Nintendo might not be packing out a conference hall at E3 this time around, but it is still hosting its own special Nintendo E3 2015 Direct. Like an E3 press conference but stripped of all the sales babble, awkward guest appearanes and dancers, instead condensed down to less than an hour of solid game announcements.
At least, we hope it has a solid set of game announcements planned. When Nintendo head Satoru Iwata revealed to investors the next-generation Nintendo NX console was in the works last month, he basically signed the Wii U’s death certificate. We know there’s something else around the corner, but let’s hope Nintendo allows the console to bow out with more of the same great games it’s had up until now.
Nintendo’s infamously great at keeping leaks locked down, so we’ve got zero clue what’s going to crop up other than the previously unannounced titles, which are few and far between.
Starfox Wii U
Nintendo had a Starfox prototype at E3 last year, but we haven’t seen anything since. The last dedicated Starfox game was 1997’s Starfox 64, or Lylat Wars to PAL players, and a couple of dodgy Nintendo DS spin-offs, so this one’s been a long time coming. The problem is, time’s moved on, and I don’t think a modern audience is going to appreciate a brief on-rails shooter that promotes replayability rather than length. This is either going to be a budget download-only title, or Nintendo really needs to think outside the box for what Starfox delivers. My money’s on a combination of scrolling-shooter gameplay with FTL-style ship management on the gamepad.
Xenoblade Chronicles X
A Xenoblade X release date seems forthcoming. Nintendo’s been talking this one up since before the Wii U even came out, and initial import reviews suggest it may not be all that. Hopefully they don’t make a big song and dance of it, we already know plenty as is.
Splatoon, Mario Kart 8, Super Smash Bros
Nintendo’s gone from a no-DLC-whatsoever policy to diving headfirst into an olympic swimming pool of $20 Amiibos. Super Smash Bros and Mario Kart 8 have already had a suite of downloadable content release for them, expect more. A few new Smash Bros characters are likely, possibly from the community vote Nintendo has been having, and another set of eight tracks for Mario Kart. It’s early days for the phenomenal Splatoon, but here’s hoping additional maps, weapons, and modes keeping rolling out - we just hope the community doesn’t become fragmented once paid content arrives.
Metroid U
The ironic thing with the Metroid series is that, despite typically stellar reviews, they really don’t sell all that well. The last figures we had suggested the series had sold a total of 17.5 million copies worldwide, across 12 games, 7 of which had 90+ Metacritic ratings. Metroid doesn’t sell consoles, but it’s got to the stage now where Nintendo no doubt knows nothing is going to sell its Wii U. With that in mind, it makes sense to please the Nintendo hardcore, who will lap up a new Metroid on the Wii U, and probably sell as many copies as Metroid Prime 3 did on the 100 million + selling Wii.
F-Zero U
If I could grab Nintendo and rattle its skull I surely would. This is a game fans have been crying out for, for years now, and a new F-Zero would go down a storm with the Nintendo faithful. The sublime F-Zero GX was made in conjunction with Sega, but that doesn’t seem too likely a partnership right now, what with Sega’s insistence on going to mobile. Nintendo’s tried to scratch that F-Zero itch with the 200cc mode added to Mario Kart 8, but nothing quite beats the full of its nippy futuristic racing series.
Long Shot
The 3DS is over four years old now. It’s about time we heard of a new handheld from Nintendo, which typically has a good year wait reveal to launch, providing perfect timing for a 2016 arrival. Nintendo has claimed the Nintendo NX won’t be at E3, and neither will The Legend of Zelda Wii U, but, if Nintendo isn’t pursuing the daft combined handheld and home console idea, we could see something about a new handheld from the big N.
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