There’s a rhythm to Nintendo Direct announcements that fans have come to rely on: a blend of anticipation, speculation, and the occasional surprise drop. With multiple presentations already confirmed for 2026, this article uses official archive data to map out what’s actually scheduled — and what remains up in the air.
First Nintendo Direct held: October 2011 ·
Total Nintendo Directs to date: 190+ ·
Nintendo Directs in 2025: 2 (as of July 2025) ·
Viewers for Nintendo Direct 3.27.2025: 1.2 million concurrent ·
Nintendo Switch 2 Direct duration: 60 minutes ·
Upcoming confirmed Direct: Splatoon Raiders Direct – June 30, 2026
Quick snapshot
- Online video presentation series by Nintendo (official archive)
- Covers upcoming games, platforms, and services — first held in 2011 (Nintendo (official archive))
- General Direct, Partner Showcase, Indie World, and game-specific broadcasts (Nintendo archive categories)
- Examples: Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, Splatoon Raiders Direct, Star Fox Direct ((Nintendo archive categories))
- YouTube (Nintendo of America channel)
- Nintendo.com archive with full presentation list
- Tomodachi Life Direct: January 29 (Nintendo archive)
- Partner Showcase: February 5 (Nintendo archive)
- Star Fox Direct: May 6 (Nintendo archive)
- June Direct + Treehouse Live: June 9 (Nintendo YouTube)
Four confirmed Nintendo Directs already fill the first half of 2026. One pattern stands out: Nintendo is mixing general showcases with focused single-game Directs and a Partner Showcase, giving each a specific slot.
The table below summarizes the key facts about confirmed and historical Nintendo Direct broadcasts.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Directs to date | 190+ |
| Most recent general Direct | March 27, 2025 |
| Next confirmed Direct | Splatoon Raiders Direct – June 30, 2026 |
| Nintendo Switch 2 Direct date | April 2, 2025 |
For anyone tracking the Switch 2 rollout, the June 9 Direct and the Splatoon Raiders Direct are the two 2026 events that will likely set the tone for the console’s second-year software lineup. Missing the split between general Directs and game-specific ones can lead to false expectations.
When could the next Nintendo Direct be?
As of July 20, 2025, Nintendo has not announced a general Direct after the March 27, 2025 presentation (Nintendo official archive). The next confirmed broadcast is the Splatoon Raiders Direct on June 30, 2026 — a game-focused presentation that will run roughly 15 minutes (Nintendo official site).
Nintendo Direct scheduling patterns
- Historically, Nintendo announces Directs 2–4 weeks in advance via social media (Nintendo archive pattern).
- In 2026, the confirmed schedule includes: Tomodachi Life Direct (Jan 29), Partner Showcase (Feb 5), Star Fox Direct (May 6), June Direct (June 9), and Splatoon Raiders Direct (June 30) — all listed on the official archive.
Rumored dates vs. confirmed events
- Before the June 9 Direct was officially announced, YouTube rumors from May 20, 2026 suggested a “June 9 to June 25” window (YouTube rumor roundup). The June 9 date proved accurate, but the window guess was broad.
- Another rumor predicted a February 2026 Direct on February 10 — the actual Partner Showcase landed on February 5 (YouTube prediction). This shows the community often gets the month right but not the exact date.
The implication: Nintendo’s scheduling rhythm is predictable at a macro level (roughly one Direct every 4–6 weeks in active seasons), but exact dates are kept close until 2–4 weeks out.
Is Nintendo having a direct this week?
For the week of July 20, 2025, no Nintendo Direct has been announced. As of that date, Nintendo of America has not posted a broadcast notification on its official channels (Nintendo Direct archive).
Checking the official Nintendo Direct archive
The most reliable way to verify upcoming broadcasts is the Nintendo.com archive (official list). It shows all past and upcoming presentations with exact titles and dates. If a Direct is scheduled, it will appear there — no announcement, no event.
How to verify upcoming broadcasts
- Bookmark the archive page.
- Follow Nintendo of America’s official YouTube channel for livestream links.
- Watch for official press releases on the Nintendo news section.
The catch: Without an archive listing or a YouTube premiere schedule, any claim about a “Direct this week” is speculation — no matter how many Reddit posts claim otherwise.
The gap between the June 9 Direct and the Splatoon Raiders Direct on June 30 is unusually short for Nintendo — just three weeks. This suggests the company is packing software reveals into a condensed window, likely aligned with the Switch 2’s lifecycle.
Is there going to be a Nintendo Direct in February 2026?
Yes — a Partner Showcase is confirmed for February 5, 2026. It is listed on the Nintendo Direct archive (official schedule) under “Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase 2.5.2026.”
Partner Showcase scheduled for February 5, 2026
This event focuses on third-party titles coming to Nintendo platforms. Unlike a general Direct, a Partner Showcase rarely includes first-party announcements or hardware news (Nintendo archive definition).
What a Partner Showcase typically includes
- Roughly 20–30 minutes of third-party game trailers.
- No new hardware reveals.
- Usually no “one more thing” surprises — the format is straightforward.
The takeaway: If you’re waiting for a Metroid Prime 4 date, a Partner Showcase is probably not the place — that would need a general Direct or a dedicated game Direct.
Is there going to be a Nintendo Direct in July?
As of July 2025, no July Direct has been announced. Historically, Nintendo has held July Directs in some years (e.g., July 2023 general Direct) and skipped them in others (e.g., July 2024 had only a Partner Showcase) (Wikipedia — Nintendo Direct history (community-edited timeline)).
July 2025 Direct possibilities
With the next confirmed Direct being in January 2026, a July 2025 broadcast looks increasingly unlikely. Nintendo typically announces summer Directs by early July if they plan to hold one.
Historical July Directs
- July 2023: a general Direct with 40+ minutes of software.
- July 2024: a Partner Showcase only, no general Direct.
- July 2025: no announcement as of July 20.
What this doesn’t mean: It doesn’t rule out a surprise August Direct — Nintendo has used August for announcements before. But the data suggests July is likely a quiet month in 2025.
Is Super Mario Odyssey 2 confirmed?
No — Nintendo has not officially confirmed Super Mario Odyssey 2. The sequel has been a subject of persistent fan speculation for years, but no listing appears on the official Direct archive, and no mention has appeared in any Nintendo earnings presentation or press release (Nintendo archive).
Official statements on Super Mario Odyssey 2
- Nintendo has not published any press release, Direct entry, or investor note referencing a sequel to Super Mario Odyssey.
- The most recent significant Mario platformer release was Super Mario Bros. Wonder (2023).
Rumors and speculation
- Rumors appear primarily in fan communities and YouTube speculation videos — not in Nintendo’s official archive or any credible industry track record (YouTube leak-discussion video).
- Some sources suggest a 3D Mario title is in development but not necessarily Odyssey 2.
The trade-off: Believing rumors without archive evidence can lead to disappointment. Nintendo typically reveals sequel projects via Directs or in annual financial briefings — not through Reddit threads.
Timeline: Nintendo Directs from 2011 to 2026
- — First Nintendo Direct broadcast (Japan) (Wikipedia — Nintendo Direct history)
- — Nintendo Direct: 30 minutes of upcoming Switch games (Nintendo archive)
- — Nintendo Direct: Nintendo Switch 2 (60 minutes) (Nintendo archive)
- — Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase (scheduled) (Nintendo archive)
- — Nintendo Direct + Nintendo Treehouse: Live (50 minutes) (Nintendo of America’s official YouTube channel)
- — Splatoon Raiders Direct (confirmed) (Nintendo archive)
The pattern: Nintendo’s presentation schedule has expanded significantly since 2011, with 2026 showing the densest concentration of events in the company’s history.
What’s confirmed and what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Partner Showcase on February 5, 2026 (Nintendo archive)
- Star Fox Direct on May 6, 2026 (Nintendo archive)
- June Direct on June 9, 2026, followed by Treehouse Live (Nintendo of America’s official YouTube channel)
- Splatoon Raiders Direct on June 30, 2026 (Nintendo archive)
- Splatoon Raiders Direct lasts 15 minutes and covers the Switch 2 game (Nintendo official site)
What’s unclear
- Date of next general Nintendo Direct after July 2025
- Whether a Direct will occur in July 2025
- Super Mario Odyssey 2 release or announcement timeline
- Whether a July 2026 Direct exists beyond the Splatoon Direct
- Whether a general Nintendo Direct will occur in 2025 after July
What this means: Fans should focus on the confirmed events while treating unverified claims with skepticism.
Perspectives from the industry
“The Splatoon Raiders Direct on June 30, 2026 will provide more info on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 game and last roughly 15 minutes.”
— Nintendo Direct archive, official description (Nintendo official site)
“The June 9, 2026 Nintendo Direct started at 7:00 AM PT and ran for around 50 minutes, followed immediately by Nintendo Treehouse: Live.”
— GameSpot reporting (GameSpot (games journalism outlet))
“Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase 2.5.2026 is scheduled and listed on the official Nintendo Direct archive.”
— Nintendo of America, via Nintendo Direct archive (official publisher)
“The June 9 Direct began at 7:00 AM PT / 10:00 AM ET / 3:00 PM UK time and lasted 50 minutes.”
— IGN live coverage (IGN (established editorial source))
The implication: Industry observers and official sources consistently point to the same set of confirmed events, reinforcing the reliability of the official archive.
The 2026 Direct calendar is already more populated than any year since 2021, with five confirmed broadcasts spanning from January to June. For anyone planning content schedules, buying decisions, or community hype cycles, the key is to watch the official archive — not Reddit or YouTube speculation. The confirmed events tell a clear story: Nintendo is using game-specific Directs to spotlight Switch 2 titles while reserving Partner Showcases for third-party support. For the average fan, the smart move is to set a calendar reminder for the Splatoon Raiders Direct on June 30, 2026, and ignore unconfirmed “leaks” until they appear on nintendo.com.
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Fans eager for the full lineup can check our detailed breakdown of the Nintendo Direct 2026 schedule including expected announcements and viewing tips.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a Nintendo Direct and a Partner Showcase?
A Nintendo Direct is a general presentation covering Nintendo’s own games and sometimes third-party titles. A Partner Showcase focuses exclusively on third-party games and usually does not include first-party announcements.
How long does a typical Nintendo Direct last?
General Directs usually run 30–50 minutes. Game-specific Directs (like Splatoon Raiders) are often shorter, around 15 minutes. Partner Showcases typically fall in the 20–30 minute range.
Does Nintendo announce Direct dates in advance?
Yes — Nintendo typically announces Directs 2–4 weeks ahead via its social media channels and lists them on the official archive page as soon as they are confirmed.
Can I watch past Nintendo Directs?
Yes. The Nintendo Direct archive on nintendo.com lists all past presentations with links to the YouTube recordings. Most are also available on the official Nintendo of America YouTube channel.
What should I expect from a Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase?
A Partner Showcase highlights third-party games coming to Nintendo platforms. Expect trailers and release date announcements from publishers like Square Enix, Ubisoft, and indie developers — but no first-party hardware or software reveals.
Is the Nintendo Switch 2 getting its own Direct series?
The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct on April 2, 2025 was a one-time presentation focused on that console. Game-specific Directs like the Splatoon Raiders Direct are separate events. Nintendo has not announced a recurring “Switch 2 Direct” series.
Alex Chen is Editor-in-Chief at Oz Monitorly, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.