When Is The Next Nintendo Direct?
This article was originally written for TheNintendoVillage.com, a website I founded and ran from 2018 to 2021.
We love a Nintendo Direct. Nintendo’s video announcement reels are always jam-packed with upcoming games and there’s always something to get excited about.
Generally speaking, Nintendo usually drop around three main Directs every 12 months; one at the beginning of the year, one in the middle during E3, and one towards the end of the year.
Those are often supplemented by other Directs though that focus on specific games, announcements or franchises. Dedicated Pokémon Directs have been a regular feature for a couple of years now, Super Smash Bros. Director Masahiro Sakurai has taken to detailing DLC characters in featured presentations, and we’ve also had a number of videos devoted entirely to indie games.
When’s The Next Nintendo Direct?
Nintendo have not currently announced another Nintendo Direct. Development schedules and announcement plans have no doubt been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Stay tuned for any updates!
When Was The Last Nintendo Direct?
The last Nintendo Direct took place on 26 August 2020 and was another Nintendo Direct Mini: Partner Showcase.
We got a release date for Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory, as well as the reveal of Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 and an ‘available now’ launch of World of Tanks: Blitz amongst other things.
Here’s the video in question:
Every Nintendo Direct
Here’s all the previous Nintendo Directs, along with links to their videos for you to check out:
Indie World Showcase - 18 August 2020
This Indie World Showcase video gave us a glimpse at upcoming indie games headed to Nintendo Switch across the rest of 2020 and beyond.
No fewer than 6 games launched that same day, including Raji, Spiritfarer, Takeshi & Hiroshi, A Short Hike, Manifold Garden and Evergate. Subnautica and its follow up Subnautica: Below Zero were also revealed for Switch, and it was announced that Untitled Goose Game would be getting a multiplayer mode in a free update.
Nintendo Direct Mini: Partner Showcase - 20 July 2020
The Direct that took place on 20 July 2020 was a Nintendo Direct Mini Partner Showcase, highlighting upcoming Switch games from third party developers and publishers.
Cadence of Hyrule was revealed to be receiving three DLC packs, as well as a physical release containing all the additional content later in the year. Among the other highlights, a remaster of Shin Megami Tensei III was revealed, and we got our first look at Shin Megami Tensei V since it was announced way back in 2017.
Pokémon Presents - 24 June 2020
The second of June 2020’s Pokémon Presents videos revealed and detailed a new free-to-play Moba entitled Pokémon Unite.
We got an in-depth look at the game, which features cross-play across Nintendo Switch and mobile devices.
Mr. Sakurai Presents: "Min Min" - 22 June 2020
The first fighter for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s second round of DLC was revealed to be Min Min. We got an in-depth look at the character as well as a launch date.
On the Mii Fighter front we got outfits for Ninjara from ARMS too, as well as Vault Boy of Fallout fame, Tekken’s Heihachi, and the squid sisters from Splatoon. Plus, amiibo for Joker and Hero were shown, confirming that the DLC characters will be getting figures.
Pokémon Presents - 17 June 2020
The first of two Pokémon Presents presentations in June of 2020 brought two new games, an app and more info about the Isle of Armor DLC for Pokémon Sword and Shield.
Perhaps the most exciting announcement was the reveal of a brand new Pokémon Snap, following on from the 1999 N64 title. Pokémon Café Mix on the other hand is a free-to-play puzzle game available on both Switch and mobile.
The video opened with a new teeth-brushing app aimed at younger Pokémon fans.
Nintendo Direct Mini - 26 March 2020
Despite being billed as a Nintendo Direct Mini, this presentation lasted nearly 30 minutes and contained a whole host of announcements.
Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition saw a deep dive, as did the newly announced Bravely Default II. It was also revealed that the first character in the second Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Fighters Pass would be coming from ARMS.
2K also showed up with a number of ports headed to Switch, including Bioshock and Borderlands collections, and the Switch also got some Star Wars love in the form of Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy and a remaster of Star Wars Podracer.
Indie World Presentation - 17 March 2020
The Nintendo Direct that took place on 17 March 2020 was an Indie World Showcase. It detailed 20 minutes worth of indie games headed to Switch over the coming year, including a shadow-drop of Exit The Gungeon, the previously Xbox Exclusive Blair Witch and a whole load more.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons Direct - 20 February 2020
The Direct on 20 February 2020 detailed a bunch of info on the upcoming Animal Crossing: New Horizons. We got a look at the extensive customisation tools that will be included in the game, including a new tool allowing you to level and create cliffs and waterways. The amiibo functionality was detailed, we learned about the player’s ability to choose where new villagers set up camp, and Tom Nook even treated us to an FAQ section.
Mr Sakurai Presents: "Byleth" - 16 January 2020
The latest ‘Mr Sakurai Presents’ video detailed the addition of Byleth to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. As well as the reveal of the final Fighters Pass Vol. 1 character, we also got a look at a bunch of new Mii Fighter costumes, including Cuphead, and Fighters Pass Vol. 2 - the second batch of DLC for the game - was revealed to contain six fighters, one more than the first pass.
Pokémon Direct - 9 January 2020
The first presentation of the year was centered entirely around Pokémon. New DLC for Pokémon Sword and Shield was revealed, as was a remake of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon for Nintendo Switch.
Indie World Showcase - 10 December 2019
This Indie World showcase revealed a bunch of new indie games headed to Nintendo Switch, including Sports Story, Streets of Rage 4, and Axiom Verge 2.
Mr Sakurai Presents: "Terry Bogard" - 6 November 2019
This special presentation saw Super Smash Bros. Director Masahiro Sakurai give us a detailed rundown of Fatal Fury fighter Terry Bogard, the fourth addition to the Fighters Pass DLC pack. We also got a look at a bunch of new Mii Fighter costumes, release dates for the Simon, Chrom and Incineroar amiibo, and details of the Version 6.0 update.
Nintendo Direct - 9 September 2019
The September Direct revealed Overwatch was coming to Switch, gave us another look at Luigi’s Mansion 3, and detailed updates to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. We also got more information about Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition was revealed.
Mr Sakurai Presents: "Banjo-Kazooie" - 5 September 2019
Sakurai gave us a detailed breakdown of the fourth DLC character for Super Smash Bros Ultimate in this video. Banjo & Kazooie were the surprise, fan-favourite reveal at E3 earlier in 2019, and it’s great to see them in action on a Nintendo platform once again. There were also a bunch of Mii Fighter costumes revealed, including crossovers with Mega Man and Undertale. We also got our first glimpse of in-game footage of Terry Bogard, the next addition to the Fighters Pass.
Indie World Presentation - 19 August 2019
August’s Indie World Presentation brought us Ori and the Blind Forest, the second former Xbox exclusive to make it to Switch after Cuphead. We also got a look at games such as The Touryst from Fast RMX developer Shin’en, Zelda-esque adventure Skellboy and news of a Hotline Miami collection.
Mr Sakurai Presents: "Hero" - 30 July 2019
Super Smash Bros Ultimate Director Masahiro Sakurai took a new approach to detailing the DLC fighters for the game in this video, giving us an in-person rundown of Dragon Quest’s Hero’s moveset, outfits, stage, and music. We also got a look at a bunch of new Mii Fighter outfits too.
E3 2019 Nintendo Direct - 11 June 2019
Nintendo’s E3 Direct gave us plenty to get excited about. As well as the reveal of Dragon Quest’s Hero as the second Fighters Pass addition for Super Smash Bros Ultimate, the presentation also dropped the bombshell that Banjo-Kazooie would be joining him in the brawl! As if that wasn’t enough, Nintendo went ahead and announced a sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was also in development, with a brief trailer showing what looked like the withered corpse of Ganondorf returning to life.
We also got detailed looks at Luigi’s Mansion 3 and Pokémon Sword and Shield, a release date for The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, and first looks at No More Heroes III and Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Pokémon Direct - 5 June 2019
We got a bunch of information about Pokémon Sword and Shield in this 15 minute Direct, including a close look at the game’s starter Pokémon - Scorbunny, Sobble and Grookey - and the reveal of some new monsters that were to be included in the game. We also got an in-depth look at Dynamaxing, the new games’ battle gimmick.
Super Mario Maker 2 Direct - 15 May 2019
There was an absolute treasure trove of information revealed about the soon-to-be-released Super Mario Maker 2 in this dedicated Direct. The biggest addition is that of the Super Mario 3D World aesthetic, complete with it’s own tools and terrain. There was also a wealth of new items for players to use in their levels revealed, not least of which was slopes! Something fans had been crying out for since the first game launched on Wii U. It’s an absolutely jam-packed video. We picked out the ten best additions for you to check out.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: New Content Approaching - 17 April 2019
This was our first in-depth look at the first Fighters Pass challenger for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. We got a detailed breakdown of his moveset, as well as a look at the way his victory screen varies, his different outfits, and of course the accompanying music tracks. There was also a bunch of Persona-related Mii Fighter costumes revealed too. Along with the addition of Joker, this presentation also detailed the Version 3.0 update, which includes a brand new Stage Builder for the game and a video editor, with players able to share their stages and clips via the Nintendo Switch Online app.
Nindies Showcase - 20 March 2019
An absolutely stellar line-up of indie games were added to Switch in this presentation, chief of which was none other than Cuphead! Studio MDHR brought the Xbox exclusive title (well, not anymore) to the Switch meaning Nintendo fans could enjoy the old-school cartoon styled shooter too! Followed that was some interesting looking titles in the form of My Friend Pedro, Katana Zero and Neo Cab. As if that wasn’t enough, the presentation rounded off with the reveal of Blaster Master Zero II and a Crypt of the Necrodancer crossover with The Legend of Zelda entitled Cadence of Hyrule! Phew!
Pokémon Direct - 27 February 2019
The Pokémon Direct from February 2019 gave us our first look at Gen 8, what would turn out be titled Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield. We got our first look at the starter Pokémon that trainers would be taking on their journeys through the Galar region; the fire Pokémon Scorbunny, the water Pokémon Sobble, and the Grass Pokémon Grookey.
Nintendo Direct - 13 February 2019
The first Direct of 2019 kicked things off with two major announcements for Switch. The first was the arrival of Super Mario Maker 2, an expanded follow up to the Wii U’s level-creator game. The second was a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, featuring a brand new (and absolutely gorgeous) chibi artstyle. In between those two bombshells we also got a look at Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order, Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition, Fire Emblem: Three Houses, Yoshi’s Crafted World, Astral Chain, a whole bunch of Final Fantasy games and a free online, battle-royale version of Tetris in Tetris 99. Phew!
Super Smash Bros Ultimate Direct - 1 November 2018
This was our final look at Super Smash Bros. Ultimate before the game launched. It added to the already huge roster with the reveal of Street Fighter’s Ken and the Pokémon Incineroar. As well as that, we also learned that additional DLC was being developed for the game, and Pirahna Plant was revealed as the first additional character to be available post-release.
Nintendo Direct - 13 September 2018
There were some big announcements in 2018’s September Direct, with the reveal of Luigi’s Mansion 3 in development for Nintendo Switch, and a port of the original game headed to 3DS. The closing announcement was the addition of Isabelle in Super Smash Bros Ultimate, and the fact that an Animal Crossing game was also in development for Switch - although we didn’t get to see anything of it. We also had a detailed breakdown of Nintendo Switch Online, as well as NES Joy-Con to accompany the service. New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe was also shown, and there was a huge Final Fantasy blowout, with multiple games headed to the system.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Direct - 8 August 2018
A whole bunch of new information was revealed about the upcoming Super Smash Bros. Ultimate in this dedicated Direct. The big announcements were the additions of Castlevania’s Simon and Richter Belmont as playable fighters. Naturally, there’s a pair of stages to accompany them too, along with a new boss fight, music and an Assist Trophy in the form of Alucard.
They weren’t the only new characters to be introduced though, as both Dark Samus and Princess Daisy were introduced as Echo Fighters for Samus and Princess Peach respectively. There was also a bunch of announcements around the game’s stages - with 103 to be included at launch - and music. There’s over a whopping 800 tracks included in the game, and players can choose which tracks they want to surface on a stage, based on the relevant series.
On top of that, there were three new modes announced for the game too: Squad Strike, Tourney, and Smashdown.
Nintendo Direct: E3 2018
Nintendo’s E3 2018 presentation had a heavy focus on the new Super Smash Bros. game - entitled Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Most surprising (and exciting) was the inclusion of every single character from each of the previous Super Smash Bros. games, as well as newcomers such as Inkling and Ridley.
Outside of Smash we also got a look at a new Mario Party title, Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu and Eevee, and our first proper glimpse of Fire Emblem: Three Houses.