The weeks and months leading up to E3 are rife with rumors and speculation, and this year has certainly been no different. We're still several days away from E3 2018, and a number of surprise announcements have been inadvertently revealed ahead of the show thanks to various leaks, with more seemingly trickling out by the day.
Even Nintendo's notoriously tight-lipped nature hasn't prevented rumors and leaks from spreading. Before Let's Go Pikachu and Let's Go Eevee were formally unveiled, rumors had swirled that Switch's Pokemon RPG would be inspired by Pokemon Yellow and launch this November--both of which turned out to be true. Similarly, speculation has been rampant that the massively popular Fortnite would be revealed for Switch at E3. That would make for a truly surprising announcement, although its impact may have been diminished now, as a Switch version of Fortnite was listed by the Korean ratings board.
There are many other unsubstantiated reports still lingering around Switch. One of the most prominent says that Metroid Prime developer Retro Studios is working on a Star Fox game, although it won't be a rail shooter like traditional entries in the series; rather, rumor has it that the game is a racer in the vein of F-Zero and Diddy Kong Racing. A recent trademark filing has also led to rumors that Nintendo will announce an N64 Classic mini console.
It won't be much longer until we find out if there's any truth to these rumors. Nintendo's E3 presentation is scheduled to air at 9 AM PT / 12 PM ET on June 12, just before the expo formally begins. We still don't have much clue as to what Nintendo will show off during its E3 briefing, but you can catch up on all of the games it has confirmed for Switch and 3DS. You can also read up on when and how to watch Nintendo's E3 conference.
Fortnite Coming To Nintendo Switch
A Korean ratings board listing has revealed what could be an E3 surprise: A Nintendo Switch port of Fortnite. The listing doesn't specify which of the game's modes--Save the World or the phenomenally popular Battle Royale--will be included, but it's hard to imagine the latter would not make the cut.
Overcooked 2, Paladins, And More
While 4chan leaks are not especially reliable, a photo has surfaced that may in fact be real. It shows names for a variety of Nintendo Switch games that will apparently be advertised around the E3 show floor. This includes already-confirmed games like Mario Tennis Aces, but it also shows Fortnite (which, as noted above, looks to be real), Paladins, and Overcooked 2. Whereas Fortnite and Paladins would be ports of existing games, Overcooked 2 has not yet been announced--and it's possible that it could also come to PC, PS4, and Xbox One in addition to Switch, if it is indeed real.
Star Fox Is Getting A Racing Game Called Grand Prix
The Star Fox franchise hasn't seen much activity in recent years save for the Wii U game Star Fox Zero, but that may change in the near future. According to leaks published around the internet and a report from Eurogamer, Retro Studios--of Metroid Prime and Donkey Kong Country Returns fame--is at work on a racing game called Star Fox: Grand Prix. Reddit user DasVergeben claims it will feature elements of F-Zero and Diddy Kong Racing, with an adventure mode and hub world.
N64 Classic Edition Will Be Announced
While not E3-specific, there have been rumors about an N64 Classic Edition since the release of the NES Classic. With both that system and the subsequent SNES Classic proving to be huge successes, it would be no surprise to see Nintendo continue the trend by bringing a mini version of the Nintendo 64 to the market. Trademark filings have also suggested it's something Nintendo is at least considering, and Nintendo would be the ideal place to reveal its existence.
