For my predictions, I’m focusing on the company I know the best: Nintendo. I won’t dabble in third party mysticism, because I am not up-to-date with Sega, Ubisoft, Activision, Atlus, etc. chicanery. Hell, I’m not even confident about my knowledge of that Nintendo voodoo. I just feel like I can make some solid conjectures. 

At this point, we know January and February of 2014, barring any surprises. I personally expect an eShop game or two to pop up in late January or February. For those who aren’t aware, here’s that slate: 

• January 9 - Chibi-Robo: Photo Finder (3DS eShop)
• January 10 - Wii Fit U (Wii U)
• February 7 - Bravely Default (3DS)
• February 21 - Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (Wii U)
• February 28 - Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy (3DS) 

From there, it’s anyone’s guess. There are certain things that have to happen or else the Wii U likely explodes in a fiery blaze amidst cries of “Dude! HD development is hard!” For example, Mario Kart 8 needs to have come out two weeks ago. Instead, I peg Mario Kart 8 at a mid-to-late April release date. For the sake of being oddly specific, let’s say April 27, 2014, exactly six years since Mario Kart Wii. I hope I’m wrong, but I think that’s the Wii U lineup for the first four months of 2014. I can’t imagine another major release hitting in between there. I don’t think anything else is ready. 

That leaves the 3DS. Judging from the December Nintendo Direct, I think Yoshi’s New Island is hitting in early March because it was given a release window (spring). Let’s say March 21, 2014. I’ll say the Inazuma Eleven 3DS game that recently got leaked for North American release hits then, too. Since Kirby Triple Deluxe comes out in Japan in January, I don’t think that’s too far behind either. I’ll throw Kirby at the front of the 3DS screen and venture a guess at April 11, 2014. 

I think Wii U and 3DS each get another game in May, though. This feels like more of a stab in the dark, but let’s say Mario Golf: World Tour and that Pikachu Detective Game on May 9 and Yarn Yoshi on May 23 (the latter for Memorial Day weekend!). That puts us at: 

• March 21 - Yoshi’s New Island (3DS) and Inazuma Eleven (3DS)
• April 11 - Kirby Triple Deluxe (3DS)
• April 27 - Mario Kart 8 (Wii U)
• May 9 - Mario Golf: World Tour (3DS) and Pikachu Detective Game (3DS)
• May 23 - Yarn Yoshi (Wii U) 

From this point forward, I become increasingly less confident. Hell, I’m already not confident with my May predictions. But we’ll press on. E3 is June 10-12 this year. Last year, Nintendo dropped Animal Crossing: New Leaf right before E3. This year, I’m going to take a stab in the dark and say Tomodachi Collection: New Life comes to North America on June 8. Later in June, there will be a major expansion to a 2013 Wii U game similar to New Super Luigi U. My guess is one of these three: Super Peach 3D World where Peach, Daisy, Rosalina and a Toad save Mario & Luigi, substantial Pikmin 3 story DLC that lets you play as Olimar and Louie, or New Super Yoshi U which is a Yoshi-heavy version of NSMBU. Let’s say that hits on June 26. 

July will be barren, for that is how Nintendo of America views July. However, August will bring great tidings: Bayonetta 2 (August 8) and a surprise 3DS game (August 22) revealed at the February 2014 Nintendo Direct. I’m not going to say it’s Metroid, but I hope it’s Metroid...or Star Fox. Realistically, it’ll star Mario or something. So, here’s the June to August recap: 

• June 8 - Tomodachi Collection: New Life (3DS)
• June 26 - Major Wii U DLC for 3D World, Pikmin 3 or NSMBU (Wii U)
• August 8 - Bayonetta 2 (Wii U)
• August 22 - Surprise Game Revealed Earlier in the Year That Is Metroid or Star Fox In My Wildest Dreams (3DS) 

I’ll keep the oddly specific theme here, but I’m honestly stumped as to what other than Smash Bros. and Hyrule Warriors will hit in the latter half of 2014. Let’s look at last year: Pokémon X/Y was revealed in January. 3D World was revealed at E3 in June and was only teased in January when Wind Waker HD was first announced. Link Between Worlds was announced in April. Mario & Luigi: Dream Team was revealed in February alongside New Super Luigi U. So screw it, here’s a list: 

• September 12 - Full Art Academy Game (Wii U)
• September 26 - Pokémon Z (3DS)
• October 10 - X (Wii U) or Shin Megami Tensei x Fire Emblem (Wii U) (the one not here is delayed at E3 quietly and everyone cries)
• October 24 - Sonic and Mario Crossover Platformer Made By Sega On Lost World Engine (Wii U/3DS)
• November 7 - Some Big-Ass Surprise That Hopefully Is Metroid Or Something (3DS)
• November 14 - Hyrule Warriors (Wii U) and Majora’s Mask 3D (3DS)
• November 21 - Super Smash Bros. (Wii U/3DS)
• December 5 - A Pleasant Surprise That Hopefully is F-Zero Or Something (Wii U)