Predictin' January

This is it, folks. D-Day. By the end of next month, we'll know everything there is to know about the game. Until then, we get 14 updates until the Japanese release. And they're skipping a week, which changes things a bit.

Ah, and one of them almost certainly the week of the 7th) will include the 200th post. Considering what we got for our 100th post, I wouldn't be surprised if the 200th post was also quite good. But what could it be? I'm at a loss. But it should be good.

Aside from that, the two-and-a-half weeks before release will probably be used to solve the last outstanding mysteries. That means they'll tell us whether or not Zelda transforms (and into what), they'll show Captain Falcon (I don't buy him being a secret character, there's too much F-Zero stuff just lying around), and if there are any more not-secret characters, they'll show them too (its not guaranteed, but there's a possibility). I know I've been saying this forever, but

We'll probably get Zero Suit Samus' Final Smash, as it is an important part of the character. They might get to Zelda's (especially if it is involved with the whole transformation mystery) and Snake's, too, if they have enough time. I'm sure the people will be fine if they don't reveal ALL the final smashes among the characters we know about now.

January is a 4-stage month. Since they probably want to get that out before the game comes out, I expect one week will have two stages. I'm thinking F-Zero and Sonic stages will be the last two announced, with two more secondary stages in the first half. Which series will get secondary stages? Mario, Metroid are covered, and maybe even Zelda, if they count the Temple. I'm going to guess Kirby and Donkey Kong.

The skipped week works perfectly for music. Three weeks, with three series that need music samples. I'm thinking Mario will be last. This, of course, also supports my previous claims of Captain Falcon and an F-Zero stage, as they really HAVE to post F-Zero music, which only makes sense within the context of having something significant on the site already.

I think we'll get a How To Play on crawling, finally (maybe the reason they haven't done it already is because there's still somebody unrevealed who can do it, too). Maybe one or two more. We still need one about Air attacks/dodging, and maybe about Item Catching.

They'll probably fill up the current rows in the Normal Items and Assist Trophies pages. They've been showing a large number of brand-new stuff for both, but I'm sure one or two thing from E For All will pop up (maybe the Deku Nut or Urchin for Normal Items, and Jill or Metroid for Assist Trophies). They might solve the problem of certain items not being on the site by doing more 'screenshot cameos' like the soccer ball, stopwatch, and lightning bolt (see 'Co-Op Events'). There's just so much stuff.

They seem to be nearing completion on the Game Modes front. We should get an update about the Data section (don't worry, it will almost certainly be a double update), and one that explores the rest of the Vault (I'll be getting to that). If there are any more single or multiplayer game types to be shown, they'll put 'em up.

They still need to talk about Team Battles in the Nintendo WFC section, so we'll probably get that. If there's any other major online features, we'll get them too. I don't know if there is, but we'll see.

I've come to the realization that the reason the Adventure Mode section hasn't been getting a whole lot is because they don't want to spoil too much of the game. Which makes sense. We might get another story piece next month, and that power-up method will almost certainly be there, if it really is something special.

Lastly, the Japanese site will get a Notice on release day (duhhh). The only other such specific update I will predict is going to some sort of update that includes the opening movie of the game, whether it be by its lonesome, or shown as part of a Movie Viewer feature (which might be the one that shows the rest of the Vault).