What? Already! We just had a Nintendo Direct focusing on indie games two weeks ago! Well, get ready for some announcements from Nintendo focusing on Switch and 3DS games. What’s better, they’re supposedly all games coming out in the next few months. The direct will stream live through Nintendo’s YouTube channel on Wednesday, September 13 at 3pm PT / 6pm ET. There will be a specific spotlight on Super Mario Odyssey, but besides that, it’s anyone’s guess what will be shown. So… let’s guess!
Switch Games
Super Mario Odyssey
This one’s a guarantee. Super Mario Odyssey made a huge splash at E3 with a sizable demo containing a frozen Mexican-inspired world, a New York-like city called New Donk City, and a prehistoric world with overgrowth and dinosaurs. It’s anyone’s guess what we’ll see next, but it’s unlikely to disappoint.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – The Champion’s Ballad DLC
Man, Breath of the Wild sure was amazing, wasn’t it? And the first bit of DLC wasn’t half bad either. Well, the main course of the DLC expansion pass is coming this Winter, and that’s definitely within the next few months. The Champion’s Ballad is reported to focus on Zelda following the events of the main game, but the player will still control Link. Here’s to more story content for one of the best games in recent memory.
Xenoblade Chronicles 2
Nintendo announced at this year’s E3 that Xenoblade Chronicles 2 will be hitting the Switch in holiday 2017. While many doubted that release date (and many still do), Nintendo appears to be holding strong to their initial claim. The original Xenoblade Chronicles for the Wii was well received, and Xenoblade Chronicles X for the Wii U wasn’t half bad either. We’ll almost definitely see more of Xenoblade Chronicles 2 during this Nintendo Direct, and hopefully we’ll get a set release date too.
Fire Emblem Warriors
Fire Emblem Warriors is coming out for both the Switch and New Nintendo 3DS on September 28th. So, it’s almost sure to get at least a mention at this next Nintendo Direct. Made by Koei Tecmo, this musou game is likely to be a lot more like Hyrule Warriors than a traditional Fire Emblem game. Nintendo will continue their steady stream of exclusives for the Switch with this hack and slash, so stay tuned.
Sonic Forces
Though Sonic Forces isn’t a Switch exclusive, it is coming out within the next few months. November 7, to be exact. After the great reception Sonic Mania received, SEGA is sure to be eager to put their 2D/3D hybrid attempt at a modern Sonic game into the spotlight.
L.A. Noire
In a recent surprise announcement, Rockstar Games is re-releasing this somewhat divisive game from 2011. More surprising, they’re releasing it not only on PS4, Xbox One and the HTC Vive – it’s also coming to the Switch. The Switch version will include the original game and all its downloadable content. It will include console-specific gyroscopic and touch controls, as well as HD rumble. It’s coming November 14, so it’s certainly possible Nintendo will bring up this 3rd party surprise.
Pokémon Switch / Pokkén Tournament DX
Pokkén Tournament DX, an updated port of the Wii U game, is coming September 22. It’ll get lip servive, maybe even a release trailer. But you know what we really care about? A REAL POKÉMON RPG FOR A CONSOLE. Now that Nintendo’s console is a handheld, Game Freak will be forced to do a proper console Pokémon game. Praise.
Still, it’s unlikely to be announced any time soon. Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, the follow ups to last year’s excellent Pokémon Sun and Moon, is coming to the 3DS on November 17th. Why Game Freak didn’t make a Pokémon Stars for the Switch is beyond comprehension, but suffice it to say, their teams have been busy working on other things. Still, the announcement of a Pokémon RPG for the Switch would break the internet.
Wii U Ports
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was a huge success, and the aforementioned Pokkén Tournament DX is likely to do well. So, what else will Nintendo port from the Wii U? Super Smash Bros.? Super Mario Maker? CAPTAIN TOAD: TREASURE TRACKER?! Maybe they’ll do proper sequels like they did with Splatoon 2. But ports are so easy, we wouldn’t be surprised to see more on the way.
Skyward Sword HD
This is just a shot in the dark, but since Nintendo already made The Wind Waker HD and Twilight Princess HD, why the heck not? The Switch’s JoyCons are even more sophisticated than Wii Motion Plus, so the game’s unique controls won’t be an issue. Just do it, Nintendo. It’s easy money.
Switch Virtual Console
JUST DO IT NINTENDO. COME ON.
Metroid Prime 4
Don’t kid yourself: this game isn’t coming out until 2020.
3DS Games
Metroid: Samus Returns
This extreme remake of Metroid: Return of Samus from the original Game Boy is coming out September 15. That’s just two days after the Nintendo Direct. Nintendo will surely give this game a second in the spotlight to boost sales as much as possible, and who can blame them?
If you’re psyched for the future of Metroid, why not learn about the unique release history of the franchise? Or, better yet, look at the first and second parts of our deep dive into the narrative of the Metroid series. It’ll give you a nice primer to prepare for this upcoming gem of a game.
Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon / Gold and Silver
Are we bitter these games aren’t coming to the Switch instead of the 3DS? Sure. But Nintendo will almost definitely show them off at the Nintendo Direct. Hopefully they’ll explain a little better how these ones are different from the originals. They’re coming November 17, so get ready.
They might also mention that the Virtual Console ports of Pokémon Gold and Silver are coming to the 3DS on September 22. That’s the same day as Pokkén Tournament DX, for the record.
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions
Coming out October 6, this remake of the Game Boy Advance classic is likely to get a name drop during the Nintendo Direct. The Bowser’s Minions addition is wholly new, and might be a great reason to pick up this remake.
Hopefully Not Too Much Else
Listen – we love the 3DS. But it’s nearly seven years old. The Switch is also a handheld console. So any games Nintendo might think of making for their old machine would probably shine even better on the Switch. Sure, we’re excited for Samus Returns, Ultra Sun and Moon, and Superstar Saga, but we’d be even more excited if they were coming to the Switch. Nintendo has been giving the 3DS an honorable send off, but it’s time to fully commit to their new vision of the future.
So that’s that! There’s so much Nintendo could go over during their reportedly 45 minute Nintendo Direct it makes your head spin. For the record, Nintendo’s E3 Spotlight was only 25 minutes long. Man, this Nintendo Direct could be epic.
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