New Nintendo Direct video/infomercial tomorrow

[Aielyn]

I am very optimistic because of the wording of the announcement.

"focusing on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS software launching through spring 2014." - why does this make me optimistic? Because every time that they've used the word "focusing" in their Nintendo Direct announcement, it has turned out to be... inaccurate. They've always had some other things to announce.

They'll spend about 3/4 of their time on games releasing by Spring 2014, but there'll be at least one big surprise, probably something set for release in late Summer.

Meanwhile, here's what I specifically expect: Mario Kart 8, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, Wii Sports Club (focus on Golf - probably with a short demonstration of it), and probably Bayonetta 2 for Wii U, plus Mario Golf: World Tour (probably a segue from Wii Sports Club Golf), Yoshi's New Island, and Pokemon Bank...

I also expect some third party mentions, probably including Watch Dogs, Child of Light, and possibly the third Sonic game. I also expect a few surprises here - I honestly think that Nintendo has had a cap on announcements of games for their consoles, so that publishers don't talk about 2014 titles until Nintendo gives the green light. Now would be the perfect time to reveal their first-half-of-2014 third-party lineup, if my speculation is right, in my opinion - the PS4 and XBO are out, they're known quantities, and the launch hype is now fading. Trying to compete with those launches wouldn't have made sense, but announcing this stuff now could make a real difference. Of course, my speculation could be wrong - it's speculation, after all.

I definitely expect a new Smash Bros character reveal. I get the sense that Sakurai has been itching to announce the next character, but has had to hold it back for a reveal event. If it's a returning character, I'd expect either Yoshi (to tie in with Yoshi's New Island), or Pokemon Trainer (to tie in with Pokemon Bank). But I actually think it will be a newcomer. Rayman or Pacman would be cool, but for the moment, I'm going to predict Little Mac.