Play our version of Nintendo Direct Bingo and feel the disappointment wash over you

Everyone is trying to predict what will be announced at tomorrow’s Nintendo Direct. With so little news coming out of Nintendo lately, the 50-minute stream could throw anything at us. With the potential for so many curveballs, we couldn’t help but throw together a little game of Nintendo Direct Bingo.

Everyone is a winner (or a loser) with Nintendo Direct Bingo predictions

GR-Nintendo-Direct-Bingo — (Click for larger version.)

We love the Big N, but Nintendo Directs are some of the biggest salt generators on the internet. The Switch’s first-party release schedule is looking very thin for 2021, so expectations are at an all-time high. Additionally, this is the first big first-party direct since September 2019, so if Nintendo is going to show its cards, now is the time.

We haven’t seen any leaks about the stream, so it’s hard to tell what’s in store for us. We’ve put together some likelies, some maybes, and some long-shots for our edition of Nintendo Direct Bingo. Let’s look at the probability of these occurring below.

Plausible Nintendo Direct Predictions

There are a few predictions here that are a fairly safe bet. Nintendo is having a multitude of decade and half-decade anniversaries this year, and it would be odd if it didn’t celebrate at least some of them in tomorrow’s stream. The most likely is Zelda since February 21 marks the series 35th anniversary. We’ll probably see an announcement of a Zelda Collection, if anything. I feel like Nintendo will refrain from announcing the Breath of the Wild 2 release date until closer to the end of the year. Also, Nintendo loves spending time during Directs on games that have just come out or are releasing soon, so you can bet we’ll see plenty of Super Mario 3D World and Bravely Default.

>= 5 minutes on Super Mario 3D World
>= 10 minutes on Bravely Default 2
No More Heroes 3 release date
Rune Factory 5 release date
Shin Megami Tensei 3 release date
Smash DLC
Super Mario Galaxy 2 Switch port
Zelda Collection announced

Fanciful Nintendo Direct Predictions

There’s a possibility we may hear something about Metroid. It might be a release date for Metroid Prime 4, a Metroid Prime Trilogy port, or a Metroid Collection. However, given the apparent difficulty with the development of Metroid Prime 4, Nintendo may be antsy about announcing anything new regarding the series right now.

There’s a chance that Nintendo might bring a full version of the Virtual Console to Switch. It would make sense to leverage its back catalog since COVID has obviously caused production issues. However, the more likely scenario I see is Nintendo 64 games being brought to Nintendo Switch Online. The company doesn’t seem to have any interest in bringing back the Virtual Console for whatever reason, and I don’t see that changing.

It’s Donkey Kong’s 40th anniversary, so we may get a Donkey Kong Collection, or maybe even a new game. However, the three best titles in the series are already on Nintendo Switch Online, so perhaps we’ll just get an enhanced remake of Donkey Kong 64 for $60.

Breath of the Wild 2 release date
Donkey Kong Collection announced
Metroid Collection announced
Metroid Prime 4 release date
Metroid Prime Trilogy for Switch
New 2D Metroid
Nintendo Switch Online N64 games
Switch Virtual Console announced
Xenoblade Chronicles X port

Delusional Nintendo Direct Predictions

I’m convinced Nintendo straight-up hates Mother/Earthbound. Despite fans begging on hands and knees for something anything, Nintendo practically refuses to acknowledge the series exists. So, no Mother 3, no Earthbound remake. The same goes for F-Zero, which had its 30th anniversary in November 2020. Nintendo didn’t acknowledge it, and it’s doubtful it will now. Star Fox has a slightly better chance of getting some love, but Nintendo doesn’t seem to know what to do with the franchise. Maybe we’ll get the 5th remake of the original game.

It’s doubtful a Switch Pro would be announced until sales of the original model started to flag. As of now, people are still scrambling to buy them, so we’re probably going to see a few more years with it.