The summer months have kept Nintendo incredibly busy. Hot on the heels of the Nintendo Switch 2 launch, they’ve also hosted a series of online Nintendo Direct presentations.
June saw the unveiling of Donkey Kong Bananza. July featured both a Pokémon Presents stream and a Partner Showcase. August wasn’t quiet either, with an Indie World Direct and a substantial 45-minute deep dive into Kirby Air Riders.
However, one thing has been conspicuously absent: the standard Nintendo Direct, which usually focuses on upcoming first-party titles scheduled for release in the coming months. Since 2016, these presentations have been a September staple, save for 2024, when the company appeared to skip it while gearing up for the Switch 2 release.
Speculation suggests that 2025 may see a return to form, with a September Direct potentially happening ahead of the Tokyo Game Show.
Rumors Point to a Nintendo Direct in September, Prior to Tokyo Game Show
Whispers from various industry sources have been circulating about a potential Nintendo Direct scheduled for this September. Now, sources at Video Games Chronicle (VGC) are echoing these reports, suggesting a possible date of Friday, September 12th.
The 12th is noteworthy as it falls exactly one year before the 40th anniversary of the iconic Super Mario Bros.
As for what this September Direct could feature, especially considering Silksong’s confirmed release date, many predict that the highlight would be Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. Its recent rating by the ESRB implies that its 2025 release is not only on track, but also imminent. Nintendo’s currently known release roadmap includes:
- Pokémon Legends: Z-A, arriving October 16th
- Kirby Air Riders, scheduled for November 20th
- Splatoon Raiders, release date TBD
- Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, release date TBD
It seems likely that Nintendo is preparing to announce a larger wave of first-party games for the Switch 2, spanning late 2025 and beyond. Announcing this before TGS, during their usual September Direct window, would be a strategically sound move. The remaining mystery, with Silksong’s approaching launch, is what to do with all our clown attire.