Despite being announced at the Game Awards in 2017, Bayonetta 3 was not at E3 once again, nor did it feature in Nintendo’s E3 Direct show. A lot of fans were hoping to see a Bayonetta 3 E3 2021 showing at last, as the game was announced two years before Zelda Breath of the Wild 2 but that title now has two in-game trailers whereas the next Bayonetta game still has none — and suffice to say, fans are not happy.
Why was Bayonetta 3 not at E3 Nintendo Direct again?
It’s been a long time since fans have heard anything about Bayonetta 3, with the last rumor about the game suggesting it would release in 2018, which obviously proved untrue. Since the game’s teaser trailer announcement at the Game Awards in 2017 there has been no information at all, although series designer Hideki Kamiya said in January that he hoped to “give an update during the year.”
Predictably, the further absence of any real news about Bayonetta 3 at E3 has upset a lot of series fans. A few pointed out the fact that Breath of the Wild 2 already has a lot more information revealed about it than Bayonetta 3, which was announced two years prior. Some also point out the similar situation with Metroid Prime 4, which was likewise revealed in 2017 but still has had nothing revealed about it — although 2D sequel Metroid Dread was announced for release this year.
bayonetta 3 was announced multiple years before breath of the wild 2 and we've seen nothing of it. pic.twitter.com/6qBYhP9qQE
— Bashylvania 6-5000 (@Basharria) June 15, 2021
Man we got news on Metroid, I hope that means more Bayonetta 3 news…oh wait.. pic.twitter.com/owiXF6RmEh
— Fuzzy (@justingg4711) June 15, 2021
at his point lets all make our own bayonetta 3
— 大きなカニ 🦀YORA (@yoracrab) June 15, 2021
Bayonetta 3 isn’t happening
Pikmin 4 isn’t happening
Metroid Prime 4 isn’t happening
The Switch Pro isn’t happeningOnly Monkey Ball remains. pic.twitter.com/JyhLD2iYAp
— Piss Vortex (@pissvortex) June 15, 2021
Presumably Bayonetta developer Platinum Games and Hideki Kamiya are busy with their new game Babylon’s Fall for Square Enix, which had a new trailer at E3 this week, as well as the mysterious ‘Project GG’ which Platinum owns the IP for. Nevertheless, it’s disappointing that after the phenomenal success of the Switch-exclusive Astral Chain that four years have gone by without even further acknowledgment of Bayonetta 3 by Nintendo, apart from featuring her in Super Smash Bros Ultimate.
Bayonetta 3 is certainly not the only no-show at Nintendo’s E3 2021 that has fans disappointed, however. Animal Crossing: New Horizons wasn’t mentioned, and once more the Mother/Earthbound series was completely snubbed. Even the supposed Switch Pro console was absent, although Nintendo did show off a brand new Game & Watch instead.
