Mid-June Nintendo Direct leaks, with new first-party Switch 2 games rumored

A June Nintendo Direct wouldn’t be a surprise, considering it’s been a popular month for the showcase. Still, as the Star Fox shadow-drop demonstrated, the gaming giant has become less predictable. According to Jeff Grubb of Giant Bomb, the company still plans to hold a more traditional event around or after the Summer Game Fest.

During a new podcast, the industry veteran revealed, “I'm hearing that there's going to be a Nintendo Direct by mid-June.” It’s unclear whether it will be a full-length presentation, but that would be the most likely scenario. It’s also debatable whether gamers will see first-party Switch 2 games or a third-party Partner Showcase.

Even before the demise of E3, the company had begun prioritizing its own events. Since then, the Summer Game Fest, held next on June 5-8, has emerged as a popular destination for competing publishers. Nintendo may again counter with marketing focused exclusively on its platform.

Grubb isn’t the only reliable source of leaks predicting a possibly major event for the Mario-maker. NatetheHate previously hinted at the same timing for a Direct. He now plans to share more details in the coming days, which may or may not rule out a Partner Showcase.

Will the Direct feature any console-sellers?

With a price increase looming in September, there could be more urgency to unveil new exclusive Switch 2 games. Kotaku reported that at a recent Q&A, the Nintendo President hinted at its release schedule for the second half of 2026. Shuntaro Furukawa said, “We are preparing new titles in addition to those we have already announced and will communicate the details at the appropriate time.”

A June Nintendo Direct would be an obvious place to debut new software and encourage holdouts to upgrade to the latest handheld. Summer titles like Splatoon Raiders may appear, but fans are also hoping for a first glimpse at fall and holiday releases. One of the most frequently mentioned possibilities is the rumored The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake.