Delays, cancelations, HD remakes, and more crazy guesswork.
This year is sure to be an exciting one for Nintendo gamers. With an exciting lineup of titles set for release across both Wii U and 3DS in 2015, the next twelve months will be anything but boring. That said, there are sure to be a few impending curve balls, as unexpected delays and exciting new announcements are undoubtedly on the way.
So, without further ado, join me as consult my crystal ball and attempt to predict what Nintendo-realted craziness might transpire in 2015.
The Legend of Zelda Wii U Delayed to 2016
While I really hope this doesn’t prove to be true, I have a hard time believing the upcoming Zelda game for Wii U will be ready in time for a 2015 release. Nintendo does need a huge holiday title to close out the year, and I’m sure the Big N is hoping it will be Link’s next big epic adventure, but there’s no way the company is going to release a half-baked product (especially when it has “The Legend of Zelda” in the title) just to catch the Christmas rush. Sure, we saw gameplay footage a month ago at The Game Awards, but the game’s sparse open-world left me confident Aonuma and the rest of the team still have a lot of work ahead of them.
Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem Canceled
Aside from a brief teaser trailer accompanying the announcement that Atlus and Intelligent Systems were working on a crossover title that melds together the universes of Shin Megami Tensei and Fire Emblem, we’ve heard next to nothing about this mysterious Wii U exclusive. SMT X FE was announced all the way back in January of 2013, and since then Atlus has released Persona Q and Intelligent Systems has revealed a completely new project, Code Name S.T.E.A.M. I suspect the crossover was quietly canceled and Nintendo is hoping to brush it under the rug. Is Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem doomed to be vaporware? I fear so.
Super Mario Sunshine HD Announced for Wii U
After releasing the glorious remaster that was The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD, Nintendo fans have been clamoring for more high-definition ports of the Big N’s backlog of GameCube classics. I believe Super Mario Sunshine is the perfect candidate for such treatment and would really benefit from a fresh coat of HD paint. The game was absolutely gorgeous back on the ‘Cube. Can you imagine how stunning it would look running in glorious 1080p?
New 2D Metroid Unveiled for 3DS
Our friend Samus Aran has been sitting on the sidelines for far too long. It has been ages since Metroid fans have gotten a proper 2D side-scrolling entry in the series, and the 3D functionality of Nintendo’s handheld could open up some really amazing possibilities. Just look at what HAL did with depth perception in Kirby: Triple Deluxe. Mix that with the incredible exploration-heavy level design of a Metroid game and you’ve got a match made in heaven.
Nintendo Teases New Console Before Year’s End
It’s no secret that Wii U has failed to catch on with consumers like Nintendo hoped, so there’s no doubt the Big N is already readying its next piece of gaming hardware. Whether or not we’ll hear about it in 2015 remains to be seen, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we catch whispers of what Nintendo has planned in the month ahead. There’s no chance the device will be out this year, but I suspect we’ll hear at least a nugget of info, as Nintendo preps for a full-blown reveal in 2016.
There you have it! My five predictions for Nintendo in 2015. Agree with my completely unfounded guesswork? Think I'm raving mad? Let me know in the comments below.