Keeping up with tradition, it was safe to expectNintendoto announce a Direct for September to cover winter 2022 games likePokemon ScarletandVIolet. For many years, it has delivered full-featured Directs to guide gamers into Autumn and bring excitement for the Holiday season. In typicalNintendofashion, concrete details are sparse at this time.
Nevertheless, there’s been many rumors, from new information about the hotly anticipatedBreath of the Wild 2to some tantalizing third-party ports. With Nintendo claiming the Direct will have a “Winter” focus, this could mean anything from Q4 2022 to Q1 2023. Thankfully, fans be able to watch it for themselves with Nintendo doing a live stream of the Direct at 7:00 AM PT and 10:00 AM ET; the video will go live on Nintendo’s UK channels at 4:00 PM for folks in the United Kingdom.
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Rumors and Safe Bets
For years, rumors have been brewing that ports ofWind Waker HDandTwilight Princess HDcould finally be arriving on the Switch. SinceBreath of the Wild 2was delayed to 2023, this would be a safe bet for bolstering the Holiday release slate and a great opportunity for fans to scratch theirZeldaitch. There’s also been talk about theMetroid Primetrilogy coming to the Switchas well. Many rumors specifically point to either a remade or remastered version of the originalMetroid Primethat debuted on the Gamecube in 2002. This 40-minute Direct would be the perfect opportunity to showcase both ports and give them a concrete release date. At the very least, there’s a chance fans will finally get the release date forBOTW2. Details forMetroid Prime 4remain unlikely at this time.
It’s likely that more details aboutBayonetta 3andNieR Automata: The End of YoRHa Editionwill be revealed, since both titles are releasing in October. There is also a high chance of seeing new footage for the forthcomingPokemon ScarletandPokemon Violet,which have plenty left to reveal. Even potential announcements regarding fresh content forSplatoon 3or DLC forXenoblade Chronicles 3is on the table. There’s also the possibility for a new trailer forMario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope. Footage for the upcomingPersona 5 RoyalSwitch port could appear, since it’s releasing at the end of October. However, there are other tea leaves to be read.Switch ports ofSkyrim: Anniversary EditionandIt Takes Twohave recently been rated by European and Taiwanese software boards. Earlier this year, there were also rumors of a potentialCall of Duty: Modern Warfareport and aBatman: Arkham Collectionrelease for the Switch.
Time and time again the Nintendo Switch has shown that it offers players the opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of genres in any way they see fit. The already confirmed releases ofPokemon,Bayonetta 3,Persona 5, andNieReach occupy different genres and are appealing enough on their own. Each Switch game offers players the flexibility to play their faves at home or on the go and the potentialBatmanandCoDSwitch portswould be great additions to the console’s library. While only time will tell what goodies will be available this Holiday, it’s likely that the Direct will cover a wide variety of genres and have a good ratio of first and third-party content.
Nintendo often adds surprises to Directsand has gotten good at keeping them a secret. The Switch may have aging hardware, but time and time again, developers have made seemingly impossible games likeThe Witcher 3orDoom Eternalrun just fine on the hybrid console. Conversely, the console can still offer smooth and steady performance with recent releases likeNintendoSwitch SportsandSplatoon 3. In a world without a 2022 release date forBOTW2,Nintendomay have enough up its sleeve to keep the momentum going until its release in early 2023.
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