As we all have heard, Nintendo have opted to bow out of an E3 press conference and instead are opting to have an E3 driven Nintendo Direct. This ultimately means that Nintendo will not have to worry about blunders on live television or being discouraged by lack of cheers and poor reception. Yet, at the same time, they lose that ability to gauge the excitement for certain games and which ones should be concentrated on more when it comes to advertising. Just like my Sony and Microsoft Speculation articles, I have a few ideas of the things that might just be shown within the E3 Nintendo Direct so without further ado, let’s get started!
WII U
- If anything, this is vital to be addressed at E3. The Wii U in my opinion is a dying console and with the imminent arrivals of both Playstation 4 and Xbox One, Nintendo need to step it up. Third Party support hasn’t been a strong suit for the system, with most of the third party games being nothing but ports. But Nintendo have been around for a long time, so they are certainly the big boys of the industry in that sense. I predict that Nintendo will show off some sort of third party support for their console. I also see them introducing big name first party titles as well. Super Smash Bros has been confirmed to appear but what about Bayonetta 2? Arguably the most controversial decision to have it as an exclusive but a huge playing card in Nintendo’s deck. I think we will be seeing a video of the muchly anticipated game as well as perhaps a price drop to the Wii U. With a recent inventory recheck, courtesy of a poor Basic Wii U showing, it would seem that perhaps they will opt to stick with 32GB, but lower the price to perhaps $249 perhaps. I also suspect that Nintendo will try a final push with Pikmin 3 at E3 before the worldwide release in August.
POKEMON X AND Y
- It has been already confirmed that we can expect a slew of information on both games. With rumors stating that between both of them, 700 Pokemon will be present, it’s shaping up to be one of the biggest in the franchise. Nintendo have issued a comment that both X and Y are not a reboot of the series, even though all the route numbers start at 1 and go forward. I expect there to be more information on new Pokemon and perhaps most likely, the evolutionary-line of the three starter Pokemon. I also predict that with the release of the new Pokemon movie, staring both Mewtwo and Genesect, that we will get some sort of tidbits of the new Mewtwo form. I also expect to hear if Gogoat can only be ridden in the main city or if it will be replacing the iconic bicycle.
ZELDA U, WIND WAKER HD REMASTER AND ZELDA 3DS
- The internet has been filled with speculation of the revealed Zelda 3DS being set in the Link to the Past universe. Many think that this will be an official sequel to the SNES masterpiece, however, it has been confirmed that the dark world, which you traveled to in the SNES version, will be making a return. Now, it would be difficult as the dark world was seemingly done away with after you defeated Ganon. This makes me wonder if this could be a prequel instead. Whatever it is, I expect more information being given out on the E3 Nintendo Direct. Then there is the Zelda Wind Waker HD reboot; a project that came into existance to bridge the gap between now and Zelda U. I expect a firm release date to be placed on the title, but with Zelda 3DS releasing later this year, I think early 2014 would be a good bet. I also suspect that we will hear something about Zelda U, even if it’s just a screen shot and a little bit of the story. Nintendo will want to capture the crowd again with their Wii U and it would be a terrible business decision not to include arguably one of their best first party franchises.
3DS ANNOUNCEMENTS
- The 3DS has really made splashes since being released, having several big blockbuster titles that has seen the system dominate the handheld market. I suspect that there will be several announcements of games, including the already mentioned Pokemon X and Y, as well as Zelda 3DS. This year, the game as seen such blockbusters as Luigi’s Mansion and Fire Emblem, so they certainly have the momentum going into E3 season and hype for their handheld. I suspect that we will hear more information about the localization of Square’s Bravely Default. I think they will go over some the features made possible by the tech of the 3DS.
MARIO
- Yes, I expect that Mario will be a huge part of E3 this year, even though it has been dubbed the year of Luigi. I expect that we will see more of Mario and Luigi: Dream Team and Mario Golf. With Super Smash Brothers being promised, I suspect that the trailer shown will depict both titles, but the different features that will be utilized in both versions will be talked about. It has also been confirmed that we can expect to see Mario Kart U at E3. I expect new features within the game, but also maybe a few new characters. With Sonic seemingly being cemented as part of the Nintendo family, perhaps a merger between Sonic’s racing games and Mario Kart will happen? The last game would be the secret 3D Mario that Nintendo have kept under wrap. The system is not known to my knowledge but with the inclusion of 3D, it would seem 3DS. However, Super Mario Galaxy 3 has been rumored heavily and it wouldn’t surprise me if our Italian plumber takes another trip through space. So for now, be open-minded on the console but in my opinion, Wii U is overdue for a blockbuster Mario adventure.
RETRO STUDIOS
- Retro Studios have been busy making a next-gen title for Nintendo, yet nothing is really known about it. Well, let’s take a trip back into the past, to the release of the Nintendo Wii U. I found it rather odd that Reggie felt it important to mention that Metriod was turning 10. As we know, Retro are the makers of several Metriod games, and it wouldn’t be a far idea that the newest addition to the franchise will be coming to the Wii U. So, I suspect that the project will be revealed and I also suspect that this project is indeed a Metroid Game.
SONIC
- Yup, sort of weird to hear Sonic(Sega) mentioned with Nintendo, especially because of the heated console wars between the giants in the past. I expect to hear more on the new Wii U Sonic title, Lost World, and quite possibly hear about a partnership that has been formed, giving Nintendo exclusive rights to the character. This would in turn maybe play into my Mario Kart prediction of both Sonic racing and Mario racing to merge into a unit.
Other announcements that I suspect might be more geared towards differentiating the Wii U as it’s own console. They haven’t really done a good job and making the system known to consumers. A lot of people I know think the Wii U is the Game Pad, and that box for games is just that, a box for games. I think a stronger focus on making sure that people know what the Wii U can do, and why we should get it, will be important. I also think that Nintendo will concentrate on another Lego Game, called Legend’s of Chiva: Laval’s Journey. With a brand such as Lego, and the game looking pretty decent, I think that more people need to know about it. Lego Undercover was a fun game, despite everything, and I really enjoyed it.
What do you folks think? Do you have any speculation of your own that you would like to add? Let me know in the comments below or on our facebook!
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