E3 2019 Predictions – Nintendo
With E3 under two weeks away it is time for the P2 team to get together and do what they do best, make wildly inaccurate predictions about what is going to appear at the big show. Even though it seems like E3 is a little bit smaller this year, we are still excited to see what rolls out. Now it is time for the House of Mario to shine.
Stephen del Prado
Safe Bet
I’m expecting a solid showing of already announced titles and some date reveals for Link’s Awakening and Animal Crossing and Luigi’s Mansion 3. It’s also a given that third parties will be on board to round out the show – my money is on more 360/PS3 ports and maybe even some heavily requested GameCube titles.
Fairly Likely
I wouldn’t be shocked if Nintendo pulls back the curtain on their upcoming Switch hardware revisions and throw in some Metroid Prime 4 and/or Prime Trilogy Switch for fans who have been waiting patiently for more news. There has been a lot of pleading online for Persona 5 to make an appearance on the Switch, which I could see the base version doing while Sony keeps the upgraded version all to itself.
Wishful Thinking
Pokémon Snap Switch is long overdue at this point, as is a Fatal Frame title for Switch as well, but what I’m really wishing for is a Majora’s Mask equivalent using the Breath of the Wild engine and assets – come on Nintendo, give me a weird and dark Zelda title to look forward to!
Matt Hewson
Safe Bet
I think it is fair to say we will see some more of the new “proper” Pokemon games, even though there is a Pokemon themed Direct coming later this week. I think the stage is too big for Nintendo to ignore the chance to roll out Pikachu and co, especially coming off the back of some great press thanks to the (actually good) movie. It will be interesting to see if the formula has advanced though because in my mind it could to with more than just a fresh coat of paint.
Fairly Likely
Mario and sports. Surely there is something coming with the Italian plumber and sports. I would love to see a new Mario Golf title hit but even if that doesn’t happen I am sure something will be on show that puts a Mario spin on a famous real-life game. I think they have already announced an Olympics title so there will be that at the very least.
Wishful Thinking
After a year of good but not great kart games, Mario hits the grid to show Crash and Sonic who is boss. Mario Kart Super Dooper Switch Edition, or whatever they want to call it, gets announced and it is more than just a collection of HD tracks we have seen before. New mechanics, new racers and that trademark Nintendo polish. Also, there won’t be a Mercedes Benz in sight.
Adam Rorke
Safe Bet
Gotta catch em all (in reference to all the money in the world). It’s a no brainer that we’ll see a nice lengthy segment for the new Pokemon Shield / Sword game that’s coming to the Switch later this year. If this was the Nintendo of 5 years ago, I may have had my doubts that they could get their stuff in order, but since the Switch release, they’ve been consistently knocking it out of the park on every level. Get ready for some in game footage and a general breakdown on how the game is going to work, where it’s set and what Pokemon we can come to expect!
Fairly likely
DLC for all the games. It generally makes sense of course; these games are selling like hot cakes and DLC is a nice way to continue a revenue stream whilst also expanding and adding additional interest from the consumers perspective. If I had to specifically pick one piece of DLC that we’ll see … let’s go with a new character for Smash Bros … and let’s also say it’s going to be Walugi.
Wishful Thinking
This one has flown a little under the radar, but for that homerun ‘special’ announcement, I’m expecting a trailer/release date for Luigi’s Mansion 3! The series has gone from strength to strength and Nintendo seem to purposely be keeping this one under their hat. Whether that’s because they’re still very early in development or because they want to wow everyone is anyone’s guess. I’m obviously hoping it’s the latter.
Laura Thorton
Safe Bet
I’d imagine we’ll get some more information about upcoming Super Smash Bros. Ultimate DLC characters, as well as any updates coming to Arms, Mario Tennis Aces, Yoshi’s Crafted World, and Super Mario Party, if any. I honestly wouldn’t have thought Nintendo would still be rolling out updates for its older titles like Arms, but considering the last update was in November last year, it’s not entirely out of the question.
Fairly Likely
Something, anything, about Animal Crossing for Switch. Please, Nintendo, I’m begging you. What dark ritual do I have to perform to see the slightest bit of footage from this game? I’ve got candles, I can get incense, what do I have to do?!
Wishful Thinking
As much as I’d love a new Mario Kart for Switch, I don’t think Nintendo would want to split the player base from Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Then again, with how well the Switch is selling, I could be wrong! I also can’t imagine that Nintendo will surprise us and say, “Well, actually, Persona 5 is coming to Switch!” as much as I dream of that happening.
Shaun Nichols
Safe Bet
No doubt we will see some footage of the new Sword and Shield versions of Pokemon for the Nintendo Switch, the first new main series Pokemon on the Switch, giving us a better look at the starter Pokemon, the new region and the antagonists of the new entry.
Fairly Likely
Being a switch exclusive and with its release date fast approaching, Ultimate Alliance 3 is highly likely to be shown at E3, showing off the powers of characters we know about and probably showing off a few more characters that they have kept up their sleeves.
Wishful Thinking
I said it last year and I’ll say it again dammit. We need another F-Zero game. How long will Ninty refuse to give us what the people want?
Paul James
Safe Bet
Rarely are there sure things with Nintendo, but with Super Mario Maker 2 launching only weeks after the big show, it is one of the few sure things we can expect to see out of Nintendo at E3 2019. Given the recent Direct focussed on the game I can’t imagine its presence in their E3 Direct will be huge but expect it to feature in some capacity.
Fairly Likely
What does Mario Maker 2, Zelda: Link’s Awakening, Animal Crossing, Fire Emblem: Three Houses and Pokemon Sword/Shield have in common? None of them are Luigi’s Mansion 3. This game is by far and away the Switch game I’ve most been looking forward to this year, and Nintendo has regularly promised that it’s on track for 2019. We’ve not really seen much of the game though, so expect that to change this E3 – hopefully, whatever they show is accompanied by a release date… in 2019 ideally.
Wishful Thinking
This one could only possibly be wishful thinking. It was already clear that the studio working on the initial iteration of Metroid Prime 4 hadn’t done much based on the debut teaser, but with that studio now being yanked from the project and Retro, the overseers of the first three sub-franchise titles, are returning to pick up the pieces, you’d have to think the game is still several years away. Surely we hear nothing from it at this E3.
Chris Button
Safe Bet
Animal Crossing on the Switch will be shown in great detail, including a November-December release date. Last-minute details will be shown for Fire Emblem: Three Houses, and Astral Chain will get fleshed out further considering its upcoming August release date.
Fairly Likely
We haven’t heard much about Game Freak’s non-Pokemon game, Town (working title), so I suspect we’ll get some details and a release date for that one. Don’t expect to get much in the way of information regarding the Pokemon Sword and Shield games – they’re normally discussed in separate The Pokemon Company directs.
Oh, and please hook Luigi’s Mansion 3 directly to me via neural implant, please and thanks.
Wishful Thinking
New Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser will appear in the Nintendo Direct in full Bowser cosplay prior to announcing an immediate release of Persona 5 on the Switch. Frankly, there’s no correlation between the two seemingly disparate elements of the previous sentence. I don’t give a rat’s arse. I’m being a petulant child and screaming into the void, hoping Persona 5 comes to Switch.
Also, what on earth were Retro Studios working on prior to being handed the keys to the ailing Metroid Prime 4 project?
