E3 07: Nintendo press conference

So Wii Fit was the big deal. What else was on deck? As we mentioned before, the Wii Zapper was finally confirmed, which acts as a lock-in dock for the remote and Nunchuk. An enlarged trigger lies precisely where your index finger rests, plus you still have access to the C and Z buttons on the Nunchuk, as well as the analog stick. It's to be promoted heavily with Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles and Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. The Wii Zapper will retail for $19.99.

Quick footage of Super Mario Galaxy appeared too, revealing a bee suit (?) and more spacey-floaty levels for Mario to navigate. The game looks as gorgeous as ever and we can't wait to get some more hands-on time with it. Again, it's due November 12.

Mario Kart Wii was announced, but we all knew it was coming. It's definitely online, though no confirmation on how many players will rev up together. Eight karts were shown, but for all we know it could be limited to four or allow as many as 32.

Other online titles included Madden NFL 08, FIFA 08 and a new Medal of Honor title that definitely lets 32 people go at it. Guitar Hero III gets the online treatment as well as an exclusive wireless Les Paul controller.

Finally, a new Mii channel is on the way, tentatively called Check Mii Out. As you might guess, it's all about uploading your Mii creations and letting people vote on them. There will be contests and the like to see who can shape the most accurate fake person, with prizes like, uh, let's speculate Wii Points?

All in all, it was a very celebratory conference for Nintendo. Most of the time was spent trumpeting how bad the Wii is kicking everyone else's asses and showing long-winded clips of the mass media going bonkers over Wii and DS. Yes, we're the enthusiast press, we already know your systems are doing well. One glimmer of fanboy hope remains though, as Nintendo promised more Super Smash Bros. Brawl details over the next couple of months. Sonic, please.

Mario Kart Wii was announced, but we all knew it was coming. It's definitely online, though no confirmation on how many players will rev up together. Eight karts were shown, but for all we know it could be limited to four or allow as many as 32.

Other online titles included Madden NFL 08, FIFA 08 and a new Medal of Honor title that definitely lets 32 people go at it. Guitar Hero III gets the online treatment as well as an exclusive wireless Les Paul controller.

Finally, a new Mii channel is on the way, tentatively called Check Mii Out. As you might guess, it's all about uploading your Mii creations and letting people vote on them. There will be contests and the like to see who can shape the most accurate fake person, with prizes like, uh, let's speculate Wii Points?

All in all, it was a very celebratory conference for Nintendo. Most of the time was spent trumpeting how bad the Wii is kicking everyone else's asses and showing long-winded clips of the mass media going bonkers over Wii and DS. Yes, we're the enthusiast press, we already know your systems are doing well. One glimmer of fanboy hope remains though, as Nintendo promised more Super Smash Bros. Brawl details over the next couple of months. Sonic, please.

Brett Elston

A fomer Executive Editor at GamesRadar, Brett also contributed content to many other Future gaming publications including Nintendo Power, PC Gamer and Official Xbox Magazine. Brett has worked at Capcom in several senior roles, is an experienced podcaster, and now works as a Senior Manager of Content Communications at PlayStation SIE.