Nintendo Direct E3 2021: Everything You Need to Know

Nintendo Direct is Nintendo's big showcase and this normally comes with new game announcements, updates and old ones and something a little new.

Luckily, the next showcase is almost here, this is what you should know

LATEST - Nintendo Direct is Almost Here

We're now only a few hours away from the official event. Get in there early and get those streams loaded up.

The event starts at 9 pm PT / 12 pm ET / 5 pm BST, June 15th.

Zelda Switch Collection Leaked?

As is often the case, it appears a retailer has let slip on a big clue for a new Nintendo Switch collection. Over on Reset Era, a user has identified a Legend of Zelda poster which is due to be handed out from next week according to staff.

The poster is curious as it contains imagery from multiple past Legend of Zelda titles. All of these titles have been rumoured as coming to the Switch in recent months. Are we seeing an indication that a collection, much like Mario 3D All-Stars, is in the works for Zelda?

A New Sports Game Announcement?

If there's one thing that Mario does surprisingly well, it's sports. Well, sports games anyway. We're not sure if Mario is naturally that good at Tennis, Golf, and every Olympic sport but... Who knows!

Either way, Mario sports games are always popular and Mario Golf: Super Rush is right around the corner. What does that mean for Nintendo's E3 Direct, though?

Well... We're expecting to see some announcements and information about the next Mario & Sonic at the Olympics title, given the fact that Tokyo 2020 is due to start very soon. However, could we see another Mario sports game announced?

Mario Strikers, a football-based series, is one that a lot of fans want to see make a comeback. However, there are also quite a few sports that Mario hasn't really touched yet. Sports like Hockey and Baseball are a little bit limited in their scope, but they'd both make fantastic Mario games and we're sure Nintendo could sway the world to play a Mario Basketball game if they invested the time into it.

Nintendo Direct Date & Time Confirmed

Nintendo has finally confirmed when we'll be able to tune into their E3 2021 Nintendo Direct.

In a tweet, which you can see below, they confirmed that the show will be taking place at 12:00 ET / 17:00 BST on June 15th.

Nintendo Switch Pro

They also made the point of saying "with roughly 40 minutes of info focused exclusively on #NintendoSwitch software."

That seems rather pointed, suggesting that the long-rumoured Switch Pro will not make an appearance during the show.

You can see more about the leaks for the potential new system below too.

Leaks

Over on Twitter, Wario64 and his fans discovered some interesting things online. That piece of information is an Amazon listing

As you can see in the above tweet, there was a new Switch Pro listing on Amazon Mexico. After this tweet, the listing was promptly deleted. Alongside recent leaks, this suggests that we will receive a release date soon.

Could We See More From Pokemon Diamond/Pearl?

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Pokemon Shining Pearl are two titles that Pokemon fans can't wait for. However, the announcement didn't come without its controversy.

Players were hoping for the titles to adopt the newer style, translating that to the Sinnoh Region and Diamond-Pearl. However, Nintendo is actually just updating the chibi-type style of Diamond-Pearl and it looks... Unusual when you're running around in the world.

You can check out the only trailer we have so far:

We know people will buy it, it's a Pokemon game, but will Nintendo include an updated look at Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl to try and win over those nay-sayers?

We are expecting it to make some kind of appearance.

Zelda and Splatoon 3 To Be Focal Point

Nintendo insider and leaker Samus Hunter has hinted that Zelda and Splatoon 3 will be key parts of Nintendo's Direct presentation during E3 2021.

This year marks the 35th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda series and a Skyward Sword remaster is due out in July.

But, fans are expecting, and hoping, to see more from the celebration than a remaster of one of the least popular titles.

It has been reported that Twilight Princess and Ocarina of Time could be coming to the Nintendo Switch this year, but nothing has been confirmed yet.

Splatoon 3 was revealed during a recent Nintendo Direct so we can expect to see more information on that as well as gameplay.

The Nintendo Treehouse is when we see gameplay of upcoming titles, so we can expect to see some Splatoon 3 gameplay and all of the new changes coming to the series.

New Pokemon Snap Content Update?

With Nintendo's latest Pokemon title, New Pokemon Snap, right around the corner, we're wondering whether we might see more information about any future title updates for the game at E3 2021.

If there's one thing Nintendo games do well, it's last a long time. They often only release one iteration of their Mario titles every console generation. With this in mind, we won't be seeing another Pokemon Snap title for another few years.

But that isn't a bad thing, given the sandbox nature of the title. Could we see new generations of Pokemon announced at E3 2021? Maybe even a new region altogether?

What Games Will be Announced?

The Legend of Zelda's 35th anniversary this year has fans on the edge of their seats for the long-expected Breath of the Wild 2.

The teaser trailer was announced during E3 2019, and following last year's cancellation and the anniversary this year, we can expect to hear more about the game this year.

Nintendo gave us Super Mario Mario 3D All-Stars in September 2020, to celebrate the 35th Anniversary of Mario, so we are looking to Nintendo to do the same for Zelda. We are also expecting to hear more about both Mario Golf Super Rush and Miitopia.

There is also potential for news on the release of the Switch Pro console. With the recent releases of the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X, the Switch Pro would see Nintendo become more up to date with next-gen gaming.

This may also spark the possibility for a new Mario game, perhaps the next Mario 3D or a new Mario Kart game. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was released with the introduction of the original Nintendo Switch, so perhaps now is the time we'll see the next instalment.

We could even hear announcements about the next generation of Pokémon or more on the remakes of Diamond and Pearl which are coming out later this year.

The Pokémon Company, however, often do their own shows, which could mean the announcement of anything new in the world of Pokémon will be in their hands.

What Else to Expect?

In previous years, Nintendo hosted online championships for Splatoon 2 and Smash Bros.

This year we can expect similar from Nintendo in the form of Splatoon invitational and Smash Bros. Ultimate online open.

With Animal Crossing: New Horizons releasing in March 2020, we may hear more about the game and what's coming next with it at E3 2021, having missed out due to last years cancellation. There may be an opportunity for new expansions and DLC's.

How Can You Get Involved?

This year E3 is embarking on an all-virtual event, designed to be accessible to everyone everywhere, tickets are not yet available you can subscribe to the newsletter to hear about when they will be at the E3 Expo website.

"In 2021, E3 is coming to you. This year’s event will be a reimagined and hyper-engaged digital experience, paving the way for so much more in 2022 and beyond. With live press conferences and a four-day long video stream, E3 2021’s virtual format gives you unprecedented access to the premier video game industry event." - E3

How To Watch?

E3 2021 will be available through both an online portal and mobile app. It will also be available on other large streaming platforms such as YouTube and Twitch. This year is going to be the most-viewed E3 event in history!