Whenever the Nintendo Switch 2 launches, there will probably be something with it from The Legend of Zelda. It was very interesting to see Nintendo drop a brand-new title instead of a remake at the late stages of the current console’s life cycle. They have declared that they will reveal the Switch’s successor sometime in quarter one of 2025. By March, the console will be confirmed, and by year’s end, it will probably be out. When it comes out, look for a Mario game as well as a Zelda game, just not a new one.
The most recent Nintendo Direct shocked fans by providing multiple new titles from first-party brands. A new Zelda game, a new Mario Party, and a new Mario & Luigi (as well as Metroid 4, though that’s likely being held for the next console) were all confirmed. This was great news, but it might mean a lengthy delay before the next new game set in Hyrule. Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom were separated by six years, so it will take Nintendo a lot of time to get a new game for the Switch 2.
Furthermore, this franchise is filled with remakes. In just the last five years, two old games have been remade with Link’s Awakening and Skyward Sword. So many either haven’t had a single remake or are long overdue for another one. Plus, fans call for Twilight Princess and Wind Waker on modern consoles all the time. It would be a surprise if remakes didn’t come out with the Switch 2, and all signs point to the first Zelda game being one.
A recent leak indicates that Nintendo fans will get a new remake for the Switch 2. Midori, a prominent leaker, said that there was a game codenamed “Edward” discovered. The tweet has since been deleted, but many believe this points to a new Zelda game since codenames like “King” and “Richard” have been used for games in the franchise. This is far from a guarantee, but it fits with Nintendo’s history.
There is no indication of what the remake might be. So many are candidates to be remade. The original, A Link to the Past, A Link Between Worlds, Spirit Tracks, Phantom Hourglass and more have never been seen since their original console. The Minish Cap, Oracle of Ages, and Oracle of Seasons would make a lot of sense, too. In terms of games that have had remakes but are long overdue, Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask come to mind as well. There are a lot of options, though the community might explode if Wind Waker or Twilight Princess isn’t ported soon.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom was an incredible game, but it means the likelihood of a launch title for the Switch 2 is slim. The franchise is far too popular and profitable to ignore, though, so expect some content to arrive whenever the new console is released.
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The ongoing saga with the NFL Players Association has taken another turn, as the organization is also reportedly the subject of a federal investigation. ESPN's Don Van Natta Jr. and Kalyn Kahler reported on Friday that there is an ongoing criminal investigation involving the NFLPA regarding potential misuse of funds and self-enrichment of union officials. A senior union attorney sent a memo to NFLPA officials this week informing them of the federal probe. The document states that the NFLPA is "now on notice of financial actions that may be criminal" and that the union faces "immediate threats requiring prompt actions," according to ESPN. While the document did not specify which individuals are part of the criminal investigation, the notice was sent days after executive director Lloyd Howell Jr. and director of strategy J.C. Tretter resigned from their positions with the NFLPA. Howell was accused of misusing union funds and faced other troubling allegations. Tretter resigned because he felt like he was left to take the heat for the scandal that has been unfolding, though he has denied any wrongdoing. The NFLPA is searching for an interim executive director. ESPN reports that the memo sent to union officials this week warns that potentially hiring an outside executive director might not be a wise move without knowing exactly how deep "the problems may be." Howell was the executive director of the NFLPA for two years.
The New York Mets are a half-game ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies for first place in the NL East, but their pitching staff is still injury-ravaged despite the recent returns of Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas. Brandon Waddell (hip), Dedniel Nuñez (elbow), Max Kranick (flexor), Paul Blackburn (shoulder), Tylor Megill (elbow), Griffin Canning (Achilles), Drew Smith (elbow), A.J. Minter (lat), Danny Young (elbow), and Christian Scott (elbow) are alll on the Mets' IL. The MLB Trade Deadline is July 31 at 6 p.m. EST, so the front office has one week to add healthy arms from around the league this season. ESPN's David Schoenfield predicted on Thursday that New York would trade for a Minnesota Twins reliever. "One guarantee of the trade deadline: The Mets will add to the bullpen, probably with more than one trade. Though the rotation still ranks fifth in ERA, that was built off a hot start," he wrote. "More importantly, the only Mets starter to complete six innings since June 7 has been David Peterson. As a result, manager Carlos Mendoza has run relievers Reed Garrett, Huascar Brazoban, Jose Butto and Ryne Stanek into the ground. The bullpen had a 2.78 ERA through May, but that figure is over 5.00 since the beginning of June (ranking near the bottom of the majors)." "The Twins have two high-profile relievers in [Jhoan] Duran and [Griffin] Jax, both of whom are under team control through 2027, so they'll be much more expensive than your usual short-term relievers if the Twins decide to trade one or both," he continued. "Duran would be harder to deal -- but bring more in return -- so we'll say Jax will go. Don't be fooled by his 4.09 ERA: He has 68 strikeouts and 12 walks in 44 innings with a 97-mph heater. He's an elite strikeout reliever, the type you want on the mound in October." The Mets are hot despite their injuries, as they're on a four-game winning streak and just swept the Los Angeles Angels. Next up is a road trip against the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres. New York right-handed pitcher Clay Holmes (8-5, 3.48 ERA) will face Giants right-hander Logan Webb (9-7, 3.08 ERA) on Friday.
The Boston Red Sox appear to have no interest in trading outfielder Jarren Duran, at least not in the near future. Trade rumors have swirled around Duran for most of the season, especially after designated hitter Rafael Devers was traded to the Giants. However, Sean McAdam from MassLive reported that the Red Sox may wait until the offseason before moving on from the former All-Star. The decision to wait on Duran is not due to a lack of offers. McAdam also reported that the Padres made a significant offer for Duran involving pitcher Dylan Cease, catching prospect Ethan Salas and another unnamed prospect. That offer was quickly rejected. The Padres have long coveted Duran. McAdam had previously reported that the Padres have been "relentless" in their pursuit of the Red Sox outfielder. The reported trade offer including Salas, the Padres second-best prospect and the 21st-best prospect in baseball per MLB.com, illustrates how serious they are about acquiring Duran. Likewise, the Red Sox's refusal to entertain such an offer, even as a starting point for negotiations, speaks volumes about their interest in moving Duran. The Padres' offer would help solve several problems for the Red Sox in both the present and future. Moving Duran would help clear up the logjam in the outfield, while Cease and Salas would respectively improve the back of their rotation and provide a possible cornerstone behind the plate going forward. Duran is a valuable trade chip as he is under team control through 2028. He has also taken a step back in production from his stellar showing in 2024, posting a respectable .254/.321/.428 batting line in 459 plate appearances entering Friday, with nine homers and 25 doubles while stealing 16 bases. That production would be an upgrade for several teams looking to improve their outfield going forward. The question is whether or not the Red Sox will be realistic in their asking price for Duran. Considering how quickly the Padres' offer was reportedly rejected, that may not be the case.
The Miami Dolphins lost another cornerback when Artie Burns suffered a torn ACL on the first day of training camp, and they may have found a potential replacement. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Saturday that the Dolphins have agreed to a deal with former Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jack Jones. The Dolphins were already thin at the cornerback position before Burns was lost for the year. They released Kendall Fuller after the 2024 season and traded former All-Pro Jalen Ramsey to the Pittsburgh Steelers last month. Jones is a talented player, but character concerns have followed him throughout his career. He played in all 17 games for the Raiders last season, making 16 starts. Jones had 69 total tackles and three interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. Despite his solid play, Jones was cut by Las Vegas in April. The Raiders had claimed Jones off waivers midway through the 2023 season after he was cut by the New England Patriots, likely because of his off-field issues. Then-Patriots head coach Bill Belichick suspended Jones at the end of the 2022 season for a violation of team rules. Several months later, Jones was arrested at Logan Airport in Boston on gun-related charges. Jones, 27, was also criticized over his perceived lack of effort during some games with Las Vegas. But the Dolphins are desperate, and Jones has plenty of upside. The former fourth-round pick out of Arizona State has shown he is worthy of being a starter when his focus is solely on football. Miami is hoping to get that version of Jones.
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