ReedPop hasn’t yet announced which companies will be exhibiting at this year’s event, stating only that “AAA companies, in addition to indie darlings including, along with tech and hardware firms have already committed to making their return to the LA Convention Center.” Ubisoft has confirmed attendance, while Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft have announced they will not be participating. ReedPop has statned, however, that, “More that 1,350 members of the media and content creators from around the globe have already applied for access to the event.”

The 2023 show will definitely skew back towards the industry-only origins of E3, featuring a hall reserved exclusively for Industry Days. This setup was based on feedback from game developers, and will aim to eliminate, “…the cumbersome need of finding space to connect outside of the show halls. These include a select number of meeting rooms available to reserve on-site as well as a full-service bar located at the heart of the show.”

Gaming is a business, after all, and expos serve to further those business opportunities. To that end, exclusive events will be set up to bring developers and publishers together with merchandise businesses, investors and more.

So, what about the fans? In addition to opening the expo for Gamer Days on June 15th and 16th, E3 2023 Digital Week will run from June 11th through the 17th for everyone at home. The schedule for publisher and independent press conferences will be released in the comic weeks, but we now know Digital Week will feature popular online showcases including PC Gaming Show, Future Games Show, Guerilla Collective, and Black Voices in Gaming.

Pure Nintendo has been provided media access to E3 2023, and we will certainly keep you up to date on new announcements on events and participants as they’re revealed. Watch for more information from ReedPop on Gamer Days later this month.

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E3 2023 will now be split into E3 Business Days and E3 Gamer Days. The former will run from Tuesday, June 13th through Thursday, June 15th, and will be open to registered industry personnel only to “…network in-person, hold professional meetings, and connect with licensors and distributors. Amidst dedicated, industry-only halls and spaces, media can go hands-on with upcoming games showcased by developers and publishers from around the world.”

Media registration will open in December of this year for members of the press, content creators, and industry professionals. Confirmed exhibitors, hotel and travel guides, and event schedules will be announced in the months to come. Whether Nintendo will be one of those exhibitors remains to be seen, but we can rest assured that the Nintendo Switch will be represented somehow. Hopefully we get a clearer picture soon.

And what about consumers? E3 has you covered with E3 Gamer Days, which will run Thursday, June 15th and Friday, June 16th in a separate hall from the industry area. These days will aim to:

… [invite] consumers to go hands-on with the future of gaming and connect with developers, content creators, media personalities, and more. A dedicated theater of content, open to ticket holders, will run during these days and offer deep-dive looks at highly anticipated titles.

To keep up on registration and availability, fans are encouraged to follow E3 on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. It would also be a good idea to keep your eyes on e3expo.com in the coming months.

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ReedPop is behind shows such as PAX, New York Comic Con, Star Wars Celebration, and more. So, if you’re wondering if they’re up the task, it would appear they are. The announcement promises that “E3 2023 will welcome back publishers, developers, journalists, content creators, manufacturers, buyers, and licensors.” Are fans/consumers being left behind? Not entirely, as the event will also feature in-person components along with digital showcases. However the announcements reach you, ESA and ReedPop expect those to include, “…titanic AAA reveals, earth-shaking world premieres, and exclusive access to the future of video games.”

As for what that means, Kyle Marsden-Kish, ReedPop Global VP of Gaming, explains, “For years, we’ve listened, heard, and studied the global gaming community’s feedback. E3 2023 will be recognizably epic—a return to form that honors what’s always worked—while reshaping what didn’t and setting a new benchmark for video game expos in 2023 and beyond.”

So, no concrete details yet, but it’ll be exciting to see how this will all come together. It’ll also be interesting to see which game developers and publishers hop on board. The gaming industry (like most) has shifted to less expensive and more targeted digital announcements, such as the Nintendo Directs. But whereas that can work for companies such as Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft, smaller companies can’t get the eyeballs that the big three can. Plus, there’s no denying the excitement and buzz of an in-person event with many companies trying to outdo one another in both product and presentation.

Media registration for E3 2023 is currently set to open in late 2022. Confirmed exhibitors, hotel and travel guides, event schedules, and more will be shared in the coming months, so you may want to follow E3 on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to keep on top of things. Of course, we’ll keep you posted, too.

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Accelerate Games and Signal Studio announced Toy Soldiers HD back in May. This “overhauled and upgraded” version of the Xbox Live Arcade game from 2011 promises a new gaming experience for PC and consoles, and we were able to learn directly from Brett more of what that entails.

For those unfamiliar with the title, Toy Soldiers HD is a tower defense game in which…

…you strategically build your defenses while plotting your counter offensives. But unlike other tower defense games, Toy Soldiers HD gives you the ability to experience the battle from both top-down perspective and third-person perspective. Watch the action unfold or jump feet first into the boots of an infantryman and race across the battlefield dodging artillery while using a flamethrower to burn your enemies to a crisp. Mount your horse and charge the enemy head on with your cavalry. Pilot bombers and drop shells that pockmark the field below or strafe your opponent using biplanes. Go hands-on howitzers and mow down the enemy. 

I was able to see a lot of this action ahead of our meeting, and the integration between the top-down perspective and arcade-like action is exceptionally tight. You can seamlessly jump from strategy and resource management to first-person combat, becoming a tank commander, soldier, turret crewman, or even a pilot.

The variety of roles you can play should certainly keep things interesting across 30+ hours of gameplay on your first play-through.

Of course, there’s plenty to do after that. Each of the game’s original campaign levels includes a survival mode, and there are numerous achievements to unlock and difficulty levels to beat. There are also 9 competitive multiplayer levels available for private or quick matches.

Toy Soldier’s original DLC is now built into the campaign mode, but there are also three all new (somewhat longer) levels added to this release (including one that focuses on dogfighting), as well as three experimental levels. These offer players more freedom in how they can set up their defenses, as opposed to only taking advantage of preset points on the battlefield.

Brett’s enthusiasm for the game was consistently apparent throughout our conversation. When I asked him what he’s most excited about delivering to players of this HD remake, he said he’s happiest about the changes that take advantage of today’s more power gaming systems; specifically, the amount of variety and action they were able to add. No worries about Switch performance issues, however; Brett previously worked at Nintendo of America, and it was very important that Signal Studios provides a quality experience for Nintendo gamers. This includes those who prefer to play in the Switch’s handheld mode.

If my experience with the game is any indication, the action and attitude of Toy Soldiers HD looks to be a great fit for Nintendo gamers. The game will be released for the Nintendo Switch (the first time on a Nintendo system) and other platforms this August. For more information, visit accelerategames.com.

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As part of the E3 2021 Nintendo Direct, KOEI TECMO announced that the horror-adventure game Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water is getting a makeover and a 2021 release on Nintendo Switch and other platforms. The attached trailer will give you a pretty clear indication of how Mt. Hikami is looking these days.

Spoiler alert: wet and spooky.

Nintendo fans originally had access to Maiden of Black Water on the Wii U, with the Gamepad serving as a rather excellent Camera Obscura. That won’t be the case on the Switch, obviously, but the good news is that you won’t have to spin around so much in order to photograph all the ghosts.

FATAL FRAME: Maiden of Black Water takes players to the eerie Mt. Hikami, a sacred location haunted by bizarre and unfortunate occurrences – and a place where the water is believed to be housed by vengeful spirits. Through the eyes of Yuri Kozukata, Ren Hojo, and Miu Hinasaki, they will rely on just a flashlight and a unique camera – the Camera Obscura – with the ability to take pictures of ghosts, as they explore the mountain to find those who have disappeared. Will players be able to repel the deadly ghosts and uncover the mysteries surrounding Mt. Hikami?

The Switch version will include upgraded visuals to match the latest hardware advancements. New DLC costumes will also be available, but it hasn’t been announced if the game’s original DLC will be rolled into the initial release.

An interesting new feature is Photo Mode, which allows players to “… set-up characters and ghosts in various scenes and adjust their poses in order to create the perfect spooky picture.”

The digital-only release date for Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water is currently set for sometime in 2021. For more information, keep an eye on koeitecmoamerica.com.

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One of the cooler E3 2021 announcements for JRPG fans came from today’s PC Gaming Show. Pixelated Milk—the developers of Regalia: Of Men and Monarchs and Warsaw—used that event to announce that SacriFire can now be backed at Kickstarter for a 2022 release on Nintendo Switch and other platforms.

Inspired by JRPGs of the ’90s, SacriFire offers a blend real-time and turn-based combat, music by Motoi Sakuraba (Golden Sun, Mario Tennis Aces, Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume, and many more), and a combination of gorgeous 2D and 3D artwork.

And just what’s going on in SacriFire? Well…

SacriFire tells the story of Ezekiel Ridan, a young soldier training to join an elite sect of holy warriors who keep the subterranean city of Antioch safe from demons roaming the surface above. The theft of a mysterious relic sets Ezekiel on an adventure which will lead to places he would never have imagined, where he’ll uncover secrets which cause him to question everything he believes. A struggle thousands of years in the making is about to unfold.

SacriFire will feature:

• Dynamic battles – SacriFire’s combat engine blends real-time and turn-based styles to provide a fluid experience that is both challenging and satisfying. Fight alongside companions, choose from multiple weapons, target individual enemy body parts, and string attacks together to create elaborate combos.
• High-quality presentation – Pixel art and 3D graphics create a unique combination of retro-style graphics and innovative digital effects wizardry. Hand-drawn and animated characters blend seamlessly with 3D-modeled environments.
• Moral complexity – SacriFire’s original story aims to both respect and subvert the standard RPG tropes, so players will feel right at home with the cast of lovable characters, but will never know what to expect next!
• A tale of two worlds – Travel between the sprawling subterranean city of Antioch and the idyllic spirit paradise of Erebus in a game universe which blends fantasy with science-fiction.
• Elaborate gameplay systems – Adopt diverse combat disciplines, craft weapons, solve puzzles and tackle imaginative dungeons.
• Original Music and professional voice acting – A brand new soundtrack composed by Game Audio Factory and Motoi Sakuraba. Sound Cadence Studios brings SacriFire’s memorable cast to life.

SacriFire has about 1,200 backers and is over halfway towards its $99,216 Kickstarter goal at press time. For more information or to back the project, visit kickstarter.com.

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Well, unless I missed something during those dumb Twitch bumpers that tried to get me to leave the E3 live feed.

Akiba’s Trip: Hellbound & Debriefed – A completely rebuilt version of the first AKIBA’S TRIP game, Hellbound & Debriefed has players exposing vampiric creatures called Shadow Souls to deadly sunlight by liberating them of their clothes. What a way to start, eh? This “Strip Action RPG” is coming to the West for the first time on July 20th. Pre-order it now in the eShop.

Conway – Disappearance at Dahlia View – An 8-year-old girls has gone missing, and retired detective Robert Conway has launched his own investigation into her disappearance. Players will lead the investigation and uncover dark secrets in a story-driven observational thriller from the creators of The Occupation and Ether One. Steam has more goodies than the developer site, so go there.

Deathrun TV – A little bit The Running Man, a little bit Smash TV, Deathrun TV centers around a show where “… where contestants risk it all to gather likes from audiences watching all over the world; 24 hours a day. In this twin-stick bullet hell game you’ll have to survive swarms of rabid mutants to progress and level up your contestant. Tune in at Steam until it comes to your local channel.

Dice Legacy – It’s a city builder survival game, with dice. Steam will have you know that, “Your ship has reached the shore of an uncharted continent. Roll and use your dice to gather resources, expand and defend your settlement, survive the winter and interact with the strange inhabitants of this eerie world.” We will have you know that you can learn more at ravenscourt.games ahead of the game’s release this summer.

Eldest Souls – United Label will release its much-awaited pixel art, Souls-like boss rush, Eldest Souls, for Nintendo Switch on Thursday, July 29, 2021. By “Souls-like,” they mean its focus on fast-paced, brutal combat. “In a final act of vengeance, the Old Gods have unleashed a great Desolation upon the world, turning farmlands to desert, and rivers to dust. You, a lone warrior, must explore the vast, forgotten Citadel, in search of the Old Gods. Check it out at unitedlabelgames.com/eldest-souls/.

Gestalt – Steam and Cinder – Planned for release in 2021, “Gestalt: Steam & Cinder fuses tight 2D platforming and exhilarating combat with an engrossing, twist-laden narrative in a stunningly handcrafted steampunk world.” Discover the secrets of the Steam City of Canaan, clobber armies of Clockwork golems, and hunt horrors that slither through depths once forgotten. Or just go to Steam for details.

Greak: Memories of Azur – On August 17th, the Switch will get this side scrolling single-player game with hand-drawn animations. You will take the role of three siblings: Greak, Adara and Raydel to guide them through the lands of Azur. Alternate control between them and use their unique abilities to escape from the Urlag invasion. The Team17 site is giving me a security warning at the moment, so I’ll send you to Steam instead.

Grow: Song of the Evertree – Enter a world-crafting sandbox with life management and exploration elements. The once vibrant and colorful world of Alaria has been abandoned and overrun by the mysterious Withering. To save it, players must grow new and unique worlds within the branches of the Evertree. As the old inhabitants return and life begins to blossom, players will be able to meet them, learn their stories, and create a dream town to nurture a blooming community. Get details at growsongoftheevertree.com ahead of its 2021 release.

Happy Game – Don’t fall for it. It’s a psychedelic horror game from Amanita Design. A little boy falls into a nightmare, and it’s up to you to make him happy again. Get started now, would you, with the eShop demo.

KeyWe – We’ve been following this postal party puzzle platformer for a while now, and I’m happy to let you know it’s set for release on August 31st. “Play as Jeff and Debra, two small kiwi birds and the newest hires at the Bungalow Basin Telepost Office. With no hands to help them, the two must work together to jump, flap, peck and butt-slam their way across an interactive landscape of levers, buttons and bells to get the mail delivered on time.” More at keywegame.com.

Minute of Islands – Available now! How about that? First announced in 2019, this narrative puzzle-platform adventure has been nominated for multiple awards and has and earned a devoted following due to its highly distinctive visuals and intriguing storyline. In Minute of Islands, players will set out to save their islands, but will soon discover that not everything is as it seems. Dig deeper into the story at minute-of-islands.com.

Olli Olli World – Winter’s not the best time for many to perfect their skateboarding skills, so hopefully this line-running action platformer will fill that void. “Flip and flow through the vivid and vibrant world of Radland, meeting colorful characters as you grind, trick, and air your way to discover the mystical skate gods on your quest for Gnarvana.” Flip and flow and over to olliolligame.com.

Shadowverse: Champion’s Battle – A card battle RPG based on the anime based on a mobile/PC strategic multiplayer card game…now on the Switch. With me? “Players will meet a fun cast of characters and duke it out in intense card battles.” I think that’s what’s important. Find out if I’m right at xseedgames.com.

Silt – Coming in 2022, Silt is an underwater exploration game in which you’ll “… explore the depths of a surreal, hand-drawn abyss. Possess sea creatures and make use of their unique abilities to solve environmental puzzles, traveling ever deeper into the void…” You can travel over to spiralcircusgames.com for more, but there’s not much there at the moment.

Sonic Colors Ultimate – We already knew that Sonic Colors Ultimate was heading to the Switch, and today we got to see a new level. I’d send you to the SEGA website for more info (that’s kind of my thing), but they’ve only got links to the original DS and Wii versions. Way to stay on top of things, SEGA!

Rune Factory 5 – We haven’t had a new Rune Factory game since 2013, but that’ll change when Rune Factory 5 reaches Nintendo Switch in early 2022. Players will take the role of an amnesiac hero who lands in a small town blessed by nature. There, they are recruited into a band of peacekeeping rangers, and their new life begins. In addition to their normal duties, the hero can farm the land, cast a line into the nearby river, and much more. Learn all about it at xseedgames.com.

Super MagBot – Less than two weeks from now, platform puzzle enthusiasts will try to survive without the benefit of…jumping? That’s right, no jumping here, just your magnetic powers. “Armed with the power to control both positive (red) and negative (blue) magnetic polarities, Magbot must navigate through a myriad of challenging platforming environments to save his home planet of MagTek.” You can grab the demo now in the eShop.

Tails of Iron – United Label apparently has a thing for “…punishingly brutal, soul-like inspired combat,” as they’re also bringing us the epic RPG adventure, Tails of Iron. “This deceivingly-beautiful, hand-drawn title is fully narrated by the deep, raspy vocals of Doug Cockle (voice of Geralt of Rivia from The Witcher). As Redgi, heir to the Rat Throne, players must restore your broken Kingdom by banishing the merciless Frog Clan and their ferocious leader, Greenwart.” Learn more at unitedlabelgames.com/tails-of-iron/.

Two Point Campus – Two Point takes us out of the Hospital and find us sim-building work at a university. Class doesn’t begin until 2022, but you can enroll now.

Okay, that’s more than enough to keep you busy tonight, and hopefully into tomorrow and Tuesday when we may have a few more things to talk about.

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Arcade Paradise – This ’90s-fuelled retro arcade adventure has a new trailer for your viewing pleasure. In the game, “… you’ve just been given the keys to the family laundromat. Rather than washing rags for a living, you decide to turn the laundromat into the ultimate arcade. Choose from over 35 games to be in the arcade inspired by three decades of gaming – all of which are playable with high scores to set. Stay one step ahead of your father, manage and invest profits, and build your very own Arcade Paradise!” Details are up at wiredproductions.com.

Arietta of Spirts – Red Art Games and Third Spirit Games have announced that Arietta of Spirits will launch digitally on Nintendo Switch in the summer of 2021 for $19.99. Arietta of Spirits is “… a charming adventure game with emotion-filled narrative, no-filler gameplay, and fast paced combat.” Physical edition are also now available for preorder. For more information, visit www.redartgames.com.

B.ARK – This interstellar animal retro shoot ‘em up adventure asks gamers to “Repel the Dark Tide, an army of aquatic attackers invading our solar system as one of four animals with their own mech suits: Barker the Dog, Felicity the Cat, Lucio the Bear, and Marv the Rabbit.” Gamers will combine these super powers with up to three other players in local co-op action. Learn more at barkthegame.com.

Hoa – A “…beautiful puzzle-platforming game that features breathtaking hand-painted art, lovely music, and a peaceful, relaxing atmosphere,” Hoa will launch will launch for Nintendo Switch on August 24th. In it, “Players experience the magic of nature and imagination as they play the main character, Hoa, on her journey through breathtaking environments back to where it all began.” Fans of Studio Ghibli will especially want to check this one out at hoathegame.com.

Legend of Mana – If you can’t wait for the June 24th release of the remastered Legend of Mana, maybe this opening cinematic will hold you over? That’s the only bone Square Enix tossed Nintendo Switch players at their virtual event today, but it may be enough for fans of this series. Learn more at square-enix-games.com.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope – Ubisoft got ahead of Nintendo’s event to announce the latest Mario + Rabbids mash-up, Sparks of Hope. This time, players will “Team up with Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Rabbid Peach, Rabbid Luigi, and their friends on a galactic journey to defeat a malevolent entity and save your Spark companions. Explore planets throughout the galaxy as you uncover mysterious secrets and compelling quests!” We don’t know much else, other than it’ll come out some time in 2022. It’s listed in the Nintendo eShop if you want to check it out.

Moo Lander – If you thought you’d once again have to leave E3 with the no news of ancient cows, strange creatures, and a civilization of Landers, you thought wrong. This platformer without platforms requires no jumping, but has “…plenty of combat with different creatures and a boss battles with The Mighty Cows, as well as challenging environmental and physics puzzles all along the way.” Learn more at moolander.com while you wait for its spring 2022 release.

Unbound: Worlds Apart – This platformer adventure game will launch of Nintendo Switch on July 28. In it, players will “… summon portals to overcome vicious beasts, devious puzzles and platforming challenges in this new Metroidvania saga. Check out the new E3 announcement trailer or visit unboundthegame.com.

We’ve got plenty more games on the way, with both the Future Games Show and Tuesday’s Nintendo Direct ahead of us, so be sure to check back with Pure Nintendo for more E3 2021 coverage.

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In the “inevitable future,” 99% of human life has been wiped off the face of the Earth. I’ll give you one good guess as to who comprises the 1% that successfully fled to Mars. Here’s a hint…they love to golf.

Golf Cub Wasteland is a new (and rather disturbing) post-apocalyptic golfing adventure coming to the Nintendo Switch this August from Demagog Studio and Untold Tales. Players will take on the role of a lone golfer who returns to Earth for one final round, piecing together the fall of humanity between holes. Was it consumerism that led to this? Silicon Valley culture? Ecological disasters?

Yes.

Here are all the sad, sporty details:

Urban Wasteland Adventure Golf

The rich fled to Mars but venture back to a desolate Earth for a round of golf. Each hole in the wasteland offers its own little story and possible puzzle to sink the perfect shot. Play through destroyed brutalist monuments, crumbling shopping malls, and abandoned museums all as neon signs and poignant graffiti take swings at current events, Silicon Valley culture, and humanity.

Three Stories Make a (W)Hole

Piece together the full story of how humanity fell through three distinct sources. Details from the lone golfer’s story, mysteriously back on Earth for one last game. The Radio Nostalgia From Mars broadcast gives a glimpse into the lives of those who escaped, and the narration of a “secret spectator” watching you from a distance.

The 1% Killed the Radio Star

Be accompanied by a purposefully composed soundtrack as well as personal stories broadcasted on Radio Nostalgia From Mars. The station caters to citizens of Mars, nostalgic for Earth as they listen to music from the 2020s, and dial in to share their memories of the planet. A smooth voiced radio DJ keeps the show flowing with updates and announcements hinting to a not-so-glamorous life on Mars.

Fits Like a Glove

Three distinct modes mean every golfer can find something for their tastes. Casual players can focus just on the story and a relaxing scenic round of golf in Story Mode. Those looking for an extra challenge can beat each hole under par using skill and puzzle solving through Challenge Mode. While the total pros can try Iron Mode, where there’s almost zero room for error. Easy to grasp controls and a minimalist UI underpin the whole game, so anyone can easily pick up and play at their own pace.

That’s a Keeper

Included with every copy of the game is the digital Golf Club Wasteland Official Soundtrack plus a Graphic Novel Art Book that further expands the backstory of the lone golfer Charley in stunning visual format.

Golf Club Wasteland is planned for release sometime in August 2021. Until then, you can learn more (and schedule your tee time if you wealthy enough) at golfclubwasteland.com.

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The Nintendo Direct presentation will kick off at 9am PDT, and will feature, “…roughly 40 minutes of information focused exclusively on Nintendo Switch games mainly releasing in 2021.” They make no mention of new announcements, but the fact that there’ll be coverage of some 2022 releases is a good sign that we’ll get to see some exciting unveilings. It could also mean that long-awaited games such as Pikmin 4, Metroid 4, and Breath of the Wild 2 could have 2022 releases.

Immediately following the Nintendo Direct will be a three hour Nintendo Treehouse: Live livestream that will offer gameplay deep-dives for a handful of Nintendo Switch games.

Both the Nintendo Direct video presentation and Nintendo Treehouse: Live livestream will be available for viewing at nintendo.com/e3.

Two weeks is a long time to wait, but I’m confident this year’s presentation will be worth it…maybe even with regards to hardware! In the meantime, be sure to stick with Pure Nintendo for coverage of all the big announcements—both major and indie—to come from E3 2021.

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