Nintendo fans, it’s that time of year again! The anticipation for Nintendo Direct 2024 is building up and we got some good news!
Get those wishlist engines revving, Nintendo fans! Nintendo has officially dropped the first Nintendo Direct 2024 bombshell.
And yes, this could mean exciting collaborations with Microsoft as Activision Blizzard Games coming to Xbox soon!
What to expect from Nintendo Direct 2024?
The timing makes sense. Nintendo traditionally likes early February for announcements, plus Microsoft and PlayStation recently unveiled their lineups. This Nintendo Direct 2024 provides the perfect stage for Nintendo’s partners to reveal their surprises for the Switch in 2024.
Let’s analyze what we might see at the showcase:
Hi-Fi Rush Switch debut?
With Xbox boss Phil Spencer’s hint of more Xbox games coming to Switch, Tango Gameworks’ smash hit Hi-Fi Rush feels like a definite possibility.
Third-party delights
Expect exciting titles from Nintendo’s collaborators, possibly spanning RPGs, fighting games, and other surprises. This might be where publishers that enjoy a strong relationship with Nintendo get their time to shine.
The elusive Metroid Prime 4
It’s a Hail Mary wish, but this Nintendo Direct 2024 could finally give us a proper Metroid Prime 4 update. It’s been five years since the reboot announcement, after all.
Wildcards and indie treats
Directs tend to hold delightful surprises. Let’s be open to unexpected releases, remasters, ports, or indie darlings could all make an appearance.
New console tease?
It’s wishful thinking, but Nintendo may tease its next-generation console plans if the Switch starts feeling truly long in the tooth by late 2024.
When is Nintendo Direct 2024?
This Wednesday, February 21st at 9 AM ET, prepare for a 25-minute Partner Showcase livestream focused on new Switch games arriving before summer.
Nintendo of America X account has confirmed this with the following post:
A #NintendoDirect: Partner Showcase is coming! Watch on-demand via YouTube on 2/21 at 6am PT for around 25 mins of info focused on #NintendoSwitch games coming in the first half of 2024 from our publishing and development partners.
Stay tuned here: https://t.co/ZIAs64iWbK pic.twitter.com/CTrAC02G4d
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) February 19, 2024
Why a Partner Showcase now?
The timing makes sense. Nintendo traditionally likes early February for announcements, plus Microsoft and PlayStation recently unveiled their lineups. This Direct provides the perfect stage for Nintendo’s partners to reveal their surprises for the Switch in 2024.
More Directs are likely
It’s safe to assume Nintendo will hold additional Directs throughout the year. While we don’t have specific dates yet, keep an eye on the following periods, as Nintendo often favors announcements within these windows:
- Spring (March/April): Updates on upcoming major releases
- E3 Season (June): A potential large Direct, even without officially taking part in E3
- Fall (September/October): Holiday-timed reveals and release date announcements
What are the different types of Nintendo Directs?
Nintendo employs a few different Direct formats to keep fans engaged and showcase various aspects of their game lineup. Let’s break them down:
General Nintendo Direct
- The big kahuna: These are the major ones fans eagerly anticipate. Typically 30-50 minutes in length, packed with new game announcements, updates on upcoming titles, third-party reveals, and sometimes even hardware news
- Frequency: A few times a year, often focused around key release periods
Nintendo Direct Mini
- Shorter and snappier: Like the full-sized Direct, but condensed into a 10-20 minute burst of announcements. Great for focusing on a smaller lineup of releases or surprise updates
- Frequency: Somewhat less predictable than general Directs, but can pop up more frequently throughout the year
Partner showcase
- Spotlight on collaborators: These Directs shine a light on titles created by Nintendo’s third-party partners and publishers. Expect smaller to mid-size games and ports for the Switch
- Frequency: Can occur a few times throughout the year
Indie World
- Indie delights: Dedicated solely to the fantastic world of independent games coming to the Switch. A must-watch for those who love discovering hidden gems and innovative titles
- Frequency: These showcases can happen a few times per year
Keep the hype alive!
While some surprises might be inevitable, half the fun lies in our expectations! What are your top hopes for this Partner Showcase? Let the wishlists begin! Maybe you’re craving a surprise port of a beloved classic, an indie gem getting its Switch debut, or a longed-for update on a game we haven’t heard about in ages.
Featured image credit: Cláudio Luiz Castro/Unsplash.
