What do you expect in the (unannounced but inevitable) January direct?

[Nerdtendo]

It's the end of the year so obviously, we'll get a Nintendo Direct about what to expect in 2018 which will probably drop in January. There are already a few rumblings about an announcement fairly soon. I have a list of predictions and I thought it would be fun to have everyone share them if they have any. Mine will be split into three groups; expectations, hopes, and unrealistic dreams. Let's go.

Expectations:

• 3DS crap that no one cares about
• Switch online service including pricing, features, and launch date
• Virtual Console which will hit March 3, 2018. One year since Switch launch to represent old and new coexisting
• 4 save states in VC games
• NES and SNES games are released first. GB/GBC, N64, GBA will come later. GameCube not announced here.
• Online and VC will tie in and be launched on the same day (again, March 3rd)
• Online will be disappointing. A large chunk of the direct will be detailing it. All VC games will have to be bought for the tenth time. No transferring.
• Yoshi gets title and release window (thinking back on it, I believe it was already slated for Spring)
• Kirby will get a release date.
• Nothing on Prime 4
• Nothing on Pokemon for sure.
• Octopath Traveler slated for Fall 2018
• Pikmin 4 teaser.
• One or two more first party titles not previously announced.
• More joycon colors.
• Mario Party

Hopes:

• Mother 3. It's the rumor that won't die. Emily Rodgers and Laura Kate Dale expect it but we haven't seen it. It's coming with Switch VC. The only reason I didn't put it on expectations is because I don't think GBA will be with the launch of VC.
• Cloud saves. If they exist, they will be part of the online service
• Online is NOT disappointing.
• Joycon varients. One with a d-pad.

Dreams:

• A paper Mario game that returns to the series' roots.
• VC is transferrable.
• Controller price drops
• More Zelda DLC

That raps it up. Obviously, this is 100% speculation so don't hold any of this to me. If you have anything you expect to see, please share.

 

[SG854]

3DS crap?

Im American and i'm sensitive to what you said.

 

[Nerdtendo]

3DS crap?

Im American and i'm sensitive to what you said.

Lol (does anyone say lol anymore? No? Okay.), I just think it's time for the 3DS to die I love my 3DS, it has some great games (Bravely Default anyone?), and it's awesome for hacking/modding, but it's the Switch's time to shine and Nintendo just won't accept that. PS I'm American and your offense offends me.

 

[Kioku]

The 3DS isn't leaving in 2018.. So, keep expecting the crap. I just want info on online and VC. Nothing else is important right now. Yoshi and Kirby are meh to me. May buy Kirby as I find some weird satisfaction in playing. Will probably see something about another port or info pertaining to Wolfenstein II. MAYBE some info about Yooka Laylee?

 

[Taleweaver]

Expectations:

• DLC for xenoblade chronicles 2
• Some classic vc that you may have bought ten times, but you'll have to purchase anew yet again
• Not a word on rainway

 

[rileysrjay]

<insert "we want a new smash Bros!" comment here>

 

[zepmike]

Generally I expect this to lay out their plans for the first half of 2018, since we know very little right now. I'm hoping they keep to their ~one big exclusive release per month Switch release schedule that made this year so amazing.

• Online service details for sure (and hopefully VC as part of that)
• Yoshi and Kirby
• Octopath Traveler
• Fire Emblem Switch
• Bayonetta 1+2
• At least one Nintendo-made "DX" port of a Wii U exclusive... hopefully Smash
• Nothing on Metroid or Pokémon
• Announcement of 1st or 3rd party series coming to Switch that has traditionally been on handhelds, to signal that the 3DS is coming to an end
• A new IP or surprise new entry in a Nintendo series announced, but coming in back half of 2018
• A couple of surprise third party ports ala Wolfenstein 2

 

[Nerdtendo]

-deleted-

 

[Deleted User]

I'm hoping for something about Animal Crossing. Pokemon too, but I feel like we might not hear anything about Pokemon Switch for a while.
MOTHER 3 would be nice but I've become increasingly wary of Nintendo's English translations for story-heavy games like that, so I'd probably end up avoiding it anyways.