Nintendo’s first Direct presentation of 2026 is increasingly expected to take the form of a Partner Direct Showcase, according to multiple statements from industry insiders. The information centers on a potential broadcast scheduled for Thursday, February 5, placing the presentation in the opening week of February.
The discussion gained traction following replies from NateTheHate2, also known as NateDrake, on X. When asked about the format of next week’s Nintendo Direct, Nate initially stated, “I don’t know format.” After a user pointed out that GameXplain had suggested a Partner presentation, Nate responded, “And he is correct. Next week’s Direct will be a Partner Direct Showcase.”
Additional context comes from comments attributed to Andre from GameXplain, who has also heard that the upcoming presentation may be a Partner’s Showcase. These remarks align with earlier reporting that pointed to early February as the likely timing for Nintendo’s next major broadcast.
Further details were shared by Nate during a podcast discussion focused on the scheduling of Nintendo’s first Direct of 2026. According to Nate, “From what I have been told, the first direct of 2026 will be held during the opening week of February with an expectation of broadcast on Thursday, February 5th.” He clarified that the date has not yet been fully confirmed through his strongest sources and could still change.
Nate added that multiple contacts are converging on a similar timeframe, stating, “It feels as though there is a consensus building around that first week of February.” He also noted that Nintendo typically favors Thursdays for Direct broadcasts, while cautioning that time zone differences could result in the presentation appearing on Wednesday in certain regions.
Taken together, the statements suggest both a likely date and a likely format, with current indications pointing toward a Partner Direct Showcase rather than a general Nintendo Direct. While Nintendo has not issued an official announcement, the consistency between insider comments has strengthened expectations surrounding February 5.
As always, the information remains subject to change until formally confirmed by Nintendo, but momentum continues to build around an early February Partner-focused presentation.
