The nextNintendo Directmay be arriving sooner than expected, contrary to previous reports that it was being indefinitely delayed due to the recent passing of the Queen of the United Kingdom. It’s been some time since the lastNintendo Direct, so anticipation is growing for a look at upcoming Nintendo Switch games. Those anxious for Nintendo news may not have to wait long, however.While no Nintendo Direct has been announced, reportsafter news of Queen Elizabeth II’s deathsaid that a Nintendo Direct had been planned for this week. The leak claimed that out of respect for the United Kingdom and the Queen’s legacy, Nintendo was said to have delayed the Nintendo Direct with no new date confirmed. The decision was understandable, as disappointed as Nintendo fans may have been. And lack of a new date was also understood.RELATED:Nintendo Reveals New Pokemon-Themed Switch OLED ConsoleA follow-up to the leak was shared on Friday from the same source as the original leak. Giant Bomb’s Jeff Grubb shared that the Nintendo Direct has now been rescheduled. It won’t be shared this week, clearly, but it is coming next week. More specifically, the Nintendo Direct will be shared “early next week.” Grubb does mention thatNintendocould move the date around, though.
As noted, it’s been some time since the last full-fledged Nintendo Direct. In August, Nintendo hosted a Direct specifically for thenow-releasedSplatoon 3. Prior to that, there was a partner-focused Nintendo Direct Mini in July. AXenoblade Chronicles 3Direct preceded that in June. To find the most recent full Nintendo Direct calendars have to be scrolled back to February. That doesn’t necessarily mean the new Nintendo Direct will be a full one, but Nintendo fans are certainly hoping for it.
WithSplatoon 3now launched, there are three key releases planned for the rest of 2022. Those releases includeMario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope, published by Ubisoft but made in partnership with Nintendo,Bayonetta 3, and thenPokemon Scarlet and Violet. There are a number of substantial third-party releases for the Switch, too, likeNier: Automata - The End of Yorha Edition,No Man’s Sky, andDragon Quest Treasures, but they likely won’t get their own Directs.
Whether it’s a full Nintendo Direct full of reveals and announcements or a focused Nintendo Direct forMario + Rabbids 2orBayonetta 3, or evenThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2, Nintendo fans will undoubtedly be excited to hear there’s an event coming. An official announcement is still necessary before theNintendo Directis a certainty, but for Nintendo Switch owners this is still an exciting time of the year.
