The anticipation is over! Nintendo has announced a Direct at long last, but the timing of the event is curiously short notice. Remember when they would announce E3 weeks weeks out? Of course, with 40 minutes of content, Nintendo most likely has some huge announcements up its sleeve. Here's what we could see, including Metroid Prime 4, a likely new Super Smash Bros., and more.
Metroid Prime 4: A Holiday Release?
Today's showcase opens with Metroid Prime 4. The game would have its best chance of appealing to a mainstream crowd as part of some sort of a holiday release this year, before getting an enhanced port on the yet-to-be-announced Switch 2. It has the advantage of not only showing off what the new console can do, but also falling squarely within the holiday shopping season.
For months now, the rumor mill has claimed that Fallout 76 could be receiving Nintendo Switch ports, with all three games due to land on the hybrid console on October 19th — alongside Metroid Prime 4 and two brand-new Pokémon games. We may still see a new game mat Zelda or before it, a remaster of a top down Zelda game. The Big N can't go years between Zelda games, and remasters are usually carried out by third-parties which, coupled with the fact the presentation Sony took time to plug their latest Zelda remaster, makes this a possibility as we creep up on E3.
Classic Titles and Localization Hopes
The Switch is, of course, close to the end of its life, so we can't expect huge blockbuster announcements. Mother 3 - or even adding Goemon games to the Nintendo Switch Online subscription - would certainly please a lot of fans. Goemon is a possibility, though Mother 3 doesn't seem like a likely prospect, what with its infamously elusive history.
The Future of Super Smash Bros.
The likely port of a Mario Kart 8 Deluxe-style Super Smash Bros. Maybe a couple new personalities and a way to play alone is all that's needed to keep fans content. Converting Super Smash Bros. into a long-term multiplayer experience of the kind that would be instantly recognizable in today's age of enduring multiplayer games. face given how well it clearly transitions into a live service game. Then again, Nintendo may choose to go with a slightly enhanced remaster to bet on a sure thing.
Industry Challenges: Alone in the Dark and Developer Layoffs
The recent closure of the Alone in the Dark reboot studio is a reminder for us all as is the following story, after all, of just how tough the gaming industry can be. I mean it was received reasonably well, but fell victim to corporate antics in the same way we saw with EA's outrage inducing executive payout following mass layoffs. No wonder many successful developers transition into indie games or start their own studios.
Ratings and Censorship: The Case of Still Wakes The Deep
The age rating for Still Wakes The Deep has turned some heads. Even though it features heavy swearing and is heavily inspired by The Thing. It got a 16 rating. This indicates that swearing changes ratings little, compared to actually engaging in gameplay with violence. Rating Video Games: The Difficulty of "Understanding" Games for Libraries - The difference in the ratings reveals the continued difficulty of rating video games by regulatory bodiesPubished in Video Librarian, April 13, 2016A new paper by the Oxford Internet Institute at the University of Oxford has suggested that video game graphics underplay the moral impact of the content by presenting it in a less realistic manner than a live-action film.
Elden Ring DLC: A Warning for Players
For Elden Ring fans gearing up for the DLC, make sure to check your save files, especially if you’ve started a New Game+. Many players, including myself, find themselves back at the beginning, needing to replay significant portions to access the new content. Over-leveled characters help speed up early sections, but the DLC itself may still pose a challenge.
Starfield’s Future: Is DLC Worth It?
Bethesda’s decision to continue supporting Starfield with more DLC is baffling to some. The game’s core issues—boring combat, unengaging plot, and forgettable characters—don’t provide a solid foundation for long-term support. Fans argue that resources would be better spent on The Elder Scrolls 6 or Fallout 5. However, Bethesda seems committed to their vision for Starfield, regardless of its mixed reception.
Spider-Man 3: An Episodic Approach?
Given the ongoing speculation that Spider-Man 3 is heading toward a split into two movies is enticing. Is this a smart way to combat escalating development costs? The big question that remains is whether each half will be as long as a Spider-Man 2 versus just half. Its still twice the price of the game only shorter. If that entire content is full-game length per part, that may cut wait times and money saves.
Publishers would be enticed as well, potential customers would have a chance to dip a toe into the whole game and players on the fence about dropping sixty dollars on a big game could pick and choose at a lesser cost. Spider-Man 3, will be divided commercially between the two Spider-Men, but in the more traditional movie part 1 and 2 style, not driven by trying to game sales.