Topic: Next Nintendo Direct?

This reminds me of that not-too-recent rumor about Paper Mario TTYD getting a HD re-release. The latter is my favorite of the two, but a Super Mario RPG remake would arguably be the more notable game.

This is nintendo we're talking about here though. You just never know. Having said that, I'm almost banking on a new 2d mario. There's definitely a shortage on the system.

I don't buy the 2D Mario rumors. That sounds like a thing they would save for next gen, especially if it's a new type of 2D Mario and not just a NSMB Switch or Mario Maker 3 (which I don't think it is). A completely new and original, potentially groundbreaking entry in their flagship IP (even for a lower budget entry like a 2D game) is a perfect candidate for a launch title and would be a huge system seller, it's far too significant to waste on the twilight years of a console. I don't think we're getting a new entry in 2D Mario OR 3D Mario until the new generation.

NoA's been completely silent all day (in the past, weekdays where this has happened a Direct was announced the following day) so seems we've got a setup of general Direct announced Tuesday for airing on Wednesday.

Big news! Sources have told me that there will definitely be a rumor about a direct this week.

It is also possible NoA has the day off for Juneteenth.

@Pak-Man I think that is more likely. It is a national day right?

@Bolt_Strike I agree. Cross Gen Mario would be saved for a new 3D entry, with the 2D Mario in question saved for a few months afterwards like the time between NSMBU and 3D World on Wii u. It’s far too late for 2D Mario.

@TheBigBlue As of 2021, it is.

@TheBigBlue I don't agree that 3D is going to be cross gen. Nintendo seems to design the 3D Marios around the console they're on, so they're going to want a 3D Mario on the next gen console with unique characters, settings, and gameplay mechanics. They seem to hold the attitude that Odyssey things such as Cappy, New Donk City, capturing, etc. are Switch things exclusive to Switch Mario games, or that Galaxy things such as the Comet Observatory, Lumas, and the gravity mechanics are Wii things exclusive to Wii Mario games (Rosalina might've been meant to as well but she was popular enough to make it into other Mario games, so we can't really say she's exclusive). They're probably never going to do things like make a Galaxy 3 or Odyssey 2 on the next gen console, in their eyes those experiences are tied to their original consoles and once the console is done the window for such sequels is closed (with the best we can get from those past experiences is ports/remakes of the originals on newer hardware) and they move onto something new for next gen.

I think both Marios are going to be next gen exclusive and release within the first 2 years of the console's life (possibly even in the first year with them being at different times of the year, like maybe they could get away with the 2D Mario as a Spring title and the 3D Mario as the big holiday title). The next gen console is going to need them both to help sell the new console as a legit next gen upgrade with games beyond what we've seen on the Switch. Doubly so if both games are the new and groundbreaking experiences the fanbase thinks they are such as a completely new style of 2D Mario or an open world 3D Mario, that's something they can easily market to feel like a new experience the Switch wasn't capable of (even if it's not quite true), those would be some easy system sellers to help the new console take off as quickly as the Switch did.

@Bolt_Strike Eh, I honestly don't think 2D Mario (or side scrollers in general for that matter) is as big of a system seller in this day and age. It's a game with widespread mainstream appeal that will sell a lot, but people aren't going to go rush to buy new hardware for.

They need a 3D Mario or 3D Zelda at launch and a Mario Kart soon after to push new hardware sales.

@IceClimbers Anything that sells a lot and is new and groundbreaking has that potential. If it sells a lot than it is something that people will likely buy a console for. Especially if, as you said and I actually agree with, they have multiple of these titles lined up early. 2D Mario could easily be part of that (other potential candidates besides the 2 Marios would be Mario Kart, Luigi's Mansion, and Animal Crossing).

If they wanted a 3D Zelda at launch though, they should've saved TotK for that like they did with BotW instead of blowing it now. Sure they could port it a year or two from now, but that would be less exciting now.

I've changed my mind based on the volume of supposed leaks. A proper Direct is imminent I think. Not expecting huge stuff but yeah, probably something going on

Although it could also just be a bunch of clout chasers. And even if it does happen, a lot of theses leakers are full of it. Jumping on the bandwagon as soon as some credible stuff comes out and say "my sources say the same! Look at me!"

@Bolt_Strike Let me alter my stance a bit: I think 2D Mario isn't as big of a system seller on it's own as it used to be. People picked up the Switch at launch for BotW and BotW alone; a 2D Mario would have to be very groundbreaking and genre defining for a 2D platformer to be able to do the same I think.

In conjunction with other heavy hitters though? Then yeah it could push hardware sales.

On a side note, I think 2D Zelda is worth mentioning as a potential candidate for the launch year along the others you mentioned. It's been nearly 4 years since Link's Awakening and nearly 10 since the last brand new entry (ALBW).

There's a chance in might be, if they have the right idea. 2D Mario (and 2D platformers in general) really needs that sort of groundbreaking and genre defining experience because they've become so stale and repetitive lately. If they can come up with a way to somehow push the boundaries of 2D platforming they should and probably will go for it.

I do think 2D Zelda has a chance at being a launch year title (I also think Yoshi and DK do for that matter). I'm just not sure they'll be big system sellers. 2D Zeldas have only really sold about 4-6 million whereas the IPs I mentioned have all cracked 10+ million, and I don't think 2D Zelda will crack that range without a similarly groundbreaking genre-defining new entry. 2D Zelda, DK, and Yoshi are kind of in a tier below the other IPs I mentioned, a decent chunk of the fanbase will buy them, but they probably won't be the primary reason they buy the console, the IPs I mentioned sell at least twice as much so they're bigger draws.

Given that Nintendo hasn’t supposed 2 of the same type of system (home or handheld) at the same time since SNES and N64, I predict the new console will launch holiday 2024, right after the promised 2 years of support for Splatoon 3 wrap up in September and not long after TOTK’s dlc is done (I’m guessing that game will be complete almost a year after it’s release, similar to BOTW)

My guess is the 2 big launch titles will be the next 3D Mario, (following the rumored 2D one this year) and Metroid Prime 4, which will launch on both as the switch’s true swan song. Metroid Prime 4 will be teased at this week’s direct (the last “big one” for switch,) get some nice details at an otherwise low key September direct, receive some independent info during a direct-less winter 2024 (the new console will get a reveal trailer instead) and then get a final blowout alongside everything else planned for the next gen’s debut year in a meaty summer direct.

Of course this is all just speculation, but I really do think we have one more solid direct with a few good surprises before things really quiet down for a little bit.

Would be great to have another 'shadow drop' akin to the MP Remaster announcement from the previous direct....

There is something really great about this kind of marketing - "Here is news on an exciting project we've had in development that you had no idea about. BTW - it will be available this evening for download"

Old school Zelda port/s perhaps?

I got $50 in eshop cred from fathers day. A direct this week with some shadow drops would be very welcome.

I hope we get a remake of Eathbound that looks like it's manual. But there are tons of SNES games I would like to see reimagined (it's my second fave console after Switch now.) F-Zero, Chrono Trigger, Shadowrun (although Microsoft own that licence - man, they own everything these days...)

@Grumblevolcano no Nintendo Direct for this week/month it seen