What is that, you say? It will be more Nintendo Direct? Awesome Scott! This is hard…
Yes, Nintendo is back with another showcase focusing on games launching in the first half of 2023. Well, mainly… Hi, Metroid Prime 4. Hi… Show yourself. I pray?
The Direct presentation will take place today February 8, 2023 at 2:00 PM PT / 5:00 AM ET / 10:00 PM GMT / February 9, 2023 at 9:00 AM AET.
Of course, here at Nintendo Life, we all like to make predictions, if only so that we can build up unrealistic expectations for ourselves and end up sinking into despair… er, what? Nevermind. Anyway, Alana, Jim, Gavin and Ollie have their own opinions on what Nintendo might be showing off, so let’s get straight to…
More specific details about Zelda: Tears of the Realm
Alana Hagues (Staff Writer) – I’m pretty confident that Tears of the Kingdom will be in Direct, but Nintendo will continue to keep things close to their chest. I think some new footage, maybe a new mechanic or two, and then a teaser for a focused Direct in April is Nintendo’s little treat for us because we’re so patient. Soon.
Jim Norman (screenwriter) – A small indie game like Tears of the Kingdom shows up at a big Nintendo Direct? Has the whole world turned upside down? There must be something here, right? Small trailer, new mechanic explained, official art else but that sky Link who looks moodily into the distance. It will only be a little, but it will be something.
Ollie Reynolds (screenwriter) – I think Tears of the Kingdom has to be shown here, given that it starts in about, what three months? That’s crazy… I don’t think it’s going to be a huge amount of information though; I’m guessing we’ll get a pretty big gameplay trailer, but Nintendo will probably want to hold off and give the game its own Direct showcase a little closer to the May launch date.
Gavin Lane (Editor) – *short TOTK clip plays* “We look forward to you learning more about the world of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom in March with our special The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Direct.
Proper reveal and release window for Pikmin 4
Ollie – I certainly hope to see Pikmin 4, but at the same time, I don’t think I’ll be surprised if it doesn’t make an appearance. At most, I think we’ll probably get a small trailer with a ‘Holiday 2023’ release window.
Jim – I wouldn’t bet on getting a proper reveal for Pikmin 4 — last time, we just got a quick look at a sleeping Bulborb and everyone went nuts so who’s to say they need to do anything else?
Alana – I actually think we do want get Pikmin 4. I don’t believe it’s coming out in the first half of the year, but this Direct is just “mainly focused on #NintendoSwitch games launching in the first half of 2023.” So, you know, it’s not impossible. I feel happy.
What’s in store for the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet DLC?
Jim – I see The Pokémon Company staying away from this. Pokémon Day is on the horizon and I’m sure everything will be revealed, why compete with all the other news at the Direct when you can have a “we’re fixing our game!” headlines just for themselves?
Alana – Well, we are still waiting for a patch for the game. But I think Pokémon will get a little teaser with “stay tuned for February 27th” or something. Scarlet & Violet were revealed during last year’s Pokémon Day stream, so I think some DLC will be announced as well.
Ollie – Scarlet and Violet will surely get some DLC soon, no doubt, but whether it will be shown here is another story. It’s likely that the Pokémon Company will want to hold off until Pokémon Day later this month for big announcements. I also wouldn’t be surprised if the company’s plans for DLC were shifted a bit in favor of making the game more stable..? I know it sold tons of ships, but Nintendo doesn’t strike me as a publisher that would ignore such widespread negative reception.
Gavin – Yes, this will air later in the month.
Shall we finally – finally — see Metroid Prime 4?
Alana – I really don’t think so, and if we do, it will be another teaser and that’s it. I’m sorry, everyone. But I’m always ready to be proven wrong.
Gavin – I’m going to say no, but is the Metroid Dread DLC too much of a stretch?
Ollie – Oh man, me really hopefully we’ll see something from Metroid Prime 4 here… It’s about time, you know? But then, my hopes and dreams don’t necessarily line up with my actual predictions, and I’m afraid it’s unlikely we’ll see anything from Retro Studio’s latest work in this showcase. It breaks my heart to say that, but here we are.
Jim – I foresee one of those very polite “we’re sorry, but you’re going to have to give us a little more time” announcements that Nintendo is so good at. Maybe we’ll see some artwork or a trailer clip to keep us going, but I don’t see this Morph Ball going any time soon.
Will a new 2D/3D Mario title be announced?
Alana – This is another one that I honestly don’t think. I think the Odyssey sequel has gone crazy at this point, so the next Mario game will be something fresh. I think we’re too close to a potential successor for the next Mario game to be the launch title for a new multi-gen system.
Jim – Oh, what I would give for this! Six months ago I would have said this was happening without a doubt, but now… Mario is the new console starter if you ask me (hint hint, Nintendo). I wouldn’t be surprised if we get some kind of remaster or reboot for now (I’ll go crazy if Galaxy 2 comes to Switch), but the time for the original title is yet to come.
Gavin – I’m anticipating Mario content (I know, stop the press), but I’d be amazed if it’s a new platform at this stage in the Switch’s life. Maybe port, but what’s left? Super Mario 3D Land Deluxe?… Wait, that’s an amazing idea. Felix wants Mario Party DLC boards, everyone wants more Mario Strikers things. I don’t see any more new main marios.
Ollie – I would love to see a new Mario game released, it’s booming age since we have the original title! There are still people who think the game will be out in time for the upcoming movie, but… no, I don’t believe that, not when the movie itself is now only two months away. That doesn’t mean a new game won’t be announced, but I think it’ll probably be planned for the end of the year.
What connections, if any, will appear?
Gavin – If we’re going back to the Wii Kirby games, I’ll get the Extra Epic Yarn Deluxe. And if we’re going back to the Wii U, I’d pick up Yoshi’s Woolly World Deluxe as well. All my other harbor hopes are little indies. I would still like to FTL coming to Switch however unlikely it is.
Alana – If this is supposed to be Nintendo’s “silent year”, then I can see the last half of the year getting some ports. Not strictly port, but those rumors of a Baten Kaitos remake would fit in here, wouldn’t they? I’m not sure I’d choke the year off with more Zelda ports. Hey, maybe Vampire Survivors will make the jump — it’s certainly a big enough indie title to make a splash in the main Direct.
Jim – I honestly think this is going to be a Nintendo-fest from start to finish, showing us all that there’s more to the year than TOTK. Then again, there’s Metroid Prime Remaster that has definitely it’s been sitting on the shelf for ages, right??
Ollie – Twilight Princess HD and The Wind Waker HD. Boom, let’s go. Oh, and the first Metroid Prime. And SSX Tricky.
What third party games will be featured? Will we get demos?
Alana – Since Team Asano has been consistent, I’m waiting for the Octopath Traveler II demo to come out tomorrow. Kirby’s Return to Dreamland Deluxe might also get a little pre-release demo! And oh God, I’m going to say it and fall on the nail again — Silksong. Trailer. Window. Something
Jim – I’d really like to see Sea Of Stars on this (maybe even with a release date). The hype is real for this game so it would make sense to put it on the big stage. Maybe some Vikings on the trampoline. I’m currently obsessed with Owlboy again and need to see more from the D-Pad Studio team…
Gavin – Alana said Silksong. We have an alarm for that.
Ollie – I think Octopath Traveler II is pretty much done for this presentation, and yes, it’s likely we’ll get some sort of pre-launch demo. Besides, it would be nice to get more Resident Evil love from Capcom! No more cloud games though, give us the original PS1 trilogy or something; that would be sweet.
Wildcard / One more thing…
Ollie – Nintendo’s big “one more thing” announcement for this presentation, if it’s not Metroid Prime 4 or new Mario, it’ll probably be something crazy, like… I don’t know, Nintendo Switch Music or something. It would be nice to get more support for Nintendo Switch Online of course… Maybe Game Boy or Game Boy Advance?
Jim – “Just one more thing,” a voice announces as the screen fades to black. We see the NSO user logo in the upper left corner of the image and hear the shame brrrlling b-ding GBA startup. The crowd goes wild, and I cry.
Gavin – Star Fox’s 30th is coming up later this month. Maybe there’s something to it.
Alana – Okay, this is less of a “One more thing” announcement and more of a “Well this doesn’t fit anywhere else and I feel it in my bones” — I think we’ll see Wave 3 of Xenoblade Chronicles 3 DLC. Wave 2 launched in October and saw is that he got a September 2022 Direct date. Wave 3 should be out before the end of April, and we barely know anything. I also i think we will see the promised story DLC and probably get a date for it. I think the show will be closed on TOTK, to be honest. Unless there’s a big surprise…
Does Nintendo dare to announce a successor to the Switch?
Alana – Not. No way. Not here.
Ollie – No, there will be no mention of a Switch successor, let’s not even think about it!
Jim – Nintendo? Switch from Switch? You’re pulling my leg!
Gavin – Maximum Switch Lite OLED.
So there you have it! Think we missed something? Be sure to let us know in the comments.
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