E3’s making its return from being cancelled last year, and it starts in a few more days! There are a lot of things that millions of fans are excited about and hoping to hear about. Today, I like to talk about the different games I like to see in the show. Before I start telling what they are, I just want to point out that I’m not going to talk about the Switch Pro because Nintendo’s focusing on their software, as well as the unfinished sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild because a lot of people are hoping to see it, and I haven’t played the first game in a while, so I can’t talk much about it.(Note: I don’t hate Breath of the Wild, it’s just that there are other Nintendo Switch games I like more such as Super Mario Odyssey and New Pokemon Snap.) That being said, let’s check out what my hopes will be:
The first thing I like to talk about is Mario Golf: Super Rush. It was announced on the last Nintendo Direct on February, and it had a lot of interesting and fun features from Story Mode where you play as your Mii to Speed Golf where everyone plays at once and runs to wherever they hit their ball. I like to hear more information about this game’s features including what courses we can play in, the different game modes, and how the gameplay looks. It feels like a great way to revive the Mario Golf series after seven years since World Tour on the 3DS, and we’re going to play it on a new system!
Next on my list is one of my favorite games I loved as a kid known as Lego Racers remade (or rather “rebuilt”) into a brand new game. The original game has a lot of aspects that made it a fun racing game to play: creative tracks, intense power ups, and of course building your own car using Lego bricks. A lot of the modern games felt like the same game being reskinned over and over again but using a different franchise or brand, so this will be a breath of fresh air from that, even though there’s going to be a new game that’s not a reskin called Lego Builder’s Journey. Anyways, for this remake there should be extra content like more car and driver parts, four-player multiplayer, difficulties that are similar to Mario Kart’s engine classes, and tracks seeing how the original game repeats the first three grand prixs but mirrored and in reverse order.
Klonoa is one of the most underrated videogame franchises in history, with it having shooting and throwing enemies with the ring, a 2.5D gameplay, a cute art style, and fantastic music! It’s been thirteen years since we had a new game for him since the last game in the franchise was a remake of the first game for the Wii which I really love, but it would be great if the Japanese exclusive games were ported to the Switch much like how Mr. Driller Drill Land which was a Japanese exclusive GameCube game had the same effect.
This next one is a bit debatable for me since I was still wondering which one would be better, but it’s been a while since we got an update for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. It would be neat if the game had DLC that included new tracks, karts, and characters much like the DLC packs from the original game which are included in this port. I also have wanted to see Mario Kart 9 if the former’s not possible, but I can’t really think of any new innovative features that are bigger than the anti-gravity, but it could have a custom track builder in it.
Speaking of which, Mario Kart Arcade GP was one of my favorite arcade games to play as a kid. I remember playing it at a restaurant called Stone Fire Pizza Co and it was very fun to play, and even had Pac-Man characters as special guests! It would be awesome if this and the sequel with more characters and cups, personal karts for each character, and three engine classes were ported to the Switch with its included multiplayer, and also if it’s possible include the versions that have the Mario Cards which are physical cards that save data including grand prixs won, items received, and Mario coins earned in the second game.
For my second to last game, the Hamtaro games are one of my favorite Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance games I’ve ever played. They consist of an open world to explore as you learn Ham-Chat, play games, interact with other hamsters, and more. So I thought since Nintendo published all of the games on those systems, why not make a collection of them all together like with Super Mario All Stars? So you would get Hamtaro: Bestest Adventures, which consists of Hamtaro: Ham-Hams Unite! for Game Boy Color, Hamtaro: Ham-Ham Heartbreak for Game Boy Advance, Hamtaro: Ham-Ham Games for Game Boy Advance, and even Hamtaro: Rainbow Rescue for Game Boy Advance which was never released in North America, but was in Europe. I’m not sure if all four games should be emulated or remade, but it would be nice if these games were brought back from a very underrated series by a famous company.
Finally, something that’s been on my mind lately that I can’t stop thinking about lately: Nintendo 64 games for Nintendo Switch Online. This system was the first ever videogame console I’ve ever played ever since I was very little with its dip into 3D worlds, 4-player multiplayer, and exciting lineup of games. Seeing how the Nintendo 64 will turn 25 in June 23rd, I thought it would be perfect to have its games on Nintendo Switch Online this year. Just like the NES and SNES games, I think it might be best to focus on 20 games at launch for consistency’s sake. Those games could be the following:
1. Super Mario 64: Despite this game being on Super Mario 3D All Stars, it wouldn’t make any sense if this game wasn’t on the collection at launch, especially since the previously mentioned game is no longer on the eShop, and retailers won’t be receiving any more copies when they’re sold out. Plus, this game is what most people think of when they hear Nintendo 64 with its 3D open world gameplay, wonderful worlds, and exciting music.
2. The Legend of Zelda:Ocarina of time: Another game that most people think of when they think of the Nintendo 64 is this game. Having the introduction to time traveling, focusing on certain enemies, and various tunics to wear; this is my favorite Zelda game of all time.
3. Mario Kart 64: This game definitely defines my first time playing a videogame in general. With its wonderful music, fun tracks, and intense use of items; it makes a fun racing game. Sure, we have Mario Kart 8 Deluxe as well as Super Mario Kart on the SNES collection, but this would be a nice throwback for anyone growing up with the system like yours truly.
4. Pokemon Snap: New Pokemon Snap is a great game to play with its photography gameplay, but I also enjoyed the original game as well. This would be a nice way to show newcomers what the original’s like, as well as who Todd is.
5. Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards: This game was the first ever Kirby game I’ve ever played. It has a lot of creative levels, an introduction to Ribbon and Adeline, and of course combining two copy abilities into one. I also love how King Dedede: the main antagonist from the previous games and Waddle Dee: the most common enemy are on Kirby’s side in the game, giving our hero more gameplay elements like hoping on Dedede’s back to smash walls with his hammer and hoping on a sled, minecart, or raft with Waddle Dee to ride on.
6. Super Smash Bros: Just like Mario Kart 64, we already have Ultimate on the same system, but ironically I like this game in the series the most because it’s simple and has features that aren’t in any other game from Board the Platforms to the character select screen having a 360 spin of the character and do one of their victory poses when choosing them. It also was very interesting how it starts with Master Hand using plushies of the characters as if this whole series was a child’s imagination.
7-9. Mario Party 1-3: It was honestly hard choosing just one of these games on my list because they all have neat board game elements, interesting twists and turns, and of course fun minigames. Plus, since Super Mario Party feels like a 20th anniversary to the franchise, it would be interesting to see how we got from the N64 classic to the modern Switch game. Just hope your Joy-Cons can handle rotating if they’re drifted...
10. Paper Mario: Ah yes, the grandfather of the Paper Mario franchise, also one of my favorite turn-based RPG games with its ability to give more damage to your opponents as well as defending yourself when it's their turn to fight. Plus, the game has a lot of memorable characters and locations, making it a charm to play.
11-12. Kobe Bryant in NBA Courtside 1 and 2: These two games were honestly hard to figure if they should be on the list or not because of how complex it is for the copyright part of professional sport features like the NBA, but regardless these games would definitely be a very nice tribute to Kobe Bryant after his death last January which was a very sad moment… Anyways, these two games were actually published by Nintendo, which was very rare to see them do that, and the gameplay is very intuitive and fun, especially the second game’s arcade mode with flashing platforms that give you extra points depending on the number if you successfully make a basket (Which feels like inspiration for Bower Jr. Blvd’s feature in Mario Sports Mix), the ball going on fire like in NBA JAM, and sonic boom dunks that make the ground shake and the opposing team fall down! They would feel like a much better tribute than another basketball game. cough cough NBA 2K21 cough cough
13. Pokemon Puzzle League: Even though Panel De Pon is on the SNES collection(Which to me felt bizarre since there is a North American release), this game would more likely be the version I might be playing more of because of how it’s the only game based on the anime, and it was interesting to see a 3D feature even if it’s too difficult for me.
14. F-Zero X: Another racing game that’s iconic for most people who grew up with this system. Although not as memorable as Mario Kart for me, this is still a fun game with a futuristic racing theme, intense battling in the race, and neat looking machines makes this a bigger race than the SNES game. Who knows? Maybe we’ll get the version with the expansion set for N64DD included.
15. Yoshi’s Story: One of the hardest games I’ve ever played, but still fun to play. Having the same elements with Yoshi’s Island minus Baby Mario, but now you’re in an endless level, and have to eat fruit to move on to the next world. I also found it interesting how each Yoshi has their own favorite fruit, but all agree on melons.
16-17. Banjo Kazooie and Tooie: Once again, it was hard putt these two games on the list because Microsoft now owns Rareware (Or Rare it’s now called), but then again Banjo and even Steve from Minecraft now appear on Super Smash Bros Ultimate. These platformers have been on my list of games I wanted to play since they feel like charming platformers much like Super Mario 64, and I just love Banjo’s laugh, it’s so cute! Gu-huh!

18. Rayman 2: The Great Escape: Another platformer that I’m hoping to play someday since Rayman is a very fun character with his invisible arms and legs, as well as the gameplay being fun with the fist and helicopter, it sure beats the Rabbids.
19. Ms. Pac-Man Maze Madness: Going back to games I played before, this game was one of my favorites to rent at Blockbuster with its maze gameplay along with other mechanics like trampolines to jump on, blocks to push, and switches to activate that makes it feel more than just a maze you’re walking around in.

20. Excitebike 64: Excitebike is one of my favorite NES games of all time, and this 3D variation of the game isn’t too bad as well. It has a fun track designer, as well as courses that take place both in and outside a stadium, giving you more variety to race on.

    And that’s all of the games I’m hoping to see in E3 this year. I can’t wait to see what we’ll have in store for this year’s show, I wonder what games you’re all hoping to see in the show!