More Thoughts From Me #256: Will Nintendo Directs Continue?

Last year was…well it was 2020. What else needs to be said? And this year isn’t better yet. However we do know what games will be coming out for the Nintendo Switch in February, March, and April. So does Nintendo need to do a regular Nintendo Direct soon? And will they ever do a Direct again? As a bonus to my thoughts, check out the very first Nintendo Direct below!

Last week Nintendo released a trailer and new information for Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury. Then the next day they released a longer trailer. And the same week we also got an update, release date, and new footage of Pokémon Snap.

We know that Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury and Bravely Default 2 are coming out in February, Monster Hunter Rise from Capcom is out in March, and Pokémon Snap is out in April. We have the Feb-April schedule now.

Nintendo doesn’t have to do a regular Nintendo Direct anytime soon if they don’t want to.

What do I mean by a “regular” Direct?

Basically I’m talking about a full half-hour or nearly hour long Direct. These are the kinds of Directs that reveal upcoming games and dates, plus give us a hint of the future.

Nintendo has been very secretive about their 2022 lineup. That isn’t because they don’t have any games for this year.

It is likely because the world is still very much messed up and things can still be delayed. I’m sure that Nintendo doesn’t want to over promise.

Plus it seems like lately Nintendo prefers to release trailers and info via twitter over full Nintendo Directs.

Now I’m not saying we won’t see any Nintendo Directs soon. Last year we got something new called Nintendo Partner Directs. These short Directs focused on third party games coming to the Switch. Nintendo also did Indie Directs too.  The last Nintendo Direct we got earlier last year was a Nintendo Direct Mini. After that we got Partner Directs, Indie Directs, and trailers. This year could see the same thing.

Will we get a Nintendo Direct mini soon? It seems doubtful. Will get a full Direct? That seems even more doubtful.
So is Nintendo done with their regular Directs?

Hmm. I’m not sure. Perhaps until the world gets back to normal, we may have to do without Nintendo Directs. Even after that, Nintendo might find that smaller Directs and trailers are the way to go over larger ones.

The truth is that Nintendo Direct hasn’t been as good as it use to be. Oh yes, I know there are some people who prefer the way Nintendo Direct has changed. The Directs we had been getting were bigger and provided more information on games. That was good and yet…

Things just haven’t been the same since Iwata died. He was the heart and soul of Nintendo Direct. Reggie was also important to Nintendo Direct. Now both of them are gone from Nintendo…

Perhaps it is time for Nintendo to retire their Directs!

I don’t know. I love Nintendo Directs. Even the new ones, which I don’t think are as good as the ones with Iwata, Reggie, and co., are still preferable to no Nintendo Directs. I’m not sure what the future has in store though.

Before 2020, I thought I knew where things were going in the world (especially in the world of games). Any more? I don’t know. Nintendo is one of the most joyful things in the world as far as I’m concerned but they are also one of the most unpredictable. So really…your guess is as good as mine!

What do you think? Is Nintendo Direct over? Will Nintendo ever do one again? Let me know what you think in the comments!

More Thoughts From Me is an opinion column. The thoughts expressed here are mine and mine alone. I’d love to see a Nintendo Direct soon!