Or maybe people should be more flexible and not see the Digital Event as a one sop stop but just part of a greater meal that includes the Smash Direct, NWC and Treehouse.
I agree that perhaps their last Direct just before was a little questionable since games like #FE would have been a nice surprise if this was the first time we'd seen it, but the stuff shown in the event around the DE were fine as is. Oh and the Yoshi's segment was a little odd considering how close to release the game is. But it was cute and it's nice to hear people behind the games talk about their games. It also helps show that Nintendo isn't just Mr. Miyamoto like it seemed to be back in the day where he was the only name dragged on and attributed to almost everything.
Besides, it's been the norm for years now that Nintendo's conferences are not the sole place for news. Even in the days of live conferences and no Directs they'd have stuff revealed on the showfloor or their website rather than the stage show itself.
Honestly, why do they need to "win" E3? Isn't having games to look forward to more important no matter how or when they are announced?
Also there's no defence for how Metroid fans are behaving. None.