Nintendo has delivered its main E3 presentation at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. The hour long event was packed with announcements, including the unveiling of the 3DS handheld and the next instalment in the Legend of Zelda franchise.

3DS

New Hardware, Kid Icarus, PilotWings Resort, Resident Evil: Revelations and more!

Similar in appearance to its immediate predecessor, the clamshell style Nintendo 3DS delivers a customisable 3D experience that doesn’t require players to don special eyewear. The unit features an analogue depth slider which enables users to adjust the intensity of the 3D effect, or even remove it entirely. Another notable addition is an analogue thumb stick, which is certain to please dedicated gamers.

As expected, the system includes two displays. The upper screen is slightly broader than the lower, which is touch sensitive. A motion sensor and gyro sensor provide additional control options. The 3DS features three cameras, including two external lenses that enable users to capture their own 3D photographs. Finally, the system is configured to automatically share data such as high scores and extra levels with other 3DS users within a certain range.

The most prominent title revealed for the 3DS thus far is Kid Icarus: Uprising, the first instalment in the series in almost 20 years. Armed with bow and sword, series protagonist Pit will need to survive both land and air based skirmishes. Visually, the game is impressive, ably demonstrating the increased processing power of the system.

Though Kid Icarus was the only 3DS title explored in any depth during the presentation, Nintendo has revealed some of games slated for release on the handheld. Let’s begin with the first party offerings. If you were hoping for a new IP from Nintendo, the announcement of Nintendogs + Cats is certain to put you on edge, as will the revelation that new iterations of Animal Crossing, Mario Kart and Paper Mario are in the works. The high flying PilotWings Resort will revive a series unseen since the mid 90s while StarFox 64 is a 3D remake of the N64 original. The submarine themed Steel Diver is, we believe, the only original property unveiled by Nintendo thus far.

The third party line-up also includes a raft of returning favourites. Capcom is set to be an earlier supporter of the system, announcing Resident Evil: Revelations, an entirely new chapter in the long running survival horror series. Capcom is also bringing Super Street Fighter IV to the handheld.

Puzzle enthusiasts will be thrilled by the announcement of Level 5’s Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle, while porn enthusiasts should be equally pleased to hear that Tecmo Koei is working on Dead or Alive 3D. Also expect a new Samurai Warriors game from Tecmo Koei.

Namco Bandai will be bringing its signature Ridge Racer series to the system, while Square Enix will offer up new Kingdom Hearts and Chocobo titles. It seems there will be no shortage of ‘cute’ on the 3DS.

EA is taking the opportunity to port The Sims 3 to yet another platform, while Activision’s DJ Hero 3D just might be a good fit for the system.

Konami is working with Kojima Productions to produce (deep breath) Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D. If the screenshots are any guide, the game could establish an early benchmark for the 3DS in terms of graphical fidelity.

The lone original IP among the third party offerings is Ubisoft’s Hollywood 61, which appears to be a point-and-click style adventure game. The French publisher is also set to deliver a remake of Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory and a new Ghost Recon title. Surprisingly, the latter appears to be a strategy game. Ubisoft has also promised to new versions of Assassin’s Creed and Battle of Giants.

Wii

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Kirby’s Epic Yarn, Goldeneye remake and more!

As many had predicted, Nintendo revealed the first concrete details regarding The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. The game’s art style recalls The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, but as a standard bearer for Wii MotionPlus, it boasts an entirely new control scheme. The Wii remote acts as your sword while the Nunchuck represents your shield. Defeating certain enemies relies heavily on the angle at which you hold or swing these key items. Other equipment is no longer assigned to buttons, but rather obtained from a pop-up selection wheel. While the game itself looks stunning, the live demonstration of the game was an unmitigated disaster. The bow and slingshot were seemingly almost impossible to aim with any accuracy. Although Nintendo legend Shigeru Miyamoto attributed the issue to wireless interference, it does provide unwanted ammunition to the system’s sceptics. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword will ship in 2011.

Nintendo unveiled several more first party Wii titles, all of them continuations of long running franchises. Kirby’s Epic Yarn is a 2D platformer with a charming needlework aesthetic. We also discovered what Retro Studios has been up to since the Metroid Prime series came to an end and it’s something of a surprise. The Texan developer is working on Donkey Kong Country Returns. Series veterans should enjoy seeing their favourite ape in glorious 2.5D.

As the title implies Mario Sports Mix sees the Nintendo’s main man take on a range of sports, including basketball, volleyball and ice hockey. Mario’s friends and enemies will naturally be along for the ride and events will take place throughout the Mushroom Kingdom.

Now for the one you’ve all been waiting for. Wii Party will feature more than 70 mini games across 13 modes of play. On the off chance that you haven’t had your fill of mini games, PokePark Wii: Pikachu’s Adventure has your back.

The theme of sequels, remakes and retreads was encapsulated by the announcement of Goldeneye 007. It will be interesting to see if the N64’s most celebrated shooter finds an audience amongst modern gamers.

Nintendo also rolled out new footage of previously announced titles Metroid: Other M and Disney’s Epic Mickey. Both look to be shaping up nicely.

DS

Golden Sun: Dark Dawn and more!

While the DS is soon to be overshadowed by its 3D successor, Nintendo has revealed a handful of new titles for its six year old handheld. Sequels are again the order of the day. Mario will once again attempt to outsmart a gorilla in the puzzle centric Mario vs Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem.

Pokemon Ranger: Guardian Signs once again challenges players to safeguard the wellbeing of Nintendo’s adorable little money spinners.

The main presentation also included the first vision of Golden Sun: Dark Dawn, which will be the first game in the series to feature polygonal graphics.

There you have it, a veritable deluge of promising software for Nintendo’s existing and forthcoming hardware and nary a new IP in sight.