New Nintendo Direct is happening this week but the one you want is in February

Another Nintendo Direct has been announced for this week, as a reliable insider claims another is just around the corner.

We’ve only just had a dedicated Nintendo Direct for the Super Mario Galaxy Movie, but now another has been announced for later this week. And it’s still not the general interest one fans have been hoping for.

On Thursday, January 29, at 2pm GMT, Nintendo will broadcast a 20-minute presentation on Tomodachi Life: Living The Dream. No other games are mentioned, and as the game’s logo is used in the YouTube thumbnail, it’s reasonable to assume no other titles will feature.

Tomodachi Life: Living The Dream, a social simulation game where you manage a population of Miis, is a sequel to 2013’s Tomodachi Life on the Nintendo 3DS. It’s slated to be released on Nintendo Switch in Q2 2026, so we’ll likely get a specific launch date in this presentation.

Although Tomodachi Life has plenty of charm, especially if you like making your Miis sing absolutely filthy songs, it isn’t to everyone’s taste. The original made little impact in the West but it’s absolutely massive in Japan.

If you’re hoping for a broader Nintendo Direct, you might not have too long to wait. According to reliable insider NateTheHate on his podcast, the ‘first Direct of 2026’ (i.e. the first not tied to a specific game or movie) will be held on the first week of February.

Based on his sources, NateTheHate expects the broadcast will take place on Thursday, February 5, but he hasn’t been able to verify this exact date with his ‘best contacts’ yet.

He’s also uncertain on the format of the Direct, so while he hopes it will be a big general presentation – encompassing both first and third party titles – it could ‘just easily be a partner showcase’ focused on the latter.

Nintendo traditionally holds some kind of Nintendo Direct in February. Although last year was a bit different due to the Switch 2’s launch, with a regular Nintendo Direct taking place in March, dedicated to original Switch games, before a Switch 2 presentation in April.

In 2024, Nintendo held a partner showcase on February 21, whereas 2023 and 2022 saw a general Nintendo Direct on February 8 and 9, respectively.
Considering Nintendo has a new console to promote, it seems likely any presentation in the first week of February will be a general one.

It makes sense to push its upcoming slate too, for the first half of the year, with Mario Tennis Fever, Super Mario Bros. Wonder Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, and Yoshi And The Mysterious Book.

If a Nintendo Direct is in the pipeline for Thursday next week, we’ll likely see an announcement for it either on Monday or Tuesday – so cross all your fingers and toes for then.

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