Talking Point: Is A Nintendo Direct Really On The Way?

Part of me hopes, "no". 2019 has almost a dozen scheduled first party releases. And yet, Nintendo has been abnormally quiet. Their quarterly "big" Direct is overdue.

After all the game leaks like Spyro and Assasins Creed 3 that have been coming out the past week, including release dates of games like Luigi's Mansion and Animal Crossing, I believe one is coming real soon. Some big name leakers have been hinting that it will come on the 13th, so we will know tomorrow if it's happening for sure.

I don't understand the thinking that a console can be so powerful it renders 2D games pointless.

Ahhh i got tricked, saw the photo in the headline and assumed a direct was announced

I really hope there’s a Direct this week because I just can’t even anymore.

Sadly, Kirby's Epic Yarn will be the next commercial failure since it's on the 3DS. Mario & Luigi was the most recent failure after Luigi's Mansion flopped. RIP Kirby, you're being put onto a system with probably 100,000 active users, but you'll probably get 10,000 more sales than Mario & Luigi did at least.

Also this Nintendo Direct had better be an hour long to make up for the wait from September to now. And we had better get some sweet freebies from the online service side of things, like the SNES app datamined a while back, as well as themes and such.

@GrailUK Eh?

Ya know, I want to believe that there will be a direct soon, but I can’t help but feel that Nintendo is going to push it off until around March/April in exchange for some sort of Mini Direct or Indie Presentation.

The fact that we got several updates and smaller announcements in January doesn’t help the case of a February Direct either, it is certainly plausible, but I am leaning towards a hard no on this one.

@ThanosReXXX Well, Alex going on about if the 3DS was more powerful it would have gotten a 3D game, or the Switch is too powerful for Nintendo to go 2D. I just don't follow the philosophy that 2D is archaic.

@GrailUK Ah, okay. Haven't watched the video yet, so I was wondering what the heck you were on about, in relation to the article. My bad, spoke too soon...

@ThanosReXXX I generally wonder myself what I am on about

I hope so! Simply because I really do enjoy them. Very exciting especially when it’s sprung on us at short notice. #FactsDontLiePeopleDo

We’ve barely seen anything for Yoshi, which is basically a month out. Theyll have to show something soon to get some hype going for that.

Zhell is legit.

Only way I see it not happening is if Nintendo intentionally pushes it back to attempt to discredit him, since a valid insider source people know they can trust will be a major threat to them.

ATTN @alexolney and EVERYONE ELSE

HE DID NOT STATE THESE GAMES WOULD BE SHOWN IN THE DIRECT. NEVER HAPPENED. What he said, was these games were slated for 2019. The only game he said might show up in the Direct was Metroid Prime Trilogy, and even that was just a “probably”.

I hope there's a Direct soon because 2019 Switch is a desert at the moment. That said, I could see Nintendo focusing on Smash and NSMBU Deluxe for another few months.

@nintendobynature I feel ya.

There better be one soon. I need time to pay for all the pre orders I can't make yet!

There is an incoming Direct this week.... I hope.

Alex spends a lot of time talking about a "2D Zelda" over footage of A Link Between Worlds, which looks an awful lot like a 3D game to me 🤔
Would a 2D Zelda not be more like A Link To The Past or even Zelda 2: Link's Adventure?

I think it will be in March as that makes more sense... though it would be nice to have a Mini or Indie direct.

13 being the lucky number could be on the13th, announced the 13th, 13 days, weeks, months away. I want a Direct as much as the next person but it's always a game of temper expectations.

Nintendo has already said they have plenty of unannounced games coming out this year, so a Direct seems likely. I don't know when, though.

I just hope the Mario maker thing is real, an expansion/sequel would be awesome.

Is this really where we are? We so desperately want Nintendo to make videos to tell us about upcoming games as we are about actually playing said games that we have these sort of articles and even fake Twitter accounts.
Reggie was right, Nintendo fans ARE insatiable.

@nintendosage I dunno if Yarn will flop - if the 3/2DS has become a system mostly for YOUNG kids and HARDCORE fans - does an RPG style game that the hardcores already own/can buy cheaper on the eshop (DS version) AND skews old for like 6 and 7 and 8 year olds actively using the system really have place? Especially when we JUST got a Mario and Luigi remake on the system. Like, I'll buy Epic Yarn for my gf and her kid but not a Mario RPG and see little reason to get a copy for myself either. They really should remake Pokemon Snap for this.

@The_Mysteron It's pretty common to use 2D as an alternate term for top down perspective when discussing Zelda.

@KingMike Last year was kind of a bummer for people who were early 2017 adopters, so I think it's a little less about being "insatiable" and more so with instilling a little "consumer confidence."

What I really want is the Daemon X Machina release date and more gameplay, so hyped for this game.

@The_Mysteron A 2D Zelda refers more to the traditional top down Zelda games like Link Between Worlds and Tri-force heroes. 3D Zeldas are considered more along the lines of console titles like Breath of the Wild. So while 2D Zeldas have become more 3D starting with the DS titles, 2D just means the top down perspective titles.

If there is one coming soon, then I'm worried that a lot of the content will be stuff that's leaked already, therefore it will be a not so super Mario paint-by-numbers affair . I'd rather they'd leave it as it is until April and then go for a home run with some exciting new news and details of a Animal Crossing Direct to hit us in e3 / Summer.

I hate to assume. But I suspect the delay in Metroid Prime 4 was a pretty unexpected loop thrown and threw everything they wanted to say and do out of wack. Probably has them scrambling to get a new vision/message to share for 2019.

Eventually, sure. But on the 13th? Well, I will believe it when I see it.

I stopped playing on the Switch - Nintendo has fk'd royally this year. Nintendo share price is dropping and dropping, the investors are keen to observe that the Switch is an underperforming hardware suitable for Porting 10y old games "on the go" gimmick. Metroid Prime 4 will be the first out of many delays - expect only more ports this year.

Let's wait until 13 Feb 2019 to see if the rumour was true.

Remember last year we were all waiting for a Direct, rumours suggested one was imminent, anticipation reached fever pitch,Nintendo knew it so tweeted an image of Chibi-Robo, folk got angry and then a day or 2 later they just dropped a Mini Direct on YouTube. I reckon the same is going to happen, perhaps minus the Chibi-Robo pic.

@KingMike
After a good 2017,Last year was weak. A few big titles and 10 zillion indies. This year is starting off worse. When ps4 has already had kingdom hearts,RE 2.. and coming next month is anthem, new far cry, metro : exodus , then the next month a new division game, new dead or alive,new devil may cry, etc and all Nintendo has had so far is a 7 year old port at $60 (NSMBU deluxe) and your satisfied... -__- you just must be easily satisfied, and that’s ok .

@UmbreonsPapa That's what I'm thinking. Delay it a lititle longer so that one of the games further down the pipeline can cobble together some teaser trailers.

Since Nintendo can sometimes be unpredictable, I can see it happening this month, though at a day no one expects. They have done it in the past.

Yes I will await the first coming of the Nintendo Direct this year though the Nintendo Power already states that no gamers not even Satoru Iwata himself up there knows the date of its coming. We'll just have to keep believing that it'll come.

I feel like there was one meant to be one but the Metroid restart killed it (have to assume it was the directs big game) and that's why we all these odd quite announcements and a constant buzz of rumour are about. They're all parts of a now gutted direct

I really don’t know at this point.

I honestly feel Nintendo is stalling, as they don’t have enough to please people.

Ultimately a safe, wise move.

I’m thinking March time.

@abe_hikura agreed

Direct or not, history says Pokémon Will probably be shown this month. Most likely at series anniversary at the 27th. So I'm hyped for that

im crossing my fingers for metroid prime trilogy remaster edition announcement in the coming direct.

I just read we’ll have killed all the bugs within the century so I could use some good news from Nintendo

Looking forward to a direct and keeping myself tempered in case it doesn’t go through. All of the rumored titles are Wii and WiiU titles I’ve never played, so I honestly would love to get any of them.

I hope they never have another Direct just to watch some (not all) people lose their minds because their constant begging and complaining is insufferable!

Need big new games 😜

Things will be ready when they are ready, I'm assuming. Last year's first major Direct was in March, and I'd imagine Nintendo don't see any particular rush if games aren't ready to show. We can yell "BUT THE FEB 13TH RUMORS THOUGH" or make vague overarching statements like, "this is the perfect time wtf is nintendo doing" but those are fairly shallow excuses for our impatience.

@alex go get some sleep buddy.😂 love your videos man

Yes. There's one on Wednesday.

For those not doing a very good job of keeping track of NDs at home here's the official archive.

https://www.nintendo.com/nintendo-direct/archive/

Over the past 7 years Nintendo has an ND half the years in January and half in February with a couple also in March. So, since we didn't have 1 in January February is a good bet. Not a safe bet, no such thing as a safe bet with Nintendo, but a good bet with history on your side. And if Not February certainly March 1st since it's a Friday. Though I suppose March 4-8 is also possible. But if not by then they shouldn't even bother, just wait until E3.

January 2013 2015 2017 (Switch) 2018 (Mini)
February 2012 2014 2016 (Pokémon)
March 3rd 2016 March 8th 2018

Not too bothered when it comes but backlog is silly

Idk, probably soon lol.
I honestly don't feel like its been forever. Only when people point it out and its just "oh. I guess you have a point." I just have so much games on the Switch and work, I'm just really satisfied lol. I have tons of games to play and I also have a PC to play games with my friend. I am excited for this year given all the announcements we had about games coming this year. (Im not that interested in what games are coming to other systems or has released besides Kingdom Hearts 3). The Direct will come when it comes and I'll likely really enjoy it. I still have games to buy just don't want to rapidly use up all my hard earned money lol.

Here's my thing - Why are people saying that Nintendo's line-up for 2019 looks crappy? Even without a Direct in the coming days, it looks vastly better than 2018. Correct me if I'm wrong, but last year consisted of Mario Tennis: Aces, Super Mario Party, Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee, and Smash Bros. Ultimate. Granted, that last one was a major system seller, but look at what we potentially have for 2019!

• Animal Crossing
• Luigi's Mansion
• Fire Emblem
• Yoshi's Crafted World
• Daemon X Machina
• Pokemon

I might have forgotten one or two . Mind you, these are brand new games. This doesn't even mention the ports likely to make it to the Switch this year (Super Mario 3D World, Pikmin 3, Wonderful 101). Plus, there're rumours of at least one unannounced game that would "delight fans."

I could be wrong on this - maybe I'm completely blanking on the release dates, or I'm forgetting what all released last year. But these are the big name releases I can remember. So, do you all really think this year should make Nintendo fans (even stock holders) all that worried?

@Symbiote_C that 2019 list came up screwy. Sorry. -_-

Was anyone else hoping a Direct had been announced when they first visited Nintendolife and they say a big red square for a background? I was so pumped and then I saw "talking point" and exhaled.

Nintendo should be more open to their customers. All the secrecy around new games, third party etc. They should go all out as early as possible if they want to boost those sales more.

I really don't know. Nintendo is Nintendo, and I find it increasingly difficult to predict them. Especially since I take even "credible leakers" with a heap of salt.

If we do end up getting one soon. I would just like some dates, or at least the release windows narrowed down, for games that are confirned for this year. Like Daemon X Machina, Luigi's Mansion 3, and Animal crossing. If we at least get some of that during this rumored direct, I'd be happy. I'm not expecting any big reveals until at least E3, though.

Regardless, I'm expecting some spicy comments all over the Nintendo fandom. People are hyping things up a bit too much, and it'll be even worse if it doesn't end up happening at all.

@Mgene15 I fail to see what any of those titles have to do with Nintendo and what it’s doing with the Switch. They aren’t on the console to begin with, so it’s not like they’re directly competing. People who are gonna buy Pokémon, barring it being complete rubbish, are gonna buy Pokémon. Same goes for Yoshi, Animal Crossing and so on.

Hopefully FF7 releases the same day as the Direct!😁

Gotta say, I disagree with nearly all of Alex's takes.

ResetERA - Mainly a bunch of SJWs that don't have jobs (thus nothing to be held accountable for if they're wrong). Recall that King Zell also predicted an N64 mini, despite its obvious problems and its subsequent deconfirmation.

Pikmin 3 - It's not an E ticket game, therefore it's not going to be ported to the Switch? What kind of logic is that? Nintendo has ported plenty of games that haven't been top-sellers. Still, it's probably time for a Pikmin 4.

Super Mario Maker 2 - Still unlikely that Mario Maker would work on the Switch. The touchscreen is essential, limiting the course building to handheld mode (far too limited for an E ticket game), and there's still the question of what to do with all the courses on the Wii U version and how to reconcile them with Nintendo Switch Online. Also, the ideas people have for new features generally aren't very good (slopes? That's seriously the best you can do? C'mon...). Bearish on this one.

Boxboy - 3DS platformer that was well-received. Could definitely see it coming to the Switch in some capacity.

Zelda - This one is obvious. Every Nintendo handheld has had at least one unique 2D Zelda, usually between 3D releases on home consoles. A new 2D Zelda is certain to come to the Switch sooner or later.

Pokemon - It's probably time we got some real information on it, but Pokemon day is on the 27th of February. Perhaps it would make more sense to announce it then, or even have the full direct that day?

Metroid Prime Trilogy - Pretty sad consolation prize for Metroid Prime 4 being cancelled. If it comes out, at least it isn't a port of a brand new game like most Switch ports are.

I really don't see why everyone gets so up in arms about this stuff. It's also only with Nintendo you see this kind of rumor mill circle jerk hype train.

It will be on March 13th

It is start looking like 13 is NOT our lucky number....

Okay, let’s go through my predictions for a possible Direct.

-No 3DS Content
-Extensive Feature on Daemon X Machina
-Segment towards the end for Animal Crossing
-Release date for Fire Emblem
-Fire Emblem Direct announced.
-Pikmin 3 Port
-Boxboy Port + amiibo rerelease
-Metroid Prime Trilogy Port
-Assasins Creed 3 Remastered
-Spyro Reignited Trilogy
-End on either: Link Awakening Remake or Pikmin 4 Teaser

Thanks for reading, personally not expecting that Mario Maker 2 announcement to happen until E3, and I’m still sceptical about 2D Zelda (but I feel it would most probably be a remake)

EDIT-Also, I believe Retro’s project is Pikmin 4, for no reason whatsoever.

@Symbiote_C There were a few others. Ports such as Donkey Kong, Bayonetta and Hyrule Warriors. That Kirby game. Octopath Traveller. It wasn’t as bad as people think

It's coming, hopefully with Animal Crossing first footage!

I just really want to believe it.

A Direct will come when it does, but I do hope it is soon.

I hope the Pikmin 3 port is true. Pikmin needs some love after that rather terrible 3DS game. My guess is the Jan/Feb direct was scheduled to focus on Prime 4 but with that restarting they’ve had very little ready to show. However they should be able to cobble together a mini direct to appease the fans but this is Ninty and they might have just completely cancelled this direct. My eye only need a glimpse of LM3 and a tentative release date to be happy.

I really hope that thing about a new Switch-exclusive monster hunter is true

Also really want to know if my waiting on Spyro instead of buying it for my Xbox or PS4 was worth it

There will probably be one this week, at the very least this month I'd wager. If not, oh well, we still have the likes of Yoshi, DaemonXMachina, Animal Crossing, Pokemon, FE, Luigi's Mansion etc. coming. Between the 1st party games, 3rd party titles like MK 11 and Doom Eternal and ports like the Resident Evils and Dragon's Dogma, I would satisfied with no more game announcements actually.

I like Directs as much as the next person, but I'm pretty patient with game announcements. Besides, and I know Im in the minority with this, but I like how Nintendo usually doesn't announce or reveal games too early. Honestly, I wish these 3-5+ year hype cycles the Sony and SE do regularly would just die, one of my personal pet peeves in gaming.

F-Zero and NHL would "delight" me

OMG, take off this first "talking point" of the first page... it's trolling everyone! hehehehehe.. i keep refreshing the page and this daaaamn news never arrives!

I want a Nintendo Direct. This month. Please.

Nintendo might be holding it off until the feel they have enough news to live up to everyone’s expectations.

@Grumblevolcano
Maybe for you but I have recently bought about 10 new games, and even have two preinstalled (Yoshi's Crafted World, and Ape Out)

NINTENDO DIRECT JUST ANNOUNCED FOR 2 PM TOMORROW! EST

I have come from the future.
Yes.

jesus loves you and has granted your wishes.

@Grumblevolcano
I get what you're saying, but there is nothing 2D about A Link Between Worlds. It's fully rendered in 3D and the camera angle isn't even fixed in an isometric view. It's not a 2D Zelda in my opinion.

It's funny to see everyone's response the DAY before it gets announced.