E3: Nintendo goes back to basics with new Zelda game and Skylander-like figurines

Though there’s been a lot of talk of Nintendo struggling with disappointing Wii U sales, Mario Kart 8 has undoubtedly revived interest in the console with over a million copies sold in the first weekend of release.

Though the battle is on between the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, no one can replace Nintendo, so many were waiting to see what announcements they’d be making at E3 - here’s a round up from today's online conference.

It was recently leaked that Nintendo would be stepping into Skylanders territory by releasing a new toys-to-life range, and this is now confirmed. The new Amiibo platform will work across a number of games, the first release being Super Smash Bros to launch ‘this holiday’. For the first time Smash Bros is coming to the 3DS, though this version will be delayed until 3 October. The figurines (played with the GamePad) will also later be coming to Mario Kart 8 and the upcoming Mario Party 10, and eventually on the 3DS.

Another exiting addition for Super Smash Bros is that you can also play with your own Mii. There are three varieties to choose from; brawlers, swordfighters, and gunners – plus further customisation available. Your character will evolve with time; so you’ll be able to take on Link, Mario, and all the bad guys for real for the first time.

Yarn Yoshi, now known as Yoshi’s Wolly World, will not be a sequel to Kirby’s Epic Yarn, though of course there are similarities. Yoshi’s most powerful weapon is his tongue, and you’ll also be able to play with a friend as red yarn Yoshi. The new world looks wonderful, and undoubtedly one you’ll want to unravel in 2015.

After The Year of Luigi last year, Toad will be taking the limelight, in Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker. Though not too much was given away here.

“Powerful enemies appearing in such a peaceful world is one of the defining elements of the Zelda series”, and with Eiji Aonuma’s words comes the reveal for Link’s new non-linear world – it’s a beautiful open world environment, coming to shelves in 2015. Link’s also wearing blue, not green.

For everyone who grew up with Super Mario Bros, Mario Maker is a big development - you’ll be able to create your own levels in the Italian plumber's world we know so well. Using the GamePad you can effectively act (albeit not quite as advanced) as a video game developer, and it’ll be available at the beginning of 2015.

Splatoon is a multiplayer shooter with teams of soldiers whose job it is to cover as much of the ground as possible in ink to speed up, swim in or walk on walls – and to avoid rivals’ ink, or it’ll massively slow you down. It looks like one that’ll be huge fun with friends in the room – something Nintendo already do so well.

Though it was a short presentation from Nintendo, a fair amount was crammed in, though nothing new to announce on hardware. Other announcements included: Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire for 3DS will be released on November 21; Bayonetta 2 will be released in October and come with the original; Hyrule Warriors will be released on September 26; and a teaser for a new Star Fox next year. They’ve definitely left us wanting more.