It’s been nearly a decade since Nintendo started using pre-recorded Direct presentations to share new announcements and updates, but 2020 has been an odd year for them in the context. While there has been one Mini Direct and some presentations scattered here and there focused on specific games, there has been no full Direct this year, which has definitely been unusual.
However, it seems that Nintendo could be planning the first full Direct presentation of 2020 for later this month. Over on ResetEra, known Nintendo insider Kelios is suggesting that a Direct is currently planned for Monday, June 20, which is the week after Paper Mario: The Origami King’s launch. The insider also adds that an announcement for the presentation might come on the Friday before that, which would be July 17. Kelios also seems to be teasing the Direct presentation on Twitter.
Reports have suggested in the last few weeks that due to COVID-19 and Nintendo struggling to adapt to remote work requirements, they had put off all plans to have any Direct presentations, and would be making announcements with single, isolated trailers (similar to Paper Mario: The Origami King). Recently, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa said that the company is “trying to be flexible in thinking of new ways to present information about our products.”
If there is indeed a Direct happening later this month, it would be coming at an appropriate time, given that after Paper Mario’s launch, there is no word on much else coming to the Switch in the second half of the year. Rumours have suggested that multiple 3D Super Mario remasters and Pikmin 3 Deluxe are headed to the Switch. Meanwhile, fans will also be hoping for updates on Breath of the Wild 2 and Bayonetta 3.
As always though, take this with a grain of salt for now. There’s never any guarantees with insider leaks, and leaks about Nintendo-related and Direct-related things have a very spotty track record regardless of the sources (especially of late). Either way, we’ll keep you updated as this story develops, so stay tuned.
