The Big Three are all about the games at E3 2014

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The 2014 Electronic Entertainment Expo came and went this week and The Big Three–Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo–were all about games, games, and games. The Xbox maker’s show was literally a lineup of upcoming titles for Xbox One. Sony managed to squeeze some hardware and PSN news into theirs but like MSFT they mainly showcased games for PS4. And Nintendo did what they do best: stand out from the pack with a highly entertaining (not live) “digital event” featuring a fun lineup of games starring their famous mascots.

Jump after the break for the full rundown of games unveiled by The Big Three at this year’s E3.

MICROSOFT

Xbox head Phil Spencer opened Microsoft’s E3 presser with this bold statement: “Today we are dedicating our entire briefing to games.” And so, without further ado, I present…

The Games (click a title to watch the game’s E3-tailored trailer)

*More on Halo: The Master Chief Collection: It will include all four Halo games featuring Master Chief on a single disc (Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2, Halo 3, Halo 4). Like Halo: CE before it, Halo 2 is receiving the “anniversary treatment” with updated graphics and gamers will be able to switch between original and updated looks in-game in real-time. All of the levels within each game will come unlocked so gamers can jump in and out of whichever level they like and they can be played in any order. The collection also packs over 100 multiplayer maps including every map released on Halo 1 through 4 all running on their original game engines at 1080p/60fps on dedicated servers. Additionally, the collection will introduce Xbox One owners to Ridley Scott’s live-action digital series Halo Nightfall that will feature a story that leads right up to the release of the next installment in the franchise, Halo 5: Guardians. And last, speaking of that title, the MCC will include access to the Halo 5: Guardians multiplayer beta when it releases this November.

SONY

In addition to showcasing many games at their E3 presser this year, Sony also delved a bit into new hardware and the PlayStation Network:

-A 500GB “glacier white” PS4 is coming September 9 bundled with a white DualShock 4 controller, a copy of Destiny, and a 30-day voucher for PS Plus.

-Sony’s foray into virtual reality with Project Morpheus was only briefly mentioned as Sony was hyping the potential of its optional tracking accessory, the PlayStation Camera.

-YouTube is coming to PS4 later this year and using the DualShock 4’s Share button gamers will be able to quickly upload video captures to their YouTube channel.

-Free DLC for The Playroom is coming this summer.

-Sony is investing in “free-to-play” games: more than 25 free games are coming to PS4 over the next year including Kingdom Under Fire (Blueside), Planet Side 2 (Sony Online Entertainment), and Guns Up! (Valkyrie Entertainment).

-Sony shared an update on PlayStation Now, a new service that will give gamers streaming access to PlayStation’s vast games library starting with PS3 titles. At launch there will be access to over 300 PS3 games including Dead Space 3, God of War Ascension, Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes, Rachet & Clank: Into the Nexus, and Ultra Street Fighter IV. The open beta is coming July 31 to PS4; the beta will hit PS3 and PS Vita shortly thereafter. And it’s coming later this year to select Sony televisions (all you would need is a Sony set and a DualShock 3 controller to play).

-There are over 100 games currently in development for PS Vita.

-Japan’s PlayStation Vita TV is coming to North American markets later this year under a new name: PlayStation TV. The tiny hardware pairs with your PS4 allowing you to play your PS4 games via Remote Play on a second television in your home. But you won’t need to own a PS4 to use it; you can stream and play hundreds of PS3 titles via PS Now with it and it will play “most” PS Vita titles as well as PS1 titles and PSP classics. Over 1,000 games will be available to stream at launch. Additionally, owners of PS TV will have access to video and music streaming services. PS TV will cost $99 standalone and a$139 bundle will also release and it includes a DualShock 3 controller, an 8GB memory card, an HDMI cable, and a digital voucher for The Lego Movie video game.

-The first original scripted series coming to PSN is Powers which is based on the graphic novel series created by Brian Michael Bendis and from artist Michael Avon Oeming. It involves “two homicide detectives who work cases specially about powers” and it’s coming this December. Every PSN user can watch the pilot for free, but you must be PS Plus subscriber to watch the rest of the season.

-A Ratchet & Clank movie is coming to theatres in 2015. Developer Insomniac Games is heavily involved in the making of the film. Also, coming to PS4 in the first half of 2015 is a remake of the original Ratchet & Clank game that first debuted on the PS2 in 2002.

The Games (click a title to watch the game’s E3-tailored trailer)

*In Far Cry 4 you can invite PS4 and PS3 gamers to play with you even if they don’t own the game. Sony did not explain how this will be possible, but a good guess probably involves the inclusion of PlayStation Now streaming.

**PS3 & Xbox 360 players can transfer their GTA V multiplayer data to PS4.

NINTENDO

For the second year in a row Nintendo took the untraditional route and did not host its own live press event. Instead the house that built Mario uploaded a prerecorded “E3 Digital Event” hosted by Reggie Fils-Aime filled with first looks at new games, words from developers, and amusing cut-scenes provided by the creative minds at Cartoon Network’s Robot Chicken. It was bizarre and it was quite amazing, actually; I definitely recommend you scrub through the event to catch Reggie and Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata square off in an epic battle that cannot be missed. It’s ironic; Nintendo’s Wii U is in last place in the current console wars and yet they still managed to steal the show this year with their fun first-party lineup and goofy pre-taped antics and animations.

The Games (click a title to watch the game’s E3-tailored trailer)

  • Super Smash Bros. for Wii U (Sora Ltd.): In the new SSB you can enter your Miis into the fray. Nintendo promises that your “Mii Fighters” will prove to be just as competitive as the other stock fighters and they come in three varieties: Brawler, Swordfighter, and Gunner. Ninty is also introducing a new “toys-to-life category” with a line of NFC powered figurines called Amiibo; when you touch a figure to your GamePad that character will magically appear in the game. Characters data is downloaded into the game and information can also be sent back to the figure. Your figure develops its own unique attributes and skills so no two figures will be exactly alike. So, the more you play with your Mario Amiibo the better his skill set will become; and since his skill set is saved on the chip embedded inside him you can bring him to a friend’s house to battle. Amiibo figures will eventually be compatable with SSB for 3DS when Nintendo introduces an NFC accessory for the handheld. Also, Amiibo will work in more games in the future including but not limited to Mario Kart 8, Mario Party 10, and Yoshi’s Wooly World. One more thing: Palutena & Pacman join the fight when SSB for Wii U releases this holiday season.
  • Super Smash Bros. for 3DS (Sora Ltd.); out 10/3/14
  • Yoshi’s Wooly World (Good-Feel); coming in 2015
  • Captain Toad Treasure Tracker (Nintendo); out Holiday 2014 on Wii U
  • The Legend of Zelda (official title TBA); coming in 2015 on Wii U
  • Pokemon Omega Ruby & Pokemon Alpha Sapphire (Game Freak); out 11/21/14 on 3DS
  • Bayonetta 2 (Platinum Games); bundled with the original Bayonetta; out October 2014 on Wii U
  • Hyrule Warriors (Tecmo Koei Games Co., Ltd.): Nintendo is branching out and expanding The Legend of Zelda franchise with a spinoff of sorts in Hyrule Warriors. They’re calling it a “Zelda collaboration title” with famed battle game Dynasty Warriors. The new title is a “celebration of both franchises” featuring playable characters like Link, Princess Zelda, Impa, Midna using Dynasty Warriors-style moves. The game supports 2-player action but not with a split screen experience; one player sees action on TV, and the other on  a GamePad screen. Out 9/26/14 on Wii U.
  • Kirby and the Rainbow Curse (Hal Laboratory, Inc.); coming in 2015 on Wii U
  • Xenoblade Chronicles X (Monolith Soft); coming in 2015 on Wii U
  • Mario Maker (Nintendo): In a surprising twist, Nintendo is coming out with a game that actually allows gamers to create their very own custom Mario courses. Using the GamePad you can drag and drop pipes and Piranha Plants wherever your heart desires and you even play your creation. Tap a button and you can instantly switch the visual style between the classic 8-bit Super Mario Bros. look and the modern HD look of New Super Mario Bros. U. Out next year on Wii U.
  • Splatoon (Nintendo); coming in 2015 on Wii U
  • According to this Time interview with Shigeru Miyamoto, Star Fox is currently in development for Wii U!

Elsewhere… DICE is making a new Star Wars: Battlefront and a sequel to their unique parkour game Mirror’s Edge.

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