E3 2021 wishlist: What we want to see

Last year’s E3 2020 went bankrupt due to the global pandemic, but this year E3 2021 is in full swing. The purely virtual event will be very different from previous years, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be full of exciting game announcements and trailers.

Here, at Android AuthorityWe’re just as hyped as the rest of you. So we decided to put the excitement on this E3 2021 wish list. It covers our hopes and expectations for Nintendo, Xbox, and a wide variety of third-party providers. Let us begin.

Connected: PS5 vs Xbox Series X – Which Next Generation Game Console Should You Buy?

E3 2021 at a glance

Before we get into the full wishlist, there are a few basic details you should know about the E3 2021. This year is the 26th edition and the first to be held entirely digitally. It will run from June 12th to 15th and anyone who wants to attend can do so for free.

So far, some big names like Nintendo, Xbox, Capcom and Konami have been confirmed to participate. Sony is noticeably absent, despite the fact that the company has also previously declined the 2019 and 2020 editions (before they were canceled). Other publishers such as Square Enix have not been confirmed to attend the official conference but may release new trailers during the same period.

Let’s get to our hopes and predictions for E3 2021.

E3 2021 wishlist and predictions

1. Breath of the Wild sequel

It’s hard to believe that Nintendo announced the sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild at E3 2019 almost two years ago (trailer above). Since then there has been mostly radio silence.

Still, it’s probably the most anticipated upcoming Nintendo Switch game out there right now, and what better time to announce an official release date than E3 2021?

The game was alluded to on Nintendo Direct in February 2021, but the most offered was the statement, “Development is going well and we should be able to bring you some information this year.”

Hopefully that means the long wait is almost over. Even if it’s just another trailer with a release date of 2022, all the news would be good news for Zelda fans.

2. Nintendo Switch Pro

Breath of the Wild was Nintendo’s killer launch title for the Nintendo Switch. So, in a way, it makes sense that the sequel should be released along with new hardware.

This “Nintendo Switch Pro” or “Super Nintendo Switch” or whatever we want to call it has been rumored for a long time, but if those rumors are correct it is nearing a release date. That doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll see a release date for 2021, but hopefully Nintendo will at least acknowledge its existence.

See also: Nintendo Switch Pro – What We Want To See In An Updated Switch Console

We have a separate wish list for this new hardware, but suffice it to say there is plenty of room for improvement. Even minor things like Bluetooth audio support and improved Joy cons would be nice, though we’re obviously hoping for some improved internals or even new 4K-capable hardware in the dock.

3. Metroid Prime 4

Before we move on from Nintendo, there is one more important title we want to see at E3 2021 and that is Metroid Prime 4. While the game was first announced at E3 2017, development started from scratch in early 2019 when Nintendo decided to do so did not meet their internal standards.

That was over two years ago, so it’s time the world got a taste of what the revamped sequel entails. Even if it’s just a trailer, it would be great news for Metroid Prime fans who haven’t had a new game on the series since 2007. That’s two whole consoles up front, for those holding points.

4. Halo Infinite

Of all the items on our E3 wish list, this is the only one that is virtually guaranteed. Halo Infinite was supposed to be the cornerstone of the Xbox Series X launch last year, but delays due to the pandemic put those plans on hold.

The first unveiling was supposed to take place at E3 2020, but was instead announced via livestream after the event was canceled. At the time, the gameplay trailer was largely postponed, but hopefully a little more time in the oven helped smooth out the edges to avoid another catastrophic release like Cyberpunk 2077.

E3 2021 would be the perfect time to learn more about the game and set a firm start date for later in 2021. If it lands around the 2021 holiday, it would easily be one of the biggest releases of the year.

5. Psychonauts 2

While it’s not on the same level as Halo, Psychonauts 2 is a relatively small title we’re hoping for at E3 2021. The mind-boggling platformer was partially crowdfunded in 2016, and we took our first look at the game back in 2018 (trailer above).

Since then, the developer Double Fine has been taken over by Microsoft and Xbox Game Studios. This (and other factors) meant the game was postponed to 2021 with the addition of an expanded Xbox Series X Edition. Fortunately, it won’t be an exclusive Xbox and still appear on other platforms. We expect to learn more about the game and see a final release date at E3 2021.

6. Starfield

For RPG fans, Bethesda’s Starfield is one of the most exciting games to come. It’s the studio’s first new IP in over 25 years and offers a gritty sci-fi experience unmatched by Mass Effect and other sci-fi RPGs.

That means we don’t know much. The trailer above doesn’t show much at all, but with the game in development for over a decade, we should see something at E3 2021. Like some of the other developers on the list, Bethesda was acquired by Microsoft earlier this year, but that shouldn’t change much for Starfield. At most, it means that it will be included in the Xbox Game Pass on the first day.

7. Elder Scrolls 6

November was a whole decade since Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim was released. So it’s high time Bethesda gave us at least a look at the next game in the series. We’re not asking for a release date, but at least a trailer would be nice. Even some hiring news or a subtitle. In the truest sense of the word everything please.

So far we only know that the game is in development, as confirmed at E3 2018 (trailer above). As mentioned above, Bethesda has since been taken over by Microsoft, which could mean it is now an Xbox exclusive, at least for consoles. With Starfield (hopefully) in 2021 / early 2022, this should at least free up some development bandwidth for Elder Scrolls 6.

8. Elden ring

Elden Ring is another game announced at a past E3 followed by years of radio silence. In this case, it was announced back in 2019 and there is a serious pedigree behind it. The game is staged by Hidetaka Miyazaki from the Souls series. Worldbuilding is conducted by George RR Martin, author of the Game of Thrones books.

That alone is enough to inspire the fans. It was voted the most anticipated game at last year’s Game Awards, although no more trailers were released in 2020. Like other FromSoftware games like the Dark Souls series, Bloodborne, and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, it should offer challenging RPG gameplay, but this time with a completely open world to explore.

9. Grand Theft Auto 5/6

Rockstar Games has been milking GTA 5 for nearly eight years, and its popularity doesn’t seem to be diminishing. We already know a next-gen version will be out later this year, so a new trailer and release date for E3 2021 are all but guaranteed.

What we’d really love to hear, however, is some news about GTA 6. We don’t expect the game to come out for at least a few more years, but a reveal trailer for a truly next-gen GTA would be one of the biggest announcements of the year.

10. Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2

While Square Enix is ​​not a confirmed participant in E3 2021, the company will likely benefit from the E3 season with its own Square Enix Presents event during the same period. And that almost coincides with the release of the revamped PS5 version of the FF7 remake titled Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade on June 10th.

So we hope to hear some news about the next installment. We know that part two has been in development since 2019, but we don’t expect any specific release details. We’ll keep our fingers crossed for a trailer with a release date of 2022 (or even 2023) at best.