It’s almost the end of January which means that Nintendo Direct season is almost upon us. A few of the rumors and leaks of the past few weeks suggest the direct will fall on February 7^th but the date doesn’t fully matter since we 100 percent know that we’ll be getting one in February. What does matter is what we’re going to get out of the direct. So here are a bunch of estimates, ones that are based on expectations, trends, and research instead of just what people are hoping for.

Hi-Fi Rush

The most obvious choice for a game that’s almost a lock to be announced is Hi-Fi Rush. Earlier this month, there were numerous rumors that the game was going to be making its way to the Switch. Not only that, but they claimed that the game would be released in the Spring. Because of this, it’s possible that the game will be announced during the direct with an anticipated release date around April or May. But it’s also possible that the game could release the same day as the direct.

Visions of Mana

Does anybody remember the situation with Persona 3, 4, and 5? Two years ago, ports of those games were announced at an Xbox Showcase and was quickly revealed for PS4 as well. There was no mention of the Switch version until it randomly appeared at the Nintendo Direct a few weeks later. We believe that this is going to be a similar situation. Visions of Mana is a big game and it makes sense for Nintendo to announce their version of the game at their own presentation.

Nintendo Selects

Earlier this month the internet was in chaos when some retailers began delisting a bunch of Switch titles. There are many reasons for that to happen but the one we’re going to talk about is the idea that they’ll be added to the Nintendo Selects lineup. If Nintendo is planning on doing a Nintendo Selects line, then now would be the perfect time. We think the sweet spot for how much these Nintendo Selects titles should cost is around $29.99. However, there is a world where Nintendo tries to sell them for $39.99, and many of the games would still be pretty good at that price.

Next Bandai Namco Studios Game

It’s very likely that we get the next big Nintendo exclusive Bandai Namco Studios title soon. They’ve been one of the heavy hitters when it comes to Nintendo games having developed Pokken Tournament in 2015, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate in 2018, and then New Pokemon Snap in 2021. They’re in line to release the next big one in either 2024 or early 2025 so the announcement could be really soon. But if it’s another Pokemon game, that would obviously be held off until the Pokemon Direct at the end of February instead of the main one.

Freedom Planet 2

Freedom Planet 2 was originally scheduled to release late last year on consoles but now it’s on track to release in Spring, possibly mid April to late May. Not only that, but XSeed Games has a knack for appearing in Nintendo Directs. Very possible that release date and final trailer for the Switch version could appear during this direct.

Now it’s time for some of the bold, unlikely, and long shot predictions.

Nintendo Switch Successor

If Nintendo plans on releasing the Nintendo Switch successor in 2024, then the announcement would have to be made during the February direct. But there’s always the possibility that it can release in 2025, in which the announcement could be made during one of the three following directs. If the announcement is made during this next direct, then we can expect the release date to be around November 22nd.

Metroid Prime 4

Metroid Prime 4 is a bold prediction but only because it’s not going to be shown if the Switch successor isn’t also shown at the same time. Let’s be honest, Metroid Prime 4 has been quiet for so long that it’s almost a given that it will be a launch title for the Switch successor. If the Switch successor is announced in this next direct, Metroid Prime 4 might be shown soon after. But if there’s no Switch successor announcement in the February Direct, then Nintendo will have no reason to show off Metroid Prime 4. However, this does not rule out remasters of the other Metroid Prime games.

Hollow Knight Silksong

Every time there’s a Nintendo Direct, everyone shows up to hype up an announcement for Hollow Knight: Silksong. Of course there’s a chance for it to be shown during the February direct but the odds are incredibly low. The truth is that it’s very unlikely that the first showing would be at a Nintendo Direct. Just like with Persona and possibly Visions of Mana, it’s most likely going to be shown at an Xbox Showcase first before the Nintendo Direct. If it was ready, believe me, it would have been the highlight of the Xbox Showcase from a few days ago. But of course, the odds are never 0.