My Very Long List of E3 Predictions

E3 starts tomorrow. I've never been excited for E3, but this year is incredibly different with each of the major console makers touting new hardware and flashy new software. The PS4, Xbox One, and Wii U all are trying to make a splash with consumers, and now is the time to convince the industry that each are viable platforms. Wow. I'm excited to hear about stuff. There could be MEGATONS of info this week.

Leading up to this E3 we find game consoles in trouble for a lot of reasons. Nintendo's Wii U is in hot water from confusing marketing, lack of software titles after launch, and general apathy from consumers. Nintendo has decided to not hold a conference at E3, opting instead for a series of Nintendo Directs that will stream across the web throughout the week. They've also made arrangements with Best Buy to bring their demos nationwide- to allow players a shot at trying the Wii U and their new titles. The possibly partial list has been leaked and it looks like starting Tuesday you'll be able to play:

• Super Luigi U
• The Legend of Zelda: Windwaker
• Wonderful 101
• Pikmin 3

To be honest these games are stuff that people have already played before... or titles that were supposed to launch with the Wii U, but were delayed for various reasons. We should expect to see the new Smash Bros, some Pokemon stuff, Zelda stuff, and the new 3D Mario game. I'm sure that Nintendo will save some of the best stuff for last. They may have some hidden cards up their sleeves.

Nintendo has to make a statement during E3. Even though they aren't going to "be" at the conference, they've gotta make sure that they set the record straight about the software lineup for the troubled Wii U. Now that the basic set is getting recalled, may it wouldn't hurt to lower the price of the Wii U to encourage sales. It also wouldn't hurt if they announce more localizations for 3DS. It's their flagship system whether they like it or not. More Pokemon X and Y! I'm hoping there are some good 3DS demos that will get reported on.

Verdict: It's all about the games. Show us something! New stuff! Anything!

Oh Microsoft. Oh man. The Xbox One has been blasted since it was introduced a few weeks back. DRM issues, used game nonsense, the always-on maybe-off Kinect eye that watches your every move, and the must connect to the internet or it won't work thing. They've pretty much blown the lid off of all the nasty rumors that have been leaking out for the past two years. What a nightmare.

I'm sure that MS is banking on the long list of exclusives they plan to offer. They've got a BILLION dollars to spend on games. But at what cost? Privacy? Loopholes? Ever-changing terms of service? We just want straight answers. That's all. We still know so little about the system that speculation is starting to take over.

As far as games, I'm looking forward to seeing Ryse, Quantum Break, and Destiny. These games will look great for sure, and the cloud tech MS is using interests me. We don't even know what this console is capable of and that makes it exciting. Killer controller (I want it for PC!). How much? $350? $400? $450? I'm thinking... somewhere around $400.

Bungie's Destiny will be huge this E3.

Verdict: Set the record straight. Make sure the games look good and we might forget about the weird stuff.

Sony. Oh man. If Microsoft has done everything wrong up until E3, Sony has a huge chance to say that the PS4 doesn't have any of the hangups that the Xbox One has and they'll win. Done. Over. I'm not sure that is the case, but Sony could avoid the headaches that the folks over at Xbox are experiencing right now. Their previous conference on the PS4 was game heavy and that was good. I'm guessing they'll finally reveal what the console looks like and give a price point for the holiday season. $400? $450? $500? I'm guessing around $450-500. Folks will spend that much if Sony brings out the big games....

I'm talking The Last Guardian. BOOM. If we don't see this game at this E3... then I don't know if we ever will. This game has been in the works for way too long, and it belongs on the PS4. Sony has a list of games just as long as Microsoft does, and it will be up to them and the developers of these games to wow us with the capabilities of the new hardware. I'm interested in Capcom's game codenamed "Deep Down". Dragon's Dogma 2 anyone?? Hope so.

Playstation Vita. Games for the Vita. Do it. I've been hearing for weeks about "dozens and dozens" of unreleased games that are coming for the PSVita, but I'm starting to not believe the hype. Like the Wii U, the Vita needs games BAD in order to stick around. It doesn't hurt that Sony plans to integrate the Vita with PS4. But until then... Where are the games? Localize something!

Verdict: Show us the box. Don't make the same mistakes as Microsoft. The Last Guardian. PSVita support.

Square Enix will show off Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn. I was invited into the second round beta and I can say that the game looks beautiful. It plays very well now, and even though it feels like other MMO's of similar caliber, I think Final Fantasy fans will embrace it. The music, setting, and game mechanics will scratch the MMO itch if you've got room to play one.

The final chapter of the Final Fantasy XIII trilogy, Lightning Returns, will be released this fall, and more screenshots, demos, and info about the game will be discussed I'm sure. I'll pick it up later this year, but I kinda want to play all three games in succession so I'll probably hold off until then. Final Fantasy X and X-2 are both being remade into HD versions this fall. I'm sure they'll both be at E3.

(I'm still playing through each FF game in order!)

Let's cut the crap here. We want to see Final Fantasy XV stuff. Is it a rework of the fabled Final Fantasy XIII Versus? That game has been in the works for SEVEN YEARS. Rumors are flying around the internet, and folks have speculated that it was shifted to the new hardware sometime in development. We want to see what the new Final Fantasy looks like on the PS4, and we want it to be awesome.

With troubled financial outlooks at Square Enix last year, I'm wondering if any of their other games will come west: Dragon Quest VII remake? Dragon Quest X (I'm totally in denial here) or Terry's 3D Wonderland? I'm going to cry myself to sleep.

Verdict: Wow us with Final Fantasy stuff, but don't be smug about it. Localize more stuff!!

Other games that I want to see more info about:

Dark Souls 2. The huge posters on the LA Conference Center spoiled the release date: March 2014. That means that I've got little time to finish Dark Souls... Early reports on the Dark Souls 2 demo applaud it for the incredible difficulty, and brooding atmosphere. So excited!

Sonic. Sonic Lost World looks like a cross between Mario Galaxy and Sonic Generations. That's a good thing. The trailer that was released not too long ago makes me smile. Can Sonic save Nintendo's console? That's a funny thing to say.

JRPGS. Seriously. Anything from Japan that will rock my socks off. Dragon Quest? Anything from Atlus. LEVEL-5 stuff. Fantasy Life? Youkai Watch? More Bravely Default info? Surprise me.

Fighting games: Marvel Vs. Capcom 4. BlazBlue: Chronophantasma. Guilty Gear.

Elder Scrolls Online. As if I needed an item crafting hoarding MMO.

Phantasy Star Online 2. As if I needed an MMO that wasn't in Japanese. Give us the Vita version! For reals SEGA!

There's a long list of games and sequels that will debut during E3. Honestly there's too much to list here, and that doesn't even count any of the surprises that the Big Three will announce during the show. This will be an E3 to remember and complain about for years to come!