Predicting Nintendo’s E3

It’s finally here. Next week we’ll be celebrating the triumphs and suffering the disappointments of another Nintendo E3 extravaganza. Except this time there’ll be significantly less clapping and cheering and significantly more awkward crosses to various Nintendo bosses across the globe.
There are plenty of first party Wii U games that will definitely be appearing during the E3 Nintendo Directs, even if only in trailer form. They are:
Super Smash Bros.
Super Mario
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD
Mario Kart
Pikmin 3
New Super Luigi U
And with those out of the way, let’s get to some speculating.
Retro Studios is developing Metroid
I know there’s been so much talk about how it’s time for Retro to work on something else. But I’m getting the feeling this will be one of those times the too-obvious-to-be-true thing is actually true. I would love to see them working on something else, but remember the last Prime game was 5 years ago and the company’s but out Donkey Kong Country Returns in the meantime. It’s time to get back to basics with Metroid but in a way none of us see coming. I want a new game that’s like the original Prime was back when it was first released. Ditch the phazon and the complex storyline and let me get stranded somewhere. It’s been too long.
A Wii U interface redesign
After a good long time to monitor which features of the console should be emphasised and which should not, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Nintendo announces a rejig of how the menu screen and Wara Wara Plaza work. And introduce some folders!
Wii Sports U
I outlined some thoughts about this a couple of weeks back, and still think it would be a smart move for Nintendo. Some sections of the internet seem to think this game is already confirmed, but Nintendo’s never mentioned it. If the Wii U’s going to effectively be relaunched for the wider audience that currently doesn’t even know it exists, a new Wii Sports would be a pretty safe bet.
The new 3D Mario and Mario Kart will both be out this year
With a new Zelda and Smash Bros certainly off the cards for 2013, and with a desperate need for blockbuster summer software, I’d say these two are a show in for an October or November release.
The E3 Nintendo Direct will be every bit as awkward as live conference
And Iwata will hold something and look at it cryptically.


Hopeful predictions
An integrated Nintendo Network
This has been in the pipeline for ages and still has not been detailed at all. The lack of a persistent, logical form of DRM is a barrier to a lot of people spending big on digital games. Nobody likes the idea that their 3DS or Wii U could drop dead and they’d lose all their stuff. Further to that, there needs to be one account for both Wii U and 3DS as well as general online services. I put this in ‘hopeful’ because I sincerely doubt Nintendo’s got it together yet, but it would be nice. Also cross-platform game purchases please.
Virtual console subscription service
I called this one back in April and it’s still a possibility. If Nintendo has it’s networking stuff up and running they could announce a cloud-based streaming service for all their VC games. But more likely I think is a PlayStation Plus- style subscription that gives you access to the VC library and selected other games as long as you keep paying.
Sega and Nintendo will be co-developing Mario Kart
Before you fly off in a rage have a bit of a think about this one and you’ll see it makes sense. Nintendo’s stated many times it’s needed to reach out to others for help now it’s making games in HD. Sega’s already made two pretty decent mascot-centered kart games. It just makes sense.
Heaps of 3rd party
Probably the least likely of the lot, but Nintendo has a lot of negative press to counter in terms of third party support. A segment of their Nintendo Direct dedicated to third parties telling us what Wii U exclusives they’re working on and what games of their’s they’re porting would go a long way.

I really hope that Nintendo's E3 goes well. Believe it or not I actually think that Nintendo has "The Stuff" to pull this year's E3 off with flying colors, IF they play all the right cards and pull all the right ropes.

I'm still edgey on that SEGA and Nintendo co-operation in the development of Mario Kart. I may sound like a dick saying this but I don't want Sonic having anything to do with Mario Kart. SEGA can help develop, as they have always been great in the field of graphical capability, but Sonic characters in Mario Kart is just going over the top. Sonic has "All Stars Racing" let Mario have Mario Kart. I know that someone will say "Well Sonic was in Smash Bros. NYAH!" but Smash Bros. isn't a Mario only zone. In every past Mario Kart there has only been Mario based characters. I just don't like the idea at all.

As for Virtual Console, I love the idea of Gameboy Advance titles on both 3DS and Wii U. And with the October release of Pokemon X&Y I think it would be a smart move for Nintendo to at least put up a few Pokemon games on VC. At least put up Red and Blue. I'd go crazy over Ruby and Sapphire but hey, these are only what ifs. Another smart E3 move would be announcing GameCube and Dreamcast on VC. By putting up Super Mario Sunshine and Sonic Heroes as 2 launch titles it would definitely help out the VC service. That is it for VC.

Obviously there has to be a surprise, something that will be remembered. A new IP, a new crossover, A POKEMON X&Y ON WII U!, something to enhance that Wow factor.

I think E3 will be the most interesting E3 to date. Seeing an HD 3D Mario will probably be the equivalent of seeing Mario in 3D for the first time on 64. I'm still concerned if we'll see anything about the New HD Zelda. They are working on 3 Zelda games as we speak! That is insane... what is even insaner is that I'll probably buy all 3 of them. Anyway, I've pulled a Mr. Resetti here... I'l just shut up. Happy E3 everyone.

OH and Pikmin 3... JK :D

I know we probably won't see this for a while but I would totally buy a Wii U if they announce a Fire Emblem for it.

There is already a Fire Emblem game in development for Wii U.

Kinda.

http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/23/shin-megami-tensei-x-fire-emblem-announced-for-wii-u/

I need this more than anything. I can't bring myself to buy anything on the store knowing I can't use the games on more than one console.

Wow how did I not know about this game. 

I'm predicting "anything better than last year."

How's that sound?

Some Wii U games
More 3DS games
New 64GB Wii U
Pokemon X and Y news

In a way it was already announced. its shin megami tensei vs fire emblem.

true, how didn't you know? it got announced at the same direct of monolith "x"