Gab Hernandez 
Fans finally know when the next Nintendo Direct is coming with its date and time officially confirmed, with the next big question being what will get revealed.
Throughout February 2024, leakers predicted that Nintendo would hold a showcase event. Although speculation naturally predicted a Nintendo Switch 2 reveal, talk later shifted to a Partner Showcase instead. Nintendo finally confirmed a Partner Showcase set for February 21, 2024, at 6 am PT/9 am ET.
A partner showcase shines the spotlight on Nintendo’s non-first-party offerings. Unfortunately for fans who wanted updates on Nintendo’s internal first-party titles, there likely won’t be any updates on exclusives like Metroid Prime 4 and Princess Peach Showtime at the show. Leakers have hinted at potential games making their debut at the event.
Nintendo Switch 2 reveal, new mainline Pokemon game unlikely to come in next Nintendo Direct
The Nintendo Switch 2 reveal will not be coming in the next Nintendo Direct, nor will any reveals of a new mainline Pokemon game. The Nintendo Switch is nearing the end of its lifespan and while Nintendo might still have some tricks up its sleeves, they’re not going to pull them out here.
This is set to be a Partner Showcase event, which will highlight major releases from third-party publishers. This means that it will likely be comparatively lowkey, and technically shouldn’t feature the reveals of anything like Pokemon Black 3 and White 3 or Metroid Prime 4.
Nothing is certain, though. During a State of Play event dedicated to third-party publishers and indie developers in 2023, PlayStation whipped out a new trailer for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, a first-party title developed by a studio Sony owns. Nintendo tends to abide by its own rules better than Sony does, so fans shouldn’t get their hopes of any especially shocking surprises from Nintendo.
What games will be in the Nintendo Partner Showcase?
The Nintendo Partner Showcase will highlight upcoming third-party titles for the Nintendo Switch, with Hi-Fi Rush, Endless Ocean, Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance, and Eiyuden Chronicle likely to be on the menu.
Multiple leaks from official sources spoiled the likely reveal of some titles. Alongside this have been prominent leakers who have hinted at certain games coming out, as well as ol’ fashioned games that were announced years ago that just happen to be coming out in 2024. Here are the games most likely to be highlighted in the next Nintendo Direct:
Hi-Fi Rush
The Switch port of Hi-Fi Rush received particular notoriety due to its connection to the ongoing worries about Xbox killing exclusivity. Data miners found in-game shirt designs referencing the PS5 and Nintendo Switch in Hi-Fi Rush’s Anniversary update. These will likely be platform-exclusive since shirts such as the Epic Games Store and Steam designs were exclusive to their respective PC platforms.
Hi-Fi Rush enjoyed strong critical praise in 2023 but failed to move the needle at scale, at least in part due to its exclusivity. A Switch port is likely to be confirmed here, and could be the headliner.
Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeance
2024 promises to be a fruitful year for Atlus, thanks to the success of Persona 3 Reload. However, Persona isn’t the only franchise getting updates this year. Leakers uncovered details of an upcoming complete edition of Shin Megami Tensei 5, subtitled “Vengeance.” from a Korean rating website.
It’s unclear what this game actually is, but there’s a chance it’s an enhanced version in the same vein as Persona 4 Golden and Persona 5 Royal, featuring additional content and technical improvements. If this is the case, this Switch-exclusive JRPG could be unveiled here. That said, it might also simply be a “complete edition” style release with some extra bells and whistles.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes
Unlike the previous games, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes has been confirmed for quite a while. 505 Games first revealed the JRPG project with a Kickstarter campaign in July 2020. It raised over $4 million, making it the third-highest-funded video game in the platform’s history, below Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night and Shenmue III. The game is set to be a spiritual successor to the Suikoden series, which is currently in limbo with Konami.
Eventually planned to launch in 2022, 505 Games settled on an April 2024 release date. With April so close, this next Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase would be a great spot to remind people of the game’s upcoming release.
Endless Ocean
Notable Nintendo leaker Pyoro teased a remaster of Endless Ocean, a cult classic scuba diving adventure game for the Wii. Pyoro has accurately reported Nintendo news in the past, such as their teasing of the Super Mario Wonder trailer before its official reveal. It’s currently unknown if Arika, its original developer, will handle the remaster.
