E3 2016: Nintendo Treehouse – LIVE @ E3 (Liveblog)

Oh Nintendo.

2012, and the launch of the Wii U seems so far away.

Unbelievably, it really been three years since Nintendo made the decision to formally, technically “quit” the typical E3 shenanigans. Seemingly weary of the 3-day dog and pony show a vocal minority view E3 to be, directly after the launch of their at-the-time new console the Wii U, Nintendo decided to pull out of the convention altogether, opting instead to showcase their games via their livestream, dubbed Nintendo Treehouse.

Despite the enduring high quality of their offerings however, all was not completely rosy with the new approach. After an awkward, rocky start that only served to compress their message, making their enthusiasm feel forced and disingenuous. They seemed to just not understand just what makes these preview events special in the greater sphere of public perception, and it showed (including hosting the show with puppets at one point in a truly cringeworthy display). The games were great, but the presentation was lacking, and failed to generate long term interest outside of diehard fans.

This is, of course, completely ignoring the fact that third parties were quickly jumping ship as the console’s fortunes began to plummet, it becoming increasingly obvious that Nintendo wanted to compete entirely in it’s own niche, damning the changing industry around them.

Fast forward to 2016, and in a world where the 3DS now has more upcoming titles than the soon to be replaced Wii U, Nintendo opted to have its cake and eat it too this time around by bringing Treehouse back to the E3 show floor. With a new console on the way, and a relatively sparse, yet punchy lineup for the fledgling Wii U seemingly in the wake of this decision, will Nintendo pull it together this year with a string of exciting announcements, generating interest in not only the last of the Wii U games, but those to come on their new console in the future?

The liveblog shall reveal all. Let’s climb into the Treehouse.

Update: Trailers!

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Wii U, NX)