No-one's doubting that the star of the show was the DSi, a subtle redesign of the phenomenally successful handheld that's already shifted 80 million units worldwide. Taking Nintendo's console a small step closer to multimedia convergence with its diminutive camera, it's an impressive update to an already admirable piece of kit.
But that's not all that came out of the conference, and hidden within the DSi's trailer was an impressive line-up of incoming software, much of it being shown for the first time. The first new feature on display was a DS pedometer, which also looks to finally add Mii integration for the DS. How the hardware itself operates with the console remains open to speculation, though the brief glimpse in Nintendo's showreel seemed to cross similar territory to Wii Fit.
A more tangible proposition is Mario & Luigi 3, a new instalment in the charismatic RPG outings for Nintendo's most prominent mascots. Though only the briefest of excerpts were shown from the game itself, it doesn't look to stray too far from the formula -- a move which it's hard to berate given the critical success of the series.
Also being debuted in the showreel was 3D Picross, bringing another dimension to the original DS puzzle game that's still one of the highest rated titles for the handheld.
Aside from the new titles, there was also a chance to get another look at a bustling release schedule for the DS. A new Wario Ware title looks to mix things up by adding user-generated elements, and there was a further look at Infinite Line, SEGA and Platinum's ambitious space epic that pushes the envelope with the hardware.
And there's a glut of RPGs coming to the console as well, foremost of which has to be Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time. It's joined by new versions in the Shining Force, Phantasy Star and Kingdom Hearts series, and of course the eagerly awaited port of Chrono Trigger, all ensuring that the handheld is the first port of call for dungeon dwellers.
Elsewhere, the showreel was reaming with a typically idiosyncratic bunch of curios that have little chance of making it to the West. Though if you looked really hard, we're sure you could pick up a copy of Self-Indulgent Fashion: Girls' Mode from your local internet retailer.
Following the flat note struck by this year's E3 conference, there was some much needed loving for the Nintendo Wii. Striking out on the frontline of the Wii's schedule is Punch Out!!, a welcome return for the beloved boxing franchise that doesn't stray far from the classic game's mechanic of ducking and punching. Sporting some attractive characterisations in keeping with the colourful aesthetic of the original, it's a perfect fit for the Wii-mote and Nunchuk combo that worked so well in the bite-size boxing mode in Wii Sports.
If the Nintendo traditionalists have been appeased, the hardcore have been well and truly spoilt with the announcement of Sin & Punishment 2. A follow-up to a N64 on-rails shooter that sadly never saw its way out of Japan, a recent re-release on the Wii's Virtual Console ensured the game's charms weren't the sole reserve of the diehard. With a new generation now au fait with the magic worked by the dream team of Treasure and Nintendo back in 2001, we're sure to not be the only ones excited about a return for the game's androgynous cast, and the Wii-mote should provide a perfect interface for the basic yet brutal point-and-shoot gameplay.
Koei's Samurai Warriors brand is to have its first dedicated Wii outing. Curious DS adventure game Another Code (or Trace Memory for non-PAL regions) is also coming to the Wii, though we're as yet unaware whether its a sequel or a port. There was also a first look at Sonic and the Black Knight -- another chance to raise hopes for the ailing series as the hedgehog was looking stylish with a sword in hand -- and Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time was looking handsome.
Like its DS counterpart, the Wii showreel was full of filler that's never likely to see the light of day outside of Japan, but again they proved an adverse bunch. Cosmic Walker is a particularly interesting proposition, though how the space walking seen in the trailer will stretch out into a full game remains to be seen. Digital novel 428 from SEGA and Chunsoft also provided an interesting counterpoint to its compatriots with its real-world photography, though it's unlikely to be translated for Western audiences.
With so much content on display, it was a resounding answer to those who have accused Nintendo recently of losing touch with its core audience. Below is the full list of games on show in Tokyo, courtesy of the ever-vigilant citizens of NeoGaf.
Wii Games
2008
Wii Music (Nintendo)
Animal Crossing: City Folk (Nintendo)
The Melancholy of Haruhi (Kadokawa Shoten) Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Cross Generation of Heroes (Capcom)
428 (SEGA)
Samba de Amigo (SEGA)
Let's Tap (SEGA)
Cooking Mama 2 (Taito)
Rygar: Muscle Impact (Tecmo)
Guitar Hero: Aerosmith (Activision)
Karaoke Joysound Wii (Hudson)
Sky Crawlers (Bandai-Namco)
Happy Dance Collection (Bandai-Namco)
Family Ski: World Ski & Snowboard (Bandai-Namco)
Klonoa: Door to Phantomile (Bandai-Namco)
Taiko Drum Master Wii (Bandai-Namco)
Tenchu 4 (From Software)
Harvest Moon: Exciting Animal March (Marvelous)
Rune Factory Frontier (Marvelous)
Shape Boxing (Rocket Co.)
2009
Wii Sports Resort (Nintendo)
Start w/ 100 Conversations! English Conversation (Nintendo)
Punch-Out!! (Nintendo)
Trace Memory: R, Gateway of Memory (Nintendo) Kensax (Nintendo)
Cosmic Walker (Nintendo)
Spawn Smasher (Nintendo)
Takt of Magic (Nintendo)
Sin & Punishment 2 (Nintendo)
Forever Blue 2: Beautiful Ocean (Nintendo)
Everyone's the Star on the NHK Red-and-White Quiz Battle (Nintendo)
Line Attack Heroes (Nintendo)
Castlevania: Judgment (Konami)
Dead Rising: Zombies' Sacrifice (Capcom)
FFCC: Echoes of Time (Square-Enix)
Sonic and the Black Knight (Sega)
Fragile (Bandai-Namco)
Arcrise Fantasia (Marvelous)
Oboro Muramasa (Marvelous)
DS Line-up
2008
Self-indulgent Fashion: Girls' Mode (Nintendo)
Know by Walking: Life Rhythm DS (Nintendo)
Kirby: Ultra Super Stars (Nintendo)
World Food: Talk! DS Food Navi (Nintendo)
Power Pro-kun Pocket 11 (Konami)
Mega Man Star Force 3: Black Ace/Red Joker (Capcom)
Valkyrie Profile (Square-Enix)
Chrono Trigger (Square-Enix)
Chocobo and the Magical Picture Book: The Witch, the Girl, and the 5 Warriors (Square-Enix)
Mysterious Dungeon: Fuuren no Shiren DS 2 (SEGA)
Let's Make a Soccer Team DS: Touch and Direct (SEGA)
Phantasy Star Zero (SEGA)
Wind of Nostalgeo (Tecmo)
DS Nishimura Kyotarou Suspense Detective Series 2 (Tecmo)
Momotarou Dentetsu 20th Anniversary (Hudson)
Tamagotchi's Sparkling Shop (Bandai-Namco)
Tales of Hearts: Anime Movie Edition/CG Movie Edition (Bandai-Namco)
Harvest Moon: Welcome to the Wind's Bazaar (Marvelous)
Avalon Code (Marvelous)
Prof. Layton and the Last Time Travel (Level 5)
2009
DS Fortune-Telling Life (Nintendo)
Friend Collection (Nintendo)
Mario & Luigi RPG 3 (Nintendo)
Made in Me (Wario Ware) (Nintendo)
Solid Body Picross (Nintendo)
Gyakuten Kenji (Capcom)
FFCC: Echoes of Time (Square-Enix)
Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days (Square-Enix)
Shining Force Feather (SEGA)
Seventh Dragon (SEGA)
Infinite Space (SEGA)
