You can’t blame Nintendo for sitting on their laurels if only temporarily. The Nintendo Switch is still selling well despite the recent slowdown in sales and it just enjoyed what’s probably going to be awarded as the GOTY later this year at The Game Awards after delaying the game by over a year. But, even after officially skipping E3 2023, which was eventually canceled, a lot of people are still claiming to have heard information that some form of Nintendo Direct was coming before this month ends. Nintendo has yet to confirm this, opting instead to do a Summer of Play tour all over the United States. But, more evidence just popped up that might erase all doubts that Nintendo will be the last of the big three to do a showcase this month.
Less than two weeks ago, eagle-eyed observers spotted Nintendo updating its Nintendo Direct page, which only happens weeks before the event takes place. In addition to this, trusted insiders, including NateTheHate and Universo Nintendo, are both claiming the same thing.
Specifically, both say that a Nintendo Direct will happen anytime between June 20 and June 23, a relatively tight window that’s only a few days away.
Now, why aren’t we hearing any official word from Nintendo about the showcase? For starters, Nintendo has a reputation for NOT announcing a Nintendo Direct until we’re only 24 or so hours away from the start of the event.
Also, if you’re wondering why the sources aren’t sure what kind of Nintendo Direct is going to happen, it’s been established that even third-party publishers don’t know this information. All they know is their game will be showcased in an upcoming event and that’s it. No one, outside of Nintendo, is privvy to information such as the size and scope of the showcase.
In total, there are six different Nintendo Direct types with varying lengths: Nintendo Direct (25-50 minutes), Nintendo Direct Mini (5-15 minutes), Product-specific Nintendo Direct (<50 minutes), Pokemon Presents (10-20 minutes), Indie World Showcase (17-28 minutes), and Nintendo Direct Mini: Partner Showcase (8-25 minutes).
Either one of those would be great for the relatively barren slate of upcoming titles for the Nintendo Switch for the second half of the year.
For now, the only confirmed big first-party title for the Nintendo Switch that’s coming in the next six months is Pikmin 4 on July 21. The rest are third-party titles, including Mortal Kombat 1 on September 19 and Hogwarts Legacy on November 14.
Fingers crossed, we’ll hear more about the next Pokemon game or The Legend of Zelda remaster sooner rather than later.
