With a week left until the fan conference, excitement surrounds a Nintendo Direct announcing new content for the original Switch. Fans are eager for surprises, including potential showcases for a new 3D Mario adventure, updates on the Fire Emblem series, a release date for the Dragon Quest 1+2 2DHD remake, news on Fantasy Life i: The Thief of Time, further details on Professor Layton and the New Steam World, and insights about Metroid Prime 4.
Exciting Pre-Conference Speculations
With just a week remaining until the much-awaited fan conference, the recent announcement of a Nintendo Direct focused on the original Switch has sparked intrigue about the upcoming content. Nintendo has reassured fans that they have no plans to forsake the first iteration of their console, ensuring that new games will still be released for it. However, the question remains: what delightful surprises can we expect as a teaser ahead of the main event on April 2nd? While predicting specifics is challenging, we’ve curated a list of five games (or franchises) we’re eager to see showcased at this conference.
Top Game Franchises We Hope to See
1 – A Brand New 3D Mario Adventure
Our top pick would be the announcement of a new 3D Mario title. While it might seem logical for such a game to debut alongside the Switch 2, Nintendo could pleasantly surprise us by launching it on both platforms. This strategy would allow them to reserve ‘Mario Kart 9’ exclusively for the next-gen console, while still providing fans with a new Mario experience. Will it resemble the gameplay of Super Mario Galaxy or Super Mario Odyssey? Only time will tell!
2 – Fire Emblem News
Next on our wishlist is an update about the Fire Emblem series. We’re not necessarily expecting a brand-new installment, but a remake of a classic by Intelligent Systems or even a new entry in the Fire Emblem Warriors series, developed by Omega Force and Team Ninja, could serve as a perfect bridge while we await the next major title for the Switch 2.
3 – Dragon Quest 1+2 2DHD Remake
While Dragon Quest is primarily associated with Square Enix, it was during a Nintendo Direct that the 2D HD trilogy of Dragon Quest 1, 2, and 3 was announced. The first two games in this series still lack a release date. The upcoming presentation could be an excellent opportunity to unveil their launch timeline, especially considering they are slated for a 2025 release.
4 – Fantasy Life i: The Thief of Time
If you’re like us, eagerly anticipating the next Fantasy Life adventure from Level-5, we have some good news! After facing several delays, we now know that the game will finally be available on May 21. However, it is currently not available for pre-order on the eShop. We’re hopeful that tomorrow’s event will reveal a trailer announcing that pre-orders will soon be open outside of Japan.
5 – Professor Layton and the New Steam World
Another highly anticipated title from Level-5 is Professor Layton and the New Steam World, which was teased during the Nintendo Direct in February 2023. Since then, details have been sparse, apart from a hint from Level-5 Vision indicating a 2025 release. This conference could be the perfect platform to share a more precise release window, date, or even additional gameplay footage.
6 – Metroid Prime 4
Lastly, we can’t forget about the highly anticipated Metroid Prime 4. The last trailer for this exciting title was released on June 18, 2024, revealing a planned launch in 2025. The upcoming Nintendo Direct could provide a substantial segment dedicated to Samus, potentially culminating in a long-awaited release date announcement.
As we approach the detailed presentation concerning the Nintendo Switch 2, there’s one feature that many fans are hoping to see introduced on the console. A creative fan has envisioned what it might look like, and it’s certainly worth checking out!