Nintendo E3 2015 Press Conference Cliff Notes

First off, let me just say they may have started off the show in the cutest way possible — by making Iwata, Miyamoto, and Reggie muppets. They’re adorable.

Star Fox 0

The new Star Fox gang puts us back in the pilot seat of the Arwing to take down the forces of presumably Andross. One of the maps shown in the trailer looks like a completely revamped Corneria. You can still tell it’s Corneria, but it’s so so much prettier and more detailed. The game has a few different modes, like Star Fox 64, including All Range Mode and a new Target Mode in which you get a cinematic view of the action on the TV and instead rely on the Wii U gamepad to fly and shoot.

In fact, there’s a lot of emphasis placed on the gamepad’s importance in the new Star Fox since it allows you to aim in a different direction than your flying with a cockpit view. It’s very clever, but potentially concerning for people who prefer a joystick camera if there’s no option for that. The game also features the return of the landmaster and the addition of transformations. The Arwing can transform into what look like a chicken robot to run about on the ground for sections that may call for it. In Corneria, there are some areas that are much more easily accessed via ChickenBot (our name not theirs). This title looks to be taking the Star Fox 64 legacy and innovating the crap out of it, something we, and fans of the series, deeply appreciate.

The Legend of Zelda: Triforce Heroes

You heard it! A new Legend of Zelda title coming to handhelds for everyone that’s missed Four Swords. In this title, you’ll take control of one of three Links to solve puzzles, kill baddies, and save Hyrule together as a team. The creator says instead of having a rupee-driven contest, the game has a more serious tone, like a normal Legend of Zelda title, just with two extra players. Another neat feature is that Link now has costumes, which will help distinguish your Link from your friends. We’re not sure if the costumes provide powerups, but Link can wear Zelda’s dress, which will definitely help people get his name right. You won’t have to wait long for the multiplayer chaos as The Legend of Zelda: Triforce Heroes comes out this Fall to Nintendo 3DS

Metroid Prime Federation Force and Metroid Prime Blast Ball

Everyone’s been clamoring for a new Metroid Prime title, but unfortunately, these are not the droids games you’re looking for. The cartoony graphics of Federation Force feel so far removed from the serious ton of Metroid Prime that it’s difficult to call it a Prime game. It seems to be a fine enough title, but there was no Samus in the trailer and nothing felt very Metroid-y. Same with Blast Ball, though that at least feels more like their earlier pinball title. The games are probably fine, we’re just really aching for a new Metroid game.

Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer and Animal Crossing: amiibo Festival

For all you fans of the home building, town managing game series, Animal Crossing has a few new spinoff games to whet your appetite. First off is Happy Home Designer, which seems to be mostly about just designing and decorating homes. Looks like an Animal Crossing game, but without all the outside bits. If you hate the outside bits, that’s great, else, they have another title you may enjoy. Animal Crossing: amiibo Festival looks like a less hate-driven Mario Party in which your characters traverse a board to collect/dispense happiness. The winner is the one who has the most happiness at the end of the match. How adorable is that? It looks like it may be just an amiibo game, but this saccharine virtual board game should send fans into squee fits. Happy Home Designer will be on 3DS and amiibo Festival will be on Wii U soon.

Yoshi’s Woolly World

When the new Yoshi title was announced last year, fans took note of how much it looked like Yoshi’s Island and Kirby’s Epic Yarn had a baby. And that’s still true! This adorable platformer has you taking control of a wool plush of Mario’s best dino friend with some interesting mechanics to boot. Platform unravelling by slurping string, converting string to egg yarn balls, and super cute transformations make this title a lot more interesting than the previous entry in Yoshi’s series. Also the amiibos are absolutely perfect. Look forward to this game coming October 16th of this year.

Super Mario Maker

The concept of Super Mario Maker isn’t a new one — it’s been done tons of ways on the internet, most notably by Super Mario Brothers X. But since it’s a Nintendo game, there’s a lot to expect of the DIY Mario game. And it delivers. A stupid simple level editor, the ability to switch art assets and change Mario’s costumes using amiibos are all finishing touches on a strong, powerful engine to create your own Mario levels. Miyamoto also says it’s a great place for people to learn how to do game design through trial-by-fire, meaning if someone asks why you spend so much time in it, you can claim career development. Super Mario Maker will be available for download September 11th of this year.