Nintendo was planning to attend E3 2020 with its big, annual Nintendo Direct presentation that it hosts every summer. However, the coronavirus pandemic caused E3 2020 to be canceled, forcing Nintendo and other game publishers to change their plans dramatically. Many game publishers have opted to host their own digital events separate from E3, and many assumed Nintendo would do the same since its Direct presentations have always been digital anyway. However, Nintendo has so far opted not to have a big Nintendo Direct presentation, instead focusing on individual game announcements and Mini Directs.

Some of the big individual game announcements Nintendo has made have included the Paper Mario: The Origami King reveal as well as the recent announcement of Pikmin 3 Deluxe. Nintendo making these announcements outside of a Nintendo Direct may indicate that the company has much bigger plans for its next Direct, or it could be a sign that Nintendo has no plans for any Direct presentations in the near future.

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Nintendo hasn't hosted a proper Nintendo Direct presentation since September of last year, so fans are well overdue for one. And rumors indicate that a Nintendo Direct will actually take place within the next couple of weeks of August. Nintendo has so far not made any announcements, but if it does plan on hosting a Nintendo Direct in August 2020, here are some of the biggest potential announcements that could take place.

3DS Ports

nintendo trademark renewals 3ds

Nintendo recently renewed a number of trademarks that may indicate that it plans on revealing some big 3DS ports for the Nintendo Switch soon. Nintendo filed trademarks for Steel DiverNintendogs + CatsKid Icarus, and Ocarina of Time, all games or series that were represented on the 3DS platform in a big way. Nintendo brought original DS games to the Wii U's eShop, so maybe it's planning something similar for the Switch. Alternatively, fans may just be looking a bit too much into the recent Nintendo trademark renewals, so they should keep their expectations in check.

Bayonetta 3

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It's hard to believe it, but Bayonetta 3 was first announced nearly three years ago at The Game Awards. Since the initial announcement, there has been very little revealed about the next game in the critically-acclaimed action series, though Platinum Games has assured fans that development is going well. If Nintendo were to host a Nintendo Direct in August, it seems chances are pretty high that it would include an update on Bayonetta 3's progress, and perhaps even a release window if fans are lucky enough.

Metroid Prime 4

nintendo direct august 2020 predictions

This is a long shot, but there's a chance that Nintendo could showcase Metroid Prime 4 at its next Nintendo Direct. Metroid Prime 4 has had a rough development cycle, originally announced at E3 three years ago, development was abruptly restarted with the reigns handed to Retro Studios. Retro Studios has proven time and again that it is more than capable of producing high-quality Metroid games, but the fact that development has restarted means fans may not actually get to see this game for awhile. In fact, it's quite possible that Metroid Prime 4 won't be releasing until near the end of the Switch's lifespan.

New Pokemon Snap

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The original Pokemon Snap game on the Nintendo 64 is a cult classic among fans, with many having fond memories of its relaxing, laid-back gameplay. Fans have been asking Nintendo for a new Pokemon Snap game for years, especially since its recent consoles have had literal cameras built into them, like is the case with the 3DS and Wii U. And now, finally, Nintendo has confirmed that New Pokemon Snap is in active development for the Nintendo Switch. New Pokemon Snap looks like it will have very similar gameplay to the Nintendo 64 original, albeit with plenty of new Pokemon and vastly improved visuals. New Pokemon Snap currently has no release date, but it seems like the game would be a great way for Nintendo to bolster the Switch's holiday lineup of games. Here's hoping more information comes sooner rather than later.

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Nintendo 64 Games

nintendo direct august 2020 predictions

Rumors have been swirling for years that Nintendo plans on beefing up its Switch Online service with Nintendo 64 games, though nothing has been announced to date. However, an announcement like this would really put the rumored August Nintendo Direct over the top, as there are plenty of classic Nintendo 64 games that could make its way to the service. This would significantly boost the value of the Switch Online subscription, and could very well convince more Switch owners to sign up.

Retro's Mysterious Project

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We know that Retro Studios is actively developing Metroid Prime 4 for the Switch, but the studio was likely working on something else before it was assigned to the game. It's unclear what Retro Studios has been working on in the time between it launched Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze for the Switch and was given control of Metroid Prime 4's development, but it had to have been working on something. Rumors indicate that Retro's mysterious game may have been a racing game of some kind, with fans speculating that it could be a Star Fox racing game or even a new F-Zero title. However, nothing official has been revealed to date, and it's possible that the game was shelved in favor of Metroid Prime 4. If not, one has to imagine that it would be about ready for a reveal, so hopefully fans learn more soon.

Super Mario 3D Collection

nintendo direct august 2020 predictions

2020 marks the 35th anniversary of Nintendo's flagship Super Mario franchise, and rumors indicate that the Big N plans on celebrating in style. Leaks from reliable sources claim that Nintendo is going to release a 3D Super Mario collection for the Switch this year, with the collection supposedly consisting of Super Mario 64Super Mario SunshineSuper Mario Galaxy, and Super Mario Galaxy 2. Needless to say, such a collection would be huge for the Switch, and would be a great way for Nintendo to celebrate some of the Super Mario franchise's most-beloved games.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2

nintendo direct august 2020 predictions

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is one of the most critically-acclaimed video games ever made and has proven to be a massive success for Nintendo. So it's no surprise that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 is one of the console's most highly-anticipated upcoming games. Nintendo has not revealed much about Breath of the Wild 2 so far, with its announcement trailer pretty much all fans have to go on. While fans may still have a long wait ahead of them when it comes to Breath of the Wild 2, hopefully Nintendo has a little more to share about the game soon.

Wii U Ports

nintendo direct august 2020

Nintendo has shown a clear desire to bring many of the Wii U's biggest games to the Nintendo Switch, as evidenced by the recent Pikmin 3 Deluxe announcement. However, there are still some big Wii U games that have yet to make the jump, and would be a great way for Nintendo to keeping padding the Switch's library with quality games.

The most obvious possible Wii U port that comes to mind is Super Mario 3D World, which has been rumored for quite some time and would go well with Nintendo's Super Mario 35th anniversary plans. However, there are some other big Wii U titles that still need ports as well, like Xenoblade Chronicles X, for example. Since the Wii U install base was merely a fraction of the Switch's, it does make quite a bit of sense for Nintendo to bring as many of its Wii U games to the new console as possible, so while more Wii U ports may not be announced at the rumored Nintendo Direct for August 2020, fans can count on at least some of them being announced at some point down the line.

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