Nintendo E3 Press Conference: Biggest Rumours and Expected Announcements

3DS GAMES!

Certainty: Confirmed

Like this, but more. Also, not being a remake or a port would certainly help.

Last year’s reveal of Nintendo’s successor to its all conquering handheld was nothing short of mindblowing. Showing off incredible graphics (well, they were incredible until Sony revealed the NGO, anyway) augmented by magical 3D technology, and featuring multiple new forms of input, along with a unified online service and a new storefront for downloadable games, as well as incredible third party support, the 3DS seemed poised to conquer the world. That it ultimately didn’t is an open secret, with its sales being sluggish after an insane launch, thanks to a lackluster launch lineup.

The situation is very similar to what happened with the Nintendo DS in 2004, and like with the DS, if they want to change the fortunes of their newest handheld, they will have to provide us all with some concrete games with definite release dates this E3. Stuff like Kid Icarus: Uprising, Mario Kart 3DS, Super Mario 3DS, Paper Mario 3DS, Resident Evil: Revelations, Assassin’s Creed: Lost Legacy and more will get us all pumped for the little technological wonder. And most of all, a new Pokemon game. The handheld will sell out if there’s a new Pokemon game for the system.

Come on, Nintendo. Do it. We’re waiting.

ONE LAST BLAZE OF GLORY FOR THE WII

Certainty: Maybe

It's already confirmed for Europe. Just announce that it's coming to North America too.

The Wii is on its last leg, having already lasted longer than most other Nintendo consoles ever do. This is indicated by the absolute stall which the Wii’s software inflow seems to have suffered after an incredible 2010. With this year’s focus being squarely on Café and the 3DS, we can’t really expect much to be demonstrated on the Wii, except for Skyward Sword, you know?

But still, Nintendo can ensure that the Wii has a hell of a last year, if they can just localize some great Wii titles that never made it to the west. Games like The Last Story, Xenoblade, Pandora’s Tower, Dragon Quest X, Kirby, in conjunction with Skyward Sword, will make the last year the system has on the market incredibly memorable. Unfortunately, this seems to make too much sense for Nintendo to actually do it, so I wouldn’t hold out much in hopes of this actually happening.

If it does happen, however, you can expect this to be the last straw that Nintendo needs to score a thorough victory.