Rumors of a big Nintendo Direct in February -

Nintendo is expected to have a big Nintendo Direct next month — and possibly next week, according to a report.

According to a report, a huge Nintendo Direct is expected next month and could have potential as early as next week.

The word of the big demo is coming hot on the heels of another second, a short Nintendo Direct broadcast dedicated to Super Mario Galaxy Movie (made last weekend) and Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream (tomorrow, January 29).

In addition to these, Nintendo is still not installing the majority of the Switch 2 2026 release - something fans are now expecting to find sooner rather than later.Indeed, Nintendo's Natethehate show, which correctly reported a big Switch 2 reveal date last year, noted next week's direct landing.

The leaker said via a podcast this week that he expects a smaller batch of Nintendo IPs to arrive this year before the long-awaited next 3D Mario platformer hits Switch 2 over the holidays.

It's something many fans have been waiting for, not only because it's been nearly nine years since the Switch's blockbuster Super Mario Odyssey, but also because Nintendo's 3D Mario team has been pretty quiet since then.While some veterans have supported Donkey Kong Bananza, many have not - including the company's regular Mario creator, Yoshiki Kozumi.

Will we see the first glimpse of Nintendo's big Mario game next month?So far no leaker has made such a claim.However, fans have a feeling that 2026 will be when it finally debuts, giving the Switch 2 a boost as it enters its second year.

Another big push expected this holiday will be the next-gen Pokemon game, details of which were leaked online last year through hacked information obtained from developer Game Freak's servers.Like Mario, fans expect this to arrive in 2026 - the 30th anniversary of the Pokemon franchise.

A final fan expectation mentioned by NatetheHate is that Nintendo will discuss more about its plans for Mario Kart World, the Switch 2 launch title for which it charged $80 and received solid, if not spectacular, reviews.Many fans have criticized the game's empty open world, and Nintendo has recently started tweaking parts of it, but it is also believed that Nintendo will add important new content to the title over time.

Will it be available as paid DLC like Mario Kart 8?It is possible.But NatetheHate says that bringing the game's total purchase price closer to $100 could end up being a bummer for Nintendo fans, especially when many feel the base game still doesn't justify the $80 asking price.

Hopefully we won't have too long to wait until Nintendo announces its next big live date.Meanwhile, Pokemon's big announcement show is an annual event that takes place on the franchise's anniversary, February 27.

Tom Phillips is the news editor of.You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social