Nintendo's LA Auto Show Appearance: New Game, Or Cheesy Mario Kart Promo
The big N is set to make a potentially huge announcement next week. Will we see a new 3DS title, or is this much ado about nothing?
This morning, Nintendo sent members of the press a reminder of the company's plan to attend this year's LA Auto Show, which kicks off November 17.
That's when the big N will hold a press conference to announce an exclusive collaboration with West Coast Customs, headlined by Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime and the founder and CEO of West Coast Customs, Ryan Friedlinghaus.
Odds are good this involves Mario Kart in some fashion.
When we first caught wind of Nintendo's decision to attend the show, it was safe to assume this was some form of marketing stunt to promote Mario Kart 7. Makes perfect sense, since the game launches on 3DS December 4, and the LA Auto Show concludes November 27.
With this in mind, the presentation could still involve Mario Kart 7 in some fashion. In other words, don't be surprised if this "exclusive collaboration" involves life-sized and tricked out karts inspired by the video game. Just typing that makes us sleepy.
On the flip side, the publisher may have chosen this stage to debut a whole new game, perhaps some form of arcade or even simulation based racer for 3DS, one that features the ability to build and customize vehicles from the ground up.
Why 3DS? Because the Wii is clearly on the way out, and it's too soon to reveal something for Wii U. In fact, Nintendo has already gone on record as saying it'll resume the Wii U discussion at next year's Electronic Entertainment Expo in June.
Considering this, a new 3DS racer makes a lot of sense. The platform could use a more technical driving game, while the ability to break cars down to their most basic parts (and view these pieces in glasses free 3D) sounds appealing.
It's also a smart business decision for Nintendo to team up with a well-known brand like West Coast Customs because the company has widespread appeal. We'll agree that it's a bit out of Nintendo's character to do this, but change can be a good thing.
Of course, this may not involve a new game at all.
Or, as we said, life sized Mario Karts. That would be one heck of a buzz kill.
The presentation begins at 12:10PM, and lasts until 12:35PM.
