Nintendo 2006 Pre-E3 Conference

Nintendo legend Shigeru Miyamoto started off this morning’s press conference as a conductor using the Wii controller as a baton, interacting live with a digital orchestra. Another user on stage, used the control to drive an off-road truck through a desert wasteland and yet another, slashing at the air in order to swing his katana blade at an on-screen opponent.

There’s no doubt that the Nintendo Pre-E3 conference had more energy than Sony’s but Reginald Fils-Aime, Nintendo spin Doctor (EVP of marketing) looked…pissed off. As if he had just had eaten some bad shrimp prepared by the audience. He was upfront from the beginning however, saying they would not announce a price or release date, but that it would be less than competitors and available 4th quarter 2006.

Zelda…on launch day? Thaaaat’s right. NOA’s president showed the game live using the ‘nunchucku’ adapter for first/third person perspective games. In addition, the control has a built-in speaker offering a depth of sound not found in gaming before. The example was with Zelda, in which an arrow could be heard travelling from the control to the screen.

Lots of stuff showing. Wii Sports like Baseball and Tennis really wowed the audience as 4 players swung their Wii remotes like rackets as they played against each other on stage. Holy crap….is that Mario? Yes, Super Mario Galaxy, exclusively for the Wii. Forget ExciteBike, how about ExciteTruck? Use your Wii remote like a steering wheel with pitch controls to make sure your landings are smooth.

Soo much more. Can’t wait to get hands on tomorrow.