A date has officially been confirmed for the next Nintendo Direct showcase, which should offer a fresh look at existing titles, upcoming game content, and new releases from third-party developers. Fans have been hoping Nintendo would wade in on the current slew of gaming news that's been released as part of Summer Game Fest 2022, with many expecting updates on the company's future releases.
Nintendo currently has a host of previously-announced games that fans are hoping to hear more on, though it seems first-party games won't be part of the event. Such games include the highly-anticipated next additions in the Pokémon franchise, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, as well as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2. There are also a number of rumors currently circulating that hint at unannounced Nintendo projects, including the speculative Nintendo Switch Pro model, and remakes or remasters of classic previous-gen titles such as Zelda: Twilight Princess on Switch. There are also fairly regular additions to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service to look forward to, but with a focus on third-parties, it seems none of these will appear during the next Nintendo Direct.
Fans won't have much longer to wait to find out just what Nintendo is planning for its next event, as the company has officially set a date of Tuesday, June 28 at 6am PT for its next Nintendo Direct. The presentation is caveated as a "Nintendo Direct Mini: Partner Showcase," and will run for roughly 25 minutes with a focus on third-party Nintendo Switch games. While the company didn't offer much in the way of details, fan speculation is already high, with many feeling that Nintendo needs to compete with other recent showcases such as the Xbox & Bethesda event, Future Games Show, and Summer Game Fest in general.
As always when Nintendo Directs are announced, eager fans have already begun sharing what they expect or hope to see during the event. Zelda: BOTW 2 was recently delayed from 2022 to 2023, and while many are hoping that Nintendo may offer new news on the game, the show having confirmed third-party games only makes this seem an impossibility. As for what else likely won't be there, Nintendo's other highly-anticipated releases like Pokémon Scarlet and Violet also seemingly won't appear.
Whatever games Nintendo chooses to spotlight for its next Nintendo Direct Mini, the showcase should provide some much-needed updates on the future of the Switch. Games like Xenoblade Chronicles 3 are set to release fairly soon, while other third-party titles like Bayonetta 3, Oxenfree 2, and Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope are still to get release dates. Fans can tune into the Nintendo Direct later this week to find out just what Nintendo is planning for the rest of 2022, and hopefully, find out more on their favorite games.
Source: Nintendo/YouTube