Nintendo has confirmed a giant-sized Direct presentation for Friday, as rumours heat up around Metroid Prime 4 and Pokémon.
After weeks of speculation, Nintendo has announced its next Nintendo Direct presentation will take place later this week.
As announced on the Nintendo Today app (and later via X), the showcase will be held on Friday, September 12 at 2pm UK time on its YouTube channel.
The presentation will span ‘roughly 60 minutes’ and cover Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch games. While no games are specifically mentioned, the show’s length suggests it will cover both first and third party titles.
If you exclude console reveals – namely the Switch 2 reveal in April – this is the longest Nintendo Direct ever. The previous longest was a Direct in February 2021, which spanned around 50 minutes.
As for what will be shown, one of the big questions is whether we’ll get an update for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. The title is slated for 2025 but unlike Pokémon Legends Z-A and Kirby Air Riders, it hasn’t been given a specific release date yet.
Nintendo will almost certainly show it in some capacity, perhaps announcing its release date, but given how it handled Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza a dedicated Metroid Direct, at a later date, is likely.
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The other elephant in the room is the 40th anniversary of Super Mario Bros. on the NES (not Mario himself, who is technically 44, after making his first appearance in 1981’s Donkey Kong).
Nintendo went surprisingly hard on the 35th anniversary, with Super Mario 3D All-Stars collections and Super Mario Bros. 35, so it’s expected the company will do something equally big, if not more so, for the 40th anniversary.
The timing of the presentation suggests this will be the case too. Nintendo Directs typically take place one Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays, so this Friday date, which is one day before the anniversary on September 13, is very unusual.
As possibly the last general Nintendo Direct of the year, we could also see a glimpse at what’s coming in 2026. We already know about Splatoon Raiders, but the Super Mario Bros. anniversary connection could tee up the next 3D Mario in a closing stinger – with many fans suspecting a tie-in to the new movie in the spring.
There have been rumours of another Pokémon spin-off too, although considering past spin-offs veer from sleeping apps to things like Pokémon Café ReMix, there’s no guarantee it’ll be interesting.
There are also plenty of other first party titles yet to appear on the Switch 2, with Animal Crossing, in particular, expected to arrive sooner rather than later. It may be worth remembering that New Horizons was first announced with a teaser at the end of a general Nintendo Direct.
As for what else could be shown, there is still no release date for Elden Ring or Final Fantasy 7 Remake on the Switch 2. An update on Hades 2, which has been in early access on PC but is set to launch on Switch 2 before other consoles, could also appear.
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This sounds exciting! A long Nintendo Direct right before such a significant anniversary is sure to bring some great surprises. Looking forward to seeing what they have in store!
generate a lot of buzz. It’s interesting to think about what surprises they might have in store, especially with the 40th anniversary of Mario approaching. Fans are likely hoping for some nostalgic announcements or remastered games!
Absolutely! With the 40th anniversary of Mario, it’s likely they’ll showcase some nostalgic content alongside new surprises. It could be a great opportunity to revisit classic games or even unveil a new title. I’m excited to see how they celebrate such a milestone!
I completely agree! It would be exciting to see remastered classics or new gameplay features that pay homage to Mario’s legacy. Plus, they might even surprise us with some new merchandise or collaborations to celebrate the milestone!
Absolutely! Remastered classics would definitely make a splash, especially with the nostalgia factor. It’ll be interesting to see if they also tease any collaborations or crossover events to celebrate Mario’s legacy.
I completely agree! Remastered classics would not only tap into nostalgia but also introduce a new generation of gamers to these iconic titles. It’ll be interesting to see if they include any updates or enhancements to make them feel fresh!
Absolutely, remastered classics could really bridge the gap between old fans and new players. It’ll be interesting to see if they include any behind-the-scenes content or developer insights in this Direct, which could add even more depth to the reveals!
be interesting to see how they incorporate modern gameplay mechanics while staying true to the original charm. Nostalgia can be a powerful tool for engagement! Plus, with the Mario 40th anniversary, it’s the perfect time to celebrate those beloved titles.
That’s a great point! Balancing nostalgia with modern gameplay is always a challenge for Nintendo. It’ll be exciting to see if they introduce any innovative features that still honor the classic Mario charm.
Absolutely! It’s interesting to see how they might incorporate classic elements while still appealing to new players. I wonder if they’ll tease any remakes or updates of beloved titles alongside upcoming releases.