One Month Until E3 2018 - Top 5 Anticipations (And More!)

Are you too feeling the E3 fever folks?  Well hang in there, because amazingly enough there's only one month left until E3 2018 is upon us!  Now while my Top 5 E3 2017 anticipations may not have been as on the mark as I'd hope (funnily enough my least likely prediction was one of the few to actually occur), that won't stop me from holding back my anticipation again of this fervent excitement!  With that said, I'll still try to apply considered reasoning and thought with each claim, so join in as I share my personal Top 5 Anticipations for E3 2018:

-1- Borderlands (Likelihood - 70%)

The Borderlands series has been a breakout hit for Gearbox with its quirky sense of humor and addicting mix of FPS and Diablo-eqsue loot-hoarding gameplay.  It's been 5 years since the release of Borderlands 2, and just last year, the good folks at Gearbox presented a tech demo for what could theoretically be the next Borderlands using the Unreal Engine 4.  Also based on a recent Take-Two investor call, the CEO made mention that a "highly anticipated new title from 2K's biggest franchies" is in development for the 2019 fiscal year.  So it seems likely that the next entry in the series will see release sometime between late 2018 to some time in 2019.  And if it should be ready to release in 2018, E3 would be a fitting stage to start building the hype.  Unfortunately, it seems some key writers and voice actors may no longer be a part of the crew at Gearbox, so cross your fingers if Borderlands 3 is coming that the humor and writing stay on point.  At least we'll know it should look gorgeous if that GDC presentation is any indication.

Mechromancer class from Borderlands 2 DLC.

If Borderlands 3 does end up making its debut at E3, there's also the question of where it will debut; Namely, between the PS4, XBox-One, PC, and everyone's most asked for system, Nintendo Switch.  The Switch is capable of running Unreal Engine 4, but the developers of Gearbox have said while they love the Switch, they would want to make sure their games perform optimally on the system, so there's no promises from them less they get it performing to their standards.  Perhaps should Borderlands 3 not see same-time release on the Switch (or even be announced at this E3), Borderlands could still make an appearance with their previous entries running on Switch, which would be a great stepping stone and way for Gearbox to test the waters.  And having that 3rd party support and playing the likes of Borderlands 2 on the go doesn't sound too shabby to me.

-2- Retro Studios (Likelihood - 80%)

Retro Studios' absence at last E3 was strongly felt, as this coming E3 will mark 5 years now since Retro's last presence when they debuted Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze back in 2013.  We know now that Metroid Prime 4 is in development and is not being made by Retro Studios.  And while I adore the Donkey Kong reboot to heart, 5 years for making a new Donkey Kong game sounds unlikely (or else the most epic Kong game in existence).  As such, this most likely indicates Retro is working on some other established Nintendo IP or maybe even something entirely new.  As luck would have it, a recent updated resume from a writer at Retro offers some potential insights into this prospective next game from these esteemed developers:

• They're "working to bridge the gaps between game design needs and telling a compelling story in a meaningful world.  Finding the best ways to construct the narrative...with the tools and restrictions available through text, dialogue, and non-traditional storytelling."
• Collaborative world building, story construction, and IP development.
• Special focus for player experience storytelling.

F-Zero fan art by concept artist James Chao; If anyone could make this a reality, I'd place my bet on Retro Studios.

If this information is any indication, it seems likely this next game will chart new grounds for Retro exploring new means of seamless storytelling.  With that said, allow me an off-the-wall unlikely prediction: If they were to explore a new already established Nintendo property, I'd love to see the F-Zero series get some love again.  Nintendo themselves mentioned that they'd like to revisit the series if they were able to incorporate new ideas / reason to bring it back.  So what better studio to hand it off to than Retro who so flawlessly injects new life into Nintendo IP.  Imagine, an open world racing / bounty-hunting game with a focus on non-traditional narrative and storytelling, where you can zoom around at high speeds through futuristic sci-fi utopias.  Sounds pretty rad, right?  Whatever it may end up being that Retro has been cooking though, I can't wait to have a taste.

-3- Super Smash Bros. (Likelihood - 100%)

Nintendo has already announced Super Smash Bros. is due to release for Switch this year, and that it will be showcased during their E3 presentations.  So rest in peace, you are guaranteed to see some Smash in likely great capacity.  Why place such a safe bet on this list then?  Well, half the fun of the pre-release of Smash is that there is still so much anticipation and surprise that comes along with it.  What new characters or modes will they show?  Will they be making any dramatic changes such as simplifying the crowded roster?  Will any guest characters be joining the roster?  Will this entry have GameCube controller compatibility still, or heck, will they release some sort of GameCube Joy-Con?  I'll be honest, I've been holding back on purchasing any new Joy-Cons in the hopes they'd release other models and this would be just the ticket.  Your move Nintendo.

While Smash is 100% guaranteed to be shown, this concept for GameCube Joy-Cons is more likely around 30% likely.  One can dream still though, right?

-4- Fire Emblem (Likelihood - 90%)

Fire Emblem for Switch has been announced and is slated for 2018 release based off a Nintendo Direct from January of last year.  And Nintendo's latest earnings reports still show this untitled Fire Emblem scheduled to release this year.  Otherwise though, this game has been radio silent in terms of any other details.  We know that the Switch offers much greater capabilities as a handheld than the 3DS could produce, so we can likely expect some impressive graphics or visual effects with this next entry.  Imagine the cinematic flair that could be added when zooming in and out of battle animations in seamless and glorious fashion.  Whatever they may be planning, if they intend to release such this year, E3 seems as likely a place to make its debut.  After all, Fire Emblem has grown to be one of Nintendo's new rising series since the release of Fire Emblem Awakening for the 3DS, so it could very well make for a worthy and anticipated holiday title.

Screenshot from Waifu Wars Warriors.

-5- Animal Crossing (Likelihood - 70%)

Last, but not least, there are high hopes for Animal Crossing to make an announcement come this E3.  While there has been no official announcement of a new Animal Crossing from the big N, there are a few signs that may hint at such.  First, Nintendo themselves have stated how their mobile games are meant to build interest and bridge the gap towards their core titles on their proprietary systems.  And with the recent release of Animal Crossing Pocket Camp, you'd expect to have a new Animal Crossing in the near future to capitalize on such.  There was also the odd incident where a "news and video" page was created on Nintendo's website for Animal Crossing with placeholder images, for no apparent reason, before such was later noticed and removed promptly.  So yea, a little suspect.  And we've seen Nintendo dabble with Animal Crossing in HD visuals with Mario Kart 8 and the weird experiment that was Animal Crossing Plaza on Wii-U, so it's easy to dream a little as to what this could end up looking like.  With the recent releases of Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey, I'm hoping that they really push the series in bold new directions.  And considering it's been since 2012 that the last core title of Animal Crossing New Leaf was released, I'm ready to start a new life with some friendly animal neighborinos again.  Pocket Camp doesn't quite fit the bill for that relaxing and zen-like experience that is the core Animal Crossing franchise.

Bonus - 5 More Anticipations

1. Pokemon - Slated for 2018-2019.  Here's hoping to big things for this series as well, but I'm anticipating a 2019 release date for such if its ambitions are as big as its destination on the Nintendo Switch.
2. Secret of Mana Collection - Last year saw the release of the Seiken Densetsu Collection on Switch, which contains three Secret of Mana games, one of which was highly acclaimed but never released in the US.  Unfortunately, this collection was also only released in Japan.  Here's hoping to its localization and eventual release in the US.
3. Kingdom Hearts - It is very likely we'll get more Kingdom Hearts news with Square holding their own press conference this E3.  While it will be fun to see some new worlds and get an official release date, I've seen more than enough to be sold on this game.  Let's just hope it doesn't get delayed beyond 2018 because I can't possibly wait any longer for this game.
4. Mario Party - The announcement of Mario Party: The Top 100 last year sounded like a novel and fun idea, but boy did it miss the mark by not releasing on the Switch.  Hopefully that was just to tide us over as they worked on a real Mario Party for the Switch, with mini-games that make cool use of the HD Rumble and more.  I want to feel that HD Rumble when rolling the dice; Papa needs a new pair of stars!
5. Mother 3 - Or better yet, just give us an Earthbound collection.  We've more than supported every re-release of this series by now.

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Of course there is so much more to be potentially excited for with this coming E3.  Be sure to share your biggest anticipations for this year's E3 2018 in the comments below.  And look forward to more E3 posts and other game discussions to come.  Until then, all aboard the Hype Train!