I really don't think Nintendo NEEDS to have many "surprises" for E3 this year. Today they basically laid out the facts that the 3DS is STACKED for software in 2013 and extending even into 2014. Even though it's not selling as well in the West as it is in Japan, they know that Pokemon coming in October will be all it'll take to FINALLY get Westerners to make the jump from DS to 3DS. So 3DS is covered and GOLDEN for the foreseeable future.
Wii U will be the focus of almost their ENTIRE E3, in my opinion. And rather than "surprise" announcements, I think their E3 presentation will play out like this:
(Please keep in mind this is just my personal speculation)
1. Super Mario Universe shown off for the first time in trailer form. Will be playable on the show floor. A 3D Mario game ALWAYS excites the "hardcore" more than a casual/somewhat lazy/still fun 2D "New" Mario game. Super Mario Galaxy 2 was finished with development at the end of 2009, and they delayed its launch because NSMB Wii came out at the end of 2009. So from early 2010 'til now, they've had nearly 3 1/2 years of development time for this game (with a smaller team for part of its early development due to Super Mario 3D Land), which is PLENTY of time for it to be ready for Holiday 2013. I bet November.
2. Mario Kart U shown off for the first time in trailer form. Playable on the show floor. Mario Kart is easily one of Nintendo's most important franchises in terms of being a "system seller." They could pull a 1-2 punch like they did for 3DS in 2011 and release this December 2013, but I'm not convinced it'll be ready to launch that soon. Could be held back until Spring 2014.
3. Smash Bros. Wii U/3DS will be shown off at least in picture form (maybe a trailer) and talked about a bit. Could possibly reveal the first couple new characters too to generate excitement. Won't release until Holiday 2014, but they won't even say that, they'll just say it needs more time.
4. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD will be shown off in motion with a trailer AND will be playable on the show floor and likely given a "release window" of Fall 2013, most likely coming in October.
5. "Casual Titles" such as Wii Fit U (most likely coming July or September) and Wii U Party will be shown, talked about a little, and dated. Both will be playable on the show floor. Possible "surprise" here if they announce a sequel to Wii Sports Resort or something.
6. 3rd Party/Collaboration Titles will be featured, with The Wonderful 101 getting another new trailer AND release date and playable again on the show floor. Bayonetta 2 probably mentioned in passing, but nothing concrete yet. Don't expect that 'til 2014. Other games such as Batman, Watch Dogs, Rayman Legends shown in a sizzle reel.
7. They'll announce details for Wii U's second major update, likely hitting in July or August.
8. FINALLY, I believe they'll end the show with the only true "surprise"...Retro Studio's Wii U game will be shown off with an epic trailer. Possibly coming Holiday 2013 (more likely if Mario Kart is held off til 2014) but most likely will be saved for 2014.
Other than that, I believe they'll probably hold a separate 3DS event again to announce more release dates, release new trailers and details for the games they've already announced in today's Direct.
So even without a lot of "surprises" I think they have PLENTY to show and talk about and reveal and it will make for one of the better if not the BEST E3 they've ever had.
Beyond that, I DO think it's POSSIBLE they could talk about or show off stuff for "X", Yarn Yoshi, or SMT X Fire Emblem...but I think those titles are all more likely candidates for 2014. "X" because it's going to be a MASSIVE game and a JRPG which just take a long time in general. Yarn Yoshi is well underway but seems more likely as a first half 2014 title to me. And SMT X Fire Emblem I expect is still early in development and will reappear at E3 2014. Also predicting right now that the NEW Legend of Zelda game for Wii U will be shown at E3 2014 but won't see release until Holiday 2015.
Just my thoughts. :D
Upcoming Games To Get
Definite: Kirby Star Allies (Switch), Mario Tennis Aces (Switch), Fire Emblem (Switch), Yoshi (Switch), Pokemon (Switch), Kingdom Hearts 3 (PS4), Monster Hunter World (PS4)
Considering: Fe (Switch), Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze (Switch), The World Ends With You (Switch), Ys VIII (Switch), Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition (PS4), Kingdom Hearts 2.8 Remix (PS4), The Last Guardian (PS4), Shadow of the Colossus HD (PS4), Anthem (PS4), Shenmue 3 (PS4), WiLD (PS4)