The next Nintendo Direct may be arriving sooner than expected, contrary to previous reports that it was being indefinitely delayed due to the recent passing of the Queen of the United Kingdom. It's been some time since the last Nintendo Direct, so anticipation is growing for a look at upcoming Nintendo Switch games. Those anxious for Nintendo news may not have to wait long, however.While no Nintendo Direct has been announced, reports after news of Queen Elizabeth II's death said that a Nintendo Direct had been planned for this week. The leak claimed that out of respect for the United Kingdom and the Queen's legacy, Nintendo was said to have delayed the Nintendo Direct with no new date confirmed. The decision was understandable, as disappointed as Nintendo fans may have been. And lack of a new date was also understood.A follow-up to the leak was shared on Friday from the same source as the original leak. Giant Bomb's Jeff Grubb shared that the Nintendo Direct has now been rescheduled. It won't be shared this week, clearly, but it is coming next week. More specifically, the Nintendo Direct will be shared "early next week." Grubb does mention that Nintendo could move the date around, though.
As noted, it's been some time since the last full-fledged Nintendo Direct. In August, Nintendo hosted a Direct specifically for the now-released Splatoon 3. Prior to that, there was a partner-focused Nintendo Direct Mini in July. A Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Direct preceded that in June. To find the most recent full Nintendo Direct calendars have to be scrolled back to February. That doesn't necessarily mean the new Nintendo Direct will be a full one, but Nintendo fans are certainly hoping for it.
With Splatoon 3 now launched, there are three key releases planned for the rest of 2022. Those releases include Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope, published by Ubisoft but made in partnership with Nintendo, Bayonetta 3, and then Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. There are a number of substantial third-party releases for the Switch, too, like Nier: Automata - The End of Yorha Edition, No Man's Sky, and Dragon Quest Treasures, but they likely won't get their own Directs.
Whether it's a full Nintendo Direct full of reveals and announcements or a focused Nintendo Direct for Mario + Rabbids 2 or Bayonetta 3, or even The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2, Nintendo fans will undoubtedly be excited to hear there's an event coming. An official announcement is still necessary before the Nintendo Direct is a certainty, but for Nintendo Switch owners this is still an exciting time of the year.