Zelda or Mario? Nintendo Plots Something Big for Next-Gen Stakes

• Nintendo’s silence this year is somewhat concerning.
• A new rumor points at something coming soon.
• Could we see the four leaked Mario remasters?

The Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 are stealing all the headlines ahead of launch this holiday season. Curiously, Nintendo has remained silent. Sure, the company releases Paper Mario: The Origami King later this month, but that’s about it. Every other project is unknown or years out.

Or so we thought.

Nintendo is Planning Something Big

Nintendo-focused publication Switch Brasil  discovered four unnamed SKUs in the local GameStop database, all with a date of December 31st, 2020.

The release date is a placeholder, but there’s no denying these four titles. Could this be the four rumored Mario remasters? If anything could compete against next-gen consoles, it’s bringing back some of Mario’s most beloved adventures.

The publication also uncovered an email sent via Nintendo of America detailing some system maintenance set for Tuesday, July 14th. This is usually done before new games are listed on the eShop, whether for purchase or pre-order.

It’s uncertain if we’ll hear anything on the 14th, but we’ll likely see an update soon afterward. Once Paper Mario is here on the 17th, there’s nothing. Slightly before or right after is excellent timing for a surprise Nintendo Direct.

Zelda or Mario?

These SKUs could be anything. Part of me hopes for a Breath of the Wild 2 announcement to counter the coming consoles. Though I’m betting on the Mario reveals for a late-summer release. Maybe we’ll see both at an upcoming Direct.

One thing’s for sure: these are upcoming game releases, not hardware. There’s still no news on a more powerful Switch console, which I believe is necessary to remain competitive. Maybe we’ll see one launch alongside Breath of the Wild 2. One can hope.

Or this is all a rumor, and nothing will come of it. Only time will tell.