Nothing sparks interest quite like a new Nintendo Direct. As the last quarter of the year approaches, there’s this growing speculation that Nintendo will maintain its tradition of hosting a Direct presentation in September, a pattern that has remained largely unbroken for over a decade.
With these expectations comes an avalanche of rumors, with one name prominently leading the charge: Zippo.
Recent posts from Zippo suggest that the next Nintendo Direct is just around the corner. Claiming to be an insider with knowledge of the company’s plans, Zippo believes this Direct will heavily feature titles from the Super Mario franchise, such as Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Super Mario RPG, and an exciting new Princess Peach game. Furthermore, it seems GameCube fans may have a reason to rejoice, as Zippo’s leaks hint at the unveiling of more GameCube remasters. To be more specific, there’s been significant chatter surrounding potential remasters of Metroid Prime 2, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, and Twilight Princess for the Switch.
In a later update to his blog, Zippo alluded to the possibility of this Direct broadcasting even sooner than anticipated. If the presentation were to be streamed on Thursday, August 31, for instance, it would align with September 1 in Japan, technically fitting the September window.
Of course, we don’t think Nintendo will do this. After all, most of the spotlight is on Starfield. Short of an asteroid that’s dropping on Earth, there’s no other game that will change that.
With that said, fans shouldn’t put too much weight on what Zippo is saying. Let’s just say that his reputation as a leaker, to put it mildly, is divisive. While he has made accurate predictions in the past, many of his leaks have proven to be off the mark. Several gaming communities, including r/GamingLeaksandRumours, have even banned him as a source, citing unreliability.
This isn’t to say that Zippo’s latest predictions are without merit or basis. As we’ve already mentioned, Nintendo has consistently hosted a Direct every September since the Switch’s launch. Given the company’s upcoming roster of games, including Super Mario Bros. Wonder, it’s plausible that they would want to use a Direct to further promote these titles.
Zippo’s predictions aren’t exactly groundbreaking, with some critics arguing they verge on being obvious. Nintendo is indeed preparing to launch a slew of Mario titles before the end of the year, and discussions about potential GameCube ports have been circulating for some time.
Not to mention, remastering Metroid Prime 2 is a given after the success of the first one earlier this year.
Beyond the immediate future, Nintendo fans have their eyes set on next year, with particular interest in the launch of a new Nintendo console. Current discussions suggest that this next-generation console is slated for a second-half 2024 release. Yet, despite the fervent anticipation, it’s unlikely that the upcoming Direct – should it occur – will shed light on this successor to the Switch.
In the end, whether or not Zippo’s leaks hold water, the video game community can rest assured that the months ahead will bring plenty of excitement from Nintendo.
We might see new iterations of beloved Mario titles, delve into remastered GameCube classics, and hopefully, get a clearer picture of what the gaming giant has in store for the next year.
