Posted
by Matt Cox
May 17, 2005 at 1:55 p.m.
Official E3 impressions blog
Nintendo: The "Revolution" made a physical appearance. We still have no real idea what the controller looks like. Not sure what's revolutionary about downloading old games from the original NES, SNES and N64. It's cool to be sure, but not mind blowing. So I hope that wasn't the whole revolutionary angle. We still got more and more promises that it will change the way we play games forever, but it was unclear if what we were told was the argument, or if the argument has yet to be shown.Then we saw a short image of Metroid Prime 3 running on Revolution specs. Looks no different than a Gamecube game.Also not mind-blowing is the new Game Boy. The Game Boy Mini is a smaller version of the GBA:just brighter. And:again:smaller. How do you combat the PSP's glorious huge display? Make a smaller GBA!Zelda still looks cool.Sony: Critics are already pointing out that the flashy movies were in NO way gameplay, but most gamers are assuming they were. Smart, but manipulative tactic to counter Xbox 360s lukewarm reception. PS3 looks sleek, if boring. Microsoft: Perfect Dark Zero disappeared from sight. What the heck?All in all, I think all three companies squandered an opportunity to WOW. This should've been the coolest E3 in memory. It was nothing of the sort. Hopefully hands-on impressions will be favorable.
Comments
Lawrence.com does not necessarily agree with comments posted below - responsibility lies with the relevant user alone. Read our full policy.
Ryckert (Dan Ryckert) says…
I'm kind of on the fence with Nintendo's conference. The Nintendogs and Electroplankton segments were flat-out stupid, and it's obviously disappointing that the controller was a no-show.
I do think that the ability to download all the old Nintendo games is awesome. However, I agree with Matt about hoping that wasn't the "revolutionary" part of the system.
Regardless, Smash Bros. online will be awesome.
Here's my breakdown of how I felt the systems did by category:
Physical System Design:
1. Revolution
2. PS3
3. Xbox 360
Graphics:
1. PS3
2. Xbox 360
Controller:
1. Xbox 360
2. PS3
Game Selection:
1. PS3
2. Revolution
3. Xbox 360
I realize Revolution didn't actually show any games, but the very mention of Mario, Zelda, and Metroid being in development puts it light years ahead of the games Xbox 360 has lined up.
ichikuo (Hanluen Kuo) says…
The whole E3 was a big disapointment.
Microsoft:
I've already pretty much said my piece about their conference. It was pretty boring and not enough focus on the games and the whole Microsoft trying to be hipsters is just annoying and they need to stop.
Sony:
I was very skeptic the second I saw those clips if they were real time. I was pretty sure at the beginning that they were rendered. So I always kept that in mind. I wasn't too excited about any of the games they showed either. The only one I'm interested in was FFXII. All the PS3 games were nice showings, but I probably wouldn't get any of them.
Nintendo:
This was easily the most anticipated conference for me. It was both up and down. Not only were the Electroplankton and Nintendogs showings boring, but it's all info we already know. Nintendo is behind in the next-gen race when it comes to development wise and it was pretty obvious at the conference. If the Revolution looks like that Prime clip, then that is really, really disappointing.
Overall:
Microsoft: 70% C-
Sony: 85% B
Nintendo: 76% C
Here's another thing I was pondering with Nintendo. When are they going to unveil the whole system?
Tokyo Game Show?
This is the most logical time when we'll see the system. I think that would be way too late to show off the system in its entirety. Xbox 360 would be coming out in a couple months and it would literally be a 3-4 month late start seeing how Sony and Microsoft laid most of it all out this E3.
E3 '06?
No way. That is way too late and Nintendo might as well concede now. And if I have to wait a whole year to find out what Revolution can do I will literally go bonkers.
The bottom line is that Nintendo needs to set up up their own unveiling conference sometime this summer. If Nintendo wants to keep their word that they will be releasing around when PS3 releases, they can't wait until next E3 because the PS3 would already be out!
So when do you guys think we'll see the rest of the "Revolution"?
gamer (Matt Cox) says…
I am watching all press conferences again.
C0LDFISH (anonymous) says…
I think Super Smash Brothers redeems anything, anything and everything.
Besides SSB I don't give a darn about videogames...
gamer (Matt Cox) says…
All the reviewers here at l-com wish our lives were that simple :)
gamer (Matt Cox) says…
Physical System Design:
1. Xbox 360 (Mac rip off or no...it's pretty sexy)
2. PS3 (Space toasters unite!)
3. Revolution (I already have a slim ps2)
Graphics:
1. PS3 (though the best looking stuff wasn't gameplay)
2. Xbox 360
Controller:
1. Xbox 360
2. PS3
Game Selection:
3. Three-way tie for third
Ryckert (Dan Ryckert) says…
Ohhhhhhhhh man......
I just saw the MGS4 stuff. Hilarious trailer, and the concept art shows that Meryl, Ocelot, Vamp, and Big Boss (in some form) are back. Plus it takes place after Sons of Liberty, and Snake is the main character.
And Kojima Productions? Awesome.
I'm calling it now: Best. Game. Ever.
Well, tied with MGS, MGS2, and MGS3, at least.
daneish (anonymous) says…
Frankly, for being such a hyped E3 (and rightfully so, with the unveiling of the next generation of consoles) I must say the unveilings have been rather ho-hum. It seems to highlight (I believe) a plague that is slowly coming to dominate the industry. Creativity has become stagnant, as developers cease to create new content, and rather focus on clones of other systems products, as well as an endless amount of sequels. Because of all this, you see these presentations that at best make you say "eh" while doing little to elicit that feeling of "Oh:: my:: god. I've gotta have this now". Perhaps I am completely mistaken however. I could be blind to an undercurrent of wildly creative and original games just waiting to be released with the next generation. With any luck, my mother's words were true when I last spoke to her; "Boy, you are a damned fool", I believe she said.
Jak_Skywalker (anonymous) says…
hey ,fellas and ladies
just wanted to post up my opinions on E3'05
so first off let's start with the legend of zelda one word awesome!!!
Playstation 3 oh my god just want to be the first to say that i am a fanboy for xbox but oh my f'n' god PS3 is goin to "dreamcast" the xbox360 even with "halo3"
be back with more in a bit
ichikuo (Hanluen Kuo) says…
Metal Gear fanboys.... :\
JackBurt0n (anonymous) says…
Skywalker, a lot of what you saw on sony's conference was pre-rendered or scripted. Not much of it was indicitive of real games. That being said, I think I'd have to play it out like this so far:
Console design:
1. Xbox 360
2. Revolution
3. PS3 (it's a george foreman lean mean grilling machine!)
Controller:
1. Xbox 360
2. PS3
Graphics:
1. PS3 (just from the tech demos, not counting CG stuff)
2. Xbox 360
Sound:
I'm just assuming now, but it sounds like PS3 and Xbox 360 are going to be pretty even here.
Games:
1. Xbox 360
2. PS3
----a lot of what was shown in both press conferences were 3rd party games, and what we did see of first party games from sony was pre-rendered (with the exception of I-8, which looks pretty cool) and I'm a complete whore for the Project Gotham 3 series, not to mention how cool Lost Odyssey sounds. This is actually very close, but I give the slight edge to Xbox, just because of Oblivion and PGR3...those are going to be playable on the show floor, from what Major Nelson says.
And on one final note, yes, the MGS4 trailer was hilarious. Kojima was actually at Microsoft the last weekend...don't be too surprised to see MGS4 coming to X360 as well.
-Jack
gamer (Matt Cox) says…
Wait...Dan loved the MGS4 stuff?
I am shocked.
!
:D
Ryckert (Dan Ryckert) says…
Is it sad that the picture of the characters of MGS4 excited me 1000 times more than anything else at E3?
JackBurt0n (anonymous) says…
Just a bit, Dan. ;-)
?
!
-Jack
Supercat1 (Andrew Monshizadeh) says…
oh my freaking goodness!!!!! just because they release a humorous trailer by no means makes the game good. shoot they didn't even have the game engine created. i can not believe that it is being calling the greatest game ever (not a personal attack so please don't take it as such, plus we all know my feelings on mgs).
i actually have been underwhelmed by the whole e3 thing. i wanted to be having to change pants because i kept pissing them in delight, but now i just kinda go ho-hum and check my email. boring. i was excited about ps3's debut for about 5 minutes and then reality set in that sony has nothing but prerenders and hyped an ea boxing game that is also coming to xbox360. at least xbox360 has 6 ea titles, and i hate ea.
i was totally shocked by the big m's lack of perfect dark 0. i don't care if it isn't so hot looking (i never thought rare made great looking games, great plays but not great lookers), but ms needed that fps exclusive on the floor since the big man himself, master chief, wasn't there. that alone has hurt the ms presentation, but i think they have made up some ground with the expose on the teired live service. i expect this to truly be the standard setter for the next gen.
however, i did like sony's presentation, or at least when they weren't using powerpoint to create excitement. though it was all prerenderd cg, it was pretty and made me go "wow" for a bit. and they also have some exclusives that look to be promising, like heavenly sword. but overall i'm not jumping up and down anymore. their presentation of the syste specs was rather cut and dry, but definately made the system sound phenomenal.
the total worst out of the bunch was nintendo though. i'm not even going to try and justify what they are doing because it makes no sense here in the us. maybe in japan they will continue to be a heavy hitter, but no longer in the us. they have completely missed the point/boat on everything that has been happening in the gaming industry. their revolution appears to just be a weak attempt at upgrading the gamecube, and the gameboy isn't anything new. so what if it is smaller? it isn't new.
pretty sad pre-e3 stuff to be sure. i just hope that the floor ends up being really exciting.
ichikuo (Hanluen Kuo) says…
I don't see how you can count Nintendo out when you still have no idea what the Revolution is.
Nobody knows what it is.
I wish we did.
Ryckert (Dan Ryckert) says…
lol.....Supercat, you need to realize my thoughts on the MGS series. I totally realize that the engine hasn't been made, and that NO information of any significance about the actual game was released. It's not the funny trailer that excited me, it was just the announcement that the story takes place after MGS2, and they showed some of the characters involved. My love of the MGS series is based on about 92% story, 8% gameplay.
If I had to pick my favorite game of all time (based purely on gameplay), then it would be Zelda: A Link to the Past, followed closely by Ocarina of Time. The MGS series might not even be in my top 10.
gamer (Matt Cox) says…
While I can't count Nintendo "out" by any means, if what we read is true, The Revolution (which IS the actual name) will be a bit more powerful than the current Xbox. That's awful. That's also why no third party showed up to root for them. If you thought third party support was bad for GCN, it's going to be worse for the Rev, simply because the EA's of the world will have the freedom and headroom to make amazing things happen with Teraflops of power behind them in the 360 and PS3. The extra physics, models, things going on in a scene, AI and all of the exciting advanced tech will not be possible on the Rev. That, coupled with the GCN third party sales record, is exactly why the Revolution will be a one stop shop for N franchises only.
It's interesting. I watched all the conferences again last night. Nintendo firmly believes that this lack of power will actually CREATE better games, since developers can spend more time creating ideas rather than spending time on huge graphics. Here is the lack of understanding your audience coming out in typical Nintendo fashion.
Sure, we all as the hardcore agree that graphics don't make a game. But I can't say that when the Rev Zelda or Metroid comes out, I'm not ready for a current-gen look. I don't want to feel I bought another console to play something that looks like a GCN game. Aesthetics DO play an important role in the interactive experience.
Upon further review, Sony did a much better job speaking to passion of the video game. Hands down. They did tout the multimedia capabilites, but it was focused on how the hardware will create amazing opportunity for developers. Good stuff.
Microsoft's conference was just okay. Although I LOVE the new Xbox Live, I am not someone who needs to be convinced of it. This was a perfect chance to really explain the guts of it and the 360, but what we got was an hour or so of "We are the best thing ever and we're moving forward" PR BS. The detail wasn't as good as it should have been. The one billion 360 owners is laughable. The redeeming quality WAS the fact they showed REAL gameplay of some anticipated titles, for launch. Oblivion gives me chills. PGR 3 does look amazing. The concept of Lost Odyssey sound amazing.
Nintendo's was typical. Like MS, they assured us their product would change the way we play forever. No argument was made, however.
gamer (Matt Cox) says…
Lemmings for psp!!!!!!!!! woooo!!!!
Supercat1 (Andrew Monshizadeh) says…
well, i do agree that ms has bitten off quite a large piece to swallow in their prediction that there will be 1 billion 360 users. but there may be more than just hype in that. i could see microsoft actually making the 360 the next big launch pad for an opsys. it has amazing powers and would finally give them the exclusivity of hardware that doesn't involve monopolies. and the fact that there will be free live is a smart idea. this will definately open up the live community to a larger fan base. and if they are able to implement the sponsored racing tournament (sign me up!) that is then able to be viewed by anyone with xbox360 they are going to score big with players and non-players a like. but the biggest non-gamer draw that they can possibly throw out there is that people will be able to do video chat for free (after system purchase) over their broadband and still be watching movies, listening to music, or playing games on their high-def tv or normal tv. the ability to take this off the computer and put it where most people spend most of their time, the tv room (pretty sad state of affairs for our culture really, but that is another topic) is brilliant. i also plan on getting in on the microtransactions thing and will market a bunch of stuff with the supercat1 on it (w00t). but like matt said, they didn't provide any wow factor and had no backings to their claims.
but have y'all checked the new screens for perfect dark 0? the new johanna (that is her name right?) is freaking awesome and a much better character than the bland ho-hum model of before.
gamer (Matt Cox) says…
Breaking news, literally.
PS3 "may" sell for slightly less than $500. Straight from Sony Japan's lips. That's a little sobering. Many were wondering if it could sell at the industry-advised $299 point...not be closer to 500.
If the PS3 comes with a $499 price tag, say bye bye to demand. I mean, I understand WHY it has to be that much...but holy crap.
JackBurt0n (anonymous) says…
Can I get a hell yes for Dead Rising for the xbox 360? It looks like Dawn of the Dead: the game with the humor of Evil Dead, Dead Alive, and Shaun of the Dead thrown in for good measure...hopefully it'll be awesome.
And another hell yes for Castlevania: Curse of Darkness on Xbox! Now I can listen to Michiru Yamane's wonderful score in 5.1 DD! Yes! Thank you Igarashi-san!
-Jack
Supercat1 (Andrew Monshizadeh) says…
too bad sony can't afford to lose any money on the ps3. their sales in almost every department other than ps2 are way down and it seems to be that the manufacturer is starting to tank. in general i hope sony doesn't go bust (which isn't too likely but they could be dropping a few major projects like dlp because of profit losses) because they do produce quality electronics and i am a loyal sony consumer (outside of the ps2). but, because of these current phiscal issues they can't afford to lose any money and so must charge what the ps3 is really worth, unlike microsoft which isn't hurting for money in any sense and is poised to make huge gains from the 360. plus with microsoft in total control of all the system's hardware they can change the price whenever they see fit, so even after production costs have dropped way off they can maintain a markup price to recoup losses.
oh, and i do think dead rising will be cool to see running, but i'm not gonna give a shout out to any game that i haven't played yet that is zombie based. it may look good, but so did resident evil: nemsis (at the time) and look how that ended up.
too bad the info from e3 has been unimpressive and unexciting. i really wanted more. so far the only things i have found entertaining have been:
1) MGS trailer (gotta give them props for the awesome humor)
2) Killzone2 trailer
3) Microsoft mistakenly saying "perfect dark 0" when they meant "kameo" during pre-e3 conference (biggest "whoops" ever, even bigger than when bill gates went on conan o'brian's show and the remote for windows media center didn't work)
4) Square Enix jumping on the xbox bandwagon