Question Mark Box

With E3 mania well and truly underway, it's time to get some predictions out of our systems. We'll be pulling together a 'realistic' set of expectations before the main event, but in this article three members of our team based in HQ share what they want to see from Nintendo this year. Some of these hopes are realistic, others probably not.

Damien McFerran

Like so many Nintendo fans over the age of 30, the list of franchise revivals I have floating around my head is so terrifying, it often keeps me awake at night. My wish list is bursting with games I'd love to see in HD; Star Fox, F-Zero and Metroid springing instantly to mind. I also think it's high time that Kid Icarus made a return to home hardware, following its incredibly successful 3DS outing.

However, I'd also like to see some exciting new IP revealed at E3 - we all know that Retro Studios is working on something, and Next Level Games has talent to spare. Let loose on an original concept, who knows what these two western studios could come up?

My biggest wish for E3 is that Nintendo finally releases the game which "sells" the Wii U GamePad to the masses. The success of the Wii hinged largely on its revolutionary control interface, and one of the biggest problems Nintendo has had of late is educating gamers of the benefit of second-screen gaming. It's not too late to turn the Wii U around, and I think any potential resurgence will be tied to a single game which has the same mainstream draw that Wii Sports did.

Forgive us for our mock-up

Tom Whitehead

If we're going to allow wacky predictions, then I'm perhaps at a loss. No, I don't want a new Ice Climbers game!

In all seriousness, one of my hopes is for a Super Mario Galaxy HD collection, including both the Wii titles in one reasonably priced retail package; it could be ideal filler for a quiet release month. I hope that a new title from Next Level Games or Retro Studios is shown, too, especially as the former has been all-quiet since Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, I'd love it if that group was working on Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. Strike Team Eliminating the Alien Menace — I want one of those studios to work on it so that it's a western-driven project. Nintendo's internal teams do amazing work, but I'm hopeful of a first- or third-person shooter that gives Nintendo gamers a taste of the genre, but with unique twists so typical of the company. This is one I hope to see not because it's a genre that's a favourite of mine, but because the system's library would benefit from its presence.

As for crazy fantasy? I'd love a relatively short, on-rails Star Fox living up to the tradition of the SNES and N64 titles. If it's a short, arcadey experience it may be eShop-only, and I'll live with that. My other big hope is that the Nintendo Figurine Platform will come with 3-4 budget retail games, by which I mean intriguing experiences at $25 a pop, for example. If the toys are cool and multiple experiences are available, it could be a big deal in the Holiday season.

Oh, and Metroid Prime 4.

Martin Watts

I'm being anything but original, but like many I'm still desperate to see a new F-Zero or Star Fox game on either Wii U or 3DS. Nintendo's recent technical achievements such as Super Mario 3D World and Mario Kart 8 are evidence enough that the company could provide these legacy franchises with the visuals and sheen that the Wii couldn't really deliver over the GameCube versions. Plus - and there's absolutely no chance of this happening - the idea of 30-player races in an online version of F-Zero blows my mind.

On the somewhat more realistic side, I'm keen to see more in the way of digital content. In particular, I'd love to see further information on the next Steel Diver: Sub Wars update (if there even is one), or even a Wii U version of the game with expanded features and the capability for more players online. Otherwise, I'd like to see smaller games with fun concepts, just to fill in the gaps between the major titles.

I'd also like to say that The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D should be something that's more on the likely list, yet year after year I - and many others - are left disappointed. Come on, Nintendo, this is the year to deliver!

Those are some of our wishes. Share yours in the comments below.