Another year, another E3 and a Nintendo Conference. Some say Nintendo’s last outing was lacking, and I can somewhat agree on that. All they really showed was…well, not much; it was mostly hush-hush projects, announcements for the 3DS we already knew about, and the new home console system, the Wii-U, and didn’t show any games for it. But forget about that, because E3 is just a few weeks away, and if E3 2011 was anything at all it was hype fuel for this year’s E3. With all the new titles being shown I can assure you it will not be a disappointing year. And what exciting titles could we expect this year? Here’s my honest opinions on the line-up (from most to least likely; not including games already announced for this E3):
Most definitely likely – A New Zelda.
It’s going to happen. No doubts here. Last Zelda console game was last year’s Skyward Swords on the Wii, and the last time the series appeared on a portable console was Spirit Tracks on the DS in 2009. If anything if it isn’t a new Four Swords utilizing the new Wii-U controller (seriously Nintendo, get on it) it will be on the 3DS. It’s already been rumored to boot. And if it’s true, hopefully it’s a full scale game like OoT and not another point-and-move-stylus-Zelda. Please Nintendo, utilize your technology for the greater good!
Extremely likely – WarioWare Wii-U/3DS.
To me this seems likely due to the fact that there’s a WarioWare game released on every Nintendo console, usually as a launch title. With every leap in innovation comes a new and crazy Micro-Game compilation, and I’d love to see what they come up with using the Wii-U controller. And let’s face it, if this game isn’t announced or even hinted at this year’s convention then Nintendo never came. Seriously, this is a series that is Nintendo, like every Mario, Zelda, Donkey Kong, and Wii Fit title ever made that defined this company. Saying this won’t be at the show would be like saying Wario hates money.
Probably – The next Mario game.
I have to hand it to Miyamoto. I wish I had such will to keep a game series afloat for so long and not let it go stale. Whatever crazy idea he comes up for the next console Mario game I can’t even fathom, so it’s better for me to just shut up and let imagination take it’s course. (Anyone hoping for Mario sunshine 2?)
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Possibly, if not later – Mario Kart Wii-U.
Yes, yes, we already got Mario Kart 3D last year, but Nintendo thinks ahead on these things. I wouldn’t doubt they’re cooking up Mario Kart Wii-U as we speak (Hopefully with some more Super Circuit tracks). Mario Kart is never too far behind after a console’s launch after all. Hard to say if we’ll actually see it at E3, but it’s not too hard to imagine that there will be a Mario Kart for the Wii-U in the future.
There’s a good chance – Metroid Prime 4 (or a 2-D platformer).
After the mixed reviews of Metroid: Other M with it’s talking Samus and frequent cut scenes involving an unnatural amount of dialogue after dialogue for an action game, it would be a blessing for the series to go back into the Prime saga of first-person exploration and space pirate blasting. Even better for the series is go back to it’s 2-D platforming roots, but Metroid Dread just doesn’t seem to want to be made any time soon (what is so wrong with our money, Nintendo?). And what about that Star Fox and Metroid crossover? If that game is actually legit I’m going to eat my shorts through a straw. No joking.
Maybe – Return of Yoshi’s Island.
Where have you gone to, Yoshi? It’s about time for you to set on another adventure – maybe this time with multi-player mode a la’ NSMB Wii on the Wii-U. Come on, who doesn’t want to eat one another and then poop each other out in eggs? …Okay, I apologize for that frightening image if you weren’t thinking of Yoshi at the time, so think instead of the fun you’ll have jumping on each other’s heads; scrambling on one another to get your baby character back when you get hit. Ah…. A 3-D game wouldn’t be bad either, but we just want Yoshi back!
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Hang on to your lucky clovers – Xenoblade 2.
As an avid CRAZY fan of Xenoblade I really, really, really, really, REALLY hope this one comes a reality. Though on the other hand I know that I’ll be very disappointed this year if it isn’t announced, and I know Monolithe Soft is working on Project X Zone at the moment so there’s a slim chance of it appearing, but I’m still clasping my four-leafer with my COLD. SHAKING. FANBOY. HANDS. IN. PRAYER for this game. Did I mention how much I love Xenoblade? Why are you leaving?
Not likely – Smash Bros. 4.
I have more hope of Xenoblade 2 being shown than I do with a teaser for SSB4, and that’s kind of strange until you think about. Hal Laboratory said themselves that they won’t start production on SSB4 until Kid Icarus: Uprising is complete, and that game just came out a month ago. If they had any time to work on the project, it’s most likely not even past the concept stage. Sad, I know, but don’t worry, we’ll definitely get a teaser in E3 2013 and then we’ll only have to wait 3 more years after that for the game to actually be released. …Okay, now I’m depressed.
Yeah, just forget about it – F-Zero.
No. Bad fanboy. Put that chair door. Put it down NOW. Good fanboy. Here’s a Scooby snack and a Kleenix tissue for your troubles. Sorry I had to write that, but let’s face it guys, the odds of this game being shown at the convention is the same as a new Elite Beat Agents, Chibi-Robo, and Mother 4 being announced this year – also, for that Mother 4 game being announced for America. I know, it SUCKS. But I moved on from EBA, and you should move on too…or better yet, don’t take a grain of salt out of my words. Yeah, I’m writing with honesty, but I can never fully predict what E3 this year has in store. For all I know, Smash Bros. 4 could be shown in all it’s Nerdgasm-inducing glory, my Xenoblade 2 dreams could come true, Star Fox would make a comeback with Metroid, and you’ll get two F-Zero games! …Or maybe not that last part- Ohhhhh, there’s no need to get hasty now…um…nice fanboy?
Also, I apologize for the lack of Kirby. I only picked three games for each category of likelihood, so I had no room left.
P.S. See you at E3!
E3 2012 Predictions.
