February 21 Nintendo Direct To Focus On Third-Party Titles

While third-party showcases aren't unusual for Nintendo, most were expecting something else due to the recent rumors.


It appears that Nintendo doesn't have too many AAA titles scheduled for this year.
It appears that Nintendo doesn't have too many AAA titles scheduled for this year.

It looks like a Nintendo Switch 2 reveal is off the menu for now.

After weeks of speculation, Nintendo has officially announced its first Direct presentation of the year and it won’t be about first-party exclusives.

The upcoming “Partner Showcase” on February 21 will deviate from typical Directs events by exclusively highlighting upcoming third-party titles slated for release on the Switch in the first half of the year.

Scheduled for a 25-minute run time, the on-demand Direct will air at 9:00 AM Eastern Time (6:00 AM Pacific Time) on YouTube and Nintendo’s official channels. While most often crave news about Nintendo’s first-party offerings such as Metroid Prime 4 or the next Nintendo console, this Direct will dedicate its airtime to collaborations with external developers and publishers.

Many fear that Team Cherry might have backed itself into a corner by promising a full game out of what was initially only an expansion for Hollow Knight.
Many fear that Team Cherry might have backed itself into a corner by promising a full game out of what was initially only an expansion for Hollow Knight.

Despite nearing the end of its lifecycle, the Switch continues to post strong sales, which will only get better with the upcoming release of both first- and third-party titles. These partner collaborations help enrich the platform’s ecosystem and showcase Nintendo’s commitment to supporting third-party studios. Historically, February Directs have served as platforms for these partnerships, and this year’s iteration continues the tradition.

With recent showcases from Xbox and PlayStation unveiling their upcoming titles, all eyes are on Nintendo to see how they respond.

With over 139 million Switch units sold already, Nintendo has maintained its strong market position. This Direct serves as an opportunity to further diversify offerings and attract new audiences to the outgoing console.

Specifics about the showcased titles remain under wraps, but fans can expect a mix of genres and styles tailored to a broad audience. But the biggest name on everyone’s lips is Hollow Knight: Silksong, which remains unreleased after its initial reveal many years ago.

Regardless of the specific reveals, this Partner Showcase promises a 25-minute window into the upcoming months, keeping the Switch’s momentum strong and its library rich with exciting possibilities.

Who knows? Maybe we’ll get news of a Helldivers 2 port on the Switch. Unfortunately, since it’s not even coming to Xbox anytime soon (and it’s struggling to keep the servers online), it’s unlikely to leave the PlayStation anytime soon.

Ray Ampoloquio
Ray Ampoloquio // Articles: 7186
With over 20 years of gaming experience and technical expertise building computers, I provide trusted coverage and analysis of gaming hardware, software, upcoming titles, and broader entertainment trends. // Full Bio