There’s a lot of demand forNintendoto release a new Direct right now. For about ten years,Nintendohas been giving its fans announcements, gameplay details, and release dates through its Nintendo Direct conferences, which can host anything from the company’s first-party content to third-party games on their way to Nintendo consoles. Aside from a few specialized Directs in late 2021, there hasn’t been a standard Nintendo Direct since last September, so it’s about time that the company comes forward to provide some updates. The next year is packed with Nintendo games with lots of hype and little information, so the next Direct had better be brimming with new details.
However, considering how Nintendo has approached a few of its games lately,the next Nintendo Directmay not feature everything that fans expect it to. Nintendo has released new standalone videos forKirby and the Forgotten LandandPokemon Legends: Arceus,with both videos sharing central information that one would expect to get reserved for a Nintendo Direct. It seems like Nintendo wants to get publicity rounds for these early 2022 titles out of the way, potentially meaning that the next Direct will focus on Nintendo’s more distant and mysterious projects.
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Kirby and Pokemon’s New Trailers
The latest trailer forKirby and the Forgotten Landreally seems like it was meant to be a part of a Nintendo Direct, considering how much central information it revealed. Not only didthe newForgotten Landtrailershow off the game’s hub area and 2-player co-op, but it provided fans with a March 2022 release date for the game. Nintendo Directs are usually responsible for information as important as that, so it’s odd to see the date come out independently. A January or February Nintendo Direct will probably still spotlightKirby and the Forgotten Landto some degree, but with the release date out of the way, there’s not many other major announcements to make about it.
The officialPokemonYouTube channel also just uploadeda 13-minute gameplay overview forPokemon Legends: Arceus,detailing the game’s quest system, customization options, and more. Much likeKirby’s standalone trailer, this gameplay video seems like the kind of thing Nintendo would usually release as part of a Nintendo Direct shortly before the game’s release. Providing the video now suggests that there won’t be a Direct until afterPokemon Legends: Arceus' release, as well as that the Direct will focus on newPokemonannouncements, if there’s anyPokemoncontent at all.
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The Next Nintendo Direct’s Contents
With core information about these games out of the way, it’s possible that the next Nintendo Direct will focus on games releasing later in 2022 instead. Nintendo still has plenty of topics to cover, even if it won’t discussKirbyorPokemonmuch at the next direct.Splatoon 3andBayonetta 3still need release dates, for instance, and there’s always the possibility thatThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2gets a new trailer soon too. Rather than focusing solely on the early months of 2022, Nintendo might plan on looking at the year more broadly, providing a wide variety of updates during 2022’s first Nintendo Direct.
Such a shift in focus would be a little surprising, but it certainly wouldn’t be bad. Not only would it give Nintendo more room to talk aboutthe likes ofSplatoon 3andBreath of the Wild 2,but it could also mean that the next Nintendo Direct will have room for a few more new announcements from Nintendo. As strong as the company’s 2022 calendar already is, the Switch could always use more compelling games. Nintendo may not have announced a new Direct properly yet, but its latest trailers are still potential signs of what’s to come.
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