Nintendo Skipping PAX East This Year

Nintendo has confirmed that it won't be attending PAX East this year, crushing this fanboy's hopes of getting some hands-on time with Mario Kart 8 before its release in May.

This is the first time the Big N has had not had presence at Boston's annual gaming convention. That's right, the company won't be hosting a single panel, nor will there be any semblance of a booth to speak off. 

The company provided the following statement to Nintendo World Report, providing an explanation behind its absence:

Interacting directly with our fans and letting them play our games firsthand is a key component of our approach. That doesn’t include PAX East this year, but we will offer our fans a variety of opportunities to get their hands on Nintendo products in 2014.

Here's to hoping we get another Nintendo Direct soon. It'd be nice to hear from the company at least once or twice more before E3.

Upcoming Releases
Embark on an inspiring mission of human connection beyond the UCA. Sam — with companions by his side — sets out on a new journey to save humanity from extinction. Join them as they traverse a world beset by otherworldly enemies, obstacles and a haunting question: should we have connected?
Star Citizen is an upcoming space trading and combat simulator video game for Microsoft Windows. Star Citizen will consist of two main components: first person space combat and trading in a massively multiplayer persistent universe and customizable private servers (known as Star Citizen), and a branching single-player game (known as Squadron 42). The game will also feature VR support.
Atlas is an action-rpg with rogue-like elements where you use your ability to control the ground to fight the enemies and move through procedurally generated worlds.
Damnview: Built From Nothing is a simulation sandbox game about occidental culture and its different social classes. Immerse yourself into a decadent urban sprawl, all while working precarious jobs where you will either be absorbed into the system, or cast out of society’s machine. Damnview: Built From Nothing is a game about despair, the hostility of capitalism, and the need…
Reviews
X