{"id":9355,"date":"2018-01-03T00:05:00","date_gmt":"2018-01-03T00:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/news\/2018\/01\/feature_what_we_expect_from_the_inevitable_january_2018_nintendo_direct"},"modified":"2018-01-03T00:05:00","modified_gmt":"2018-01-03T00:05:00","slug":"feature-what-we-expect-from-the-inevitable-january-2018-nintendo-direct","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/2018\/01\/03\/feature-what-we-expect-from-the-inevitable-january-2018-nintendo-direct\/","title":{"rendered":"Feature: What We Expect From The Inevitable January 2018 Nintendo Direct"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"picture embed centered picture-900x img-900x\">\n<div class=\"img\"><a title=\"news main.jpg\" href=\"http:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/news\/2018\/01\/feature_what_we_expect_from_the_inevitable_january_2018_switch_nintendo_direct\/attachment\/0\/large.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/news\/2018\/01\/feature_what_we_expect_from_the_inevitable_january_2018_switch_nintendo_direct\/attachment\/0\/900x.jpg\" alt=\"news main.jpg\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Now that 2017 has been laid to rest, it\u2019s finally time to turn our attention to 2018 and all the potential Nintendo goodness contained therein. Question is, how does Nintendo follow up a stellar nine-plus months of soaring Switch sales, renewed fan faith, red hot exclusives and (mostly) robust ports?<\/p>\n<p>The answer is simple: it does the same thing, only bigger, stronger and even more confident than before. And, since the next Nintendo Direct showcase is heavily rumoured (but as yet unconfirmed) for 11th January, we\u2019re fully expecting the Big N to come out fighting in 2018. So here are the things we think Nintendo could (and should) announce in just over a week\u2019s time\u2026<\/p>\n<h3>A solid launch date for the new online infrastructure<\/h3>\n<aside class=\"picture strip\">\n<div class=\"img\"><a href=\"http:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/news\/2018\/01\/feature_what_we_expect_from_the_inevitable_january_2018_switch_nintendo_direct\/attachment\/1\/original.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/news\/2018\/01\/feature_what_we_expect_from_the_inevitable_january_2018_switch_nintendo_direct\/attachment\/1\/900x.jpg\" alt=\"news1.jpg\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Okay, so let\u2019s get the least sexy one out of the way from the off. As <a class=\"external\" href=\"http:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/news\/2018\/01\/feature_what_we_want_from_nintendo_in_2018\">our very own Damien McFerran rightly pointed out<\/a> in his 2018 prediction feature, buckets of praise and strong sales figures do not a robust online infrastructure make. Switch&#8217;s current online setup is half done at best, forcing developers to ensure their games launch with netcodes that can run <em>without<\/em> the solid matchmaking systems offered by Sony and Microsoft on their respective consoles.<\/p>\n<p>So, we\u2019re expecting Nintendo to banish this pretty considerable concern before it snowballs into a bigger issue by confirming a concrete release date for Nintendo Switch Online. The pricing will need to be in line with similar services offered elsewhere, with Nintendo soothing that cash request with a confirmation of some new free games. Which leads us into\u2026<\/p>\n<h3>Virtual Console hits Switch (with added GameCube)<\/h3>\n<aside class=\"picture strip\">\n<div class=\"img\"><a href=\"http:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/news\/2018\/01\/feature_what_we_expect_from_the_inevitable_january_2018_switch_nintendo_direct\/attachment\/2\/original.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/news\/2018\/01\/feature_what_we_expect_from_the_inevitable_january_2018_switch_nintendo_direct\/attachment\/2\/900x.jpg\" alt=\"news2.jpg\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>So we all know Virtual Console is going to hit Switch at some point, and what better time to make that arrival official than as part of the new Nintendo Switch Online account. With the Neo Geo ports having scratched that retro itch for a short while, we\u2019re now ready for some suitably meaty dishes.<\/p>\n<p>For a start, Nintendo <em>really<\/em> needs to announce Virtual Console, not just with the games you\u2019ve already played on Wii U or 3DS, but those you <em>haven\u2019t<\/em> had the chance to play in years. That\u2019s right, we\u2019re fully hoping that Nintendo goes all in and announces Virtual Console with some bona fide GameCube hits. Whether it&#8217;s <a class=\"external\" href=\"http:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/games\/gamecube\/super_mario_sunshine\"><strong>Super Mario Sunshine<\/strong><\/a>, <strong><a class=\"external\" href=\"http:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/games\/gamecube\/luigis_mansion\">Luigi\u2019s Mansion<\/a><\/strong> or <strong><a class=\"external\" href=\"http:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/games\/gamecube\/mario_kart_double_dash\">Mario Kart: Double Dash!!<\/a><\/strong>, Nintendo has so many first-party titles to choose from it&#8217;s a sure fire knockout. Whether you\u2019re double-dipping from back in the day or experiencing these classics for the first time, it\u2019s exactly the right kind of nostalgia to keep Switch\u2019s good graces a-flowing.<\/p>\n<h3>Doubling down on \u2018Nindie\u2019 support<\/h3>\n<aside class=\"picture strip\">\n<div class=\"img\"><a href=\"http:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/news\/2018\/01\/feature_what_we_expect_from_the_inevitable_january_2018_switch_nintendo_direct\/attachment\/3\/original.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/news\/2018\/01\/feature_what_we_expect_from_the_inevitable_january_2018_switch_nintendo_direct\/attachment\/3\/900x.jpg\" alt=\"news3.jpg\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Much like Sony\u2019s own wise choice with the indie scene in PS4&#8217;s rookie year, we\u2019re expecting Nintendo to continue its embrace of the indie scene with a raft of new titles from smaller studios and developers. A recent Amazon listing (that was, naturally, subsequently removed) suggested 18 new titles were expected to be announced at a potential January Direct, so that leaves a big chunk of space for new games of an indie persuasion.<\/p>\n<p>Expect games such as <strong><a class=\"external\" href=\"http:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/games\/switch-eshop\/super_meat_boy\">Super Meat Boy Forever<\/a><\/strong> (which just so happens to launch on the 11th January &#8211; coincidence?) to lead the way for more titles (including <strong><a class=\"external\" href=\"http:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/games\/nintendo-switch\/away_journey_to_the_unexpected\">AWAY: Journey To The Unexpected<\/a><\/strong> and the newly-delayed <strong><a class=\"external\" href=\"http:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/games\/switch-eshop\/dragon_marked_for_death\">Dragon Marked For Death<\/a><\/strong>). Nintendo went all out on its \u2018Nindie\u2019 announcements back in August 2017, so we\u2019re confident of a similar result this month.<\/p>\n<h3>A first glimpse of Metroid Prime 4<\/h3>\n<aside class=\"picture strip\">\n<div class=\"img\"><a href=\"http:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/news\/2018\/01\/feature_what_we_expect_from_the_inevitable_january_2018_switch_nintendo_direct\/attachment\/4\/original.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/news\/2018\/01\/feature_what_we_expect_from_the_inevitable_january_2018_switch_nintendo_direct\/attachment\/4\/900x.jpg\" alt=\"news4.jpg\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Now that Mario, Link and the Inklings have had their mainline fun in 2017, it\u2019s time for another member of the Nintendo royalty to have her triumphant return. <strong><a class=\"external\" href=\"http:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/games\/nintendo-switch\/metroid_prime_4\">Metroid Prime 4<\/a><\/strong> was a huge announcement back at E3 2017, and since it\u2019s been a long six-plus months since that fateful day in June, we\u2019re ready for a proper showcase from Samus.<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s been a <em>lot<\/em> rumours from various sources surrounding Metroid Prime 4, mostly centered around a trailer debut at the January Direct and the supposed involvement of Bandai Namco on development duties. We know that Retro Studios &#8211; the dev that developed the first three Prime games &#8211; isn\u2019t working on the project, so having &#8216;Bamco&#8217; on board is certainly feasible considering its strong history with Nintendo. We\u2019re not expecting a firm release date at this stage, but a tentative \u20182018\u2019 would do us just fine.<\/p>\n<h3>Expect Nintendo to go all-in on mobile<\/h3>\n<aside class=\"picture strip\">\n<div class=\"img\"><a href=\"http:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/news\/2018\/01\/feature_what_we_expect_from_the_inevitable_january_2018_switch_nintendo_direct\/attachment\/5\/original.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/news\/2018\/01\/feature_what_we_expect_from_the_inevitable_january_2018_switch_nintendo_direct\/attachment\/5\/900x.jpg\" alt=\"news5.jpg\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Nintendo may have arrived fashionably late to the smartphone\/tablet market with its licensed properties, but that hasn\u2019t stopped it from stealing both headlines and chart top spots. We\u2019re pretty confident Nintendo will drop some more news on upcoming season events in <strong><a class=\"external\" href=\"http:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/games\/mobile\/pokemon_go\">Pok\u00e9mon GO<\/a><\/strong> and <a class=\"external\" href=\"http:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/games\/mobile\/animal_crossing_pocket_camp\"><strong>Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp<\/strong><\/a>, (especially with the news that the former is finally coming to China in 2018) with some content potentially going live during the Direct itself.<\/p>\n<p>Some new mobile titles may get also get an airing, but the question is, which ones? With AR having proved a sweet spot for Nintendo and other publishers before, there\u2019s a chance we could see a <strong>Kirby<\/strong>-based title or even something with a splash of Yoshi. It\u2019s almost certainly going to head down the free-to-play route, considering the mixed reception to <strong><a class=\"external\" href=\"http:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/games\/mobile\/super_mario_run\">Super Mario Run<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s price tag.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3>A Smash Bros. tease<\/h3>\n<aside class=\"picture strip\">\n<div class=\"img\"><a href=\"http:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/news\/2018\/01\/feature_what_we_expect_from_the_inevitable_january_2018_switch_nintendo_direct\/attachment\/6\/original.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/news\/2018\/01\/feature_what_we_expect_from_the_inevitable_january_2018_switch_nintendo_direct\/attachment\/6\/900x.jpg\" alt=\"news6.jpg\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>While the likes of <strong><a class=\"external\" href=\"http:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/games\/switch-eshop\/brawlout\">Brawlout<\/a><\/strong> have helped wet our appetites for some four-player fighting madness, it just serves to remind us that no one does salty dust-ups quite like the crew of Smash Bros. Whether this takes the form of a Deluxe version of <strong><a class=\"external\" href=\"http:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/games\/wiiu\/super_smash_bros_for_wii_u\">Super Smash Bros For Wii U<\/a><\/strong> or a full-on sequel (we&#8217;re <em>really<\/em> hoping it&#8217;s the latter of the two), it stands to reason there\u2019s a Switch-based version in development somewhere at Nintendo; it\u2019s just a case of when it&#8217;ll come up for air.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re not expecting any sort of proper gameplay, or a release date of any kind, but a final tease to close out the direct on a high would give Switch just the right kind of hype to keep new Switch owners happy and prospective ones even more tempted to join the club.<\/p>\n<p>So there&#8217;s some of our hopes and dreams for the rumoured Nintendo Direct this month, but we&#8217;re more interested in hearing your thoughts on the first big showcase of 2018. Make some noise below&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Now that 2017 has been laid to rest, it\u2019s finally time to turn our attention to 2018 and all the potential Nintendo goodness contained therein. Question is, how does Nintendo follow up a stellar nine-plus months of soaring Switch sales, renewed fan faith, red hot exclusives and (mostly) robust ports? The answer is simple: it [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9355","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-nintendo-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9355","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9355"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9355\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9355"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9355"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9355"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}