1) Casual gamers are VITAL to Nintendo’s long term strategy:

E3 was a chance for Nintendo to work the mainstream media showing that their new Wii would be the next big thing for the family. They crafted an accessible, health and social gaming scene perfectly on Wii and they aren’t going to let that huge audience just drift away.

With titles like Wii Fit, Sing and Just Dance 4, there’s a reason the console is called ‘Wii’ first then ‘U’. And for those of you who think Nintendo are crazy to keep that audience engaged: Look at the sales of Wii Fit and Microsoft’s Kinect.

2) Their online system shows a commitment to online play/functionality:

The Miiverse is Nintendo’s way of integrating an online environment similar to what we see on rival systems yet with a fun, friendly twist. It seems that Nintendo are now ready to fully embrace social gaming both now and in the future. Multiplayer gaming via their built-in Miiverse ensures that ALL games will have an online element to them allowing the system to become a constant playground of gaming chatter.

It’s a marketing dream and will ensure that the console feels social, connected to a world of gamers and, more importantly – not “gathering dust”. Of another note is the importance of Nintendo Direct and their eShop. Perhaps Nintendo will use these “portals” to announce further content in the future.

As seen with Nintendo's Mii games, gameplay is everything.

3) Gameplay still trumps graphics:

Sure, core gamers expected more HD updates of Nintendo classics yet make no mistake, these titles WILL arrive when they are ready. However, the reveal of Nintendo Land showed us that Nintendo are still congruent with their mantra that gameplay is king in everything they create.
Which leads us to the next point nicely...

4) Nintendo seem more confident:

It doesn’t matter how advanced their chipsets become, upon launching a new system most companies would have shouted about advanced graphics and various other tech points. Nintendo did this with the Super NES, N64 and Gamecube. So what did the laid-back, humorous and relaxed Nintendo do this year? They brought a non-specific action figure along and told us all to “Just experience the games”.

Did this guy steal E3?

5) The Wii U will have great third party support:

Make no mistake, there could have been a lot more unveiled but Nintendo did just enough to show core gamers that there will be quality third party content coming to the system. Although we may not have seen a sizzle reel to make our hearts skip a beat, the very notion that Ubisoft, SEGA, EA, Platinum Games, TT and other developers are already producing a range of quality titles for launch indicates great things for the future of the system.

6)      Every machine now must have an angle:

In 2001, Iwata talked about the Gamecube and how the “Nintendo difference” would make it stand out. Ever since that moment we’ve seen that statement in full effect. The DS, 3DS, Wii and Wii U all have unique selling points that differentiate them from their competitors. With the Wii U, Nintendo have taken this even further, showing that their hardware has now transcended what could be considered a traditional home console setup.

Squint and it's like you're looking at 2012

7) Old ideas are never forgotten:

Nintendo went crazy about Gameboy Advance and Gamecube linkup play and back in 2001. Pacman VS, Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles and Zelda: Four Swords on the Gamecube all had asymmetrical gameplay at their core, yet their execution was expensive and patchy. Fast-forward to 2012 and that promising mechanic is now being brought to fruition. Four Swords and Pac Man VS were brilliant, unique social games and Wii U will have this ability built right in.

Just as we saw with the original GameCube tech demo of Mario's rolling around globes and then, in Super Mario Galaxy, it seems Nintendo never let potential gameplay ideas slip through their fingers.

8) Mario still has it:

Look: we know that 2D Mario doesn’t have the same pull as it once did for core gamers. Ever since Super Mario 64 we’ve expected more from the Podgy Plumber, but 2D Mario games are STILL peerless 2D games that offer brand recognition and that quintessential Nintendo seal of quality. Mario games are a big deal no matter what and they tend to offer ‘100 smiles per-hour’ which will surely get players talking, (and will fit the Wii U Miiverse functionality well).

Nintendo learnt from the Gamecube and 3DS that they NEED Mario at launch. Wii had more Mario than ever before and with 2D and 3D Mario adventures becoming more common, gamers should be happy that there are more unique Mario options to experience. And let’s not forget: Mario drives userbase installation which is key for third party investment.

Mario is still going strong

9) The core gamer will never be satisfied:

A few years back Iwata stressed that Nintendo felt like chefs cooking up meals and snacks for an audience that were never full. To run with that metaphor, core gamers seem to be demanding BETTER LOOKING food, FULLER meals and BITESIZE snacks as well as SOCIAL interaction whilst fully gorging through games whilst keeping their eyes on the next course. Sadly, gamers are now crying foul if they don’t get the titles they want with immediate effect.

Gamers are a passionate bunch, sure, but sometimes enjoying the journey rather than the destination is the best thing to do.

10) Even more secretive?

Last year’s E3 saw Nintendo show off many 3DS titles that weren’t ready for general release. This focus arguably damaged the system’s launch as gamers expected Mario Land, Mario Kart, Zelda and StarFox on day one. What we saw from Nintendo at E3 was a reserved nature – something core gamers certainly aren’t used to. From this perspective, Nintendo's presentation lost some of that E3 magic.

But in this fast-paced era where everything you show can be copied, manipulated and instantly pigeon-holed into a winner or loser category, maybe Nintendo did the right thing?

On both Wii and 3DS, Nintendo have surprised gamers with last-minute reveals andollowing their E3 conference, Nintendo have stated that there are later announcements to be made.

Come the launch date for Wii U we will know everything we need to know about the system and its games. For now, let’s enjoy what Nintendo have chosen to show us and use factual sense to anticipate the next wave of third party games from the likes of EA, Activision and other developers that will surely come to Wii U during that all-important holiday season.

by Mark Lee