Nintendo’s latest Mario game is not following the plumber’s traditional routes of an open-world pre-designed by Kyoto’s finest. Rather, the game is a level editor on steroids, allowing users to create their own levels. At E3 2014, we caught a relatively small glimpse of this one, but it’s this is sure to be the year of Mario Maker. Well, until you go to the Star Fox booth.
Ten years. A decade. Well over 3,600 days. That’s how long it’s been since we’ve seen a console Star Fox game. And even then, it was a GameCube title called Star Fox Assault, and it didn’t sell very well. Last year, Mr. Miyamoto gave away some tiny details about Star Fox for Wii U (tentative title, of course), but we’ve yet to see more of the game since then. Expect Star Fox to take up a large space at Nintendo’s booth as it commands the most attention from Nintendo fans.
Fallout 4
Bethesda may be pulling the cruelest joke in the video game industry on us. It could be gaming the gamers. But all signs point to Fallout 4, and dammit, we want to believe, too! We know virtually nothing about this game if only for the simple fact that it hasn’t even been announced yet, but we’ve got a sneaking suspicion that the game is much further along in development than anyone realizes, and it could in fact come with a 2015 release date. Bethesda is holding its conference on Sunday, June 14th, knocking over Microsoft’s first-mover strategy for E3 announcements, and they may just steal the show before it even begins.
Ubisoft has has the Tom Clancy game rights for a while now, and they’ve been making good use of it so far. Rainbow Six Siege is still set to launch in 2015, while The Division is going to be a 2016 title. We wouldn’t be surprised if Ubisoft pulls out another Clancy-universe title at its press conference, and it would most certainly be a game to watch. Expect another Splinter Cell from the Ubisoft Toronto team, or better yet, a new IP altogether.
This could be the year of the rhythm game revival. Honestly, we’re against it all coming back so soon, but at least Harmonix had the insight to take a few years off, unlike some other games (we’re looking at you, Call of Duty). It’ll be interesting to see if the new game is indeed a more compelling offering than before, and how existing instruments play into it all, considering those plastic Fenders were made for different consoles. Regardless, Harmonix has always found a way to make their games entertaining, so if they bring that back, we guess it’s not the worst thing.
We know virtually nothing about this game other than it will have its official reveal at Bethesda’s E3 Showcase on Sunday, June 14th. The tiny, three-second trailer we all blinked and missed was enough to get us excited for the game while terrifying us at the same time. Bethesda’s booth tends to be quite massive and thematic, so we’re expecting gobs of Deimos blood all over the E3 show floor this year.
Mirror’s Edge
In 2013, Electronic Arts finally announced a follow-up to 2008’s Mirror’s Edge. Last year, they showed off some prototype gameplay footage and a short developer reel about making the game. This year, EA will be showing off the game itself, which we think must be close to completion. Expect to hear lots of information about this game, hopefully a release date, and with any luck, some hands-on time on the show floor. We’re just hoping the game isn’t as painfully short as the original.
Call of Duty: Black Ops III
It wouldn’t be E3–hell, it wouldn’t be real life–without a new Call of Duty game. We’re excited about the new title, but aren;t holding our breaths for anything magical or revolutionary. Sure, you have to hear about this one and plan to be bombarded by the news it generates, but let’s be real: it’s another Call of Duty. Oh, and please stop calling it Blopsiii.