Nintendo's failure at this year's E3 has echoed through all corners of the internet. How could a company of such prestige fall so far so quickly without even realizing it themselves? How could no one at the company object to the imminent disaster that was the Digital Event? Did they honestly believe that their most dedicated fans would just nod their heads and find anything they show interesting and spectacular? The questions are many, and keeps piling up as Reggie Fils-Aimé attempts to shed light on this issue. One thing we know for sure though is that this mess easily could have been avoided, so let's take a look at some of the many missed opportunities that somehow eluded Nintendo's attention:
1. Announcing a remake of a beloved classic
Remake-announcements always bring good press- and fan reactions. Reliving childhood memories is one of the key reasons why we still play video games even after so many years, and what company has more nostalgic moments to choose from than Nintendo? Super Mario 64 HD, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time HD, Metroid Prime HD; any of these games would have generated widespread positive fan reactions and headlines across the internet. Sure, they may have already been remade at one point, but not in the way that truly matters: In 1080p at 60fps.
2. Announcing a kickstarter of a forgotten series
There are many franchises out there whose popularity does not quite suffice for a sequel to be considered. Developing the games would lead to an inevitable financial loss on the developers side and, depending on how much money they are willing to throw away, varying degrees of disappointment from the fans. A shrewd solution to this issue is to move development costs over to the fans, allowing them to finally experience the game that they have longed for. Off the top of my head, F-Zero would be an excellent candidate to fill this role.
3. Finally unveiling a game promised long ago
Nothing generates excitement more than the unveiling of a game that was initially announced in a distant past. A game whose development is shrouded in mystery, as many start to doubt its very existence. Sure, some may claim that this is possible only through incompetence one way or another and that this would require Nintendo to have made mistakes in the past. But what those claims fail to consider is the fact that people are quick to forget the past and focus on the present. And in the present Nintendo has no such games to unveil - which is the true mistake.
While this list may seem rather short, one has to consider where the bar was set for this year's E3. In truth, only one or two of the above points likely would have proved sufficient to win.
