E3: Nintendo & Cross Platform Preview

The Electronic Entertainment Expo, better known as E3, is right around the corner, and that means lineups are getting set, and the rumor mill has been running at full steam. Turnstyle will be there, and we’re giving you a peek at what we’re looking forward to, and our predictions for the Big Show.

Nintendo

There’s little doubt that the biggest mainstream news story this E3 is going to be Nintendo’s announcement of a brand new home console. Known now by the codename, Project Cafe, the rumors on this thing are downright mind boggling.

Contradictory speculation has the console featuring Blu-ray, trackpads on the back of controllers with touch screens on the front, and that we’ll see Grand Theft Auto V demoed on the system. The rumor thread on NeoGAF- the web’s most respected game forum- has even more gems.

What we can be certain of is that Nintendo has to do something about how far behind they are with internet connectivity and their console products. Not only was the Wii the most lightweight machine of the last generation in terms of processing and graphics power, it possessed the least developed online presence. With the mainstream market finally acclimated to video game consoles acting as the long prophesied set-top convergence devices, Nintendo has to make a stronger play or risk getting shut out of the future. All signs point to the Big N being poised to do just that. Expect an aggressive online strategy from the console maker.

As for games, there’s been few signs that the current console king is going to shake up their successful formula, which means a balanced mix of fan service (Mario, Zelda) and casual games. If we’re lucky we’ll get a few eye popping titles for the recently released 3DS, and hands on time with the next gen console.

Nintendo’s press conference gets us up bright and early (for a gamer) at 9AM PDT.

Cross-platform Games

Oh, how the market has changed since the days when console exclusives were the most important releases each year. Now they’re more like the frosting on the meat cake of awesome that make up the bulk of titles. [Ed. note-- Meat cake doesn’t have frosting.]

Batman: Arkham City – The best Batman game ever gets a sequel.

Bioshock Infinite – How can we not be excited about the true sequel to Bioshock from the sleeper hit’s original developer? Add in the fact that this time we switch the setting from an Ayn Rand inspired dystopia under the sea to a city in the clouds that acts as a metaphor for the implosion of American exceptionalism, and you quash the whole “are games art” debate in a single bound.

Deus Ex: Human Revolution– Cyberpunk’s not dead. Not by a long shot.

Mass Effect 3– Pushed back until early next year, just like Mass Effect 2 was, we’re still chomping at the bit for any glimpse of what just might be Commander Shepard’s last stand.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – So. Pretty.

Untitled Bungie Game – The original Halo developer has been working on their next franchise for a while now. While we know they are not supposed to be at the show, the rules of E3 are that there are no rules. (Hey, a fanboy can dream, right?)

PC

Star Wars: The Old Republic – Can this Bioware developed MMO become the World of Warcraft killer? Of course not! The real question is if there’s room in the market for another MMO with a large user base. If Bioware can’t build it with the Star Wars license, no one can.