By Olivia Davis | May 20, 2026
What Grubb Said and When to Expect It
On the Giant Bombcast, Grubb said the next Nintendo Direct will happen by mid-June, but he doesn't have a specific date. He noted that Summer Game Fest kicks off on June 5 and said the Nintendo Direct would likely land somewhere around that time, taking advantage of the broader industry momentum that tends to build around that time.
He also said he couldn't say for sure whether the upcoming presentation would be a general Nintendo Direct or a Partner Showcase, though he noted he's leaning toward a general Direct given how close it is to other major industry presentations.
Why is this Direct Important
When the anticipated Nintendo Direct will take place is critical for Switch 2 owners and prospective buyers, too. The Switch 2 is hitting its first anniversary soon, and the plans for the console in the second half of 2026 remain largely a mystery. Some titles have been confirmed to be released between May and July, including Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, the new Star Fox game, and Splatoon Raiders, but nothing else has been officially announced beyond that timeframe.
Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave is expected sometime this year, and a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time has been rumored as a potential holiday release. But Nintendo has not yet confirmed or detailed either. A June Direct would be the natural home to fill in those blanks and provide players with a clearer vision of what to expect before the end of the year.
A June Announcement Pattern
Nintendo's June Directs have usually been used to give a preview of what to expect in the latter half of the year, so the timing of Grubb's report isn't unprecedented. For instance, the first glimpse of Super Mario Bros. was given during the June 2023 Nintendo Direct. Wonder, ahead of its release in the fall that year, was generating immense excitement and anticipation in the gaming community.
Nintendo has a price hike for the Switch 2 hardware set for September and is under pressure to show the console is a good value for money. A big Direct in June, especially one with big new game reveals, could help drive that message home.
What fans want to see:
Beyond the confirmed titles already on the docket, the Switch 2 community is hungry for details regarding several high-profile projects that have not yet been officially touched on. However, the game hasn't received much in the way of new content over the last year, with downloadable content for Mario Kart World being rumored. Fans also want to hear about successors to major Switch-era franchises like Super Mario Odyssey and Super Smash Bros., neither of which has indicated any plans for a sequel.
Whether or not these titles will be part of the Direct in June remains to be seen, but it's generally agreed that Nintendo needs to start generating some buzz about its 2027 software lineup sooner rather than later.
Looking Ahead to the Rest of 2026 and Beyond
If the Nintendo Direct actually happens in June as speculated, fans shouldn't have to wait too long for a clearer picture of the Switch 2's future. Pokémon Winds and Waves will likely drive console sales in 2027, but the lead-up to that will need to be supported by big software announcements to keep the hype going.
Nintendo has a track record of surprising and delighting its fanbase with unannounced reveals, and a mid-June Direct coming in one of the busiest weeks of the gaming calendar would be the perfect time to do just that. At the moment, there's nothing Switch 2 owners can do but wait and watch the June window approach.
