Could Nintendo Be Gearing Up to Show Zelda U, Majora’s Mask 3D, or a New Game Reveal This Friday?

For those unaware, VGX is no more. Spike TV did one final attempt a year ago to revamp what was known as the Video Game Awards at the time, but as we all carefully remember it was all but an embarrassment of a showing for gamers, with maybe one or two highlights worth paying attention too. Really, the whole premise of a video games rewards show has gone haywire, but that hasn’t stopped Geoff Keighley from taking one last crack at it. Gone is corporate TV support (Spike TV is not involved in any way) and in is 100% video game support – Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft are all part of the new video game awards panel. In fact, Reggie Fils-Aime himself is part of the panel that helps decides the winners.

Of course, who wins and doesn’t win is all arbitrary. It’s a nice feather in the cap, but for the most part us gamers care more about reveals, new trailers, and video game news. Reportedly there will be 12 new game reveals during this years show, which outside of Keighley, could be 100% different from prior attempts. To give you an idea of how different this show could be, there are few if absolutely zero major corporation support – Geoff is paying for the entire show out of pocket, of which he hopes to make back through ticket sales (yes, it’s a live show, but also completely streamed, no TV air time).

What makes this show special however is the outward support – most major gaming publishers have pledged their support to the show itself, and for our sake it’s Nintendo’s pledge we care about. With Reggie-Fils Aime on the panel itself, it is far more likely that Nintendo, unlike in prior years, are more willing to use this at a platform. Last year I went as far as to say it would be a positive platform to show off Zelda U – because the core audience for this type of show as over the age of 18 and generally buy big name games, and it would be a good chance to get Zelda in front of non-Wii U owners. That didn’t happen and after the show concluded, most were relieved. Last year’s attempt was… pathetic. Is it okay to say that? I don’t mean to demean people behind it, but the interviews were extremely dull, Joel’s attempt at humor felt insulting to the developers (they certainly weren’t laughing with him), and the reveals were underwhelming – Nintendo’s big show was Cranky Kong… someone we already knew was going to be playable.

Essentially, most publishers treated the show as an afterthought. This year they are more directly involved. It’s an especially good platform because we just moved past (after Monday) the biggest shopping days of the year, so now is the time to begin building momentum heading into 2015. If you have a big name game you want to get in front of people before Christmas, this is a good time to do it.

This is a gorgeous shot of Zelda U, but it would be nice to have more to chew on.

Now for us at Zelda Informer, we obviously hope we get to see Zelda U again, or more likely… Majora’s Mask 3D. I won’t go as far as to say that either are going to happen, but I am almost positive Nintendo is going to show something – the main benefit of being involved in the show is obviously for marketing, so why not take advantage? It’s just a matter of what Nintendo thinks could be relevant. Maybe we see more of Xenoblade or maybe Splatoon makes the cut. Who knows… we could see a new game revealed. At this point it’s pure speculation.

As a Zelda fan I wouldn’t hold my breath, but I am going to give this new attempt absent corporate funding one last shot to try and get it right. Beyond that, with Nintendo directly involved it gives me more reasons to pay attention. Could one of the 12 new game reveals be from Nintendo, or will it be a slew of indie titles? Of games already known, what will see? Here is how I break it down for my (totally irrelevant) percentages that Nintendo might show it:

• Zelda U 15%
• Majora’s Mask 3D 20%
• Splatoon 30%
• Starfox U 1%
• Metroid 0%
• Hyrule Warriors DLC 10%
• Mario Kart 8 DLC 20%
• Xenoblade Chronicles 15%
• S.T.E.A.M. 20%
• Yoshi’s Wooly World 25%
• Mario Maker 5%
• Unannounced Title 10%

Yes, those percentages are entirely made up, but as you can see I’m not extremely confident in saying any particular game will be shown… but Nintendo will be at the event, so they have to show something right? What do you think they’ll show? You can watch the event this upcoming Friday on YouTube (among other services).

Keep in mind that Bayonetta 2 is up for two awards, including the always coveted Game of the Year award. This also includes the fact that Smash (both versions) and Mario Kart 8 are also up for awards, plus Nintendo is up for developer of the year. Nintendo has good reasons to try and puff its chest with some news at the show.