The next Retro Studios project, long rumored, remains unconfirmed, but an executive company recently revealed that its unveiling could happen next year, especially at E3 2013.

"I could get myself fired by breaking all of the news right here on your show ... but rest assured Mr. Miyamoto and the team and EAD are working on fantastic projects. Rest assured that Retro is working on a fantastic project. We've got big games in development that are coming and will continue to drive the install base of the system. All of that's going to be there," the executive said during an episode of GameTrailers TV.

The upcoming title was once rumored to be a Legend of Zelda title for Wii U, though that rumor was debunked by Nintendo.

"As you know, we have already collaborated with Retro for the Metroid Prime series in the past. And I think when we talk about any other franchise, Zelda might be a possible franchise for that collaboration," Shigeru Miyamoto revealed Dec. 2011 to Wired Magazine. A Zelda title was not announced at E3 2012, though rumors circulated about the possibility along with Retro's upcoming project. More recent rumors claim that The Legend of Zelda for Wii U will be released in 2014 and be a much larger game than previous titles, continuing in the vein of 2011's Skyward Sword.

Rumors earlier this year suggested that Retro was working on a Star Fox-Metroid Prime crossover title, but those rumors were also later debunked.

Nintendo held back its bigger developers and first-party intellectual properties other than Mario at E3 2012.

Retro is seen as a strong developer for Nintendo; it developed the Metroid Prime trilogy and the strongly-received Donkey Kong Country Returns. The developer also worked on the courses and artwork for Mario Kart 7, which also receivd a strong reception. Whether it will bring another gaming franchise into the modern era, as suggested by its "Retro" name, remains to be seen.

Wii U launches on Nov. 18 in the U.S. and in the UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.