Why 2014 will almost certainly be the "Year of Yoshi"

This past February, Nintendo revealed that 2013 would be "The Year of Luigi," and rained down praise and acclaim on the iconic character. For the first time in his 30-year history, Luigi stole the spotlight from his brother. He was the star. We got a Luigi-themed 3DS, Luigi-specific DLC for New Super Mario Bros. U, Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, and Mario & Luigi: Dream Team--which put the story's emphasis on the green plumber. It was an amazing year, and one we'll never, ever forget.

But 2013 is nearly over, and we'll soon be without a new Nintendo character to worship or will we? We're willing to stake our professional reputation on the line (editor's note: no we're not) and say that next year will be the Year of Yoshi. Why? Well, let's see

At E3 2013, Nintendo revealed a sequel to Yoshi's Island, and showed off an adorable trailer for what looks to be an incredibly charming game. And then silence. We enjoyed it at E3, and look forward to its nebulous 2014 release, but we know nothing else. We could totally see it hitting in the first half of the year, likely before E3 2014 rolls around, being the first big game in the year's Yoshi-themed festivities. And on that note

When Fire Emblem: Awakening released, Nintendo made a special 3DS for it. Same with Pokemon, and Zelda, and Luigi's Mansion, Mario & Luigi, and you're likely noticing a trend here. With every major 3DS release comes a new version of the hardware, and there's no reason to think that Yoshi's New Island would be exempt. Considering the release of special hardware was part of the Year of Luigi festivities, we'd say this is a lock.

But one game does not a year-long festival make. Luigi had two games where he was the star (well, technically one, but we'll give him New Super Luigi U), and Yoshi will have two. Yarn Yoshi, or whatever it's going to be called, is also scheduled for a 2014 release, and just like New Island we know absolutely nothing about it. Nintendo revealed it in a brief trailer, got us pumped, and then went silent, as if it was waiting for an early 2014 Nintendo Direct to go into more details.

Nintendo saw great success in releasing Wind Waker HD this year, and we'd be shocked if the big N doesn't continue to push out occasional HD remakes of its popular games. The next most obvious game to retouch would be Mario Galaxy, especially since releasing a big, new Mario is likely not in the cards so soon after 3D World. But how does Yoshi fit in? Splendidly, actually--he was on the box for Mario Galaxy 2, and Nintendo could easily spin that as a Yoshi-specific celebration.

Seriously, that was weird, right? Even in instances that it looked like there should have been a Yoshi, there were just weird dinosaurs instead. Seriously, look at that asshole. What the hell is that? It's like if the dumbest Yoshi had a baby with Stegmutt from Darkwing Duck. I hate it. I hate it so damn much I might cry. Why would Nintendo keep Yoshi out of its big Mario game? Well, we have one idea: because it wants to keep us starved for Yoshi content.

Of the eight characters featured in the core roster of the original Smash Bros--the ones that are the most obviously coming back--only Yoshi hasn't been announced for Super Smash Bros. Wii U/3DS. That's weird, right? It seems like Yoshi would have been one of the first to be revealed, but, here we are, six months after the game's announcement, and nothing. Why? Well, because it's yet another Yoshi-related thing Nintendo could talk about when revealing the Year of Yoshi.

So, think that next year will be "The Year of Yoshi?" We definitely do. There's a chance Nintendo could ditch the whole annual thing, but, like, c'mon. Why not, right? It takes so little effort and stirs up so much awesomeness.

And if you're looking for more, check out the best Wii U games and the Wii U review.