SideQuesting is preparing you for E3 with our guides for what to expect from the show. Here’s the first of our many guides. Be sure to check out our special on Sony’s Playstation 3 and Vita and Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Kinect!

It’s a pivotal year for Nintendo. The company is working to recover from its first year of negative profits since Mario was born, the sales of the Wii are slipping into the abyss, and the 3DS is still more expensive to make then it is to sell. They’re banking on a strong 3DS software line-up and a great Wii U launch to pull them back into the black. E3 comes at possibly the most important time in the company’s history, and they should have every gun blazing. Well, that would be the smart thing to do, anyways.

We’ve put together a guide to help you figure out what the company will be showcasing, what the predictions are, and what we feel is the most plausible possibility for these things actually happening.

[box_dark]Wii U[/box_dark]

Hardware

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Will the Wii U hardware change from what we saw at E3 2011?

Yes and no. Thanks to tweets and leaked images, we know that at least the controller will be a different. Moving from circle pads to analog sticks is a big deal, and the layout of a few of the buttons to be more accessible to more core game design (a la first person shooters) is a positive. The screen wasn’t multi-touch at last E3, and we don’t expect it to become so this year either. The additional cost of going to a capacitive screen might put Nintendo over their price target. It’s still a big bar of soap, too, so don’t expect an elegant redesign. It’s all about how it feels in your hands, not how it looks. The console itself probably won’t change, either. It looked like a more-rounded Wii last year, and instead of spending resources on its industrial design the company might be focusing more on the software this time around.

We might see a different color, though.

Chances of controller design changing: 100%
Chances of hardware design changing: 15%
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Will the Wii U change its name?

Nope. Nintendo just released an updated Wii U logo yesterday, which doesn’t change the name to anything else. In fact, the only change we can see is that the “u” box is more blue than aqua. Get used to Wii U. It’s the only name this console will have.

Chances of console name changing: 0%
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Will we be stuck with being able to use just one tablet controller at a time?

Another yes and no answer. The Wii U console isn’t going to be that much more powerful than the PS3. From what we know, the controller currently has no internal memory to store content, either. Transmitting video to the controller means that the console needs to have the processing power to be able to handle double the video feeds. A third or fourth simultaneous video feed would be out of the question. However, Nintendo might still be able to alternate video feeds to each controller, with the secondary video feed only appearing on the tablet controller that needed it at that time. That being said, multiple tablet controllers would be feasible for the controls alone (dual analog sticks, buttons, etc) but not for the video.

Chances for more than one tablet with video running at the same time: 20%
Chances for more than one tablet running without video concurrently: 33%
Chances there will be a new wireless “classic controller pro” w/o a screen: 50%
Chances the Wii U will interact with the 3DS as an extra controller: 33%
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Will Nintendo have a viable online network?

Yes. The company is already showing signs of it with the 3DS, the eSHop, friends lists, and the “Nintendo Network” rebranding of WiFi Connect. Now, will it be as powerful as Xbox Live? Probably not. It may be similar to PSN, with a Nintendo twist. They’ve already warmed up to achievements — they exist in Streetpass, Kid Icarus, and mario Tennis Open — and have made away with Friend Codes in games. The eShop is becoming more viable, and they company have even announced Day One downloads of full retail games.

Chances there are going to be full, Xbox/PS3-style achievements: 75%
Chances for the announcement of a full online “social network” like Xbox Live: 65%
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Will Nintendo have apps on the Wii U?

Yes. The company already showed a video chat service, and have a few apps on the Wii and 3DS already. Expect more, since you can do a heck of a lot with a tablet controller and there is “easy money” to be had in the sales of apps.

Chances of apps on the Wii U: 100%
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Will we find out the launch details for the Wii U?

Nintendo made it a point that it won’t announce the launch price for the Wii U at E3, but that won’t stop the rumblings from growing loudly. We at least may find out the launch date. November is Nintendo’s launch month for consoles. That won’t change this year, either.

Probability of a Wii U price announcement: 15%
Probability of a Wii U launch date: 85%
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Games

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Will there be a new Zelda announced?

No, not for the Wii U. Skyward Sword was just released late last year, and it’s just too early to bring it up for the next console.

Probability of a new Zelda announced for Wii U: 0%[/box_light]

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Will Pikmin 3 be announced as a launch title?

Yes. It’s the perfect way to showcase a tablet controller, and the series has a growing following.

Chances of Pikmin 3 for launch: 100%[/box_light]

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Will a new Mario game be announced?

Yes. Miyamoto and Nintendo have already noted that a Wii U Mario game is in the works, based on the New Super Mario Bros. Mii demo from last E3. The real question is if it will be available for launch, and if it is enough of a system-seller as Nintendo is hoping it could be.

Chances of a new Mario game announced for launch: 100%[/box_light]

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Will a Star Fox/Metroid crossover be announced?

We hope not. While the idea is interesting, the worlds are too far apart — and the mechanics too different — to work well together. But we know Retro is working on SOMETHING, so it may very well be one of the series. Besides, a new Metroid game would be able to capitalize on a few different aspects: the tablet controller for scanning and maps, an online network for multiplayer, and being able to appeal to the core gamer. And Nintendo did just release Star Fox 64 3D as a 3DS game to bring in some new fans, so that may be a series worth resurrecting as well.

Chances of a Metroid Prime/Star Fox game announced: 12%
Chances of a new Metroid Prime game announced: 40%
Chances of a new Star Fox game announced: 53%[/box_light]

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Will there be a new first party IP announced?

A new console usually doesn’t mean a new IP for Nintendo to launch alongside. If anything, it’s packaged in to the console or a tech demo compilation like WiiSports. Nintendo usually launches with an IP that everyone already knows.

Chances of a new IP at launch: 20%
Chances of a new IP announced for sometime after launch: 35%
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Will we see more of a new Smash Bros game?

Last year Nintendo mentioned that a new Smash Bros game will be worked on for the Wii U and 3DS simultaneously. Unfortunately, Sakurai was still working on Kid Icarus as of last week (DLC and updates are coming). Outside a few initial design docs, there probably hasn’t been much work done on it at all. We may not even hear anything more than “it’s one of the games that will be coming to Wii U… eventually.”

Chances of Smash Bros information: 5%
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What will third party support be like?

We know Nintendo is actively courting third parties — for a change. As for what we might see… well, that’s still up in the air.

Chances of Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 on Wii U: 20%
Chances of Battlefield on Wii U: 10%
Chances of Medal of Honor: Warfighter on Wii U: 33%
Chances of GTA V on Wii U: 0%
Chances of Bioshock Infinite on Wii U: 15%
Chances of Rayman Legends on Wii U: 100%
Chances of Assassin’s Creed 3 on Wii U: 100%
Chances of a Madden game on Wii U: 75%
Chances of Resident Evil 6 on Wii U: 65%
Chances of a Dragon Quest X announcement on Wii U: 20%
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[box_dark]3DS[/box_dark]

Hardware

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Will we see a 3DS Lite?

Most likely not. The 3DS is finally selling well in Japan, and it’s doing much better in the US now then it was at launch. The portable worked its way out of Death’s handbasket into a viable little platform, and is far outselling the Vita. It has no need for a refresh right now. All we might see is the availability of the circle pad pro in more locations, outside of GameStop. A new color is almost assured, too. Let’s hope it’s that super-sexy Ice White.

Chances of 3DS Lite: 4%
Chances of a 3DS price cut: 0%
Chances of a new 3DS retail color: 100%
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Will Nintendo finally develop a single sign-on account for gamers between the 3DS and Wii U?

Nintendo is pushing its online capabilities more, so the idea of a single sign-on isn’t out of the question. The company already does have that in a way, by linking the console to a specific Club Nintendo account. The same already takes place with the Wii, as well. Will that move to include other online capabilities, like eShop or buddy lists? Maybe.

Chances of accounts that link between the 3DS and the Wii U: 35%
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Will Nintendo update the OS?

More than likely. With more Nintendo Network changes coming, and new features always being announced for the device, expecting an updated OS in some way is a given. But what will be updated?

Chances of new AR games: 75%
Chances of Streetpass updates: 40%
Chances of new photo and video sharing options: 51%
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Games

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Will there be a new Zelda announced?

The second half of 2012 will be a strong push for the 3DS, as Nintendo wants to stay ahead of the Vita’s lineup. A new Zelda game always brings out the core audience, and the 3DS sorely needs an original adventure. To this point, it’s only had remakes of classic Zelda games. Conversely, we may yet see a 3D remake of Majora’s Mask or A Link to the Past, and I’d be totally fine with that.

Probability of a new Zelda announced for 3DS: 25%
Probability of a remade Zelda announced for 3DS: 50%
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Will we find out more about Luigi’s Mansion 2, Animal Crossing or Paper Mario?

Since first hearing about the games at E3 2010, and even playing demos at E3 2011, we’ve heard relatively nothing about the trio of first-party titles. These should all be a part of Nintendo’s Fall lineup, and each could very well be million-sellers this holiday season.

Chances Luigi’s Mansion 2 will be announced for 2012: 95%
Chances Animal Crossing will be announced for 2012: 85%
Chances Paper Mario will be announced for 2012: 65%
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Will New Super Mario Bros 2 be compatible with the Wii U version?

We know NSMB2 is coming in August for the 3DS. Nintendo is even making one for the Wii U launch. Their proximity of launch is too much of a coincidence to pass on, doncha think? SOME compatibility should be a given.

Chances New Super Mario Bos 2 will be compatible with New Super Mario Bros Mii: 60%
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What will third party support be like?

This one is a tuffy. Nintendo lost the Western third parties with the botched 3DS launch, so winning them back will be difficult. The hand held will need to survive on first party games and Japanese developers for a while. Outside of Skylanders, there’s not much in the pipeline from what we hear.

Chances of Call of Duty on 3DS: 20%
Chances of Skylanders Giants on 3DS: 100%
Chances of a new Dragon Quest on 3DS: 70%
Chances of a Final Fantasy remake on 3DS: 60%
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[box_dark]Wii and DS[/box_dark]

Hardware

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Will we see a Wii price cut?

Yup. A $99 Wii would reinvigorate the console’s sales, pushing it through its final holiday season. At that price, it’s too tempting to pass up. Core gamers who have avoided it thus far, but are weary of the Wii U, would pick it up for Skyward Sword, the several Metroid games, Mario Galaxy, and Xenoblade Chronicles. It could even take place immediately at E3, which wouldn’t necessarily dissuade people from picking up a Wii U later. After that, Nintendo is happy to bury it.

Chances of a Wii price cut to $99 announced: 64%
Chances of it taking effect this Summer: 45%
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Games

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Will we get a date for Pokemon Black & White 2 (DS)?

Yes. It’ll be September, almost assuredly. That will be a great lead-in to the October & November 3DS releases, especially since the games can interact with the 3DS.

Chances of a Pokemon Black & White date announced: 100%
Will it be in September: 99.9%
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Will Pandora’s Tower (Wii) be announced for the US?

Yes. The final game of the Operation Rainfall fan trilogy should make it over here, since the majority of the company’s resources have shifted to Wii U. Nothing else for the Wii would piss people off.

Chances of Pandora’s Tower announced for the US: 95%
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Will Dragon Quest X (Wii) be announced for the US?

Yes. Although it will be for 2013… for some reason.

Chances of Dragon Quest X announced for the US: 90%
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[box_dark]Final Thoughts[/box_dark]

The death bell is ringing LOUDLY for the Wii and DS this year. A recent DS price cut to $99 will move remaining units, and the same should take place for the Wii. Nintendo is clearly putting all of its eggs in the Wii U and 3DS baskets, as it should. Though we know a few things about what the company has in store, they always manage to surprise us. Don’t freak out if some huge announcements take place. These are all predictions based on what we’ve heard, read, and spoken to developers about. It’s definitely not confirmed by any means. Consider it “extremely educated” guessing.

Many of us grew up as Nintendo diehard fanboys, and so even if we’ve moved on to other devices, the company still has a place in our hearts. It’s always exciting to see what they have to reveal, because we feel like there’s that little chance that they’ll hit us with something that will tug on our memories in just the right way. It’s a huge, huge year for Nintendo, but it’s maybe an even bigger year for its long time fans.