Weekly Recap: Nintendo Goes Big At E3 And 5 Other Shocking News Stories

Microsoft bounced back from all the DRM talk from last year by giving a safe and gaming-centric conference, while Sony rolled out a rather long-winded but content-diverse conference at this year's big electronics gaming show. The real surprise was from the Big 'N', playing up the hype to their own tune with an amazing E3 direct conference that unveiled megaton exclusives and lots of amazing new games due for release over the next year for the Wii U. Everyone was worried about Nintendo establishing hype and momentum following the massive sales of Mario Kart 8 and E3 was a proving ground of big things on the horizon for the Japanese company that went every which way but wrong.

Both Microsoft and Sony also did a commendable job of keeping their consoles in the spotlight. Microsoft focused on keeping the discussions about the positive sides of the Xbox, while Sony introduced plenty of new games, features and content for the roadmap of the PlayStation 4.

There's also plenty of hands-on impressions from this year's E3 event, enabling gamers to get an idea of what to expect and what they can look forward to from many of the upcoming titles due out this year. These stories and more in this June 14th, 2014 edition of the Gaming Blend Weekly Recap.

The Last Guardian Isn't Canceled

One of the most anticipated games that seems as if it won't ever come out has finally received a major bit of news (or non-news) revealing that The Last Guardian isn't canceled. There's a preparatory trailer for Halo featuring an Attack on Titan machinima while Satoru Iwata receives a get well card from 4Chan. It's been revealed that Sunset Overdrive supports up to eight players in a co-op mode. Watch Dogs also makes its way back into the headlines when real-life hackers start defacing digital road signs, and an analyst believes that even with a price-cut the Wii U won't be able to catch up to and overtake the PS4.

Crackdown 3 And Uncharted 4 Look Impressive

We've got some big news on the first day of the E3 press conferences. Microsoft, Sony, Ubisoft and EA all came out with different purposes and intents. Microsoft had to re-establish that they're a brand about gaming and not about trying to ravage, control and dominate your wallet. How did Microsoft achieve this? Well, by dropping news about Crackdown 3, another new trailer for Sunset Overdrive, The Master Chief Collection and Forza Horizon 2's release date and a rather startling video about Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. Meanwhile Sony unveiled a teaser Uncharted 4 and LittleBigPlanet 3, along with plenty of other exclusives and that GTA V is coming to PC and new-gen consoles. The Destiny Alpha gets underway and Ubisoft unveils Rainbow Six: Siege.

Legend Of Zelda Wii U Steals The Show

Nintendo dropped some megatons at this year's E3, unveiling the brand new Legend of Zelda U and Star Fox as well as brand new IP such as Splatoon and Captain Toad Treasure Tracker. Additionally, Nintendo dropped some major new details and gameplay footage of Xenoblade Chronicles X and they set a release date for Hyrule Warriors. This day was all about Nintendo and they dropped remakes of Ruby and Sapphire as well as showing off an awesome Super Smash Bros. tournament. Oh yeah, and id Software teased Doom 4.

E3 Hands-On Previews Galore

This E3 we had some Gaming Blend correspondents on hand to play-test a ton of the awesome games that are coming out this year, next year and the years beyond for your favorite gaming systems. This includes exclusive previews for Homefront: Revolution, a first-hand look at Bayonetta 2 for the Wii U, as well as some exploration in the Tales From The Borderlands, and finally, hands-on time with the most highly anticipated VR gear this side of the Virtual-Boy with War Thunder. We learn more about the multiplayer in Assassin's Creed: Unity, Square Enix revealed that a highly loved Final Fantasy game is coming to the Xbox One and PS4, and Alien Isolation appears to be living up to the hype.

Even More Hands-On Previews

Gaming Blend's Ryan Winslett gives some hands-on impressions for the upcoming Fable Legends. We find out that Halo 5's multiplayer won't be like Call of Duty. We learn which one gamers prefer between gameplay and graphics and the results might surprise you. Devil's Third is now a Wii U exclusive. We get some more impressions from a behind-the-scenes look at Mortal Kombat X. Conan O'Brien recently reviewed an incomplete Super Smash Bros. for the Wii U. The Destiny's alpha test is currently underway for PS4 gamers, and a new WoW mount has gone on sale.

Aaron Paul Turns On Xbox Ones Across The World

Microsoft's latest ad featuring Breaking Bad star Aaron Paul has caused quite a stir once he clearly says “Xbox One”. SOE rolled out some new footage of H1Z1. Minecraft gets Kratos from God of War. We have some hands-on previews of Middle-Earth Shadow of Mordor. We find out that the resolution of Diablo 3 is still disparate between the PS4 and Xbox One. Bayonetta 2 will run at 60fps locked on the Wii U. And Gaming Blend's Pete Haas breaks out a guide to explain how to build a deck in Hearthstone.

Will Usher

Staff Writer at CinemaBlend.