Nintendo E3 2017 Predictions – Pandas Predict

Boarding the Hype Train!

E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo), one of the biggest video game conferences and annual hype holiday for gamers, is just around the corner. With a new hotly selling console under its belt, Nintendo has a huge opportunity to show off what the Switch can deliver this year. Of course, we can expect more details on Super Mario Odyssey, Fire Emblem Warriors, and Xenoblade Chronicles 2. We might even get more information on the upcoming ARMS and Splatoon 2. Following the Pokemon Direct, Nintendo might also have something brief on the newly announced Pokken Tournament DX and Pokemon Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon.

 

 

Here is the Video Version, in which we go into more detail!

But what else is in store? E3 is the place to make big announcements and reveal huge surprises. Crystal Dragon and I have each come up with five predictions that we’ve made for Nintendo’s E3 2017 Spotlight next week. Each of our predictions are in order from most likely to completely unlikely. To be fair, they’re probably all completely unlikely. Just remember that these are fun predictions and not rumors or facts…unless Nintendo makes them real next week! Enjoy!

E3 Predictions

I want stretchy amiibo!

1. ARMS, Fire Emblem Warriors amiibo

At this point, we’ve come to expect new amiibo announcements after every Nintendo Direct. As a big amiibo collector, I’m always excited about what figurines are on the horizon. I predict new amiibo lines for both ARMS and Fire Emblem Warriors. I’m already in love with the ARMS characters from the Global Testpunch and would hope to see at least five, if not all, characters receive a stretchy figurine.

Better yet, just give us amiibo for Fire Emblem Heroes. All of them.

Fire Emblem is also worthy of more amiibo, and with Dynasty Warriors-like Fire Emblem Warriors coming soon, I’d love to see a new line for the non-Smash characters like Chrom, Lyn, and Eliwood. And I certainly wouldn’t mind new amiibo for the characters that already have amiibo. Amiibo for all!

Taste the Joy-Con Rainbow.

Crystal Dragon’s #1 – Rainbow Joy-Con Colors (all her predictions are elaborated more in video)

Or just call it Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo Switch

2. Super Smash Bros. Deluxe for Nintendo Switch

In the “sure, why not” category is Super Smash Bros. Deluxe! We got Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Pokken Tournament DX, so Smash is the next obvious choice to get the Switch upgrade. I love Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo Wii U, but I’ll admit that I didn’t play the online as much as I could have. As much as I would love a new Switch version, I don’t expect Masahiro Sakurai to be working on one, so an upgrade is the next best thing. I would love this version to include all the content from the 3DS and Switch versions. We’d have every stage plus the system-exclusive modes, Smash Run and Smash Tour, in one version. Having it all on the Switch makes sense because the original was split up just so portable gamers could also have access. I could do an entire post about characters I’d like to see, but I’ll just list the five new characters that I’d expect: Inklings (boy/girl like the Villager), Spring Man (possibly a Ribbon Girl skin), Ice Climbers (please come back!), Celica and/or Alm from Fire Emblem Echoes (I know, more Fire Emblem characters, but it sells!), and the third-party surprise of Simon Belmont from Castlevania, which would coincide with the Netflix original animated series! Also, amiibo for all of these, please?

So I can watch anime on my GamePad.

Crystal Dragon’s #2 – Streaming services (Netflix, Hulu, Crunchyroll, etc.) on Switch

And maybe add Funky Kong? Or even Lanky?!

3. Donkey Kong Country Returns: Fired Up for Nintendo Switch

Okay, okay. You’re probably fired up by me even suggesting that Retro Studios is working on yet another Donkey Kong Country Returns game, but hear me out. I love the DKC franchise, and Retro has been doing an amazing job with both Returns for Wii and Tropical Freeze for Wii U. I would love to see a new DKC game for the Switch that continues off from Tropical Freeze. Instead of a wintry theme, we could have a heated one with more levels based on volcanoes, hot caverns, and resort spas. Think Super Mario Sunshine with a DKC twist. Perhaps a switch mechanic could be put in place where levels cooled down or heated up. Again, I know more people would prefer Retro to do a certain other series, but maybe another company could work on this hypothetical game. Next Level Games (Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon, Punch-Out!! Wii, Metroid Prime Federation Force) or even ex-Rare company Playtonic Games (Yooka-Laylee) could do a great job with this one.

A second chance to go Skyward.

Crystal Dragon’s #3 – HD Remake of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword for Switch

But no more Animal Crossing amiibo. We’re good.

4. Animal Crossing Over for Nintendo Switch

Animal Crossing is one of Nintendo’s big franchises. New Leaf for Nintendo 3DS sold very well, nearly 20 amiibo figurines surfaced within the last few years, and a mobile title is in the works. Nintendo loves its easygoing life simulator, but it surprisingly didn’t release a main entry for the Wii U. With the Nintendo Switch showing a lot of promise, it’s perfect timing to get one out for the new console/handheld hybrid. The portability would be perfect for a relaxed community-focused game like this, and it would simultaneously please fans desiring a new, proper console version. I predict the Switch version’s main draw will be the introduction of Nintendo crossover villagers and buildings. Imagine living in a village with Mushroom Houses and Hyrule Castles and townsfolk like Mario, Link, and Samus celebrating holidays with you. The regular animals would still be there, but the special characters would be randomly distributed in towns to spice things up. The full title would be: “Animal Crossing Over.”

I’ve come up with a new recipeh!

Crystal Dragon’s #4 – Final Fantasy XV port for Switch

Return of Samus

5. Metroid Switch

I wasn’t going to let Metroid fans down. I would love a new game properly starring bounty hunter Samus Aran for the Switch. If Retro Studios were working on it, I’d expect a Metroid Prime game, but I’m actually hoping for a new 2D Metroid game or a game that combines elements of 2D platforming and 3D first-person adventure. Although that sounds like Metroid: Other M, I’m thinking more of a game that has both elements, but in separate rooms, unlike M:OM where Samus could switch between first-person and third-person at will (or when she was given permission to). So for instance, Samus could explore a 2D map just like in Super Metroid, then certain rooms would switch the perspective to first-person 3D a la Metroid Prime. In this case, the game could be called “Metroid Switch,” matching both the gameplay and the system. I’d love any proper 2D or 3D Metroid game at this point, but this would certainly be something different for the series.

I hope we hear something about this game anywhere at E3.

Crystal Dragon’s #5 – Final Fantasy VII Remake for Switch

Or maybe the whole spotlight will be exclusively about Super Mario Odyssey.

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed our list of predictions! If you haven’t already, be sure to check out our video above where we went into more detail. Neither of us knew each other’s predictions beforehand so you can witness our genuine reactions too!

Be sure to catch us again next week as we share our reactions to Nintendo’s E3 Spotlight presentation, which will be streamed live on e3.nintendo.com on Tuesday, June 13 starting at 9:30 a.m. PT / 12:30 a.m. ET (adjust for your own time zone). This is a special time of the year! Get excited, and let’s board this hype train together! Choo choo!

What did you think of our predictions? What are your predictions for Nintendo’s E3 presentation? What games or systems would you like to see most? What are your predictions for E3 in general? Please let me know what you think in the comments section below! Thank you for reading and watching!