Play Nintendo's E3 2012 Predictions

It’s May again; you know what that means, right? We are just a little under a month away from E3 2012 and gamers are preparing for a huge explosion of Nintendo news. This will be my second time covering an E3 event and while I won’t be at the Los Angeles Convention Center, I will be covering the news live from the comfort of my own home. Last year I thought I did an OK job with the news, but felt a little overwhelmed. Luckily, this year I have a little more experience under my belt and feel that I will do a much better job, but more on those plans soon.

Today, I want to share with you my E3 2012 Predictions; this was a popular article for me last year, so here we are again. Are your bodies ready for my predictions? Are your bodies ready for E3 2012? Let’s have a look at some potential Nintendo news, and some other stuff that will be a bit outlandish. With that said, on to the predictions!

Wii U Launch Titles

Chance of Occurring: Very Likely

Last year we had the privilege of getting our first glimpse at Nintendo’s new console, but we were left with more questions than answers. Fast forward a year and while we have learned about some additional features and a few games, we are still in the dark about the majority of things. One thing I am certain will be announced at E3 2012 are the Wii U launch titles.

I’m sure we will learn a ton about the console including some previously unannounced features, but high quality software is always the ultimate sell. Nintendo has previously stated that they learned their lesson with the launch of the Nintendo 3DS, so you would think they are ready to drop some bombshells. Announcing a varied list of high quality Wii U launch titles is exactly the thing to do to get the consumer excited.

Pandora’s Tower Localization

Chance of Occurring: Very Likely

Last year I predicted that a Pandora’s Tower localization would be an unlikely announcement, but this year I am singing a different tune. With the release of Xenoblade Chronicles and plans for XSEED Games to localize The Last Story, Nintendo is no doubt warming up to some titles it may not have taken a chance on before. Therefore, an announcement concerning the localization and release of Pandora’s Tower seems more likely this year.

Kirby’s 20^th Anniversary Compilation Games Announced

Chance of Occurring: Very Likely

OK, so this may be an easy prediction, but I think it’s very likely to happen at E3 2012. Considering that Nintendo is still support the Wii, albeit some almost non-existent support, the announcement of which games to be included in the newly announced Kirby compilation could get some fans talking.

New Nintendo IP

Chance of Occurring: Very Likely

Miyamoto has been talking a lot about adding new characters to the Nintendo family lately, so the announcement of a new IP at E3 2012 wouldn’t be too farfetched in my opinion. Exactly what that IP will be, however, is up in the air. Will Nintendo adventure into a genre they are normally not familiar with? With the Wii U launching later this year, it seems very likely that the new IP will get a fresh start on a new platform.

New Retro Studios Game

Chance of Occurring: Very Likely

A new Retro Studios game was a prediction of mine from last year, but with their last game being a few years back now, announcement of a new Retro Studios project at this year’s E3 2012 event seems very likely. Trying to guess what that title may be, however, proves to be a little more difficult. Retro Studios has been involved with the Metroid series and more recently the Donkey Kong Country series, so visiting one of those two franchises seems like a good bet. Though, I truly believe that Retro Studios will get to lay their magic touch on another one of Nintendo’s babies. Is it possible that Retro is working on more than one title? I predict Retro Studios will come forth with two Wii U titles, one being a new entry in the Star Fox series and the other being a brand new F-Zero game.

Wii U Name Change

Chance of Occurring: Likely

After last year’s naming confusion, Nintendo may be looking to switch gears on the Wii U name. Maybe they will go the route of the Super Nintendo and we’ll get the Super Wii? Yeah, you’re right; they probably won’t go down that route. Instead, they may be better off naming it the Wii 2. It is a simple and proven concept when compared to the PS2/PS3. Naming it the Wii 2 may not seem original, but it does indicate a newer, better console. However, maybe Nintendo is just better off giving the console a completely original title?

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past 2

Chance of Occurring: Likely

This time last year I wouldn’t have dreamed that Nintendo may announce a sequel to one of my favourite video games of all time, but with all the rumors and talk from Miyamoto, A Link to the Past sequel may actually already exist. I wouldn’t be disappointed if this game never happens, but the thought of a brand new game taking place in A Link to the Past’s Hyrule is intoxicating. I can’t help but think of the possibilities that are available to Nintendo by revisiting the Light World/Dark World mechanic.

Sure, there were some pretty great examples in the first game, but there has to be plenty more that could be done with this concept. Having it on the 3DS would also seem to be a great idea given that A Link to the Past dungeons had a pseudo 3D layering; at many points player could catch a view of what lay below. Seeing this in 3D would not only look awesome, but could add some unique situations in which 3D would make a puzzle easier to solve. Add in some old items, and some new ones (Roc’s Cape/Feather anyone?) and A Link to the Past sequel could be some killer software. Even if this doesn’t happen, I would still like to see A Link to the Past show up as a 3D Classics game.

An eShop title for a Well-Known/AAA Nintendo Franchise

Chance of Occurring: Likely

As of late, Nintendo has been doing a great job of pushing the Nintendo eShop with brand new IPs and some decent third party support. However, one thing that is missing from the eShop is a Triple A Nintendo franchise. Likely candidates for such support might possibly be a new Wario, or Kirby title, but there is something else fans have been wanting for years now. A brand new 2D Metroid game; put that on the eShop and try to stop me from downloading.

Super Smash Bros. Wii U/3DS Gameplay

Chance of Occurring: Less Likely

 One thing that I do not see happening at this year’s E3 is the presence of a Super Smash Bros. Wii U/3DS gameplay trailer. We already know that Masahiro Sakurai is in the beginning stages of development, so a trailer showcasing gameplay will likely be out of the questions. It’s certainly possible that a teaser trailer showcasing veterans and newcomers will appear, but even that seems highly unlikely. Holding off any Super Smash Bros. Wii U/3DS news until E3 2013 seems logical and would make it the big reveal for Nintendo that year.

StarTropics III

Chance of Occurring: Less Likely

This is a title that I would love to see Nintendo revisit, but Nintendo may have forgotten about this old NES series long ago. There is still a small chance that Nintendo is looking at old titles based on the success of Kid Icarus making a new StarTropics game a slight possibility.

Mother Compilation

Chance of Occurring: Not in our Lifetime

How mind-blowing would it be to wake up on E3 morning to see an announcement from Nintendo detailing a compilation of the Mother series? It would be absolutely mind-blowing and would generate a lot of buzz throughout the vast online Nintendo community. However, with issues regarding the localization of Earthbound and Nintendo’s stand offish approach for the series in general, this is one we might never see in our lifetime.