the nearest enemy. Miyamoto is currently battling a large pirana plant type foe, who must be cut down iin a particular directiom.

Extra moves are performed with gestures using both hands. You can also "bash" projectiles back at enemies by thrusting the nunchuk.

Like the fencing in Sports |Resort, you'll need to angle your attacks to slip around the defences of your rivals.

"For this game, imagine that all your items are in your pocket." Rather than the button-assingment of previous games, everything goes on a quick access wheel you can summon up.

Link gets a slingshot, aimed using the remote. The classic bombs also make a return: you get a targeting arc, then either "throw" the bomb or roll it. You can put spin on your throws, ig you're good.

Link can also fire out beetles, who are then controlled by tilting the remote. And naturally there's a bow, which is aimed and fired using C.

The game looks colourful and charming - classic Zelda.

Its easy to switch between weapons. You might whip enemies into submission, then switch to the sword to finish them off,

A promo video now. LInk battling a big scorpion, fighting through volcanic caverns, leaping off the edge of a mountain, freefall style! In short, it looks lovely. Will be out next year.

But Zelda is just the top line of Nintendo's show, says Reggie.

Seems like a sports title is coming up next.

It's a Mario game: volleyball?!

Nope, not just volleyball. Ice hocket, dodgeball abd basketball - all done in that arcadey Mario Soccer style. Muted applause from the crowd.

Mario Sports Mix will be out next year, says Reggie.

He's talking up Wii sales now, and refuting the idea that Wii owners don't buy games. Figures, figures, figures.... where is this going?

He's dismissing the whole "Wii Fit gathering dust under the stairs" image.

The next game is another "bridge" title. I think bridge is code for "minigame compendium"

Yeah, it's a collection of 13 party games. Called, imaginatively enough, Wii Party. Not much shown... and oh lord, here comes another dancing game. SOMEONE SHOOT ME NOW!

Just Dance 2: The Secret Of The Ooze. A smattering of applause meets the trailer.

This is better: Golden Sun: Dark Dawn. I get the impression the crowd is a bit subdued though.

Looks very much like classic JRPG fare, with stylus controls. Coming this holiday series.

They;re not dwelling on these games much... Next up another "Golden" game. The new GoldenEye title,

Haha, the new GoldenEye looks surprisingly close to the N64 original. Looks like it could be quite fun, if the remote controls work. Coming this holiday.

Come on Nintendo, give us something exciting. The crowd is falling asleep here!

Epic Mickey is up next. It's been a while since we've seen much of this... here's Warren Spector to give us a chat.

The general look of the Cartoon Wasteland looks a lot tighter and more polished than last time. Graphics are upper-end Wii fare, with rich colours. Mickey's using the Ink/Thinner mechanic to build and erase the gameworld. Looks quite cool now, the improved visuals make a big difference.

The dynamic platform creation/destruction seems quite neat, though its not clear whether you can just pull stuff into existence anywhere, or only at set points in the gameworld.

We're now watching a Traveller ZOne - a sort of sideways scorlling transition level. This one is black and white, based on SteamBoat Willy. There are film spokes running along the upper and lower bits if the screen. The 2d-character-on-3d-background thing looks pretty.

Well, that was fun. But i'm still finding this show to be a bit of a letdown so far. The 3ds will fix that, surely!?

Ah, here's the new Kirby game, Epic Yarn. It's been a while since we've had one of those. It's a 2d scrolling platform game with a hand-made, stitched look. Kirby seems to be able to ride vehicles made out of thread. And at one point he turns unto some kind of massive Kirby tank!

The crowd liked that, actually made some noise for once. Release coming "this fall".

Dragon Quest now, and Reggies gone back to spouting stats. Game can be played with up to three players. In "Tag" mode, the game will quietly ferret out new stuff to import into the world - characters, quests and so forht. COming out in July in the US.

Sorry, lost connection for a sec there. We're back with a new Donkey Kong platformer. Now we're talking!

Looks like classic DK COuntry fare, lovely graphics. One sunset level casts Kong in sihilouette. Lots of swinging, lava worlds and general mayhem. And it's coming this holiday.

OFFICIAL NAME FOR THE 3DS IS.... The 3DS.

Reggie's ripping the piss out of how stupid people look wearing 3d glasses.

Come on now, this better be brilliant.

Hoooray! A white pillar just emerged from the floor of the stage! and here comes Satoru Iwata to introduce the new machine! Whoops and cheers, though nothing deafening.

Looks like DS, but upperscreen in 3.5 inch widescreen - like those concept pics that went online a few days ago.

The 3d effect has a slider control, and can be turned off entirely. The machine also has what looks like a thumbstick on the left hand side, where the dpad normally goes. The dpad itself is lower on the left flank. Only the bottom screen is touch sensitive.

Graphics have been impreoved considerably, says Iwata. Still no footage yet.

Okay, so that's not a stick - it's a slide panel. Has a gyro sensor in it. The 3ds also has two camer lenses on the outside... allowing you to take photos in 3d!

That sounds seriously cool... but where are teh gamez?!

Will support 3d films too, apparently. Including "How to Train Your Dragon". Joy.

Iwata is now taljing about Project Sora, a 3DS project thats been in developmment for some time.

WOOOAH! It's Kid Icarus! Kid ICarus Uprising, to be exact! Looks like a third person action game with flying sections. Graphics looks like they're roughly at Gamecube standard, i'd say.

Iwata says that the 3d effect makes it easier to judge distance between you and your enemies.

He's now talking about inter-handheld communication. the new machines will be able to communicate with each other, even when they're playing different games. Can use WiFi to connect ot the net. Even when you're not near a hotspot, you may find that the machine has downloaded new content - quests, levels and ghost data. It;s all free too - no connection fees, thankfully.

More games please, Iwata. Miyamoto is apparently working on the 3d verion of Nintendogs. Really?! Can't you just let him make something, y'know, good?

Third party titles mentioned include: Kingdom hearts, Saints Row (!), dj hero 2, assassins creed, metal gear solid. That last game got a big whoop, unsurprisingly.

A montage of developers discussing the new machine. They all seem very enthusiastic. Keiji Inafune and Hideo Kojima are among the big names praising the tech.

Reggie's back now, with his usual confident demeanor. Any last surprises?

No, he's just wrapping up. More news about to come out on Nintendo's online channel apparently - but not here.

A promo vid now, with Iwata and Shigsy getting sucked into the machine. They;re running away from Bowser... Reggie picks up the 3ds and laughs, then Bowser sticks his head out and flames him in the face.

Reggie is discussing the problems if trying to showcase the 3d tech. A stream of girls with 3ds has just walked on stage. There are a lot of them! LOADS, in fact, at least a hundred. We're being told to stay seated, then they're going to sort out demonstrations...

We'll only get a brief taste, but I can't wait! And gameplay stations have also just risen from the floor to let people play Zelda.

Right, that's it. A bit disappointing, if you ask me... but I can't wait to try the 3ds. And that's what i'm going to go do now. Over and out.