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Our 2015 Nintendo Predictions

Alex Osborn, Contributing Editor

by Alex Osborn - January 12, 2015, 9:05 am EST

Delays, cancelations, HD remakes, and more crazy guesswork.

This year is sure to be an exciting one for Nintendo gamers. With an exciting lineup of titles set for release across both Wii U and 3DS in 2015, the next twelve months will be anything but boring. That said, there are sure to be a few impending curve balls, as unexpected delays and exciting new announcements are undoubtedly on the way.

So, without further ado, join me as consult my crystal ball and attempt to predict what Nintendo-realted craziness might transpire in 2015.

The Legend of Zelda Wii U Delayed to 2016

While I really hope this doesn’t prove to be true, I have a hard time believing the upcoming Zelda game for Wii U will be ready in time for a 2015 release. Nintendo does need a huge holiday title to close out the year, and I’m sure the Big N is hoping it will be Link’s next big epic adventure, but there’s no way the company is going to release a half-baked product (especially when it has “The Legend of Zelda” in the title) just to catch the Christmas rush. Sure, we saw gameplay footage a month ago at The Game Awards, but the game’s sparse open-world left me confident Aonuma and the rest of the team still have a lot of work ahead of them.

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Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem Canceled

Aside from a brief teaser trailer accompanying the announcement that Atlus and Intelligent Systems were working on a crossover title that melds together the universes of Shin Megami Tensei and Fire Emblem, we’ve heard next to nothing about this mysterious Wii U exclusive. SMT X FE was announced all the way back in January of 2013, and since then Atlus has released Persona Q and Intelligent Systems has revealed a completely new project, Code Name S.T.E.A.M. I suspect the crossover was quietly canceled and Nintendo is hoping to brush it under the rug. Is Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem doomed to be vaporware? I fear so.

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Super Mario Sunshine HD Announced for Wii U

After releasing the glorious remaster that was The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD, Nintendo fans have been clamoring for more high-definition ports of the Big N’s backlog of GameCube classics. I believe Super Mario Sunshine is the perfect candidate for such treatment and would really benefit from a fresh coat of HD paint. The game was absolutely gorgeous back on the ‘Cube. Can you imagine how stunning it would look running in glorious 1080p?

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New 2D Metroid Unveiled for 3DS

Our friend Samus Aran has been sitting on the sidelines for far too long. It has been ages since Metroid fans have gotten a proper 2D side-scrolling entry in the series, and the 3D functionality of Nintendo’s handheld could open up some really amazing possibilities. Just look at what HAL did with depth perception in Kirby: Triple Deluxe. Mix that with the incredible exploration-heavy level design of a Metroid game and you’ve got a match made in heaven.

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Nintendo Teases New Console Before Year’s End

It’s no secret that Wii U has failed to catch on with consumers like Nintendo hoped, so there’s no doubt the Big N is already readying its next piece of gaming hardware. Whether or not we’ll hear about it in 2015 remains to be seen, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we catch whispers of what Nintendo has planned in the month ahead. There’s no chance the device will be out this year, but I suspect we’ll hear at least a nugget of info, as Nintendo preps for a full-blown reveal in 2016.

There you have it! My five predictions for Nintendo in 2015. Agree with my completely unfounded guesswork? Think I'm raving mad? Let me know in the comments below.

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Talkback

Leo13January 12, 2015

When Addison Webb mentioned Co-op on Mario Universe all I can think is I really want it IF we get 2 screen co-op (where player 1 uses the Gamepad screen and player 2 uses the TV screen) I LOVE 2-player co-op like that!!! I can't believe there aren't more Wii U games that do this simple thing!!!

As a counter-point to Addison's Super Mario Universe prediction, not only do I not think we're going to hear about it this year, I think when we do hear about it it's not going to be a Wii U game.

MagicCow64January 12, 2015

Yeah, I think it's much more likely we'll get a surprise Super Luigi 3D World expansion, as I sincerely doubt Nintendo's going to burn another mainline 3D Mario game on the WiiU. Given the existence of NSLB, I'd have to think they at least built the hooks into 3D World as an option.

AdrockJanuary 12, 2015

I thought Wii U was supposed to be in bargain bins by now.

ejamerJanuary 12, 2015

Fingers crossed for Xenoblade X coming out in North America in 2015.  I don't believe it will actually happen, and don't really trust NoA to care about the game... but it's the biggest reason I invested in a Wii U and would make the year a success in my mind.


Most interesting predication I saw: the death of Club Nintendo.  This could totally happen, although I hope that's not the case. Imagine the furor surrounding the announcement? All those "fans" who complain every month about never having anything worth spending their coins on going into overdrive when they find out the rewards program is closing... hahaha.


My 2015 predictions:
* NoA continues doing a poor job distributing or making available any kind of limited good (Amiibo cards or figures, special editions of games, collectible items) or communicating with their customers to manage expectations
* Shortly after New 3DS is released we see articles talking about how Nintendo is doomed and should abandon the hardware business.
* Xenoblade X and Zelda - my two most wanted Wii U games - both get delayed, but one is still released at the end of 2015

Quote from: Adrock

I thought Wii U was supposed to be in bargain bins by now.

Bundles have been sold multiple times in Canada for prices ranging from $150-200 over the past year.
Does that count?

SorenJanuary 12, 2015

Quote:

To celebrate the Virtual Boy's 20th anniversary several 3DS Virtual Boy Virtual Console games will be released on the eShop

Seems totally legit.

I'm not sure why people are so skeptical about Xenoblade X coming out this year. It's been almost five years since the original came out in Japan; if anything, I think it could be considered worrisome that we've seen as little of it as we have.

Leo13January 12, 2015

Quote from: NWR_insanolord

I'm not sure why people are so skeptical about Xenoblade X coming out this year. It's been almost five years since the original came out in Japan; if anything, I think it could be considered worrisome that we've seen as little of it as we have.

Not worrisome, the less we know about a game like that, the more fun it will be once we actually get it. That's why I refused to watch the tree House play it during E3

I don't see Nintendo buying out the Sonic Character.  Nintendo & Sega seem to have a pretty good working relationship already.  I also don't see the upside for Nintendo to buy out the sonic character for a "revival" when the well for Sonic seems pretty poisoned outside of kids who play the 3D games and fools like me who'll only bother playing the Sega Genesis games.

SorenJanuary 12, 2015

Jeez guys, can you tone it down with the SMTxFE cancellation talk. Bury my all my hopes and dreams while you're at it.

CericJanuary 12, 2015

Quote from: Soren

...
Bury my all my hopes and dreams while you're at it.

How deep?

EnnerJanuary 12, 2015

Quote from: NWR_insanolord

I'm not sure why people are so skeptical about Xenoblade X coming out this year. It's been almost five years since the original came out in Japan; if anything, I think it could be considered worrisome that we've seen as little of it as we have.

Between the two 40+ minute demos at E3 2014 and Iwata's quick overview in the November 2014 Nintendo Direct, I feel we have seen a lot of Xenoblade X. Also, translations (thank you Siliconera!) of the Japanese Twitter account, @xenobladejp, and the Japanese site, xenobladex.jp, have indicated that the game is on track for it's Japanese release of Spring 2015. With how much more present Xenoblade X is compared to the first Xenoblade, I would find it hard to believe that localization efforts are lagging so behind that a NA/EU Xenoblade X is not in 2015.


English news of Xenoblade X is not easy to come by, and NoA has yet to rev up the marketing machine for it. But English-language information of it's progress is out there; it is not some mysterious unknown.

Quote from: Soren

Jeez guys, can you tone it down with the SMTxFE cancellation talk. Bury my all my hopes and dreams while you're at it.

I find it odd that both predictions fail to mention that Nintendo answered a question on SMTxFE at the Codename STEAM E3 2014 roundtable with a statement saying that the game's development is progressing normally ( http://www.siliconera.com/2014/06/11/shin-megami-tensei-x-fire-emblem-schedule/ ). It is a small quip that can be easily dismissed or missed, but it is the latest official news on the project. While there has been no actual footage of the game since it was announced in January 2013, I don't see why we should so easily think Nintendo producer Hitoshi Yamagami is lying when he said the game is on schedule.

We still live in a Nintendo age where we see very short PR/marketing lead-ups. Xenoblade X and The Legend of Zelda Wii U are exceptions to very established pattern. It has only been two years since the announcement of SMTxFE and it is possible that the time of the announcement was when the deal was finalized. If we don't see a screenshot of SMTxFE in 2015, then I will concede to it being vaporware.

marvel_moviefan_2012January 12, 2015

it will release right along side Project H.A.M.M.E.R and Thornado as launch titles on Sega's next game console.

ejamerJanuary 12, 2015

Quote from: NWR_insanolord

I'm not sure why people are so skeptical about Xenoblade X coming out this year. It's been almost five years since the original came out in Japan; if anything, I think it could be considered worrisome that we've seen as little of it as we have.

Personally, I finding setting low incredibly expectations is key to being a successful Nintendo fanboy...
;)


For example, some people expected that NoA would offer enough stock to make buying (or even preording) an Amiibo figure that isn't from a Mario game a possibility after Christmas. Or that critical success in every other region would give NoA sufficient reason to release Xenoblade on the Wii when there was virtually no other software coming out, without requiring an outside party to share publishing fees.  Fools!

SorenJanuary 12, 2015

Quote from: Enner

I find it odd that both predictions fail to mention that Nintendo answered a question on SMTxFE at the Codename STEAM E3 2014 roundtable with a statement saying that the game's development is progressing normally ( http://www.siliconera.com/2014/06/11/shin-megami-tensei-x-fire-emblem-schedule/ ). It is a small quip that can be easily dismissed or missed, but it is the latest official news on the project. While there has been no actual footage of the game since it was announced in January 2013, I don't see why we should so easily think Nintendo producer Hitoshi Yamagami is lying when he said the game is on schedule.

There was a rumor from 4chan a month ago that fanned the flames of a possible SMTxFE cancellation but nothing happened. This is clearly a case of "no news means bad news" and I'll be eagerly awaiting the day Alex and Addison's predictions are proven wrong.

Evan_BJanuary 12, 2015

Oy vey.

Zelda is on a tight development schedule, but I don't think it will be delayed. It can't be, or else the momentum they started with Mario Kart and Smash will be ruined. I think, in the case of a console that is already on life support, Nintendo has to have planned out their releases for 2015 very carefully.

tendoboy1984January 19, 2015

You guys really need to stop the "Nintendo is doomed" crap. I've heard the same stupid complaints for the past 20 years, since the N64 was released.

And FYI, we should all be worried about the future of Sony, a company that hasn't been profitable for over 6 years.

As for Nintendo's 2015 lineup, I'm still waiting for that Mario Maker release date. I know I can easily play all the PC hacks, but those aren't the same as an official level editor made by Nintendo. Nintendo should have announced the release date during their Nintendo Direct, but I guess they're saving it for a surprise announcement in the next few months.

marvel_moviefan_2012January 19, 2015

Quote from: tendoboy1984

You guys really need to stop the "Nintendo is doomed" crap. I've heard the same stupid complaints for the past 20 years, since the N64 was released.

And FYI, we should all be worried about the future of Sony, a company that hasn't been profitable for over 6 years.

As for Nintendo's 2015 lineup, I'm still waiting for that Mario Maker release date. I know I can easily play all the PC hacks, but those aren't the same as an official level editor made by Nintendo. Nintendo should have announced the release date during their Nintendo Direct, but I guess they're saving it for a surprise announcement in the next few months.

You need to learn how to read, nobody is saying anything along the lines of Nintendo being doomed. Also Sony is a bigger company than you realize they won't be going anywhere they have ridden worse storms than this and they have assets they can sell off to reap profits easily.

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