Is Nintendo Really Having a Slow Year?

There has been a lot of talk about Nintendo having a slow year in terms of game releases. However, upon closer inspection, it seems that Nintendo is still managing to put out a steady stream of new titles. From Mario vs DK to Luigi’s Mansion 2, Nintendo has been averaging one new first-party release every month. Additionally, there have been great third-party games added to the mix as well.

It is important to compare this year’s offerings to previous years in order to get a better perspective. Looking back at 2018, it becomes clear that the lineup was not as strong. With only a mediocre Kirby, an unfinished Mario Tennis, and direct ports of existing games, the year was lackluster. The saving grace was Smash Ultimate, which came towards the end of the year. In contrast, this year seems to be shaping up better than the previous one.

Nintendo’s tendency to keep their plans under wraps makes it likely that there are still surprises in store for the latter half of the year. Even if there isn’t a major announcement like a new console, there is reason to believe that Nintendo has more up their sleeves. The anticipation for a potential Direct in June is high, and fans are hopeful for more announcements and reveals.

Looking ahead, there is much speculation about possible new releases from Nintendo. A new Rythm Heaven, Wind Waker + Twilight Princess remaster, Metroid Prime 2 & 3, a remastered Chibi-Robo, and a rumored Kid Icarus Uprising remaster are among the titles that fans are hoping for. Additionally, the possibility of a new Wario Land game, possibly developed by WayForward, is also being discussed. With the potential for new Kirby titles and a free NSO-exclusive City Trial battle royale on the horizon, there is still much to look forward to from Nintendo.

While there may have been concerns about Nintendo having a slow year, a closer look at their release schedule and the potential for future announcements shows that there is still a lot to be excited about. Nintendo’s history of surprising their fans with unexpected releases and updates means that the year is far from over in terms of exciting new content.