Nintendo at E3: What I Expect

• Overview •

As Nintendo's E3 presentation draws closer, predictions and rumors for what may appear at the conference are sprouting up all over the Amino. In this blog post, I will be listing my expectations and predictions for the Electronic Entertainment Expo 2019 Nintendo Direct.

Note: This list has been arranged in no particular order. And hello again. I'm back from the dead.

• Animal Crossing 2019 •

It has been over 8 months since the Direct where Animal Crossing for Nintendo Switch was revealed, and since then all we've gotten is radio silence. With all that time between its reveal and E3, SURELY there must be something they can show us. This will most likely be announced towards the end of the Nintendo Direct, and it will include a gameplay trailer and an exact release date sometime around September 2019.

• Shin Megami Tensei V •

The fifth entry in the Shin Megami Tensei series was revealed in November 2017, and like Animal Crossing, we have received little to no information about this game since then. Shin Megami Tensei IV was released on the 3DS almost 6 years ago, so I'm sure many avid fans of the series are getting restless for more information. The announcement will include a cinematic trailer detailing the game's story, gameplay, and a release window for Fall 2019.

• Pokémon Sword and Shield •

In the Pokémon Direct that was streamed a few days ago, they revealed a few early game Pokémon, the region's two professors, ONE of your rivals, Galar's champion, the Dynamax mechanic, Max Raid Battles, camera control, wild Pokémon in the overworld, the two legendaries of the Galar region, and a release date of November 15, 2019.

As Pokémon is Nintendo's golden goose, they will most likely have a lot more information to give at E3. I expect them to reveal the starter evolutions, new locations, more Gen 8 Pokémon, story details, more gym leaders, your other rivals, the evil team, and the ability to travel to the Kalos region.

• Bayonetta 3 •

Bayonetta 3 was revealed at the Game Awards 2017, and since then the only thing we've gotten is an assurance that the developers are working hard on it. Bayonetta has never been a story-focused franchise, so I'll expect to see a lot of gameplay and a release window for late 2019 to early 2020.

• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: Challenger Pack 2 •

Nobody really saw it coming (pun intended) when Joker from Persona 5 was announced as a DLC fighter for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, so I'll expect Nintendo to make an equally surprising choice for the next DLC character. Perhaps they could choose the DOOM Slayer? Master Chief? Erdrick? Banjo? Either way, I'm sure Nintendo's choice for the next Challenger Pack will catch us completely off guard.

• Luigi's Mansion 3 •

The much awaited next entry in the Luigi's Mansion franchise is sure to have a presence in the E3 Nintendo Direct. I expect there to be a gameplay trailer followed up by a segment where the game's story and various mechanics are explained. The game will hopefully release on October 31, 2019. The spookiest date for the spookiest game of the year.

• Astral Chain •

The hack-and-slash cyborg cop game by Platinum games was announced last year in a Nintendo Direct. It is directed by Takahisa Taura who was previously lead game designer for Nier: Automata, under supervision by Bayonetta series creator Hideki Kamiya.

I'm sure there are many fans who are eagerly awaiting this brand new IP. I'm expecting to see a gameplay trailer with a heavier emphasis on Astral Chain's plot.

• Daemon X Machina •

Daemon X Machina was revealed in last year's E3 Nintendo Direct, and since then we have received small updates and a demo version of the game. Apart from a few performance issues, the demo held up really well in my opinion.

I expect to see a short gameplay trailer revealing new mechanics followed up by a cinematic explaining the game's plot. It will have a release window of Winter 2019.

• Persona 5 Scramble: The Phantom Strikers •

Persona 5 Scramble was a bit of a surprise announcement for most of us, since we expected to see a port of the main game. Nonetheless, this game seems to be very entertaining. More gameplay will be shown along with a heavy emphasis on the game's various mechanics. I am not expecting a lot of focus on Persona 5 Scramble's plot. It is highly unlikely a port of Persona 5 or Persona 5: The Royal will be announced as we already have a Shin Megami Tensei game on the way. Persona 5 Scramble will have a release window of Winter 2019.

• Terraria •

The highly anticipated indie game Terraria was teased in a Nintendo Direct last year with a 2019 release date. Since then, the developers have been sharing periodic updates via their Twitter , and the game seems to be very far along in development. There's even a video of the game running on the Switch!

I expect there to be a short gameplay trailer with a surprise release on the same day as the Direct.

• Shovel Knight: King of Cards •

Even after many delays, fans of the Shovel Knight series are still eagerly waiting for the final entry in the Treasure Trove Saga. The announcement will include a short gameplay trailer and a late July release date. Hopefully there won't be any more delays!

• Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course •

Ready, set, WALLOP!

Cuphead's DLC has been confirmed for a 2019 release, and apart from a few short trailers we're still very in the dark about what exactly is in the expansion. I expect to see a full trailer showcasing the new charms, weapons, and supers, along with the unveiling of one new boss and a July release date.

• Metroid Prime Trilogy HD •

A port of the Metroid Prime trilogy has been rumored for months on end now, but with the complete development overhaul of Metroid Prime 4, this seems to be the perfect time to release an HD remake of the Metroid Prime trilogy. The announcement will include a montage of gameplay from the three games showing off their revamped visuals. It will have a release window of Fall 2019.

• Super Mario Maker 2 •

It's no secret that the next entry in the Super Mario Maker 2 franchise is on the way next month, so what else could Nintendo possibly reveal? Perhaps more playable characters? The ability to play with friends online (why you can't do that is still a complete mystery to me)? Or perhaps they'll reveal some brand new mechanics. Either way, it's no doubt that Super Mario Maker 2 will have a presence in the livestream. The gameplay trailer will end with the game's release date of June 28, 2019.

• The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening •

Many Zelda fans are eagerly awaiting this gorgeous remake of Link's Awakening. The announcement will include a gameplay trailer showcasing new locations, items, and perhaps even a new boss. It will have a release date sometime in August 2019.

• Fire Emblem: Three Houses •

Copious amounts of information have already been released about the Fire Emblem game, and there seems to be very little else they can show off. Perhaps Nintendo can give us a final gameplay trailer showcasing new locations, and more details of the game's plot.

• TOWN (Working Title) •

Game Freak's brand new JRPG title "TOWN" was revealed last year in a Nintendo direct. We know very little about it except for a short gameplay trailer. We will hopefully get a new trailer that focuses on both story and game mechanics. Since the entire plot takes place entirely within the walls of a single village, I imagine the game won't be very long. It will have a release date in late July or early August 2019.

• Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated •

Nobody was expecting a remake of the cult classic Battle for Bikini Bottom, but here we are. It's only been a few days since the announcement so I don't expect anything except for a very short teaser trailer along with a May 2020 release date.

• DOOM Eternal •

DOOM 2016's highly anticipated sequel looks as brutal as ever. The announcement will include a gameplay trailer of DOOM Eternal running on the Nintendo Switch, along with a late 2019 release date. Even though it may not happen, I'm really hoping for a DOOM Slayer amiibo!

• Oninaki •

Square Enix's JRPG has been announced for Nintendo Switch. Unlike their previous games, Oninaki will employ a non-turn based, action RPG style combat system. The announcement will showcase a gameplay trailer with a heavy emphasis on the game's plot. It will have a release window of Fall 2019.

• Devil May Cry •

A port of Capcom's classic hack-and-slash game Devil May Cry is coming to the Nintendo Switch this summer. I expect to see a gameplay trailer a release date in August 2019. Hopefully we'll also get to see an announcement for the DMC Trilogy as well (even if 2 was an abomination)!

• Wolfenstein: Youngblood •

The first person shooter being developed by Arkane Studios and Machine Games is on its way to the Nintendo Switch! I hope we get to see a gameplay trailer. Wolfenstein: Youngblood will release on July 26, 2019.

• Pikmin 4 •

Nintendo has been very silent about the next entry in the Pikmin series, and the only communication we've gotten is from Shigeru Miyamoto. According to a statement from him back in 2015, Miyamoto confirmed that Pikmin 4 is currently in development.

He then released another statement in 2017. "I've been told not to share anything about this from PR," Miyamoto told Eurogamer at E3 2017 regarding the status of Pikmin 4, "but I can tell you it is progressing."

Two years have ed since Miyamoto's last update, so hopefully Pikmin's developers will have something to show at E3 2019. I'm expecting to see a cinematic trailer along with a release window of Spring 2020. This will most likely be the final announcement of the Direct.

• Bonus: Mother 3 •

Fans have been clamoring for a localized version of Mother 3 for years and years and years now. I'm not really expecting for this game to be at E3, and it's more of a wild guess of mine, but it would be really awesome if it actually did happen.

• Bonus 2: Firmware Update 9.0.0 •

just pretend there's a picture here because i hit the image cap

This firmware update includes everything we've been asking for! Folders, an internet browser, themes, eShop music, and those much awaited stability improvements. Update goes live the day after the presentation.

And before we end this, I'd like to share a couple more games that are more wild guesses/pipe dreams than actual expectations:

1. Mario Kart 9

2. F-Zero by Retro Studios

3. Spyro Reignited Trilogy

4. New Star Fox game

5. Star Wars: KotOR

6. Xbox Game

7. Scalebound

8. New 2D Mario Game

9. Monolith Soft TLoZ game announcement

10. ARMS Sequel (LEGS?)

• Conclusion •

These are all the games I'm expecting to see at E3 2019! I know there are probably a ton more that I missed, so feel free to let me know in the comments. This year seems to be jam packed with AAA IPs from Nintendo and other third-party developers, and I can't wait for other unannounced titles. I find it very unlikely they will unveil new hardware, since in my opinion something like that deserves its own presentation. Nonetheless, I'm super excited for the E3 2019 Nintendo Direct, and I hope you are, too!