Nintendo fans are eagerly awaiting the company’s first Direct of the year, which will take place on February 21 at 9AM ET. The online presentation will focus on upcoming games for the Switch console from Nintendo’s publishing and development partners.
What to expect from the Nintendo Direct
According to Nintendo, the Direct will last for around 25 minutes and will feature games coming in the first half of 2024. The company did not reveal any specific titles or genres, but said that the showcase will highlight “a variety of games from our partners around the world”.
Some of the possible games that could be shown include:
- Bayonetta 3, the long-awaited action game from PlatinumGames, which was announced in 2017 but has not been seen since.
- Shin Megami Tensei V, the latest entry in the acclaimed RPG series from Atlus, which was also announced in 2017 and is expected to launch this year.
- Hollow Knight: Silksong, the sequel to the indie hit platformer from Team Cherry, which was revealed in 2019 and has no release date yet.
- No More Heroes 3, the third installment in the cult classic hack-and-slash series from Grasshopper Manufacture, which was delayed to 2024 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Project Triangle Strategy, the working title for a new tactical RPG from Square Enix, which was revealed in a previous Direct and has a demo available on the eShop.
Why this Direct is important for Nintendo
Nintendo has been dominating the console market with the Switch, which has sold over 100 million units worldwide since its launch in 2017. The hybrid device has been praised for its versatility, innovation, and diverse library of games, both from Nintendo and third-party developers.
However, Nintendo is facing some challenges in 2024, such as:
- The competition from Sony and Microsoft, who have launched their next-generation consoles, the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X/S, which offer more power, performance, and features than the Switch.
- The lack of major first-party releases from Nintendo, who has not announced any new games for the Switch beyond Splatoon 3, which is slated for 2025. The company’s most anticipated titles, such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2, Metroid Prime 4, and the rumored Switch 2, are still shrouded in mystery.
- The potential impact of the global chip shortage, which has affected the production and supply of various electronics, including consoles. Nintendo has warned that the Switch could face shortages in some regions due to the chip crisis.
Therefore, this Direct is an opportunity for Nintendo to reassure its fans and customers that the Switch still has a lot of games to offer in 2024, especially from its third-party partners, who have been supporting the platform with a range of genres and experiences.
How to watch the Nintendo Direct
The Nintendo Direct will be streamed live on Nintendo’s official YouTube channel and website on February 21 at 9AM ET. You can also follow the live updates and reactions from various gaming outlets and personalities on social media platforms such as Twitter and Reddit.
