Nintendo focuses on games at E3 with new 'Mario'

[June 12, 2013]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- It's all about the games for Nintendo.

Instead of a typical flashy presentation at the Electronic Entertainment Expo, the Japanese gaming giant opted to showcase several games for its Wii U system during a brief Tuesday presentation at its booth on the show floor of the gaming industry's annual trade show.

"Today is different," Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime told those gathered inside the behemoth white structure. "It's the reason you're gathered here inside of our booth -- standing instead of sitting -- because it was our decision to minimize the time from when we said 'good morning' and you getting to play the game."

Nintendo showed off the cartoony strategy game "Pikmin 3," anti-gravity racer "Mario Kart 8," 2D platformer "Donkey Kong Country Returns: Tropical Freeze," 3D platformer "Super Mario 3D World," slick action sequel "Bayonetta 2" and a speedier rendition of "The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker" for the Wii U.

The company also flaunted -- but didn't allow attendees to play -- a new installment in the fighting series "Super Smash Bros." The new edition will feature such characters as Mario, Mega Man and the female yoga trainer from Wii Fit.

The company has struggled since November with the launch of the Wii U, which features an innovative tablet-like controller yet graphics on par with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo said it sold just 3.45 million units by the end of March, well below the company's expectations.

During showy Monday presentations, Microsoft and Sony hyped their respective next-generation consoles. Microsoft touted new games for the Xbox One, which it said will cost $499, while Sony unveiled its boxy $399 console, the PlayStation 4. Both consoles feature richer graphics and deeper social networking capabilities.

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Online:

http://www.nintendo.com/

[Associated Press; By DERRIK J. LANG]

Follow AP Entertainment Writer Derrik J. Lang on Twitter at http://twitter.com/derrikjlang.

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