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Nintendo World Report's 2014 Predictions

Zach Miller, Associate Editor 

by Zachary Miller - January 7, 2014, 8:23 pm EST

Are you predicting what I'm predicting?

This is going to be a tough year to predict. On the one hand, Nintendo has become increasingly tone-deaf regarding its software library, completely unsure of why Wii U's aren't flying off the shelves, and is still unwilling to work with third parties for exclusive content. On the other hand, Nintendo is also willing to develop a relatively simple, but fun, game like NES Remix and drop it—BOOM—on an unsuspecting fanbase.

We already know what some of the "big games" of 2014 are going to be: Yoshi's New Island (worst name ever), Kirby: Triple Deluxe, Mario Kart 8, and two versions of Super Smash Bros. Of those games, my hopes are highest for Smash Bros. because while I no longer have faith in Nintendo's ability to innovate, I have ALL the faith in Sakurai. I may not like Kid Icarus: Uprising, but I respect it a ton. 2014 is also going to see Hyrule Warriors, a game that makes me seethe with rage. Zelda deserves more than Dynasty Warriors. I don't care HOW well it sells, this is lowest common denominator bullshit.

Last year was the year of Mario, Luigi, and Zelda. We need a break from those franchises and I don't expect Nintendo to feel the same way. I imagine the new canonical Zelda game will be revealed in 2014 for a 2015 release date, and we'll probably get new Mario game announcements, or maybe even a full Mario game on 3DS. But we need a return to forgotten franchises. I always felt that Star Fox 64 3D must have been an experiment to see how the public would respond to Star Fox after so many years. Assuming it was profitable, this might mean a new Star Fox game on either Wii U or 3DS. It's about time, isn't it? I'd prefer the 3DS, myself, as Kid Icarus and Star Fox 64 demonstrated how good those kinds of game work on that system. I don't think we'll get a new F-Zero game. It's been ten years. It would've happened by now.

Needless to say, I would love to see a new Metroid game. I don't care what platform. It can even be on the eShop. And I'm just going to say it, don’t let Sakamoto anywhere near it. Until I see evidence otherwise, like a postmortem, I continue to believe he, and he alone, ruined Metroid: Other M. He insisted on the control scheme, the turret-like first-person issue, the pixel hunts, the asinine upgrade process, and the lockouts. He was responsible for the unbelievably terrible story, though I'm not sure who's to blame for the straight localization. But everybody likes groan-inducing anime tropes in their Metroid universe, right?

Ahem. Sorry, I got carried away, there. The point is, I'd love to see a new 2D Metroid game. I think we all would like that. But Nintendo, I'm going to be honest with you, I just don't see you committing the resources to creating a brand new Metroid game. And I'm fine with that because you could just remake Metroid II or Super Metroid with new graphics and a control scheme lifted from Zero Mission and stick it on the eShop. I'd buy it twice.

But what am I PREDICTING from Nintendo in 2014? More of the same. I can't wait to be proven wrong.

Talkback

KhushrenadaJanuary 06, 2014

Quote:

So join us by commenting on our predictions, or by sharing your own, in the Talkback section below.

The NWR Forums have already beat you to it and started a prediction thread in General Gaming. Seems like relewis2011 must have done something to upset the staff that they created a new prediction thread to shut his down. lololololol.

Of course, I've most likely nailed it already in the prediction department as seen in that thread but there is a whole year for some surprises to occur so I won't declare total victory just yet. I'm playing it safe this year! Too many close calls last year.

AVJanuary 07, 2014

The Majora's Mask 'remake' will be the same treatment of ' link to the past' aka link between worlds and have similar or same world map and similar if not same characters just different background.



pokepal148Spencer Johnson, Contributing WriterJanuary 07, 2014

Well copy paste t8me

My wild and absolutely crazy prediction is that people will complain there aren't enough games on the wii u

pokepal148Spencer Johnson, Contributing WriterJanuary 07, 2014

Oh thank you touch keyboard I appreciate it.

Leo13January 07, 2014

Wow, I had no idea it's DK's 20th Birthday.
I would love a Donkey Kong Country 1, 2, & 3, but doesn't Rare own the rights?
Isn't that why I can't buy them on the Wii Virtual Console?

AdrockJanuary 07, 2014

Nintendo owns the rights to Donkey Kong. They kept all their intellectual properties and anything Rare created for Nintendo's own franchises, meaning characters like King K. Rool and Krystal stayed with Nintendo while Rare kept their own IPs like Banjo-Kazooie, Killer Instinct, and Conker. It gets a little hazy with Diddy Kong Racing, but I think all of those characters went to Rare besides, of course, Diddy Kong.

KhushrenadaJanuary 07, 2014

Well, if Diddy Kong Racing DS is any indicator, they only removed Conker the Squirrel and Banjo the Bear as selectable characters leaving the rest of the roster intact. I'd take that as a sign that Microsoft didn't care about those remaining characters or that Nintendo still had the rights to them.

Leo13January 07, 2014

Quote from: Adrock

Nintendo owns the rights to Donkey Kong. They kept all their intellectual properties and anything Rare created for Nintendo's own franchises, meaning characters like King K. Rool and Krystal stayed with Nintendo while Rare kept their own IPs like Banjo-Kazooie, Killer Instinct, and Conker. It gets a little hazy with Diddy Kong Racing, but I think all of those characters went to Rare besides, of course, Diddy Kong.

So does that mean that I might be able to get my hands on Donkey Kong Country 1-3 someday?
I just assumed there was an issue because about a month before I went to download those games on my new Wii (I was in college when the Wii released so I was behind due to lack of funding and time) all 3 Donkey Kong Country Games were removed from the Virtual Console. I would love to buy all 3 of them.
I would also love to play DK 64 as I've never played that one, but it's my understanding that it never made it onto the Virtual Console at all.
I really hope they really do release these this year.

Mop it upJanuary 07, 2014

I can actually see all of Justin's predictions come true, even if I don't agree with all of them, they seem pretty realistic.

the asylumJanuary 08, 2014

Nintendo making new F-Zero? HAHAHAHAHAHAA

Aaaaaahhhh hahahahahahaaa

ha ha ha...

haaaaa.....

*sobs*

ChariblazeJanuary 09, 2014

September 26 - Pokémon Z (3DS)

Eh, X/Y were only 16 months after B2/W2, and I'd think the desperate Nintendo that everyone claims is at play right now will do everything in their power to get a new Pokemon out ASAP. The time between Pokemon games has been steadily decreasing.

Not saying I'm right. I believe I even said that everything after July was a total crapshoot. I just don't think a new mainline Pokemon game in 2014 is ridiculous, even if spring 2015 is the mathematically likeliest scenario.

MagicCow64January 09, 2014

I think everyone can agree that there has to be a second major Fall/Holiday release besides Smash Bros., right? I think it's logical that one of the "Japanesey" games comes in late summer, and smash in mid-Fall, but that still leaves a major title, probably of different core appeal than Smash. And they've already covered their Wii Series bases with Sports Club, Fit U, and Wii Party U. Following the 3D World pattern, I think it's safe to say we won't hear about it until E3. I imagine it's at least a year too soon for Zelda. At this point I'd actually put my money on a surprise console Metroid by someone other than Team Ninja or Retro.

Welp, Neal's already 0/2.

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