It’s a great time to be a gamer, friends. This year’s E3 showcased new additions to some of Nintendo’s trademark titles, inviting new gamers and embracing their life-long fans. Pokémon Sun and Moon and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild are proving to be leaps forward while staying true to their roots. We were able to see the first game play of both titles and now we can’t wait to get our hands on them.

First Impressions

Oh my God… Oh… my God. OH MY GOD!!!

These games look incredible. They’re beautiful. Like… SO beautiful. The game play for both looks seamless and immersive and OH MY GOD THE NEW POKÉMON ARE SO CUTE!! Wait… are those Goron statues in the courtyard? So much fire happening… You can blow stuff up???? How big is this world? Islands?? How isolated is the Alola region? How many new Pokémon will there be? Popplio is a BEAST! I want a Litten though… Stadium style, 4 player battles?! WHAT IS A SHEIKAH SLATE???

The Aftermath

I’m tired.

So… so tied.

So excited… can’t breathe…

Let’s get started…

E3 is always exciting, but to see actual game play of these incredible titles is amazing. And there’s a LOT to talk about.

Live from the Nintendo Tree House at E3, 2016, Reggie Fils-Aime started with a moment of silence for those we lost in Orlando. This was really important as we try to celebrate such a large and exciting event amidst the tragedy that recently occurred. This is why we love Nintendo so much: they embrace all within their community. They understand the diversity of our culture of gamers and know that gaming truly is for everyone.

Next we’re shown the trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

What a title! What a trailer!! The beautiful and expansive world is laid out for us, and the new and familiar abilities of Link are on display. I had chills watching the sweeping, panoramic camera angles that showed off the stylized and remarkable world that’s so highly anticipated. From the moment you hear, “…open your eyes. Wake up Link…”, that deep emotional connection to a world we’ve been a part of for thirty years stirs inside you and can’t wait to make the return to Hyrule.

Left begging for more on this game, the focus turns quickly to Pokémon Sun and Moon. Another legacy title from my most loved company, Pokémon games have become as much of a trademark of the Nintendo brand as Mario. Developed by Game Freak, this is the 20^th Anniversary title and gamers new and ol-…er…well-trained… have been drooling over this next adventure for months. Set to release for the 3DS on November 18, 2016, Sun and Moon promises plenty of surprises and callbacks to the previous generations of Pokémon titles.

The Basics

The titles for Pokémon Sun and Moon were very thoughtful, as the new region is teaming with life. The Sun and Moon playing such a large part in the sustainability of life on our planet, this is reflected in the world of Pokémon. The islands are representative of different genomes and the ability of those areas to sustain their respective Pokémon is a big part of the game. Like in previous versions, you have your choice of hero or heroine to embody. The costumes will be fully customizable and your avatar can be distinctive and remarkable as the player. As usual, you have your choice of three starters:

• Popplio: A water-type Pokémon that looks like a blue circus seal
• Litten: The fire-type lion that represents with a black and red color scheme
• Rowlet: A bulb of a grass/flying-type Pokémon in it’s representative shade of green

The color schemes and designs of the characters were very important to the designers. In the recent past, we saw a departure of the “cute” Pokémon and in their place a plethora of muted colors and objects with eyes. This time, the developers at Game Freak, Shigeru Ohmori and Junichi Masuda, made a point of mentioning that the characters are all very “cute” again. Even their battle and stationary movements and expressions are very appropriate to their art style and design. It was important to the designers to make sure that the color schemes of the Pokémon were indicative of their type so the game would be universally relatable. There are many spiritual and elemental nods in this game that will tie the world together, showing solidarity and unification of that universe of regions we’re so familiar with.

During the live game play exhibition, we learned a lot about the Aloho region, a system made up of four natural islands and one man-made island. There is a disconnect to the rest of the Pokémon Universe which allowed designers to fill the environment with a plethora of new characters. The tropical climate and bright colors afforded a player revision as well as new forms of travel and interactivity within a 3D world. Besides the main character, we have Professor Kukui, an expert in Pokémon moves (and a stone cold fox), and his mysterious assistant, Lillie. They will be the helping hand along your journey thought this exciting new terrain. Additionally, there are all kinds of new Pokémon to battle, capture and register in your new Pokedex.

Solgaleo

Lunala

All-New Legendaries

Pokémon would be nothing without it’s lore and we have two awesome new legendaries to learn about.

Solgaleo: A psychic/steel-type Pokémon represents the Sun version. The warm, intense colors and large, imposing size captures the importance of the bright, heavenly body that gives warmth and life.

Lunala: A psychic/ghost-type Pokémon that represents the Moon. The sleek and cool toned design brings a balance to the Pokémon universe with an air of grace and majesty.

At the Taiwan event, earlier in the year, Game Freak let slip that one of the past legendaries may make an appearance in Sun and Moon. They confirmed today that Zygarde will make an appearance in this chapter of the Pokémon story!

What’s New?

The short answer is SO MUCH! So, if you’re tired of hearing me go on about all the awesomeness or want to keep some surprise for your first play through, you can skip this part. There won’t be any plot spoilers or fan theories, but I know sometimes it’s preferred to discover all the new elements for yourself. For everyone else, here we go…

Battle Interface

Your touch screen has a new lay out design for the battles, allowing you to access summaries on moves and see how your Pokémon was affected by the latest attack. It also notes whether or not a move will be effective on the Pokémon you’re currently battling. This is a welcome addiction for those of us who have played with 700+ Pokémon and can never remember if Rock Smash works on Zubat (it is, but not very).

Battle Screen

For the first time, we see the Pokémon trainer behind the Pokémon. When in trainer battles, we can also see the trainer we’re battling. They have unique, personality based expressions and reactions to wins, losses and status changes in their Pokémon. Also, we finally have a glimpse of the realistic size of the Pokémon in relation to their trainer. As trainers come in all shapes and sizes, this is a really cool feature that further immerses the player into the Pokémon Universe.

Quest Indicators

There are several new notifications that help you on your journey. For example, when you’re close to a trainer battle, the screen will shadow into a letterbox to warn you. This will help you to make sure you’re prepared and healthy enough to take on a challenge. Also, items are EVERYWHERE. With the travel space being somewhat limited on these small islands, the condensed area is completely alive with friends to make, trainers to take on and a whole new generation of Pokémon. And we know you Gotta Catch ‘em All!

Battle Royale

Before thousands of spectators in a Pokémon Stadium, players can take on three challengers in a free for all battle! You can bring up to three Pokémon with you to battle one at a time and the winner is determined by the number they beat and the number of Pokémon remaining. The matches have a one hour timer and are finished when all three of a player’s Pokémon faints.

What’s the Same?

Pokedex

The new Rotom Pokedex has some cool features but it’s mostly the familiar interface you’re used to seeing. This is good because the basics of the game need to remain in order to retain the core players while welcoming new trainers. The biggest change is seen when capturing Pokémon; there is a translucent Pokeball behind the newly “registered” Pokémon. This is an indicator of what is left to achieve with that species and is meant to encourage trainers to keep playing and complete their Pokedex.

Communication   

Pokémon is known for its connectivity between trainers. It’s important to the developers that fans from around the world are able to communicate and compete with one another so this feature is virtually untouched, save for the new Battle Royal feature.

I’m excited. Like, SO excited. Every new chapter in the Pokémon Saga is a leap forward, embracing the new technology and connectivity that we have. The Pokémon titles are instant classics because they’re solid, polished and re-playable games. This is something that is so difficult to find in the age of downloadable content and day one updates. Nintendo never fails to release quality games and this promises that tradition will continue.

Pokémon Sun and Moon are available for pre-order now.

Welcome to the Big Show!

It’s here. It happened today: The first look at actual game play in a very small realm of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. We saw a taste of the expansive world that will be our new playground and it left us begging for more. Merely a basic tutorial area that tells us the basics of movement, use of items and tools and an introduction to fighting, the Great Plateau is referred to by the game’s director, Eiji Aonuma, as the “birthplace of Hyrule”. And during the first few minutes of game play, you really do feel like you’re born into this world. We see Link mysteriously woken up by a mysterious, disembodied voice in a mysterious place and given a mysterious artifact… it’s all so mysterious. And that’s good.

In many of the previous titles, we open with Link waking up in this way. According to Aonuma, it was important to keep that tradition alive as they were breaking conventions for this new outing. However, unlike other titles, we aren’t given a long monologue of explanation as to where Link, what the story line is trying to achieve or directions to an immediate assignment that must be completed. We’re simply born… and it’s amazing. I felt like elements of GTA and Fable were being nodded toward as Link embarked upon this large field to sort of discover and play. This vast, breathtaking land to explore is everything we’ve ever wanted and this is the open world adventure we’ve been asking for. This new quest is a breath of fresh air and, much like previously noted for Pokémon, it’s a love letter to three decades of fans while inviting new players to jump in.

“…open your eyes… wake up, Link…”

Shrine of Resurrection. Sheikah Slate. Hyrule. Link. So much familiarity but so little explanation. In the small time we watched the game play, we were given little to no information about what had happened in the world around us or what our mission is this time (I’m guessing we need to save Hyrule. Or Zelda. Possibly, both), but we don’t really care. We’re so taken with the visuals and new elements like jumping, pinning a map, the green stamina gauge, that we don’t really care. It’s like being given all new toys to play with in a familiar world that has become like home. Only this time, it’s fully interactive. Chopping down trees, gathering items and weapons that you win or stumble upon. You can even interact with certain objects multiple times to either gain or create new items! THERE’S HANG GLIDING!!!

What’s New?

Health and Stamina  

No more hearts. They don’t make sense in this world. Regardless of the Toon-Link style, realism plays a large part in this game so you collect food that has different values of health. Also, you’re stamina meter will limit how much you can climb, push objects, and run. I’m guessing this will all be upgradable as the game goes on and Link becomes stronger.

Open World

We’re FINALLY allowed to explore!! This is basically the equivalent of your parents letting you ride your bike further than the edge of the driveway. Certainly, there will be areas that will be inaccessible without certain tools or abilities, but no longer will we be confined to specific areas until we fully explore and reap the bounty! And the side missions… OH, THE SIDE MISSIONS!!! We shall seek and find and probably die A LOT at first. I’m okay with that. I just wanna play.

Music

I love the Zelda Theme music. It’s tranquil and beautiful and so wonderfully specific to what is happening in the story. It’s severely lacking in this game. Aonuma assures us that the accompanying music, when it’s actually present, is specifically designed to add to the immersion of the game. You’ll hear more sounds of nature and the music will trigger more emotion when left to its own devices. I suppose I’ll trust him…

Puzzle Solving

The puzzle-solving element in this game is much more involved than in previous titles. Rather than simple seek and find missions or rearranging furniture, logic plays a big part in Breath of the Wild.

Movement

We’ve long been impressed with Link’s gymnastics and ability to leap, roll and flip out of danger. Now, we have a platform that makes all these movements seamless. Gone are the days of transitioning from screen to screen because some pissy Octorok or temperamental Moblin knocks you through a farm’s gate.

Weaponry

Link will have his old standbys in his arsenal but will have several new options for attack and use. Beyond that, the weapons now have a shelf life and will degrade, break, and need to be replaced depending on the way they are used.

Clothes

Link’s wardrobe will have upgrades and changes for different areas and tasks. However, Link will now show aversion to different climates and environments. He will shiver, sweat, and his abilities and stamina will be affected as well.

What’s the Same?

Heroics

You are the Hero of Time. You are Hyrule’s only chance. You must save the Princess. You must collect the treasures of power and influence. You must make things right. YOU MUST KICK THE CHICKENS!!

Seriously, though, if there’s no chicken kicking… ehh.

Let’s Wrap It Up…

• Pokémon is available for pre-order now and arrives on November 18^th, 2016
• New Zelda themed items are available today in Miitomo starting at 3pm, Pacific Time.
• There’s no exact release date for Breath of the Wild and it’s already been pushed back from its original announcement date. We’re okay with that. Are we bummed? Sure. But you have all the time in the world, Nintendo. We’d rather have a finished game than have this be the one that ruined Zelda for all of us (*cough* Majora’s Mask *cough*)
• NX was casually mentioned but not talked about in any significant way so we’ll assume it’s still getting worked out, too. Again, take your time, Nintendo.
• Hang gliding, you guys… Hang gliding.