E3 Nintendo Direct set for June 11

The E3 Nintendo Direct presentation has been scheduled for June 11th, the day after most major platform holders and publishers hold their press conferences. Both Sony and Microsoft will present their next-gen consoles on June 10 at larger scheduled events, but Nintendo last month announced its decision to skip out on a glitzy press event, instead choosing to rely on the growing popularity of its online broadcasts.

Ready for the bad part? Well, for those of us who will be at E3 on the west coast. The Nintendo Direct will begin at 7:00am PT. Again, this isn't bad for those of you on the east coast, but does Nintendo not want us to sleep in? I suppose I'll be tuning in from my uncomfortable hotel bed, nice and early.

I do have to say, I'm a bit shocked at their decision to wait until June 11th for the Nintendo Direct to air. I know Monday is a bit crowded, but to holding off until the next day while not host a traditional press conference may cause some to lose faith in Nintendo as a major player in the next-generation. Perhaps Nintendo is content with playing third-fiddle to the Sony and Microsoft war.

Of course, there's always the off-chance that Nintendo could impress us with their Nintendo Direct broadcast. Nintendo has plans to show off the new Super Smash Bros. — which I'm sure we're all excited to see — as well as the new 3D Mario game, Mario Kart, and other Wii U titles. What's that you say? Actual Wii U games!? Don't screw this up, Nintendo!