I think E3 2009 to E3 2010 as the mid point for this generation. Up to now, people forget how fortunate we've been with Nintendo's first party line up. Galaxy is one of the highest rated games of all time, Prime 3 was a superb example of the potential of Wii FPS controls and a great game to boot, Brawl was the ultimate fan service even if it lacked the online people wanted to see, a Zelda game at launch was unparalleled (yes, I know GC release too, but it still stands as a massive launch title for the core), Mario Kart Wii was the true bridge title Nintendo had been promising- and these are only the biggest "gamers games" from Nintendo on Wii so far.

The only reason there's so much pessimism is because Nintendo's fans set their sights so high. Despite Nintendo's lofty standards and excellent history, and despite their ability to reach a massive audience, they can't please everyone. Pleasing the core fanbase is the most difficult task of all. If they come up with a big line up-say Kid Icarus, F Zero and Pilotwings before year end, do not bemoan the lack of Zelda, but be thankful for what you will get.

I think that's a better approach to take to E3 announcements. Hype or slate the line out when it's been revealed. I do, however, stand by my assertion it will be a big show for Nintendo.

I think that what Nintendo did in 2006 will be more indicative of how E3 2009 will go than any other year. Pulling out all the stops.

Why?

Look at the situation they were in then, they needed to really push the system hard and I think that with the economy the way it is, they have to do that again.

They have to show that the console is really coming into it's own now and that from june '09 to june '10, the support will only get bigger and better.

I think that Pikmin 3 may be their mass market traditional game or perhaps border closer to that than a bridge game.

If Kid Icarus is returning on Wii then I think this will be the year to show it.

Zelda doesn't have to be shown to make it a big show but a trailer would certainly help.

Nintendo said at E3 '08 that they were working on their idea of social networking so we may see that come to fruitation

They also spoke about expanding the horizons of the DS with other functionality such as the airport stuff, perhaps we may see some of that.

Ok i'm rambling so I'll condense my thoughts a little..

1. Wii Motion Plus - They'll show games such as Red Steel 2 and their own that use it

2. Third Parties - On Wii and DS, third party games will be showcased

3. DSi - They'll show new games that use the specific functionality of the DSi

4. Sales. The boring graphs will be there :P

Have u guys seen the upcoming wii games of 2009 article on VGchartz?I really,really,hope zelda wii comes out next year,not this year because i want them to take all the time they need 2 make it the best adventure game ever!I hope there's a goldensun wii.If there's gonna be a wii fit 2,they should announce it b4 i buy my wii and i doubt there'll be a wii play 2 since wii sports resorts ships with the motion+.I expect next year,not this year,2 be the wii's best year so far.
In fact,I think apart from its final year(the year when the next generation comes out),next year will be the wii's overall best year!

no, Zelda wii was actually announced last e3, they just had a stripper on stage while showing the trailer, so no one even noticed it or recorded it.

@Soriku

Yeah another Paper Mario would be really sweet... but at least we know we're getting Mario & Luigi RPG 3.. and I have a suspicion (but no evidence) that New Super Mario Bros. is a re-invention of the 2D Mario series (like they did with the Batman movies) so I'm really hoping for a NSMB2 at E3.

Now Iwata has got me excited for this years E3.

I hope they deliver. =D

^that's a handheld versus a console

.. oh and i expect it to be casual games :P lol .. not to stop your hype but that would make the most sense.

i'm expecting a bridge title('s) that will appeal to both casuals and hardlycores, just like mario kart wii.

that supposed patient for a zelda game that was brought up a few weeks ago might be part of it.

@ vonboy:
patent for a zelda game?why?Do they patent every game they develop or is there a feature they're trying 2 patent?

^sold what...are we talking about again?