It’s an understatement to say that E32021 has been a massive disappointment. Streaming numbers are atrocious. The only presentation that has been stellar thus far was Xbox and Bethesda’s. Ubisoft, aside from Mario, was lackluster. Square Enix’s presentation was a complete joke. Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster is lackluster and The Origin of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin moves the series away from what makes it great, once again, and proves the Final Fantasy team is lost. And this is a real disappointment, because Final Fantasy VII Remake is such a good game. Where was Final Fantasy XVI? A glimpse of Final Fantasy VII Remake 2 would have made the presentation. Instead, Square Enix decided to focus on a Marvel game, Guardians of the Galaxy, for at least the first 20 minutes, which no one cares about, and an expansion to a dying Avengers game which is, quite frankly, terrible. The new Life is Strange game is unappealing and beating a dead horse after a magnificent first game. Microsoft was good, but expected. Though I will say, the presentation convinced me that I need to buy an Xbox Series X as soon as possible. If that was one of the goals of the presentation, mission accomplished. There was nothing unexpected though, which was the only issue. Everything can turn around tomorrow though. Nintendo can save E3 2021.
Everything else during E32021 has been, and this is an understatement, bad. The show is struggling mightily; there’s a reason why Sony dropped out years ago. The show has been dwindling in recent years, but this year’s digital E3 highlights how bad things have truly become. Today’s lineup is embarrassing and it’s not even worth watching. Tomorrow though, all eyes are on Nintendo. They are the only company that has truly mastered the art of a digital presentation, and if some subtle leaks are any indication, they will steal the show. It won’t even be close. The Nintendo Switch is the hottest console currently on the market, and for good reason. All accounts point to the fact that Nintendo’s E3 Direct will be Zelda-centric. GameStop documents have leaked, showing they are planning for a Zelda event for tomorrow and Thursday, and they are now giving away Zelda posters to those who spend $30 or more on Zelda merchandise. Though, before this announcement, they were giving these posters out to those who asked for them for free. The poster is quite revealing though. We know that Nintendo will at least show Skyward Sword HD, which is coming out in a month, and some of the Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity DLC. The poster sheds light on what else may be shown though.
If you look closely, the Zelda poster shows artwork from Ocarina of Time 3D, Twilight Princess HD, Wind Waker HD, and Breath of the Wild. There has long been rumored a Zelda 35th Anniversary Collection, and sources have all but confirmed that Twilight Princess and Wind Waker will be released on the Switch. What’s more interesting is the artwork not from the original Ocarina of Time, but Ocarina of Time 3D. Many were hoping for Ocarina of Time to be remade from the ground-up in HD, but this was unrealistic. In all likelihood, Ocarina of Time 3D will be upscaled in full HD for the Switch and be released as a part of the Legend of Zelda 35th Anniversary Collection. So. GameStop is pointing to the fact that Twilight Princess HD, Wind Waker, and Ocarina of Time will be released in HD as a part of a Zelda anthology collection. Breath of the Wild artwork being on the poster is telling as well, as Breath of the Wild 2 will be the focal point of Nintendo’s E32021 Direct presentation. With the release of Breath of the Wild, Zelda has become one of the staple franchises of the Nintendo Switch. It was already big, but Breath of the Wild caused the franchise to explode.
Zelda isn’t all Nintendo has though. There are Animal Crossing: New Horizon updates that are sure to be announced (including Zelda-centric add-ons), more Splatoon 3, Project Triangle Strategy, possibly Xenoblade Chronicles 3, and more surprises. This is a 40-minute presentation, and then will be followed by Treehouse Live, which is sure to show off even more of these games, some of which won’t be shown during the Direct. Pokemon Legends Arceus may be one of these (as well as the Diamond and Pearl Remakes). Shin Megami Tensei V will be shown in some form, whether it is during the Direct, or Treehouse Live, or both. Metroid Prime 4 will probably finally be shown, though it’s doubtful that Bayonetta 3 will be.
All indications are that Nintendo will have their best E3 in years while other companies are faltering or stagnating. Not everything mentioned here will be shown, but, most of it will be. A Zelda 35th Anniversary Collection will be shown. Breath of the Wild 2 will be shown in stunning fashion. Monolith Soft will have something to show, which is hopefully Xenoblade Chronicles 3. With the plethora of content Nintendo has coming (and has in development), they only need to show half of this software (Zelda and a few others), and Nintendo will single-handedly save E3 2021, which is in dire straights. With the embarrassment of the show up to this point, E3 needs Nintendo more than Nintendo needs E3. Let’s hope they stick around in future years, or E3 will die a slow death. Because today’s lineup of companies is an absolute and complete joke.
To be honest, besides Xbox’s show on Sunday, Tuesday is the only day worth watching during this year’s E3. And all Nintendo has to do is show half of the games mentioned here to save the show and generate the excitement and magic that E3 has been known for since its inception in 1995. Nintendo is the only company that can generate the excitement and magic to be able to save E3 2021.