Nintendo’s big E3 schedule announcement is a replacement for last year’s Smash Bros Invitational, it seems. Instead of focusing on Smash, Nintendo is spreading out, reviving the Nintendo World Championships for a new era. The Championships will most likely take place in the same theatre as the Invitational, but there has been no word on hosts, guests, qualifyers, or what games contestants will play.
Nintendo has also confirmed that they will be doing their livestream Digital Event instead of an E3 conference, and will stream demos from the Nintendo Treehouse all day. Mario Maker will also be playable at certain Best Buys nationwide.
This seems like a bold step for Nintendo, to try to recapture the spotlight from when they were the emperors of gaming. Nintendo is also competeing with Square Enix’s press conference for attention during their Digital Event, so that’s going to be a challenge to cover. We’ll see if a new World Championships means anything in 2015, and if more eyes want to watch Mario over those Final Fantasy pretty boys.
