Nintendo Direct Could Feature New Super Smash Bros. & Kirby

With two Nintendo Directs arriving back-to-back, you have plenty of reason to expect a packed week. The Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct is scheduled for Tuesday at 10 A.M. Eastern, while the main Nintendo Direct follows on Wednesday, September 9, at the same time.

That presentation is set to run for 45 minutes, and it will be followed immediately by a 110-minute Treehouse session. The unusual setup is a big part of why expectations are so high for the Nintendo Direct. Nintendo has separated Zelda into its own presentation instead of combining it with the larger show, then added a lengthy Treehouse segment afterward.

Naturally, that has led to a lot of speculation about what could fill the main event.

Rather than focusing on every rumor floating around, the most interesting possibilities are the games that have been expected for a while, whether they come from Nintendo or third-party publishers. Capcom is one of the safest bets. Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 3, and Resident Evil 4, all in their remake forms, could finally be headed to Nintendo's new console.

The prediction goes further than simply expecting announcements, though. Resident Evil 2 could shadow drop during the Nintendo Direct, with Resident Evil 3 arriving in October and Resident Evil 4 following in November. That would fit Capcom's recent relationship with Nintendo's hardware.

The publisher has already been bringing major Resident Evil releases to the system, making the remakes of 2, 3 and 4 feel like natural additions. If you have already played them elsewhere, the portability alone could make buying them again worthwhile.

Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 4 remain the stronger games of the three, while Resident Evil 3 is generally viewed as the weaker entry, but getting the whole group on one system would still make sense. Third-party support could go much further in the Nintendo Direct.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is another game that could appear, especially since some publishers may have received development kits later and are now ready to show their versions for the newer Nintendo hardware. The same thinking opens the door for other games that have already been released elsewhere.

Starfield is one of the more unexpected possibilities.

Bethesda has already supported Nintendo's hardware with games such as Oblivion and an upgraded edition of Skyrim, so a version of Starfield wouldn't come completely out of nowhere. The game has already been available on XBOX, PC, and PlayStation 5, and bringing it to Nintendo's newer hardware would give another major third-party title a portable home.

It is also possible that at least two XBOX-related games could appear, with Starfield potentially being one of them. Other ports could round out the third-party portion. Hellraiser could make an appearance, while RoboCop: Rogue City could also be a good match for the system, particularly because handheld play would suit it.

007 First Light is another possibility, although its reception has been less convincing. The comparison to Hitman with more action may make the game sound familiar, but its arrival on Nintendo's system would still add another recognizable name to the lineup.

Nintendo's own software is where the Nintendo Direct predictions become much harder to separate from wishful thinking. A new 2D Metroid game, reportedly associated with MercurySteam, has been discussed as one of the projects that could appear. The rumored project has been referred to as Metroid Ravenous, although the biggest question is what it would actually do differently from recent entries.

Metroid Dread eventually passed three million copies, showing that 2D Metroid can perform well.

Metroid Prime 4's poor sales call into question the franchise's current success. A 2D game would need to establish its own uniqueness either by adding a new mechanic or storyline. There is also renewed interest in Metroid: Samus Returns, which remains stuck on the 3DS despite being visually strong and benefiting from a modern port.

A new Wario Land game is another possibility, particularly one built in 3D along the lines of Wario World. It could work as a smaller supplemental release, but its place in the presentation becomes harder to judge when another 3D platformer is rumored as well.

That other game is a new 3D Kirby title. Kirby and the Forgotten Land has already received a new hardware upgrade with extra content and a higher frame rate, so announcing another 3D Kirby adventure this soon would be an interesting move.

It is not impossible, but it would make the overall lineup feel crowded if a new Wario game and a new 3D Mario title were also present. The 3D Mario speculation on Switch 2 is probably the biggest talking point around the Nintendo Direct, but it may not happen this time.

There is a strong argument that Nintendo could hold the next major Mario reveal for a February presentation instead, especially if the game is targeting 2027. A September show does not necessarily need to reveal Nintendo's biggest platformer when another major Direct window could provide a better stage for 3D Mario.

Super Smash Bros. may have a better chance of filling that major first-party role.

A new Smash title has also been widely expected as the headline announcement, and a long Treehouse presentation would make sense if Nintendo wanted to demonstrate what has changed. Showcasing gameplay, new systems, and differences from the previous game could easily provide material for an extended presentation.

Even then, a new Super Smash Bros. game would have a difficult job. Super Smash Bros. ultimate already built on the foundation of the original N64 game, with many characters and their moves continuing ideas established decades ago.

A new entry could therefore need a substantial reset rather than simply adding more content. A bigger production, more changes, and a stronger single-player component could help it feel like a genuine new generation rather than another continuation.

There are plenty of other possibilities around the edges of the Nintendo Direct. More classic Pokémon games could be added to the service, while Luigi's Mansion 4 is another project that has been mentioned. The timing would make sense for an early 2027 release, although the series naturally fits the Halloween period, which could affect when Nintendo chooses to show it.

Astral Chain is perhaps a different kind of prediction.

Rather than expecting Astral Chain 2, a new hardware edition of the original could be a much more appealing announcement. The original hardware held the game back, and its distinctive art direction could benefit significantly from a resolution boost and a 60 fps presentation. Additional content would make the package even more attractive.

That kind of upgrade would also give Nintendo a chance to bring back a game with a strong foundation without announcing an entirely new sequel. For players who enjoyed Astral Chain the first time, a smoother and sharper version could be enough reason to return.

Ultimately, the mystery is what makes this Nintendo Direct so interesting. The mix of a separate Zelda presentation, a 45-minute main show, and a 110-minute Treehouse session leaves room for plenty of announcements and gameplay demonstrations.

Third-party games could fill a large part of the schedule, while Nintendo's own lineup could include anything from Metroid and Kirby to Wario, Super Smash Bros., or a long-awaited upgrade for Astral Chain.

The biggest takeaway is that you should not assume the presentation has to revolve around 3D Mario.

New Super Smash Bros. may have the stronger chance of becoming the major first-party reveal. Several third-party ports could quietly make the show much more substantial. Resident Evil 2, Expedition 33 and Starfield are among the more intriguing possibilities, and a surprise shadow drop would give the event an immediate talking point.

With so many projects on the table, the final presentation could still go in a completely different direction. That uncertainty is exactly why the setup feels unusual. Nintendo has created a week where Zelda gets its own spotlight, the Nintendo Direct gets 45 minutes, and Treehouse gets nearly two hours afterward. If the company has enough software ready to show, September 9 could become one of the more important stretches for Nintendo's new system yet.