Nintendo’s E3 2019: A Heartfelt Disappointment and Exciting Prospects
Last night, as I immersed myself in the latest updates from Nintendo that were absent during their E3 2019 livestream, a particular announcement made my heart race with excitement. Among the highlights was a limited edition of The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening for the Switch, which seemed to feature my ultimate dream: a reimagined version of the original Game Boy. However, upon closer inspection, it turned out to be merely a ‘collectible’ steelbook included in the package—yet another instance of Nintendo teasing my nostalgia.
My fascination with the idea of Nintendo releasing a revamped Game Boy alongside its NES and SNES Classic Editions cannot be overstated. The Game Boy was my inaugural gaming console and introduced me to beloved franchises that continue to captivate me today. The original Link’s Awakening ranks among my top three video games ever; I am genuinely excited about revisiting it this Fall on the Switch (though I won’t be purchasing that limited edition bundle—no judgment if you choose otherwise). While we were already aware that this game was on its way, it wasn’t what truly piqued my interest during Nintendo’s E3 presentation.
Given how unlikely hardware announcements are at such events, I tried not to get too optimistic; still, it’s hard not to feel let down. This year marks three decades since the launch of the Game Boy—a milestone celebrated by revivals like Atari’s return and even a miniaturized Turbografx-16 packed with games—but where is recognition for this legendary handheld device that laid much of the groundwork for modern consoles like the Switch? My hope will remain alive until December 31st.
Nintendo’s “one more thing” moment didn’t fulfill all my wishes but did offer an exciting alternative: a sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. This announcement is particularly thrilling because many fans speculate that this time around players may have an opportunity to control Princess Zelda herself as she embarks on her quest to rescue Link. Given her name has adorned titles in this franchise for over thirty years now, it’s high time she takes center stage in one of these adventures!