Nintendo is on a roll, consistently delivering high-quality, critically-acclaimed, and best-selling games while the Nintendo Switch keeps passing one major milestone after another. It was recently confirmed that the Nintendo Switch has outsold the Wii, making it one of the best-selling video game consoles ever made and the best-selling Nintendo console behind only the original DS. Nintendo will do all it can to keep this incredible momentum going, and one big way to do that is by announcing new games.

When it comes to new game reveals and other announcements, Nintendo innovated its Nintendo Direct presentations, a format that has since been aped by its competitors. The premise of a Nintendo Direct is simple; Nintendo releases video presentations wherein it showcases games "directly" to its audience. Nintendo Direct events have built a reputation of being exciting affairs, and so there's always a great deal of hype whenever a new one is on the way.

RELATED: Pokemon Legends Arceus Has a Hidden Attack on Titan Reference

Nintendo has not announced its plans for a new Nintendo Direct presentation as of the time of this writing. In fact, Nintendo usually surprise-launches Nintendo Directs or only gives fans a day or two notice. Considering this, Nintendo fans may not know when the next Nintendo Direct will happen until it actually takes place, but there is reason to believe that it could be within the next couple of weeks.

Nintendo Direct February 2022 Leaks and Rumors

Nintendo has traditionally hosted a Nintendo Direct presentation in February, and so chances are good that it will do so again this year. To that end, various leakers and insiders have teased that a Nintendo Direct is going to happen at some point between now and February 17. Nintendo leaker Samus Hunter, who has accurately leaked Nintendo news in the past, originally made this claim on Twitter, and it will definitely be interesting to see if the prediction comes true.

As it stands, Nintendo's 2022 slate is fairly bare in terms of specific release dates. Fans know that Kirby and the Forgotten Land is launching March 25 and Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp will release on April 8, but otherwise it's unclear when fans can expect to play Nintendo's other 2022 games. Heavy hitters like Bayonetta 3, Splatoon 3, and the currently untitled Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild sequel are all expected to drop this year, it's just a question of when.

It's possible release date information for some of these games will come at the next Nintendo Direct event, whenever it may take place, but it's also possible Nintendo will focus on new game announcements instead. Nintendo leaker Zippo has said that they've heard the first Nintendo Direct of 2022 will take place this month, and that it may happen as early as next week. They ruled out this week, however, as this week is when Nintendo disclosed its earnings reports.

Kirby smiling and waving at Elfilin in Kirby and the Forgotten Land's Waddle Dee Town

Zippo has said that this next Nintendo Direct event will be a "big one," though admitted that they don't know for sure everything that will be shown. They said that it's "safe to assume" that games like the aforementioned Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, and Splatoon 3 will be present and accounted for, along with the rumored Xenoblade Chronicles 3 and a new Fire Emblem game.

Zippo also teased that Mario Kart 9, or whatever the new Mario Kart game ends up being called, will be at this potential Nintendo Direct. "Also, if you made Super Bowl sized money bets on this new Mario Kart not being real, you're going to be out of a lot of money," Zippo said in their latest blog post. Of course, fans should take this information with a massive grain of salt, and just wait and see what Nintendo decides to show, assuming the Direct is real, that is.

As for Mario Kart 9, there have been a lot of rumors surrounding the game lately. Some have suggested that the game will end up being called Mario Kart 10, with Nintendo potentially considering mobile game Mario Kart Tour as the ninth main series entry in its storied kart racing franchise. Others have said that the game will be called Mario Kart Crossroads, and that it will greatly expand the franchise's roster of playable characters.

mario-kart-9-rumor

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe experimented with guest characters like Isabelle from Animal Crossing and Link from The Legend of Zelda, but there are rumors that the next Mario Kart game will open the door further to many other characters outside the Super Mario realm. It would essentially be a Mario Kart version of Super Smash Bros., which is an idea that definitely has a lot of appeal.

An analyst has outright said that a new Mario Kart game is in the works with a unique twist, so its reveal seems like it's just a matter of time. Whether or not it happens at the next Nintendo Direct remains to be seen, but Nintendo fans should keep an eye out for an official announcement.

MORE: The Next Nintendo Direct Might Focus on Distant Projects

Source: Zippo