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    Opinion: July Nintendo Direct Predictions

    It's that time of year again.

    It’s that time of year again, Nintendo Direct rumors are swirling around all throughout the internet. It seems that July 20th might just be the date of the next presentation, so I thought I’d compile a list of personal predictions for the rumored presentation.

    The Givens

    Super Mario 3D Collection

    A Collection of 3D Mario Games Could Save Nintendo's 2020 | by ...

    Let’s get the big one out of the way – Yes, I believe we will finally see the Super Mario 3D Collection, or whatever Nintendo decides to call it. This will include Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy, for whatever reason leaving out Super Mario Galaxy 2. All games will have their resolutions upped to 1080p60 docked, and 720p30 handheld. All 3 games will be bundled in one $60 package, ready to launch this September or November.

    This *probably* won’t open the Direct, but it will be the main focus. Think back to February 2019 and how they focused on Fire Emblem in the middle, something like that. September 2019 and Nintendo Switch Online is another example. Not only will they show off that, but they’ll also include the next title in the celebration of Mario’s 35th anniversary..

    Super Mario 3D World Deluxe

    This Is How Much Space Super Mario 3D World Will Gobble Up On Your ...

    The next part of Mario’s 35th anniversary celebration, Super Mario 3D World Deluxe. This will feature brand new content to the game, hence the “deluxe” branding. This is a given port, and is honestly one of the last Wii U titles that haven’t made the transition over to the Switch. Luckily, I don’t think 3D World will have to wait much longer.

    I expect this to release around September or October. We’ll have this release, a month gap, and then the Mario Collection. I don’t feel Nintendo will put them back to back, but they do kind of have a thing for doing the unexpected, so who knows.

    Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – Challenger Pack 7

    Amazon.com: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - Fighters Pass Vol. 2 ...

    After Min Min’s release in June, we have absolutely no clue what is coming next for the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Fighter’s Pass Vol. 2. Naturally, this lines up perfectly with a Direct, where the next fighter is almost assuredly going to be revealed. Now, I could talk Smash speculation all day, but that’s not what we’re here for. I will say however, I do believe we will see an actual fighter revealed this time, not just a series. It possibly could be another Terry-like reveal, where we don’t see any gameplay.

    There’s absolutely a chance this isn’t shown, but I feel like it’s a good time to do so. I don’t expect a release date for Challenger Pack 7 at this Direct, but I suspect it will release anywhere between September and October.

    Pikmin 3 Deluxe

    The official Pikmin 3 website is no more. Could a Pikmin Switch ...

    The the last Wii U title that is in need of coming over to Switch, Pikmin 3, will finally make it this year. However, this time around new content will be introduced, hence the Deluxe tag. I believe that Pikmin 3 will receive a slight visual update alongside the new content, similar to how 3D World Deluxe will probably be handled.

    I don’t think we will have to wait that long for Pikimin 3 Deluxe to release, as I am guessing it will release in August 2020, just next month.

    Animal Crossing: New Horizons – August Update

    August Fireworks Show Coming To Animal Crossing: New Horizons ... Normally, Nintendo does these over YouTube, however I feel that they will do this in the Direct as it’s almost August, but also a chance to once again showcase Animal Crossing: New Horizons at the big spotlight. New Horizons launched in March of this year, and marketing a huge update at a Nintendo Direct could easily bring in lots of returning players, and even new ones.

    New Pokémon Snap

    New Pokemon Snap Reveal Trailer Nintendo Switch 2020 HD - YouTube

    New Pokémon Snap was revealed last month, and I expect Nintendo to give us another look at the game with a release date in the Direct. Being developed by Bandai Namco, this is the first new entry in the Pokémon Snap series in over 20 years, so many fans are excited for it. I think this will launch in the later half of Fall 2020, I cannot decide on an exact month.

    Bravely Default II

    Bravely Default™ II for Nintendo Switch - Nintendo Game Details

    Bravely Default II will receive a brand new demo and a release date at its trailer in the Direct. The trailer will show off some brand new gameplay, as well as some new improvements from its predecessors. I am going to guess that Bravely Default II will launch in September.

    No More Heroes III

    No More Heroes 3 Gameplay Reveal Hidden by Suda 51's Head - IGN

    The troll that is Suda 51 will finally stop his antics and show us No More Heroes III gameplay. There has been speculation that this game has been delayed, but we’ve “seen it” 3 times at various events, so I do expect it to still release this year. I believe we will see a full fledged gameplay trailer, showcasing some class No More Heroes action, while getting a better look at some new areas, bosses, and those beautiful visuals.

    No More Heroes III feels like a Holiday 2020 release to me, so I will guess December 2020. I could however potentially see it releasing in January or February if this year is too crowded.

    The Potentials

    Mario Sports Game

    Mario Sports Superstars - Nintendo 3DS Launch Trailer - YouTube

    I was expecting a Mario Sports game to release by the end of 2021, but it seems Nintendo might have one prepared for way sooner. New trademarks for “Mario Sports” were filed in Europe on July 16th, so we could be seeing a Mario Sports game sooner than expected. What sport? Well I think we have one of three options.

    Golf
    We haven’t had a Mario Golf game in quite some time, and I really think they could do wonders with one on the Switch. The visuals would be absolutely stunning, and they could really make some innovative gameplay just like Camelot did with Mario Tennis Aces.

    Strikers
    Nintendo might just be crazy enough to do it, who knows at this point. While I think this is the least likely out of the three, I thought I would still mention it as I do see there being a small, yet faint chance of Nintendo bringing back Strikers.

    Sports Compilation
    Similar to Mario Sports Superstars, which featured five games – Soccer, Tennis, Golf, Baseball, and Horse Racing, I believe we could potentially see another Mario Sports game that offers multiple sports in a single entry. They wouldn’t be on as big of a scale as let’s say Tennis in Mario Tennis Aces, but they would be somewhat significant.

    Personally, I’m hoping for Mario Golf or Mario Strikers, but most Mario Sports games are fun, so they can’t really go wrong here. Seems more like a 2021 game to me, but if this does get revealed, I’d expect an October release.

    Metroid Prime Trilogy HD

    Updated Metroid Prime Trilogy Nintendo Switch Listing Suggests an ...

    After years of supposedly sitting on it, yes, I believe we might finally see Metroid Prime Trilogy revealed. I think it’s time, it’s been 3 years since Metroid Prime 4 was announced back at E3 2017. Logically, I would think they have been holding the trilogy off to release it closer to Prime 4, but I think we’ve waited long enough. Everything seems to be aligning for this to finally happen, so I hope Metroid fans can finally rejoice.

    It feels like every Direct everyone throws a Metroid Prime Trilogy prediction out there, but who knows, maybe we’ll actually get it this time. If Nintendo does indeed to finally show off MPT HD, I expect this to launch in possibly late October, as that seems like a good time for this game.

    Kirby

    Random: It Turns Out That Kirby Has A Skeleton - Nintendo Life It might just be time for a new Kirby game! The last one released in March of 2018, which was Star Allies. Kirby generally receives mainline titles every year, however it has not for the past two.

    If a new Kirby game is announced, I’d expect it to release in Early 2021, however, I feel this announcement will be held off until the next Direct later this year.

    Persona 5 Scramble

    Persona 5 Scramble: The Phantom Strikers - Official Release Date ...

    It’s time Atlus, we need a release date for P5S for the west! Seriously, like it’s been time. We know P5S is headed west thanks to a trademark filed months and months ago, but still. Having heard nothing is really disheartening. It’s crazy that we got a P5 Animation dub before an announcement about a P5 Scramble localization.

    Anyways, please show up Atlus and reveal P5S for the west, I think you’d make a lot of fans happy. Knowing Atlus though, I sort of doubt we’ll see P5S in this Direct, as they’ll probably announce it on their own.

    Hollow Knight: Silksong

    Hollow Knight: Silksong | Nintendo Switch download software ... Silksong being at this Direct wouldn’t surprise me with how well Hollow Knight sold on the Switch. Team Cherry might want to reveal information about their brand new title in Nintendo’s presentation as a result, and I absolutely could see it happening. Besides the first reveal, we have had no new information on Silksong, so if it is close to being finished, it makes sense to reveal a release date.

    I don’t think this one is too likely, but I threw it in here anyways. I expect Team Cherry to make their own announcement about Silksong, with it being released in 2021.

    The Impossibles

    F-Zero

    Nintendo Should Make Another F-Zero Game | by J. King | Casual ...

    Yeah, F-ZERO legitimately might be coming back. A Twitter account called “FZEROJP” was found recently, and suspiciously enough, it’s tied to the same email that both SmashBrosJP and SplatoonJP both use. Even further backing this up, the day before the F-ZERO account was found, an account called SuperMario35th was found, and it too uses the same email as all three of the accounts.

    Some insiders seem to be alluding to the fact that F-ZERO is indeed returning after almost two decades of silence, but time will tell. While the F-ZERO rumor seems somewhat potentially promising, I’m not sure that this will be there, as Nintendo is going to want to have the focus be on Mario. Only time will tell, but man would the internet explode if F-ZERO gets revealed to really be coming back on the Switch.

    Breath of the Wild 2

    UPDATE] Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 Development May Be Close To ...

    Haha yeah, this obscure game. The Sequel to Breath of the Wild was revealed back at the end of E3 2019, and we have heard nothing about it since. If there is not any presentation planned for the rest of 2020, I could absolutely see Nintendo slide this in at the very end of this presentation.

    If this gets shown off in any capacity, which I absolutely doubt, I’d expect them to end it with about 30-45 seconds of gameplay, and Breath of the Wild 2’s title and release window of 2021.

    Final Thoughts

    It’s really an exciting time to be a Nintendo fan, as there truly is something for everyone. We’re under 24 hours away from finding out if this Direct is really happening, which is pretty surreal considering it’s been almost a full year since the last Direct in September 2019.

    I should note, of course not all of these will come true, they never do. However, I feel that some of these have a chance to show up at a Direct later in the year, maybe in September or late Fall? It all depends on what is revealed tomorrow, so we will have to see!

    What are your predictions for this rumored Nintendo Direct? Let us know on Twitter, and stay tuned here at Final Weapon for coverage on Japanese Gaming!

    Noah Hunter
    Noah Hunter
    Noah is Final Weapon’s Editor-in-Chief. He co-founded the website in June 2019 and has been writing for it ever since. In total, he has over five years of writing experience across many publications, including IGN Entertainment. His favorite series include Xeno and Final Fantasy.

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