Noah Romsdal Hallundbæk Sørensen
Rumors surrounding the next Nintendo Direct are already building hype for early 2026.
Speculation is building around Nintendo’s first major presentation of 2026, with talk that it may arrive sooner than many fans expected.
An alleged industry insider has suggested the showcase could also feature a long-awaited first-party title.
If the claims are accurate, the early months of the year may once again set the tone for Nintendo’s plans ahead.
A familiar window
Nintendo traditionally opens its year with a Direct in early February, though the format has varied.
Some years have focused on a single game, while others shifted attention to third-party partners.
There was no February presentation in 2025, making that absence stand out. Even so, past patterns suggest Nintendo may be keen to return to form in 2026.
That expectation has only grown as more chatter circulates online.
A bold claim
According to French leaker BeeFun, the first Nintendo Direct of 2026 could air on February 10.
The insider described the event as “huge” and claimed it would be led by a new 3D Super Mario game for the Nintendo Switch 2.
The date itself fits neatly with Nintendo’s usual schedule. The idea of Mario taking center stage, however, has raised eyebrows among some observers.
February 2026 also marks major anniversaries for Pokémon and The Legend of Zelda, franchises that often command their own dedicated showcases.
Reasons for doubt
There are also questions about development capacity. The team best known for modern 3D Mario titles has only recently completed work on Donkey Kong Bananza.
While Nintendo can run multiple projects or shift teams internally, it typically avoids overlapping major releases from the same core developers.
These factors have led some fans to approach the Mario rumor with caution.
Signs of activity
Even so, there are indicators that a Direct is approaching. Recent reporting has pointed to strong evidence that Call of Duty is set to arrive on Nintendo Switch 2.
Such a high-profile announcement would likely need a major stage, and a Nintendo Direct would be the most obvious venue.
For now, Nintendo remains silent, leaving fans to wait and watch.
Sources: Screenrant
