Nintendo is ready for the highly anticipated September 12th Direct, a 60 minute showcase that promises to be one of the most substantial presentations in recent years. The question is: are we ready? With the Nintendo Switch 2 now firmly established, expectations are higher than ever. The timing is particularly significant, as it falls just one day before the 40th anniversary of Super Mario Bros., making it almost certain that the iconic plumber will have a major presence in the broadcast. A new 3D Mario, even if we just see a teaser, would be a reason to go crazy. We can already take for granted that we will see the first trailer of "The Super Mario Bros. The Movie 2", if it's not called Super Mario World.
One of the things hat need to happen is the release date reveal for Metroid Prime 4 Beyond. Designed to feature new gameplay mechanics such as psychic abilities and enhanced precision controls via the Switch 2’s Joy-Con mouse feature, the game could be even a shadowdrop. Alongside Samus’s return, we are also hoping for the revival of the Fire Emblem series on the new hardware, especially after the mixed reception of Fire Emblem Engage in 2023. A fresh entry or even a remake could help reestablish the franchise’s momentum.
Mario’s milestone anniversary opens the door for celebratory releases. Speculation ranges from a Super Mario Maker 3 tailored for Switch 2 to remasters of beloved 3D Mario titles, potentially bundled in a commemorative collection. Given Nintendo’s history of marking anniversaries with special hardware and software, a themed console or exclusive in game content wouldn’t be surprising. We will have a "Super Mario Bros. 40", just like at the 35th anniversary? It would be bold.
Third party and crossover titles are also expected to make waves. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth should finally arrive on Switch 2 very soon, leveraging the console upgraded performance to deliver a visually stunning port. Additionally, Resident Evil 7 is strongly tipped to appear, possibly alongside teases for other RE Engine titles making their way to the platform. Sega’s presence at the Tokyo Game Show later this month has fueled speculation that remakes of Crazy Taxi and Jet Set Radio could be revealed during the Direct.
Nintendo’s own evergreen franchises may also see new games. Animal Crossing: New Horizons seems far away already, just like Smash Bros. One of those could easily be the "one more thing" of the day. Meanwhile, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is already on the horizon, but whispers of an entirely new Pokémon title, unrelated to Z-A, have begun circulating. And we can't forget about the franchise that carried Nintendo Switch great launch, The Legend of Zelda. Something related to the pricess should be in such Direct.
With an hour long runtime and a mix of confirmed projects, credible leaks, and wild card rumors, this Nintendo Direct has the potential to set the tone for the Switch 2’s next phase. The beggining was such a great success, we are just starting to see the potential of a console that could be the most successful in history. So it's time to dream.
