As Nintendo closes out 2020 and its Super Mario 35th anniversary celebration, the company is poised to have a busy 2021. Several iconic franchises for the venerable video game publisher will have major anniversaries next year, in addition to console anniversaries.
Despite these major upcoming milestones, Nintendo has yet to reveal any plans for 2021. The company has a history of playing its cards close to the chest and surprising fans very close to release dates, which will likely be the case heading into the new year -- so fans shouldn't panic too much.
The Legend of Zelda will celebrate its 35th anniversary next year, so Nintendo is rumored to revisit the franchise to mark the occasion, either with remastered editions of past releases or anniversary collections, like the company did with Mario in 2020.
Similarly, Pokémon turns 25 in 2021 and as one of Nintendo's biggest, most enduring properties, it may get a follow-up to the highly successful Pokémon Sword and Shield. Potentially, Nintendo will revisit older titles, like Pokémon Fire Red & Leaf Green to thrill more nostalgic fans of the franchise.
Finally, as Animal Crossing: New Horizons kept gamers entertained through the ennui of 2020, something to capitalize on its success and commemorate the series' 20th anniversary would be a strong addition to Nintendo's 2021 release calendar.
Less likely to get the anniversary treatment from Nintendo are Metroid and Donkey Kong, which mark their 35th and 40th anniversaries, respectively. Metroid has seen a far more scattershot release history than many of its counterparts, with only six titles released for home consoles since its launch in 1986, handheld entries and remasters notwithstanding.
Donkey Kong is the franchise that put Nintendo on the map. Its original arcade game became an enormous, worldwide success and earned the company millions in its first two years, after launching in 1981. The franchise might see a re-release on Nintendo Switch Online or the eShop, but odds are against something more substantial.
2021 also marks the 25th anniversary of the Nintendo 64, the 20th anniversary of the Game Boy Advance and 15th anniversary of the Wii. Ever since the release of the NES Classic and SNES Classic, fans have hoped the N64 will receive similar treatment and get a mini console preloaded with 1996's biggest titles.
Nintendo has denied that any plans to develop an N64 Classic are in motion, but it certainly could be saving such an announcement for the right occasion. While a replica of the GBA is unlikely, several titles could receive their own Switch Online library while a potential Wii Sports Collection -- presumably compiling Wii Sports, Wii Fit and Wii Sports Resort -- could bring back the titles that made the Wii such a success upon its debut in 2006.
Whatever Nintendo has planned heading into 2021, fans can be certain the company will deliver, at least in one way or another. Nintendo's release calendar in 2020 was sparse until it wasn't, and marketing woes aside, there's plenty to announce for next year. Although the company can't necessarily compete with next-gen consoles, it can continue to capitalize on the nostalgia of iconic franchises and utilize anniversaries to maintain player interest.