You know the drill: every time a Nintendo Direct is inbound, unqualified fuckwads like me will flock to their keyboards and spout their baseless predictions at anyone who will listen. Anyway, here’s my two cents, ordered in sections ranging from what I see as least likely to most likely.
Pipe Dreams
ARMS 2
I wanted to love the first ARMS, and I almost did. If Nintendo were willing to take another swing at the franchise despite its underwhelming sales, it might give it a second chance to fully realize its potential. It just needs to be a meatier overall package to get people to stick around longer.
Super Mario 3D All Stars Update and Re-Issue
Given the barebones and greedy way Nintendo handled the release of the original Super Mario 3D All-Stars, this is incredibly unlikely. That being said, in a slightly less sucky world, we would get some kind of Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of Super Mario 3D All-Stars, both as a new physical and digital release and an upgrade pack for owners of the initial release. Given that we’re talking about Nintendo, I fully expect them to charge as much as they can get away with, and I would not be surprised if it was another limited-time release for Mario’s 40th anniversary. But if the package were to somehow congeal together, here’s what might be desired and expected:
- All previous titles in the original version would be included, ideally with 4K resolution when docked and 60fps support for Sunshine.
- More titles to better fill out Mario’s 3D portfolio
- Super Mario Galaxy 2 is the most glaring omission from the original. While definitely the most derivative of the 3D Mario games by nature of it being the only direct sequel, it still has an identity of its own and a massive pool of excellent levels. If control concerns over Yoshi’s pointer-dependent tongue abilities were the culprit, maybe the option of Mouse Mode on Switch 2 could alleviate those issues. There still might not be an ideal option for handheld play, but at least give us the option to play the game in some form.
- Super Mario 3D Land is an underserved and underappreciated game. It was a modest and tight 3D Mario experience that did most of the heavy lifting to bridge the divide between 2D and 3D Mario games. It walked so Super Mario 3D World could run. It deserves more time in the spotlight instead of being stranded on 3DS, even if some of the experience is held back a bit on a 2D display.
- What I do not expect is for any other native Switch games to be included. Nintendo would never want to cannibalize sales by throwing Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury or Super Mario Odyssey in the bundle.
- More fanfare and an updated UI would be nice as well. Really sell this thing as a celebratory anniversary package with fun menus and extras, like timelines, trivia, and concept art for the included games. The original included a music player, but it really did the bare minimum in nearly every regard.
New 2D Metroid
With Metroid Prime 4 on the horizon, Nintendo is almost certainly not going to risk flooding the market with another title in the same franchise. I don’t expect this to happen, but I’d be delighted if it did because, dammit, Metroid Dread was so fucking good and I am rabid for more. If not now, then soon. This is a warning, not a threat, but I will have to go freak mode if I don’t hear about more Metroid from MecurySteam soon.
Halo
WIth Microsoft's big multiplatform push still ongoing, the long-rumored Halo: The Master Chief Collection release for Switch 2 could potentially be on the docket, but it's far from certain. I don't think the floundering Halo Infinite would be in serious consideration at this time, but the older legacy games might be a great way to introduce an entirely different fanbase to Master Chief.
A New F-Zero or Star Fox
Yeah, sure buddy. Dream on. Fuckin' idiot.
Feasible, But Not Exactly Likely
A New Mario Game
Given that the Direct takes place on the eve of Mario’s 40th anniversary, I think Mario-related announcements are all but guaranteed; you’ll find several such predictions throughout this article. Whether that means an entirely new game is another question, though. If there is a new game announcement, what might it be?
- A New 3D Title? I really doubt it. By now, Donkey Kong Bananza has been out for a couple of months. That could be enough breathing room to make way for a Mario game, but it would have to come from a different team from the Odyssey and Bananza developers at Nintendo EPD. I just think it’s too soon right now.
- A New 2D Title? Maybe, but this would likely depend on what they plan to do with Super Mario Bros. Wonder, as I speculate on later. Of all the options, I would guess Super Mario Maker 3 to be the most likely candidate.
- A Spinoff or Sports Title? This seems like the most likely result. I would love another Mario + Rabbids, but I don’t know if the last one sold well enough to warrant a sequel. I could see another Mario & Luigi RPG going either way, given the reportedly middling sales of Brothership. But Mario Sports games are historically plentiful. I would expect one of those to fill out the release schedule ahead of most other options.
Some Weird-Ass Accessory or Gaming-Adjacent Product Completely Out of Left Field
I know Alarmo and the My Mario stuff weren’t announced in a Direct, but I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if there was more stuff of that nature in a short segment of the direct, especially if it ties into Mario’s 40th Anniversary. I have no idea what that might be (hence the out-of-left-field descriptor). If not Mario—if it’s something directly related to playing games—maybe something fitness-related? If so, probably something more like Ring Fit Adventure or Wii Fit than the never-released Wii Vitality sensor.
Shadow Drops for Metroid Prime 2 and 3
If we’re going to get new versions of these games before Prime 4 drops, this Direct would probably be the time. Otherwise, they might come soon after to keep momentum for the franchise going. Barring that… we might just be shit out of luck. If these are in production, I unfortunately doubt that they would get as expansive of a remaster as what Prime 1 was blessed with. Metroid Prime Remastered blurred the line between remake and remaster, and ended up being one the best and prettiest games available for the original Switch. Echoes and Corruption are not as universally beloved as the original game, and I just don’t really see Nintendo being willing to fund as loving of a recreation as they did for the first game. I’d love to be proven wrong and get full remasters akin to Prime 1, but I’m tempering my expectations. If these get re-released at all, I would guess that they would have relatively simple updates. They would probably update the control schemes to be more in line with the options provided in Metroid Prime Remastered and Metroid Prime 4, but I’m predicting that the graphical updates will be far more limited and ultimately look like slightly crisper versions of original games.
Pretty Likely
Super Mario Bros Wonder - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Expansion
The Bros’ most recent 2D outing has seen suspiciously few updates for Nintendo Switch 2, with nothing but compatibility updates pushed so far. This is a bit odd, considering that it was the only original Switch game displayed on a Switch 2 during the initial reveal trailer way back in March 2025. I theorize that this is because they were holding it back for something bigger. My guess is that it will be a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition with brand new content, similar to what happened with Super Mario Party Jamboree and Kirby & the Forgotten Land. I have no idea what that content might look like, but I think the notion of an expansion and proper Switch 2 update in general is a pretty safe bet.
Mario Kart World Additions
I think we may have an update in the pipeline for MKW, but I could see the nature and scope of the possible expansion going any number of ways. I don’t think we’ll get more tracks and/or an expansion to the open world any time soon, but character additions seem likely, as well as some potential quality of life improvements. Improvements to the controversial online track selection would be ideal, as would things like more Battle Mode game types, item toggles for VS. races, stats for collectibles in Free Roam, and a better costume sorting system.
At the very, very least, I would expect to get some new costumes. Donkey Kong and Pauline are prime candidates for new duds, considering their barebones options in the base game and the synergy with the recent release of Donkey Kong Bananza.
More NSO Games
The release of games on the NSO apps are notoriously drip-fed, but I’d say we’re due for some more GameCube titles. Luigi’s Mansion and Super Mario Sunshine seem to be some of the more sought-after titles that have already been announced to be coming in the unspecified future. Adding Donkey Kong 64 to the N64 app might also be a wise move if they want to keep that big ape momentum going from Donkey Kong Bananza.
Almost Guaranteed
Info On Announced Games
Nintendo has a lot of announced games on the horizon. This includes Kirby Air Riders (which got it’s own Direct recently), Pokémon Legends: Z-A (I do not care about Pokémon), Rhythm Heaven Groove, and Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream. Splatoon Raiders is also likely due for an update soon, but I don’t know if we’ll see anything about it. Maybe Mouse Work will finally have a release date if they finally gave the Nitrome team dev kits.
A Release Date for Metroid Prime 4
It’s gotta be soon, right? Everything official listing still says “2025” as the release period.
At Least One Farming Game
Because you just gotta grow some gourds now and then. And you know what? I’m fine with that. I enjoy a farming game now and then.
Way Too Much Time Devoted to Some JRPG I Can’t Be Bothered to Give Two Shits About
Every god dang time, man. I swear, like 20 minutes of every big Direct is eaten up by this stuff.