Round Table: Nintendo Direct Predictions

In just a few short hours, Nintendo will be airing a new Nintendo Direct broadcast, and excitement is running rampant among the Nintendojo staff! As the first Nintendo Direct since the passing of former president Satoru Iwata, expectations are high for the broadcast, and this would be the perfect opportunity to confirm some of the more convincing Nintendo rumors swirling around the Internet. So, what do the staff think we’ll see in today’s presentation? Read on to hear their predictions!

Marc Deschamps

NEW NINTENDO DIRECT!!! WOOOOOOO HOO!

Ahem. I needed to get that out of my system. Like everyone else, I’m pretty excited about this upcoming Direct. Nintendo has been awfully quiet since the passing of Satoru Iwata. I think part of that was likely out of respect, and partly because they needed someone that could handle the Nintendo Direct with as much fun and charisma as Mr. Iwata.

Since it has been a while, I’m expecting some updates. I think we’ll get to see how Star Fox Zero has progressed, and I think we may even see Zelda. Speaking of which, I think we’ll finally see confirmation of Twilight Princess HD. It seems like the worst kept secret ever at this point, and it would certainly keep Zelda fans busy while the “real” Wii U Zelda title gets polished up.

I also fully expect some Super Smash Bros. news. The online voting ended last month, but it’s very likely that new fighter development probably started shortly after they opened. I have no idea who we can expect, but an appearance by Masahiro Sakurai and some fighter announcements seems like a guarantee.

Outside of that, I’m just hoping for a nice surprise or two. A physical release for Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water in North America would be nice. As would some new game announcements. I won’t be too greedy, though. Right now, I’m just happy that Nintendo Direct is back!

I, too, am wondering how they’ll handle this Direct’s presentation. I think it’s about time for Mr. Kimishima to introduce himself to us news-starved Nintendo fans, but while he has big shoes to fill, we all know he can never be another Iwata. But he doesn’t have to be; in fact, should he appear on the Directs, I hope he brings his own blend of eccentric wackiness to the fold.

Also, word around the NeoGAF street is that we’re in for some huge Smash Bros. news. It’s been a while since our last character pack, so the timing’s just about right for another round of new combatants. But who could it be? Inkling? Dixie Kong? Chibi-Robo? Perhaps even Shovel Knight?!? And what about new stages? Maybe even a Stage Builder pack? The possibilities are driving me crazy!

I’m also expecting some Star Fox Zero coverage. With the mixed reception the game received (alongside its recent delay), I think Nintendo knows they need to shed the game in some new light. I think a multiplayer session could work wonders for this, as well as some of the game’s more scenic locales (preferable along the lines of the jaw-dropping Titania). Oh, and perhaps finally a release date?

Finally, I agree with Marc that Twilight Princess HD is inevitable at this point. Many fans are already posting wishlists of what they’d like to see improved, and I’d personally like to see them come true. Could we also see a teaser for the upcoming Zelda…?

I can’t wait to find out tomorrow!! Yeehaw!

Anthony Pershkin

It’s a been a while since the last Nintendo Direct, so I expect some pretty big news from Nintendo. The most obvious thing Nintendo absolutely needs to address is Wii U’s Legend of Zelda. At this late in Wii U’s already pretty short lifespan, fans deserve to see some concrete information regarding the console’s biggest release. I’m afraid Nintendo might give another vague hint regarding the game’s release date and will move on to the announcement of the rumored Twilight Princess HD port. Don’t get me wrong, I love Twilight Princess, but Zelda Wii U is like a giant elephant in the room that needs to be addressed properly. As for other big Wii U releases, Nintendo is probably going to show a new Star Fox Zero trailer and finally announce western release dates for Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem and Pokkén Tournament.

Speaking of Fire Emblem, I think it’s pretty safe to assume that huge chunk of 3DS portion of this Direct will be dedicated to Fire Emblem Fates. Other than that, I expect to see some small surprise announcements for Nintendo’s portable machine.

To be honest, this Direct makes me really nervous. In my mind, Nintendo has a lot to prove. Most important, they have to prove that despite Satoru Iwata’s passing, they can still provide the magic we expect from them.

I don’t honestly expect a ton out of Nintendo besides sort of showcasing their already announced projects in a more cohesive manner. In terms of Star Fox Zero, we really have not seen a lot of that game outside of three or so levels that have been shown off to death at this point. Every video and every trailer have just been a cut of footage from those same levels. It’s now time for Nintendo to really show off the game in a big, revealing trailer. New game modes? Cool cinematics? Show us more of the game, get us excited, and let’s see the release date.

I’m sure some gaps will be filled with titles like Pokkén Tournament and Fire Emblem Fates, but will there be any new announcements? Perhaps. The obvious choice is DLC for existing games, such as Smash Bros., Super Mario Maker, or even Splatoon or Mario Kart. They’ll show a bundle or two, but will something really blow our socks off? There’s really only two choices: Zelda Wii U or Twilight Princess HD. I would love to see more details on Zelda Wii U, and the announcement of a graphically redone Twilight Princess would be amazing. I’m still not really a believer that this game exists, but if it can look anywhere close to the Wii U Zelda tech demo back when the system was first announced, consider me ecstatic.

Robert Marrujo

I have this sneaking suspicion it’s going to be an eventful broadcast. It has been so long since the last Nintendo Direct, it would be kind of weird to come out and underwhelm everyone. It feels like there’s a need to reestablish the ND broadcasts that reaffirms what makes them special, what makes them important. I think Nintendo is going to do something special this time out… hopefully.

Twilight Princess HD NEEDS to happen. It’s one of my favorite entries in the series, and the thought of being able to play it either GameCube or Wii style would be awesome. Also, to be frank, if Nintendo does HD Twilight Princess, it HAS to do HD Skyward Sword. That game is beautiful, so much so that seeing everything in crisp, clear HD would be like finally experiencing the true vision of the design team. It would be the only 3D Zelda to not have a remake of some sort if HD Twilight Princess is dropped, so I say make it so, Nintendo! Round everything off properly!

I’m going to assume that some Smash news will come our way, but I really hope it’s not more costumes. Meh, the Mii costumes bore me, mainly because you can’t play online with them, so why bother? I’d much rather see new skins for real fighters, personally. Some Mario Kart 8 news would be cool. I keep hoping Nintendo has two more DLC packs it’s waiting to unleash on us. For a surprise of huge magnitude, and as a sort of nod to Iwata, how cool would it be to see Mother 3 finally drop here in the west? “Available immediately following this broadcast!” I’d do a backflip! After I drop a ton or two, naturally.

So, there’s going to be no mention of the NX or mobile gaming in the upcoming Nintendo Direct. Well, I for one couldn’t be happier. Don’t get me wrong, news of Nintendo’s new console and their venture into mobile gaming is exciting, but I feel their decision to concentrate on the here and now rather than the distant future is fitting for Nintendo Directs long overdue return.

First off, I’d like to hear some news on a few things that seem to have gone quite of late. As Marc mentioned, the Super Smash Bros. fighter ballot closed a few weeks ago and nothing has really been mentioned since. It would be great if Nintendo used this opportunity to announce the overall winner, or at the very least, maybe showcase a shortlist of the top ten most popular characters requested. Also, despite its controversy, Metroid Prime: Federation Force for 3DS needs to have a mention. I say need, simply for the fact that the reception for this title was less than positive when it was announced, and I feel Nintendo still has work to do in convincing fans that the game will not only be a good one, but also a worthy entry in the Metroid franchise.

For my own personal benefit, I would also like Nintendo to announce some new bundles for New 3DS XL. I am probably one of the last Nintendo fans on the planet that still doesn’t own a 3DS; however, all is about to change this holiday season when I finally get my hands on the handheld marvel. My only issue is that the current available bundles for New 3DS XL, certainly in Europe, are somewhat limited. The Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer and the seemingly always sold out Majora’s Mask bundles are really my only choices aside from buying the stand alone console, so news of a selection of new bundles in time for Christmas would be awesome. Maybe a limited edition New 3DS XL with Super Smash Bros. 3DS, or The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes, or even a bundle for the upcoming Hyrule Warriors Legends would persuade me to hold out on my purchase until its release in early 2016.

As for the rumors surrounding Twilight Princess HD, I’m still on the fence with that one. On one hand, I want it to be true and would love to see it in action on the Wii U with enhanced visuals and gameplay making use of the Wii U GamePad. On the other hand, I feel that if it were true, its announcement would only serve as another pacifier for fans already disappointed with the lack of anything new for Zelda Wii U. It’s a tricky one, but I’m sure Nintendo will have it all figured out…won’t they?

What do you think we’ll see in today’s broadcast? Share your predictions with us in the comments!