Nintendo is obviously one of the pioneers of the games industry, and from time to time, it still comes up with groundbreaking ideas that change and shape how people consume and play video games around the world.
One of its more genius moments over the past decade (at least from a business/marketing perspective) was the creation of "Nintendo Directs" - special broadcasts that were able to take place at any time and on any date and were entirely focused on Nintendo's systems and the games coming to these platforms.
The idea has proven so successful in terms of how much hype it has the ability to build, other companies began replicating the idea - and it even led to some pulling out of busier and bigger events like E3 in hope of getting a little more attention, instead of getting lost in a sea of announcements.
So, why are we going on about this - because as we kind of already noted, this Thursday (aka tomorrow) marks a decade of Nintendo Direct presentations since the first edition aired in Japan and North America (this one was hosted by Reggie). Credit to the lovable @NintenDaan for highlighting this:
Daan also shared a quick history lesson about how Nintendo Directs came about in the first place:
"The day is September 13. Nintendo needed to showcase their dedication to 3DS. Instead of doing a Nintendo Conference, solely for investors and media, Satoru Iwata opened the door. On an Ustream page, the company showcased their software line-up and focused almost solely on games.
"The response in Japan was quite positive, which made Iwata rethink the approach of delivering info to consumers. Originally, they called a presser to deliver in additional 3DS info. In the first minute, the name changed to ''Nintendo Direct''. The name stuck around ever since."
Nintendo Directs have naturally evolved over time - and Nintendo now even hosts entire themed events. Just last week, for example, we obviously had the Animal Crossing: New Horizons one and even game director Masahiro Sakurai has embraced the concept with his very own Super Smash Bros. Ultimate presentations - most recently he held his last one, focused on the reveal of Sora from the Kingdom Hearts series.
Can you believe we've been watching Directs for 10 years? Do you remember what your first Direct was? Leave a comment down below.
[source twitter.com]
Comments 43
Honestly they’ve been kind of a letdown lately. I think Nintendo could have done a lot more with them during Covid. This was their chance to hand it to Microsoft and Sony.
Dang, I feel so old now. Actually though, Directs feel like such a part of Nintendo culture by now, like you said it's such a good way to build up hype and I like those kinds of announcements way better than the random drop on Twitter ones. Hope we keep getting good ones from here on out.
Whether you liked the outcome of each presentation or was disappointed continually, you can’t deny that they’ve always brought so much excitement and speculation for what new game was coming out next. I for one have enjoyed the ride and am excited for the next ten years.
We’re also nearing 9 years since Nintendo Power discontinued. It’s crazy how much the way we received information has changed.
Haven’t really thought of it for being that long. And now that it’s brought up, I want to see a new one. 😁
Love that the tradition is still going strong, but it's not the same without Iwata
To me Directs still feel like the new kid on the block but they've now existed for 25% of the total time since Donkey Kong released
Also, I wonder how many of the folks who watch every Direct nowadays were there from the beginning? Can't be more than 10% surely. I know it doesn't make me special but it makes me feel special
Does 2020 really count, though? 😛
My 2 favorite Nintendo Directs:
1: The one where Miyamoto and Iwata are wondering around Louvre
2: The one where Miyamoto is wondering around Universal Studios
Someone should just give that give that man an Anthony Bourdain styled show.
The best directs are the ones dedicated to certain franchises and games, as I won’t be disappointed if I don’t care about what’s announced. Annoying how we didn’t see BOTW2 at the last direct tho
I’m so happy the Directs continued to be released even the years after Iwata’s untimely passing. I honestly didn’t know at the time if Nintendo was going to keep doing them without him. With that said though, I still really miss Iwata’s presence in them.
I sure miss Iwata. He had a certain charm, I need to finish Iwata Asks. Please understand, though it’s a short read, I’m taking my time.
Been following Directs since June 2013 (E3). Not once has a direct been announced that I didn't already know the day of and felt excited for what was to come.
I no longer make the effort to watch them.
Directs really changed the way gaming news is delivered. There are many copycats but no one else has that Nintendo Charm.
I love Nintendo directs so much lol. It feels like Christmas every single time they announce one! It's always nice having stuff like this to look forward to!
I don’t recall exactly when I started paying attention to Directs - probably early in the Wii U days - but each time they’re an exciting event I look forward to.
@Xenobound94
I felt that same, like how could Directs keep going without Iwata-san? But it was a relief they kept the tradition going, even if we miss that Iwata-san charisma and Reggie flair.
I keep meaning to rewatch old Directs to remember all the feels - I think rewinding like that a bit is a good way to realize how far we’ve come and be grateful for all the good times shared 😇
Another innovation pioneered by Iwata-san.
I remember the days when we used to get a new direct like every 1 or 2 months (mashup of main directs, minis, game-specific, Pokemon, mobile). Every announcement was filled with the classic Nintendo charm and excitement, as cheesy as it may have been. Now we barely get 3 in a year if we are lucky and the announcements are starting to feel a little corporate. Don't get me wrong, I still love how Nintendo handles Directs, they just lack the ambition in the last few Switch years.
Nintendo Directs have always been the perfect way to showcase video games, especially in the case of E3 where they simply have lots of time to focus on Nintendo Treehouse instead of having to do a crappy live presentation. The only problem is that there's never enough to get out of each one.
@CheekyZelda
Were you seriously expecting more BotW 2 information in the last Direct, which was only a few months after E3? I would tamper my expectations if I were you.
Besides, they wouldn't want to stampede over Age of Calamity's DLC like they did at E3.
@Handy_Man
I take it you don't consider the official Nintendo Power Podcast to be a continuation of the Nintendo Power magazines?
@Bengals76
Nintendo seems to have been playing it extremely safe compared to most other game companies. Just look at their absence from the "2020" Olympics. I honestly can't blame them if they're trying to be slightly more ethical than others.
These presentations always get me hyped for Nintendo's games so I absolutely love them.
They’re a lot of fun, long may they continue. Nintendo should start ‘leaking’ false information so the Directs don’t get spoiled early
Yes I can believe it.
I thought the Directs were a regular way of Nintendo keeping in touch with their customers. Regular being the thing.
But if and when we now get a Direct it's because Nintendo has something to advertise.
My body was ready
Don’t make me feel old!
i started watching Nintendo Direct around 2013, i love hearing about potencials games i might play in my extended battery Switch, Nintendo Direct is the better way Nintendo found to showcase information regarding her games, third party games and indies.
@zool They were always for advertising.
@Dethmunk they are now but not always. At one time they were even in English and not dubbed or subtitled. They were more fun.
Not sure when I started watching directs really. I am kind of expecting one around Christmas to round off the year.
I wonder what happened to Partner Showcases? The way they were rolling them out at the end of last year and the "last one for this year" announcement in the final one made it seem like they were going to be a fairly regular fixture from then on.....
Directs were a fantastic idea, the concept that game news doesn't have to be limited to 1 day a year (E3 conference). I started watching Directs in 2013 and the experience became even better when I came across Nintendo Life later that year.
While others have tried to do their own take on Directs (e.g. Inside Xbox, State of Play, Square Enix Presents), I feel Nintendo's the only one that has nailed the concept though content is a key factor. Sony and Microsoft for example have a lot fewer 1st party titles per year.
@Warioware I think Partner Showcases acted as a replacement for general Directs so got ditched when the normal 3 general Direct structure (Sometime in January - March; June; September) returned in 2021.
If Iwata is still alive, he will be doing his "Please understand" with the OLED Switch. "Please understand, we have chip shortage - there will be no Switch Pro, but you can enjoy the OLED screen."
And I still think they're excellent! It's good fun to invite friends and watch together with beer, snacks and some good hype (not to mention the subsequent playing of games "available after this presentation" .
Love these early 3DS titles.
What a stroke of genius from Nintendo
I read the title of this article to mean that it has been ten years of almost watching Nintendo Directs. Maybe it's time to actually watch one...
@Grumblevolcano Oh right, yeah that would make sense. A bit of a shame that, they seemed to be getting better as they were going along. Hope that the September Direct wasn't the last one this year though and they break with the routine. Or give us a mini somewhere near the end just to round things out. I still quietly hope for a shock Rare Replay stealth drop.....
Ouch, the feels.... Seeing Iwata's early Directs really brings me back some years.
I'm glad Directs still continue, but the new slick, polished, externally produced in narrated infomercials really aren't "Directs", they're just commercials. I feel like they miss the whole point of the Direct in that it was supposed to be |DIRECT| from Nintendo to you. Iwata himself bringing the news, along with Reggie, Shibata, Trinen, Miyamoto, etc. It had meaning being direct, and showcased that the leaders of Nintendo are also part of the whole community as well. What we have now doesn't feel like that. It's just a slick produced advert, with a backing track, graphic cuts to product, and an irritating announcer that I just picture as a 19 year old ginger with a s*** eating grin that you want to smack with a brick. It doesn't have that genuine, handcrafted feeling the original direct presentations by actual leadership and staff had. And nobody can bring the charm and sincerity of Iwata.
Also, I wish I'd discovered his Japanese presentations earlier. Maybe it's because I'm used to his speech patterns from his faux-English, but I find his Japanese much easier for my brain to parse and translate than anyone elses! What's a blur from anyone else is actual words from him.
Been speculating about Directs for 10 years too.
I honestly can't remember my first Nintendo Direct. I am just happy with all the awesome games that have been revealed during a Nintendo Direct, and I am always thankful for having a dedicated small video conference that showcases things I love. I honestly wouldn't mind if Nintendo kept doing their reveals like this for the foreseeable future myself. I am afraid that the days of E3 being my favorite place to watch new game reveals is gone now, whether I want it to be, or not.
Watched every one!
And they are desperately in need of some pace fixing!
I remember when Directs aired on a semi-weekly basis, as the years passed they became more "special" . Then the Switch launched...
Speaking of Switch, it's been 5 years since it was first unveiled
Although they've lost a bit of the charm, uniqueness, eccentricity and excitement they once held... I still love Nintendo Directs! We need them more often!
Has it been that long?
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