The first Nintendo Direct since 2019 has come and gone, where games like Splatoon 3 and Mario Golf: Super Rush took the stage. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate got its next DLC character, and a ton of little things also appeared. However, it would seem a few highly-anticipated games weren't there.

Some of this may come at a later date this year, while some may further out yet. For the first big Nintendo Direct of 2021, it wasn't packed with its biggest hitters.

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Recent rumors have suggested everything from new Pokemon Sword and Shield DLC and Diamond and Pearl Remakes to Let's Go Johto and more. However, nothing Pokemon-related appeared at the show, not even New Pokemon Snap which is just a few months away.

This may be for good reason though. February 27, 1996, is the 2th anniversary of Pokemon, and while celebrations like the McDonald's Promo are already starting, there's a good chance video game-focused announcements are coming at their own event via Nintendo and The Pokemon Company. It wouldn't be the first time that a "smaller" Nintendo Direct followed a main one, so it'll be interesting to see.

Many may be upset that Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 technically wasn't there, but that fan desire was addressed. Instead of Breath of the Wild, fans did get a announcement for Skyward Sword HD on the Switch, but with the 35th anniversary of the franchise being this Sunday (February 21), it may find itself in its own book.

Assuming celebration theoretically happen any time this year, more BotW2 news is expected in 2021 and even more Zelda games. After the Direct, it was said that Wind Waker and Twilight Princess are coming to the Switch, and while that should be taken with a grain of salt, it seems likely that more is in the pipeline.

In short, Metroid Prime 4 is effectively Nintendo's Elden Ring. Metroid Prime is something that's going to be clamored for every time an event happens, but it's one that's not likely to appear even soon. Announced 4 years ago, Metroid Prime 4 dominated the conversation until its development restarted, which has kept it on everyone's radar but has limited any news for it. This is especially true given COVID-19, but fans shouldn't expect it any time this year.

If Metroid Prime 4 was the biggest missing game that wouldn't reasonably be there, Shin Megami Tensei is the one that would have likely been there, but was not. Nintendo discussed games all the way out until 2022, but Shin Megami Tensei 3 is set for Spring 2021 for PS4 and Switch. That window and an announcement for it is quickly closing; at the same time, Shin Megami Tensei 5 is set for a similar time period, "early this year." At this rate, this may not seem likely, though it's not ruled out quite yet.

Bayonetta 2 released back in 2014, and 7 years later, Bayonetta 3 is still somewhat MIA. It was announced at The Game Awards 2017, but a recent interview suggested Bayonetta 3 fans should "forget" about it until later this year. Still, saying it was coming later this year and then appearing here would've been a "surprise" as teased, but ultimately, that's not the case. Based on the aforementioned interview, it would seem information is coming this year, but there's still plenty of time left to see it.

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