Nintendo can reboot with E3, if Zelda and Metroid play along

Nintendo will take the virtual stage Tuesday for its annual E3 'Digital Event.' What cards does Nintendo have up its sleeve?

As social media twitches with anticipation of what new worlds will be revealed for them to virtually conquer, Nintendo is the publisher that detractors see as having the most to lose and that die-hard fans believe has everything to gain at this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). 

Mario Kart 8, Super Mario 3D World, Pikmin 3, and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze are all pretty typical, tried-and true titles for Nintendo’s 3DS and Wii U.

However, it’s fairly common knowledge in the gaming world that Wii U fell flat in sales, and the long-popular 3DS could do with a wardrobe update.

Nintendo could power-up its line of games by reintroducing fan-favorite series such as Zelda and Metroid, perhaps bringing these classics into high-definition for the first time. 

After all, no matter how deep a gamer may be into Assassin's Creed Unity, Batman: Arkham Knight, Uncharted 4, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, and Destiny, there’s still a place at our core for Super Smash Bros. and other Nintendo classics.

Also, media reports indicate more Nintendo players are attending this year’s conference virtually than in person, thanks to the company’s decision to skip the expected live press conference from E3 in favor of an online video.

Twitch, the popular gaming video service, will live-stream the entire conference, including interviews, competitions, press conferences, and the Nintendo "Digital Event."

“This year the company is building on that approach at E3 2014 with the 'Nintendo Digital Event,' a new kind of video program that will reveal and provide further detail about the gaming experiences on the way for Nintendo platforms in 2014 and beyond,” Nintendo says in a statement. 

The Nintendo Digital Event will air at 9 a.m. Pacific on Tuesday, a day after Microsoft and Sony take the stage in Los Angeles.

Nintendo has also invited 16 highly skilled players to the NOKIA Theatre in Los Angeles to compete in a Super Smash Bros. Wii U tournament, which will broadcast online.

During E3, Nintendo will also have game demos and information streaming live online, and a chance for fans to play Super Smash Bros. Wii U at their local Best Buy stores.

Perhaps the most hotly contested title is the rumored Mario Maker.

Last week, Nintendo Enthusiast posted a photo reportedly from Nintendo's booth on the E3 show floor that features what looks like a new 3DS game called Mario Maker.

The image would seem to indicate this game will allow you to create your own Mario-themed levels.

Asked about this photo, a Nintendo representative replied, “We don't have anything to share about this at the moment.”

Gamers will have to wait until the Nintendo Digital Event Tuesday to find out if the rumors of a customizable Mario Maker Mushroom Kingdom are true.