In recent years Nintendo has had quite the track record, in regards to Nintendo Directs. Fans of the big N have counted on their yearly June Nintendo Direct since 2013. It’s gained notoriety for its huge announcements that coincide with E3, the biggest gaming expo. Last year, Nintendo confirmed the rumored Breath of The Wild sequel. They also announced the inclusion of long-time requested Smash Bros. fighter, Banjo-Kazooie. Fans eagerly await similar levels of excitement, in a year when it’s needed most. With E3’s recent announcement to cancel for 2020, the certainty of Nintendo’s digital conference was still unclear. Unfortunately, Nintendo has finally confirmed that they will not have a June Nintendo Direct.
Breaking News
This news comes from many of Nintendo’s developer partners, who were told first hand. The current COVID-19 pandemic has caused many complications around the world. Japan’s official work-from-home order has brought on many development issues for Nintendo. These problems have ultimately forced Nintendo to push its planned June schedule back. How far back the schedule has been pushed, is still unclear.
Initial rumors were that Nintendo was planning something special for Mario’s 35th anniversary. Rumors ranged from Super Mario All-Stars 2 to an HD remake of Super Mario 64. Nintendo was also reportedly porting over some of Mario’s other 3D titles to the Switch. While the uncertainty of Nintendo’s plans remains, all that’s known now is that we must wait.
The Waiting Game
As of this post, there has been no official word from Nintendo. This leaves many fans wondering when the next batch of Nintendo goodness will strike. My guess is that Nintendo’s official statement will come fairly soon. Presumably, they are waiting until they have decided on a new date. We can hold out hope that a jam-packed Nintendo Direct will still release this summer. Nintendo fans could use some good news, especially in the wake of what’s going on in the world.
So far, Nintendo has done a great job keeping the community at bay. Animal Crossing: New Horizons could not have released at a better time! Most people are currently stuck at home. This game has acted as a great distraction! A great distraction that many relied on during these times of fear and panic. Nintendo has continued to roll out many updates to the game, keeping players engaged. Releasing a feature-filled Nintendo Direct, with new Mario announcements, would be an excellent next move on their part.
As soon as Nintendo makes an official statement, we will report back on the news. To keep up with all things Nintendo, make sure to follow their official North American Twitter page. Also, make sure to check out their official website for more of the latest.
