Now that most of the industry has wrapped up with Summer Game Fest and its associated events, it's Nintendo's turn to jump into the summer video game announcement frenzy. After a lot of speculation and rumours floating around online, Nintendo has finally confirmed that its Nintendo Direct showcase, a highly anticipated event where they unveil new games and updates, will take place tomorrow, June 18, at 7 a.m. Pacific, 10 a.m. Eastern. Fortunately, this is an hour later than their usual early 9 a.m. Eastern slot, making it a bit more convenient for many viewers.
What to expect from the showcase
According to Nintendo's announcement post, the stream will last around 40 minutes and will specifically highlight Switch games that are set to release in the second half of 2024. However, if you were hoping for news about the Switch successor, you'll be disappointed, as Nintendo has already confirmed that this Direct will not include any information about it. While this may temper some expectations, it's important to remember that surprises can still be in store.
Speculation and surprises
Nintendo has been notably quiet about what its 2024 lineup will look like by the end of the year. Some believe this is because the Switch successor was originally planned to be released this year but has been delayed to 2025, causing the company to reshuffle its schedule for the latter half of 2024. This silence can be both exciting and frustrating. On one hand, it means there could be plenty of surprises in store, such as unexpected game announcements or new features for existing games. On the other hand, a lack of specific information often leads to high expectations and potential disappointment.
One of the biggest questions on fans' minds is whether Metroid Prime 4, which has been absent since its announcement in 2017, will finally make an appearance. While it's tempting to get excited about the possibility, it's wise to temper your expectations. We understand that the absence of certain games can be disappointing, but it's important to remember that Nintendo has a lot of exciting things in store for us. Whatever the case, we'll have a clearer idea of what to expect for the Switch's twilight year by this time tomorrow.
