Predictions for Nintendo's First 2019 Direct

By: Ryan Ramakrishnan

Confirmed for tomorrow, February 13, 2019, Nintendo will be streaming a Direct, the first non-indie focused of the year. There are many speculations regarding what will and will not be mentioned, revealed or expanded upon in the presentation and rightfully so, Nintendo has many games scheduled for 2019, some of which have yet to even be announced officially. I’d like to take a look at what I believe we will see in tomorrow’s Nintendo Direct, as well as what we won’t.

What will be there:

Daemon X Machina
The upcoming mech action game, “Daemon X Machina” doesn’t have the franchise namesake to backup hype like other Nintendo Switch games coming in 2019 but those looking forward to it are wondering when they can play it. I believe that “Daemon X Machina” is going to release some time in the summer and a release date will probably be provided here with another new gameplay trailer.

Fire Emblem: Three Houses
The next title in the wildly popular tactical role-playing series, “Fire Emblem: Three Houses” somehow still has no release date. It will more than likely be out in early spring. I don’t need to do much speculating on whether or not the title makes an appearance in the Direct tomorrow, as Nintendo has already confirmed that to be the case. In fact, they specifically said we should expect details on the game. This should be exciting for fans of “Fire Emblem,” who have been patiently waiting for the console iteration of the series.

Kirby’s Extra Epic Yarn
Long live the 3DS, still managing to get games in 2019. “Kirby’s Extra Epic Yarn,” the 3DS version of the Wii platformer is coming out this March. The 3DS may not get much more than this in 2019 but Nintendo loves to show their support and I believe we should extend a look at “Kirbys Extra Epic Yarn” at tomorrow’s Nintendo Direct.

Luigi’s Mansion 3
A surprise reveal indeed, last year we were given a tease at “Luigi’s Mansion 3” and were told to expect it in 2019. This year’s E3 seems like the place to get a little more detail on the game, which I believe confidently is coming out in October, in time for Halloween. I do feel pretty sure that Nintendo will give a little trailer with minor details of “Luigi's Mansion 3,” including whether or not they give it an official subtitle, at the Nintendo Direct tomorrow.

Yoshi’s Crafted World
The next game in the “Yoshi” franchise of family-friendly platformers is coming very soon. With “Yoshi’s Crafted World” releasing on March 29, it is undeniably going to be marketed in the coming weeks and this Direct will be the spot where we likely see some more gameplay of it.

What will not be there:

Animal Crossing
This year’s “Animal Crossing” is a hotly anticipated title for many and the game is undeniably a larger scale release in the list of those scheduled for 2019. I see “Animal Crossing” as a game worth its own presentation. I think that the game is going to release in the fall, giving it time to get information out in a proper “Animal Crossing” centered Nintendo Direct, likely in a couple of months.

Bayonetta 3
Platinum Games’ “Bayonetta” franchise miraculously became a staple for Nintendo and the sequel, “Bayonetta 3” is of course a Switch exclusive. When the action sequel releases is anyone’s guess but it is hard to imagine that date is any time soon. Seeing as we have been given no more than a tease at this point, “Bayonetta 3” seems far away. It seems more likely that they present us an actual trailer at E3, rather than a February Direct.

Metroid Prime 4

Very recently, fans were given the unfortunate news of “Metroid Prime 4’s” development being a lot more behind than desirable. The highly anticipated shooter was given nothing more than a logo reveal at E3 2017 and almost two years later, it is officially back to the earliest stages if development. With Retro Studios bac at the helm and many okay with waiting for a polished sequel, “Metroid Prime 4” will take its time. I don't believe we will be seeing much at all of the game until next year’s E3 in all honesty.

Pokemon
Easily the game scheduled for 2019 I am looking forward to the most is this year’s “Pokemon” game, despite it not even being officially revealed. With nothing more than the fact that is in development and scheduled for a release by the end of this year, I know that this core “Pokemon” title is a huge deal, one that will no doubt get its own Direct. In the same vein as “Animal Crossing,” though likely even bigger, the next “Pokemon” game getting a tiny reveal at tomorrow's Direct is highly unlikely, as it will probably get a focused presentation in the spring.

Star Fox Grand Prix
Though the name “Star Fox Grand Prix” may have been forgotten since its rumors were debunked at E3, I still see it to be a thing coming in the future. When it releases will likely not be for a little while. And given the caliber of such an announcement, the long-rumored “Star Fox” meets “F-Zero” game screams E3 2019 for its debut.

What do you think?

Those are some predictions of mine for what content will be shown at the February Nintendo Direct. Of course, these are just speculations afterall, except the confirmation of “Fire Emblem: Three Houses” details from Nintendo themselves. What do you think? Which games will get attention, whether vocal announcements or full blown reveals at the Direct? Which games do you believe are going to be held off for their own specific Directs or for E3? Let me know all your thoughts in the comments below.