I'll give it to Sony. They really know how to hold a conference. They enforced all of their systems and really gave a shout out to third parties. While Microsoft was all about their first party games and their whole new we're going casual too Sony came gunning for techies and gamers full force. They had some nice surprises like a new Ratchet game and DC Universe as well as showing the big guns like Resistance 2 and God of War III.

They showed off the Playstation Network's growth off beautifully. They kept it simple showing they still have Home, their new video service, and more unique games coming in the future. The action figure fighting game looked like a lot of fun for sure. Also using Little Big Planet instead of standard graphs was a nice touch to keep their business talk from dragging too much.

Sony definitely boasted about Blu-Ray and how powerful the PS3 is however they had the software to back it up. They showed that they didn't finish first the last two generations for nothing with cool new games like Infamous, MAG, DC Universe Online, and Little Big Planet taking center stage. While Microsoft's box is the home to sequels of great franchises there was a definite sense of "Oh, I love these games. But where's the new stuff?"

Overall I wouldn't say any of the conferences really stand out as the all-powerful winner, but Nintendo is the definite 3rd place with Sony and Microsoft fighting tooth and nail for 1st. Now my biggest fear with Sony's conference is that their was a lack of actual demos in the show. Microsoft showed that their games are ready or at least close enough to ready to be shown at E3.

It looks like the Big 3 are saving their stuff for Leipzig or some other show which makes me sad, but excited at the same time. Overall I think I'd rank it Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo in terms of shows SO FAR and that's because of the FFXIII bomb that got dropped. E3 isn't over yet so maybe we'll get something good to shift the rankings.

Thanks for WiiSpeak and Animal Crossing Nintendo I'm genuinely happy about those. But where are your core titles? Shaun White and WiiMusic aren't what your hardcore fans were waiting for you know. My hopes and dreams shattered before me as some people played the SMB theme off tempo god that's disappointing...

So what are we getting later this year? A bunch of DS games including yet another Guitar Hero and a new (possibly top down) GTA game. MotionPlus is pretty neat and I'm liking the possibilities but we've already seen how 1:1 can be frustrating and difficult to control. Those guys couldn't quite get the sword stuff down because they don't know how to use swords. Also please stop using the nunchuk to steer okay? It's just not that accurate.

Hopefully Nintendo pulls a SSBB announcement that comes a day late from nowhere, but I'm not going to hold my breath. So yeah we got two new accessories and Animal Crossing which isn't exactly what I was hoping for, but I'll take it happily. I just really wanted to see at least one other Nintendo big game that isn't part of the Wii series of games aka WiiFit, WiiPlay, ect.

We all knew what Microsoft was going to focus on this E3. They were going to show off Gears 2, Fable 2, Banjo, and the casual stuff like Lips and Avatars. Just like last E3 Microsoft focused on what's coming out later this year than stuff we've never heard about, but unlike last year they managed to pull this off successfully. So first things first I really like the new Live features and Avatars aka MiiToos because even if they aren't original they have an answer to Home that isn't as intimidating to newer gamers. I mean which do you prefer Second Life or Miis?

Gears 2, Fallout 3, Banjo Kazooie Nuts & Bolts, Resident Evil 5, Fable 2, and Rock Band 2 all look solid but I'm disappointed we're not seeing more original IPs from Microsoft. Lips isn't enough guys sorry but it's just not although being able to import your iPod/Zune songs into the game is a nice touch to challenge SingStar's track list. I'm not going to lie I'm quite bitter Alan Wake was a no show again which is the one MS game that I really wanted to see something from. Actually I also want to see something from the Peter Jackson Halo project too which was also a no show so thank you Microsoft.

Also we have the Fall Update that's coming which boasts some huge features. Number one coolest feature is probably game installs although Netflix sharing is also an awesome new feature. The interface looks slick and meshes the usability of XMB with the visual style of Wii Channels with a little Windows thrown in. The background was a bland gray however I'm sure all those themes won't just disappear when this update rolls out in a couple months (just a guess).

Oh yeah there was that one other game that got announced. You know a little game called Final Fantasy XIII? I'm glad Microsoft saved this for the very end because it erased all the meh floating in my head with a giant "Fuck yeah!" basically this one announcement was enough to make me go 360 over PS3. Overall it was a solid show that wasn't mind blowing but an obvious improvement over most Microsoft shows. Can't wait for Nintendo's show now and I'm also really interested to see what Sony has in store because they can't just take the FFXIII slap right?

So before I get this started I want to say sorry for not sprucing this up a little. I know Dtoiders expect a lot of effort and creative pictures and such, but unfortunately I'm far too lazy and tired for such things. Also this is about the Wii mainly which means run away if you don't like it or if you don't want to read about it.

Anyways...Third party developers need to man up and start making quality Wii titles! Seriously we're moving in on two years since the Wii's launch and third parties are still trying to figure out the Wiimote. I think one of the biggest problems is the perception that because the Wii's graphics can't match 360/PS3 that Wii versions of 360/PS3 games won't sell, so they just don't make a Wii version. In some cases this is absolutely true and I'm sure NPD numbers aren't too hard to find to prove that some multi-plat titles on Wii bombed. However most of these are PS2 ports or lazily done motion controls over highly scaled back graphics, which are definitely not win.

If they want to prove they're serious they have to put in effort because it's effort that sells Wii games. While pretty graphics or nice online may sell some less than stellar 360/PS3 games that doesn't work on Wii. If you bring an unpolished Wii title to the table it'll probably get picked apart by whoever plays it. Motion controls are a double-edged sword that feel amazing when done right or anywhere from slightly annoying to broken when done improperly. I know that motion control is very new for mainstream gaming and patience is required, but most follies are due to overuse of motions or odd use of motions. Games like No More Heroes and Super Mario Galaxy may use the remote sparingly compared to games like Metroid Prime 3 or Zack and Wiki, but because they use it sparingly they feel responsive and satisfying.

I'm happy to see games like Madden All-Play, FaceBreaker KO Party, Skate It and even Force Unleashed get Wii specific content even if they aren't amazing at least they're a step in the right direction. For instance Capcom should make Resident Evil 5 for Wii even if it plays almost like a Re-skin of Resident Evil 4 for Wii. Why? To show that they want the Wii audience too even though the system can't push graphics like the 360/PS3. Games will sell on the Wii if you market them and polish them. You can port the PS2 version, add waggle, and get so-so sales sure, but that will just push everyone into Nintendo's first party stranglehold even further. So to wrap it up before I lose it make games for Wii, but don't release them until they're ready! This isn't 360/PS3 where technical achievements provide excuses for frame rate dips and pop in. This is the Wii and the Wii requires finesse and polish.

Yeah, it's my first post and I'm looking forward to some more bloggage. Maybe you already guessed but I like Nintendo stuff...yeah I know shocker right? I rock a Wii and DS, and play everyone else's PS3s and 360s. I'm kind of a moocher I guess, but it's all good because e3 is rolling around which should bring some Nintendo games for me to care about.

Also. Hi!