In 2012 things were diferente. It made sense for a surprise announcement. You had excitement around your E3 and it made sense so you could focus on games during E3.

This time they would do a surprise Direct just for, what, 3/4 games? What's the point?

Playable games during E3? Zelda. Could they show - and just show - something in the second or third day of Treehouse? Probably. But so far, there's really nothing pointing at that.
They aren't even doing the Nintendo championship this year.
They really are focusing on Zelda and only on Zelda, apparently

Hahaha

I actually prefer the Treehouse events where gameplay can be exhibited versus overly-bombastic trailers. Just wish more games would be on display than Zelda but I'm definitely looking forward to the Treehouse.

You seem to have forgotten the 3DS, when talking about the number of games. Kimishima specifically said "Furthermore, there are many other unannounced titles, both first-party and third-party, that are proceeding with development." in reference to the 3DS. Add indie titles for both systems, and you've got yourself a direct.

Also note that there are some notable third-party 3DS titles releasing in Japan around the right time that would be ripe for announcing Western releases - for instance, Ace Attorney 6, Story of Seasons: Cherished Friends of Three Towns, Puzzle & Dragons X, Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse, Monster Hunter Generations, Etrian Odyssey V, Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King, and Dragon Quest XI. And there are some titles that it would be a great opportunity to talk about, that would fit perfectly into a Japanese version of the Direct - Layton 7 comes to mind.

Plus Pokemon Sun/Moon, of course. And Metroid Prime: Federation Force, and Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice, and Rhythm Heaven Megamix.

And on Wii U, you also have a few other notable titles that Nintendo could push quite well. Yooka-Laylee and Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night are notable examples. They still have Project Giant Robot listed for Wii U release, too.

They did the Championships for the 25th anniversary of the original Nintendo World Championships, and because they had some notable new and upcoming titles that perfectly fit into the theme. And there's no reason to think they aren't planning another one - they've only announced their first-day event, and last year they didn't announce the Championships until mid-May. But then, they're probably holding off on it until the NX is officially announced, so they can feature some NX titles at the event.

They announced a livestream, a demo and a bussiness conference, but not a direct. Have you understand or do I have to explain with apples?

The question isn't just about the number of games. It's about a E3 specific Digital Event.
Can you imagine Nintendo doing something special for a few big titles and then a bunch of "fillers"?
It's true that Nintendo could fix something but if it isn't something special, it would do more harm then good seeing as the only must have games that could be part of the DE would be Zelda and Pokemon. Everything else would be beneath that and last year was a good exmple of how a lackluster DE can really harm Nintendo.

I read somewhere that they had confirmed the tournament for this year aswell. Still, thy did have something big for 2 years in a row. Why not a third?
As you, i have also pondered about them doing one during the NX reveal. Going all out, i think!

They've announced some things, and therefore they can't announce anything else?

Is that really the argument you're going for?

Isn't "something special for a few big titles and then a bunch of "fillers"" what Nintendo does with most of their more general directs (as opposed to the directs dedicated to single games)?

Let me provide an imagined Pre-E3 direct lineup, to demonstrate how much they could actually do.

1. Open with a single still image from Zelda U, followed by a cut to the name of Zelda U, and then we see Kimishima, or Reggie, or Miyamoto - whoever hosts the Direct. They welcome everyone to the Direct, and urge people to watch the Zelda Treehouse Live Event on Tuesday of E3.

2. "With E3 focused on Zelda, we would like to talk now about our other upcoming titles". Start with Pokemon Sun/Moon. Reveal of the box legendary names, a batch of new pokemon, and a few new megas. Also some mention of a new gameplay feature.

3. "Here are some third-party titles coming to 3DS this year" - games like Sonic Boom Ice & Fire, Dragon Quest XI, Story of Seasons, and Ace Attorney 6.

4. Next, a few 3DS titles from Nintendo - Metroid Prime Federation Force, Rhythm Heaven Megamix, and an unannounced minor title.

5. First big reveal - a new title from Nintendo for either Wii U or 3DS.

6. Project Giant Robot announced as a special, free release for all Wii U owners.

7. Games like Yooka-Laylee given attention, here.

8. Indie titles shown off.

9. Another big reveal of another title for 3DS.

10. Possibly end with something from left-field, like a Smash character (Wolf?), or a first teaser for a new title with no specified platform (actually for NX), or some sort of collaboration that they'd been keeping secret - like a Mario & Sonic adventure title, or Beyond Good & Evil 2, or something like that. Just something to surprise everybody.

It's not like it couldn't be done.

You're right... 50% right! :D

It could happen and for a regular ND, it would be nice, but for a E3 DE? No.
People expect something special for E3, not just a regular ND - and this is assuming what you described would happen.

And that is exactly why it most likely won't happen.
If Nintendo had something like that at their disposal, they would try and come up with a clever way to push that, but they don't have or they are saving for a later ND. Who knows...
The most likely scenario is that, despite having something more to show for 3DS, they are saving it for later this year or early next year to keep the platform afloat.

Personally, i don't want 40 minutes of another ND. I want something special for that time of the year and i'm pretty sure most people want the same.
Also, keep in mind, that those games you mentioned for 3DS are, in the west, small titles, with the exception being DQ XI.

They have announced today a 90 minutes demo for Zelda. I'm still waiting for the other things to be announced, like a direct.

Maybe they will drop a new game at the tournament?

What tournament?