StarTopic Nintendo Direct Speculation |ST6| It’s Prime Time For Some More Wonderful Speculation! (Spoiler Crowd, Remain In This Thread Until The Direct Ends!)

[chocolate_supra]

I really don't see the point of releasing Metroid Prime 2+3 separately in "HD". These games must be released together like Pikmin 1+2 unless it's a real remaster like Metroid Prime 1.

To reiterate, F-Zero must come back now. Switch still selling a lot, players are still very active, now is the time.

But Nintendo isn't always logical

I agree with all the above, and have been wondering about WW and TP as well. I used to think releasing them together as a bundle would make sense but the way Nintendo has been handling rereleases lately (with the exception Pikmin, as you pointed out) makes me wonder if they'll be trying to do all these (Prime 2 and 3, WW and TP) as their own separate boxed releases to maximize retail space.

 

[MisterSpo]

I think the next 3D Mario could easily be next-gen exclusive. Bowser's Fury was capped at 30fps in portable mode and struggled to maintain 60fps in docked.

Now maybe that's down to the particular nature of that release (I imagine a full 3D Mario would get as long as it took to polish the game as much as they could), but the 3D team might well be pushing passed what Switch can handle. Maybe the current hardware gets a game capped at 30fps, but 3D Mario can easily justify being a showcase game for new hardware.

 

[GPKs3]

I agree with all the above, and have been wondering about WW and TP as well. I used to think releasing them together as a bundle would make sense but the way Nintendo has been handling rereleases lately (with the exception Pikmin, as you pointed out) makes me wonder if they'll be trying to do all these (Prime 2 and 3, WW and TP) as their own separate boxed releases to maximize retail space.

Same. When you look at all the Zelda titles available on Switch, the absence of these two still leave me scratching my head. No reason for Nintendo to leave the HD versions trapped on the Wii U. Surely, we'll get some kind of an announcement this year or early 2024.

 

[Dardan Sandiego]

I think we would have seen WW and/or TP this year if TotK had made its 2022 release date.

edit: sorry, if I wasn't being clear, what I'm saying is that TotK literally robbed you of WW and TP ports

 

[Dark Cloud]

I think WWHD and TPHD are saved for Switch 2. Oot I think gets a remake on Switch 2 also.

 

[Gamer_G]

I did think about this, but ultimately it just feels like Splatoon 3 is a bigger release to not overshadow than DLC - even if it's Pokemon DLC. They've also shown quite a bit of the DLC already - I think them announcing it's available later today or right now during the Direct would bring a boon to sales, not overshadow them. But it's totally subjective!

Also, wouldn't the Japanese holiday on Monday the 18th throw a wrench into a Monday announcement/Tuesday Direct that week?

Oh yeah, they do have to announce it, yeah no way it's that week (at least I think so), but I do think it'd be a bit awkward having it on the same day as pre-announced DLC. Granted, they did do this for the first wave of SwSh DLC, but that was during a Pokemon Presents w no other shadowdrops

 

[Dark Cloud]

Japan having a Monday holiday means the direct announcement can still happen on Monday in America because that will be almost Tuesday in Japan.

 

[ziggyrivers]

I think the next set or Mario games will be next-gen exclusive. Nintendo told Ubisoft they’d recommend one type of Mario game per console. If this is anything to go by, then the next games will be exclusive to the Switch 2

 

[Gamer_G]

but the 3D team might well be pushing passed what Switch can handle.

I think I need to reiterate this for the millionth time since no one seems to remember, but:

BOWSER'S FURY WAS NOT MADE BY EPD 8, IT WAS MADE BY NST (Wave Race, Mario Vs. DK, etc.)

Might've misread the post, I think MistrerSpo knows this, but everyone needs the reminder anyway

 

[Apopheniac]

I think WWHD and TPHD are saved for Switch 2.

I don't see what the point of this would be. Nintendo has used ports and remakes to sell new systems before, especially handhelds, but I don't see why they'd do so for games that are presumably minor upgrades at best over their Wii U incarnations and would run fine on the Switch.

The cross-gen games we saw on the Switch were games that ran on 3DS, which had to have versions made for Switch in order to play on it due to the lack of BC. If Switch 2 has BC, restricting Switch from playing these is needlessly arbitrary.

 

[Dark Cloud]

I don't see what the point of this would be. Nintendo has used ports and remakes to sell new systems before, especially handhelds, but I don't see why they'd do so for games that are presumably minor upgrades at best over their Wii U incarnations and would run fine on the Switch.

The cross-gen games we saw on the Switch were games that ran on 3DS, which had to have versions made for Switch in order to play on it due to the lack of BC. If Switch 2 has BC, restricting Switch from playing these is needlessly arbitrary.

I don’t even think they’re releasing until 2026 the earliest. At that point it’ll be exclusives for Switch 2.

 

[Apopheniac]

I don’t even think they’re releasing until 2026 the earliest. At that point it’ll be exclusives for Switch 2.

The reporting we have of them existing claims they're made and done for Switch and that Nintendo's been sitting on them. Why would Nintendo wait so long? Even then, releasing Switch games after the Switch 2's launch isn't a doomed endeavor, considering the Switch's continued strength and the likelihood of Switch 2 BC.

 

[lemonfresh]

The reporting we have of them existing claims they're made and done for Switch and that Nintendo's been sitting on them. Why would Nintendo wait so long? Even then, releasing Switch games after the Switch 2's launch isn't a doomed endeavor, considering the Switch's continued strength and the likelihood of Switch 2 BC.

I mean havent they been sitting on the prime remasters for years dont see why they wouldnt do the same for zelda

 

[Dark Cloud]

The reporting we have of them existing claims they're made and done for Switch and that Nintendo's been sitting on them. Why would Nintendo wait so long? Even then, releasing Switch games after the Switch 2's launch isn't a doomed endeavor, considering the Switch's continued strength and the likelihood of Switch 2 BC.

Idc. If they release it next year then great for everyone. This isn’t a big deal to me.

 

[Apopheniac]

I mean havent they been sitting on the prime remasters for years dont see why they wouldnt do the same for zelda

If they're sitting on Switch versions, what would be the point of making Switch 2 versions and abandoning the Switch versions?

 

[Apopheniac]

Idc. If they release it next year then great for everyone. This isn’t a big deal to me.

Yeahhhh I guess. I just find it offputting how so many potential releases are already being written off as Switch 2 games when the system hasn't even been hinted at, especially when the speculated titles are simple back catalogue ports and an FE remake, well-known as classics of the EoL Nintendo system

 

[MisterSpo]

I think I need to reiterate this for the millionth time since no one seems to remember, but:

BOWSER'S FURY WAS NOT MADE BY EPD 8, IT WAS MADE BY NST (Wave Race, Mario Vs. DK, etc.)

Might've misread the post, I think MistrerSpo knows this, but everyone needs the reminder anyway

It's not something that needs to be pointed out to me and blasting it in capitals does come across as rude and kind of a dick move, even if it's not intended that way.

NST had a significant role in it, but it was produced and co-developed by EPD 8 with assistance from 1-UP. It's not something that sprang into being as an original NST title, and it's not something that would be made without the involvement of EPD 8, either.

 

[Gamer_G]

It's not something that needs to be pointed out to me and blasting it in capitals does come across as rude and kind of a dick move, even if it's not intended that way.

NST had a significant role in it, but it was produced and co-developed by EPD 8 with assistance from 1-UP. It's not something that sprang into being as an original NST title, and it's not something that would be made without the involvement of EPD 8, either.

My apologies, was unaware, I genuinely thought they were the leads behind the project, and felt a bit irked constantly hearing the title referred to as "from the 3D Mario team," not crediting the team who I thought was behind it all. Guess I was the one who was misinformed, again, my apologies.

 

[MisterSpo]

My apologies, was unaware, I genuinely thought they were the leads behind the project, and felt a bit irked constantly hearing the title referred to as "from the 3D Mario team," not crediting the team who I thought was behind it all. Guess I was the one who was misinformed, again, my apologies.

No worries; they definitely had a significant role on it and comprised the bulk of the team. But it's like a lot of Nintendo projects - it's a multi-studio set up.

My original point was pretty simply that 3D Mario hit performance bottlenecks on Switch last time out and that's something that could get taken into account when deciding which hardware to target next, especially given the series usually (not always) goes for 60fps. I wouldn't be surprised if we see NST on development support for the next 3D Mario.

 

[tender]

They should announce yet another Wario Ware at this next one.

 

[theguy]

September is the only month without an exclusive till the end of the year right? Not including December, because they don’t ever seem to release stuff in that month. Got to be some shadow drops inbound at the direct

 

[Magic-Man]

September is the only month without an exclusive till the end of the year right? Not including December, because they don’t ever seem to release stuff in that month. Got to be some shadow drops inbound at the direct

Yeah, but this seems to really be an industry thing. Everyone is getting the hell out of the way of Starfield until the end of the month when Mortal Kombat/FIFA/Cyberpunk Phantom Liberty/Cities Skylines 2 release.

 

[Linkstrikesback]

September is the only month without an exclusive till the end of the year right? Not including December, because they don’t ever seem to release stuff in that month. Got to be some shadow drops inbound at the direct

Yes but really no. The Pikmin 1+2 release is in September, as well as the Pokémon DLC.

 

[theguy]

Yes but really no. The Pikmin 1+2 release is in September.

That’s the physical versions. You can already buy them on the eshop.

 

[Linkstrikesback]

That’s the physical versions. You can already buy them on the eshop.

I'm aware, I just don't care for pretending early access eshop only nonsense is the real release.

Fact of the matter is, yes, there's a new physical release coming in the September slot.

 

[Luneth]

I mean, do we actually consider games that released on both 3DS and Switch as cross-gen releases? I think there's definitely a difference between something like a PS4 to PS5 game like Horizon Forbidden West than a Switch game that also released on 3DS. I'm of course not talking about the quality or size or anything, but it's just.. it's not really the same as the 3DS doesn't really have a successor other than the Switch Lite, in a sense.

Yes, that's true. Switch is the successor of both Wii U and 3DS in some ways, but yes, you can't properly consider these games as cross gen.

I really don't see the point of releasing Metroid Prime 2+3 separately in "HD". These games must be released together like Pikmin 1+2 unless it's a real remaster like Metroid Prime 1.

To reiterate, F-Zero must come back now. Switch still selling a lot, players are still very active, now is the time.

But Nintendo isn't always logical

I think the same, I don't think it makes sense to separate the games because if they are going to sell them physical it would make more sense to release them together.

 

[OctoSplattack]

Honestly, despite people constantly saying that WW/TP HD ports would be happening any day now, looking at the Zelda releases we've gotten throughout the Switch's life... I'm not sure where they would have gone?

2017 - Breath of the Wild (and BOTW DLC)
2018 - Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition
2019 - Cadence of Hyrule and Link's Awakening
2020 - Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity (and CoH DLC)
2021 - Skyward Sword HD (and AoC DLC)
2022 - Nothing, but this was TOTK's original target year
2023 - Tears of the Kingdom

If Nintendo was actually sitting on finished Wind Waker HD and Twilight Princess HD ports, then wouldn't 2022 have been the year to drop them? There was no first-party release in August outside of Kirby's Dream Buffet, and that was a smaller eShop title. Not necessarily saying that these games aren't getting ported to the Switch or that Nintendo isn't sitting on them. They could be sitting on them! And if TOTK doesn't get DLC, Nintendo could drop one or both as the requisite Zelda release for 2024. But I just felt like airing my confusion because every time someone has said "WW/TP HD!" over the years, my brain has gone "...But we already have a big Zelda release scheduled for this year???"

 

[theguy]

I'm aware, I just don't care for pretending early access eshop only nonsense is the real release.

Fact of the matter is, yes, there's a new physical release coming in the September slot.

But it is the real release, just because you don’t care for it doesn’t make it any less true lol, so it’s not really the September slot.

Also, may I ask why you don’t care for early digital releases?

 

[Magic-Man]

I'm aware, I just don't care for pretending early access eshop only nonsense is the real release.

Fact of the matter is, yes, there's a new physical release coming in the September slot.

This makes no sense. E-shop releases are real releases. Most indie games and some third party games don't get physical copies until later on, so are those "early access"?

 

[Derachi]

I'm aware, I just don't care for pretending early access eshop only nonsense is the real release.

Pikmin 1 + 2 weren’t early access, the games are done.

 

[Zalman]

Honestly, despite people constantly saying that WW/TP HD ports would be happening any day now, looking at the Zelda releases we've gotten throughout the Switch's life... I'm not sure where they would have gone?

2017 - Breath of the Wild (and BOTW DLC)
2018 - Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition
2019 - Cadence of Hyrule and Link's Awakening
2020 - Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity (and CoH DLC)
2021 - Skyward Sword HD (and AoC DLC)
2022 - Nothing, but this was TOTK's original target year
2023 - Tears of the Kingdom

If Nintendo was actually sitting on finished Wind Waker HD and Twilight Princess HD ports, then wouldn't 2022 have been the year to drop them? There was no first-party release in August outside of Kirby's Dream Buffet, and that was a smaller eShop title. Not necessarily saying that these games aren't getting ported to the Switch or that Nintendo isn't sitting on them. They could be sitting on them! And if TOTK doesn't get DLC, Nintendo could drop one or both as the requisite Zelda release for 2024. But I just felt like airing my confusion because every time someone has said "WW/TP HD!" over the years, my brain has gone "...But we already have a big Zelda release scheduled for this year???"

I was never on the WW/TP train because, as you say, they had plenty of Zelda already. Even 2022, that was when TOTK was originally scheduled. I think at that point they realized it's better to let the hype grow for that game instead of muddying the waters with even more rereleases after Skyward Sword HD.

I think 2024 is the actual time to release WW/TP. There has never been a better moment. It'll buy them some time until they charge up for the next system.

 

[Magic-Man]

I just want Tears of the Kingdom DLC

At least give us Master Mode!

 

[Derachi]

nintendo’s september game is f-zero gx hd obviously

please let me dream

 

[EvilChameleon]

Tired: F-Zero game.
Wired: Extreme-G game.

 

[Yavga]

Kit and Krysta were discussing Charles moving on. And they said they think it could also be Nintendo wants a more robust Mario. They have the movie and Nintendo could have bigger aspirations for Mario. We’ve seen the talking flowers in Mario Wonder. So maybe there’s a bigger change coming for Mario and the other characters.

It makes me think that could be in play and we will see it in the next trailer for Mario Wonder so they needed to put this out before we see the new trailer which will show off a new Mario. Maybe it’s not fully blossomed in Mario Wonder, but we’ll see the new direction and the 3D Mario we’ll see it to the full extent.

The bigger change will be that Martinet is going to voice Link for his new game and Mario will now be a silent protagonist going forward.

 

[sagadego20]

nintendo’s september game is f-zero gx hd obviously

please let me dream

 

[BozPaggs]

Tired: F-Zero game.
Wired: Extreme-G game.

Inspired: H-Preparation game.

 

[Derachi]

I don’t ask for much

I just want boost power

so thank you for this

 

[Giancarlo]

Honestly, despite people constantly saying that WW/TP HD ports would be happening any day now, looking at the Zelda releases we've gotten throughout the Switch's life... I'm not sure where they would have gone?

2017 - Breath of the Wild (and BOTW DLC)
2018 - Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition
2019 - Cadence of Hyrule and Link's Awakening
2020 - Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity (and CoH DLC)
2021 - Skyward Sword HD (and AoC DLC)
2022 - Nothing, but this was TOTK's original target year
2023 - Tears of the Kingdom

If Nintendo was actually sitting on finished Wind Waker HD and Twilight Princess HD ports, then wouldn't 2022 have been the year to drop them? There was no first-party release in August outside of Kirby's Dream Buffet, and that was a smaller eShop title. Not necessarily saying that these games aren't getting ported to the Switch or that Nintendo isn't sitting on them. They could be sitting on them! And if TOTK doesn't get DLC, Nintendo could drop one or both as the requisite Zelda release for 2024. But I just felt like airing my confusion because every time someone has said "WW/TP HD!" over the years, my brain has gone "...But we already have a big Zelda release scheduled for this year???"

2024: Wind Waker/Twilight Princess HD or Tears of the Kingdom DLC
2025: 2D Legend of Zelda or another remaster/remake for the franchise

 

[OctoSplattack]

F-Zero fan celebrating F-Zero GX HD shadowdrop (2023, colorized)

 

[Apopheniac]

Honestly, despite people constantly saying that WW/TP HD ports would be happening any day now, looking at the Zelda releases we've gotten throughout the Switch's life... I'm not sure where they would have gone?

2017 - Breath of the Wild (and BOTW DLC)
2018 - Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition
2019 - Cadence of Hyrule and Link's Awakening
2020 - Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity (and CoH DLC)
2021 - Skyward Sword HD (and AoC DLC)
2022 - Nothing, but this was TOTK's original target year
2023 - Tears of the Kingdom

If Nintendo was actually sitting on finished Wind Waker HD and Twilight Princess HD ports, then wouldn't 2022 have been the year to drop them? There was no first-party release in August outside of Kirby's Dream Buffet, and that was a smaller eShop title. Not necessarily saying that these games aren't getting ported to the Switch or that Nintendo isn't sitting on them. They could be sitting on them! And if TOTK doesn't get DLC, Nintendo could drop one or both as the requisite Zelda release for 2024. But I just felt like airing my confusion because every time someone has said "WW/TP HD!" over the years, my brain has gone "...But we already have a big Zelda release scheduled for this year???"

The rumors of their existence came around in 2021, when Imran Khan claimed that they were being sat on as a double pack and that they wouldn't be revealed until after SSHD (because they'd make SSHD alone at $60 seem like a bad deal by comparison). They've been rumored for like two and a half years, and most people figured they would drop in 2022 in lieu of BotW2

Some people were very confident in this. We don't know why it didn't happen. They're still very obvious picks for back catalogue mining, given how basically every other best-selling Wii U game got either a port or sequel on Switch. The only reason to not do them in the next year or so would be if Nintendo's got some other Zelda thing to sell instead, and there's no reason to believe that they do or that such a thing would be more worthwhile

 

[OctoSplattack]

The rumors of their existence came around in 2021, when Imran Khan claimed that they were being sat on as a double pack and that they wouldn't be revealed until after SSHD (because they'd make SSHD alone at $60 seem like a bad deal by comparison).

Ah, I guess it's one of the situations where you hear something so much it feels like it's always been around. In any case, like I said, I'm totally willing to believe that they're the Zelda release for 2024 regardless.

 

[BassForever]

I imagine in a world where TotK made it's original holiday 2022 launch, WW/TP HD combo pack would have dropped this year, probably as the Fall 2023 "gc remaster". As it stands I expect them to happen in Spring or Summer 2024.

 

[theguy]

Nintendo could just decide to overdose us with Zelda this year and release two classic games remasters. Whilst 3D world wasn’t a brand new game they did give us Bowser’s Fury (not a full game but still something new), and 3D All Stars within like 6 months of each other. The precedent is there, and I don’t see how releasing remasters of games that are fundamentally different to TotK would eat into the latter’s sales.

 

[Magic-Man]

Nintendo could just decide to overdose us with Zelda this year and release two classic games remasters. Whilst 3D world wasn’t a brand new game they did give us Bowser’s Fury (not a full game but still something new), and 3D All Stars within like 6 months of each other. The precedent is there, and I don’t see how releasing remasters of games that are fundamentally different to TotK would eat into the latter’s sales.

WWHD and TPHD wouldn't eat into TOTK sales, TOTK would eat into their sales. If you're a parent buying a child a Zelda game for Christmas, you're going to go with TOTK, not Windwaker or Twilight Princess.

 

[Dark Cloud]

People just want WWHD/TPHD so they’ll say whatever so they can get it faster lol. Nintendo isn’t releasing 2 high profile remasters this year. You got your huge Zelda game and it could still get dlc announced next month.

 

[theguy]

People just want WWHD/TPHD so they’ll say whatever so they can get it faster lol. Nintendo isn’t releasing 2 high profile remasters this year. You got your huge Zelda game and it could still get dlc announced next month.

Agreed! It’s just wishful thinking of course

 

[Deleted member 1005]

Honestly, despite people constantly saying that WW/TP HD ports would be happening any day now, looking at the Zelda releases we've gotten throughout the Switch's life... I'm not sure where they would have gone?

2017 - Breath of the Wild (and BOTW DLC)
2018 - Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition
2019 - Cadence of Hyrule and Link's Awakening
2020 - Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity (and CoH DLC)
2021 - Skyward Sword HD (and AoC DLC)
2022 - Nothing, but this was TOTK's original target year
2023 - Tears of the Kingdom

If Nintendo was actually sitting on finished Wind Waker HD and Twilight Princess HD ports, then wouldn't 2022 have been the year to drop them? There was no first-party release in August outside of Kirby's Dream Buffet, and that was a smaller eShop title. Not necessarily saying that these games aren't getting ported to the Switch or that Nintendo isn't sitting on them. They could be sitting on them! And if TOTK doesn't get DLC, Nintendo could drop one or both as the requisite Zelda release for 2024. But I just felt like airing my confusion because every time someone has said "WW/TP HD!" over the years, my brain has gone "...But we already have a big Zelda release scheduled for this year???"

I'm of the opinion that TotK's delay into 2023 also subsequently delayed WW/TP out of 2023. Of course we could always see them in the september direct, if they can announce 5 mario-adjacent titles, they can announce 2 zelda games months after TotK's release.

I'm thinking that if they exist we see them in 2024 in the "dead period" between Switch 2's reveal and release, similar to the spot I believe Luigi's Mansion 2 will fall into.

 

[xghost777]

It’s hard to guess really when remasters will slot in. I think we can imagine some big pillar releases for next year being stuff like Prime 4, Donkey Kong, Peach, and Fire Emblem Genealogy so then it becomes where do the remasters fit in exactly when they aren’t on Advance Wars or Metroid Prime Remastered’s level. The Zeldas are definitely going to sell generally whenever they drop them and they’ll probably avoid mainline games and their DLC, big spinoffs, and big remakes. For now Summer / Fall 2024 makes a degree of sense to me, but they could easily come out when Switch 2 has been on the market for a bit and hit both Switch and Switch 2 owners in 2025.

Switch 1 is in a far healthier position than either the Wii or Wii U and now that handhelds are cut out they aren’t going to abandon the console for new releases for a while as they build up a respectable install base on Switch 2. Remasters like the Zeldas are excellent candidates to give people something to play when Switch 2 demand far outstrips supply during Year 1 especially in addition to whatever cross gen games we see.

 

[Dark Cloud]

It’s hard to guess really when remasters will slot in. I think we can imagine some big pillar releases for next year being stuff like Prime 4, Donkey Kong, Peach, and Fire Emblem Genealogy so then it becomes where do the remasters fit in exactly when they aren’t on Advance Wars or Metroid Prime Remastered’s level. The Zeldas are definitely going to sell generally whenever they drop them and they’ll probably avoid mainline games and their DLC, big spinoffs, and big remakes. For now Summer / Fall 2024 makes a degree of sense to me, but they could easily come out when Switch 2 has been on the market for a bit and hit both Switch and Switch 2 owners in 2025.

Switch 1 is in a far healthier position than either the Wii or Wii U and now that handhelds are cut out they aren’t going to abandon the console for new releases for a while as they build up a respectable install base on Switch 2. Remasters like the Zeldas are excellent candidates to give people something to play when Switch 2 demand far outstrips supply during Year 1 especially in addition to whatever cross gen games we see.

Yeah. We have a good amount of rumored games (mainly ports). Who knows what truly will come now and what Nintendo will save to fill in the gaps of the Switch 2.

It’s the same for the Paper Mario remaster. Will we get that next year? Or will that wait until 2025 or later? Of course there’s games we don’t know about. Maybe a 2D Zelda or a multilayer Zelda game is coming next year. WW/TP could wait for later.