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It'sa the future. Wahoo!
2015, eh? Eh? Nah, me neither. But a new year undoubtedly brings an air of optimism, fresh starts and good intentions. At least for those irritating people who don't seem phased by the existence of 7am. Nintendo, however, have every reason to be optimistic about 2015. The release of a new version of 3DS in the West, some decent momentum in sales after the release of Super Smash Bros and Mario Kart 8, and a new Zelda game on the horizon.
2. Nintendo will actually do an E3 stage presentation this year
I'm bored of Nintendo Directs. The safely pre-recorded format is great if you just want to see products, but where's the atmosphere? Where's Miyamoto coming out on stage brandishing the Master Sword? Exactly. Nintendo knows the need to reconnect with its core fanbase because the fickle mass-market sucked the Wii sweet dry and and moved onto other things.
3. Nintendo will announce a wearable fitness product at E3
At the time of writing, I'd say 90% of all New Year's Resolutions to exercise more and eat less have turned into exercise less and eat more. But if Nintendo announces a new fitness machine this year and gets it out in time for Christmas, it will be able to catch next year's rush of good intention.
4. But there won't be any new-gen hardware shown at all this year
There will not be a new Nintendo handheld or console shown off this year, even though 3DS itself arguably feels like it's started to wind down already. Even though DS enjoyed 7 years as the primary Nintendo handheld before being succeeded and the slightly-upgraded (and fiendishly cleverly named) 'New 3DS' should sufficiently refresh interest in the console for a year or so more.
5. An online Wii U Pokemon game will be shown
Pokemon has been a handheld adventure forever. Sure, we've had loads of spinoffs and Stadium games on Nintendo's home consoles through the years, but none have offered that core, wonderful, full-fat Pokemon adventure experience. I say this is the year we'll see it. And it'll be online.
6. Splatoon will be a commercial flop
Everybody keeps saying how much they want to see a new Nintendo IP. Yes, I'm using all of the sexy business words today, I know. "Ooh yeah, try to get a new SKU out of that IP. I love it when your quarter one financials take a 300% upturn." Er... what was I saying? Ah yes...
7. There will be a new, 500GB model of Wii U shown off at E3
Despite a decent end to 2014, Nintendo still needs to make more money from Wii U and that means a redesign is due. Even without the financial pressures of having a machine on the market that doesn't actually print money like its predecessor did, the White version isn't really viable for anyone who actually plans to use the machine. 8GBs of hard drive space is ludicrous in space year 2015. They don't even sell iPhones that small any more.
8. Reggie Fils-Aime will leave Nintendo
Honestly, I am surprised that Reggie has been President of America for so long. Erm... I mean 'chief operating officer of Nintendo of America'. Same thing. Mind you, I think he would make a strong presidential candidate. Not that my prediction is that he'll run for the White House. No, he'll probably leave and be the CEO of some massive company. Or maybe take up professional wrestling in the WWE. That would be amazing.
9. Shigeru Miyamoto will try to retire, but get frozen in Carbonite
Genius game designer, Shigeru Miyamoto, is a lovely man. And even though he clearly loves his work, he has started suggesting that someone will have to take over his work at some point. He is 62 years old, after all. And he must be longing to retire to his allotment and tend to his Pikmin and piranha plants.
10. The Legend of Zelda on Wii U WILL be released in 2015
Cynical people everywhere say that Zelda will slip. I say it won't. Nintendo needs more than simple the promise of great games in the future. It needs them now. So the 2015 release date for the new Legend of Zelda will become less pencilly, and more pen-y, until it's written so hard in our diaries, the paper can't cope any more and we und up with the world 'Zelda' written on every page from November to the New Year.
