3D Mario Rumours Swirl Ahead Of June Nintendo Direct Buzz

We might've lost E3 in June, but arguably, gamers are even more spoiled for choice as a slew of other showcases have taken its place. We're still reeling from the reveals of the June 2 Sony State of Play, but before we can even take a breath, our wallets are sure to be groaning from the various reveals on the horizon from Summer Game Fest.

But do Nintendo fans also have something to look out for before the month is out? The House that Mario built is used to keeping us on tenterhooks when it comes to the surprise drops of Nintendo Directs, but as rumours stir up that one is just around the corner, it's led to the usual rampant speculation about what could be on the way.

Nintendo's Surprise June Direct

Nintendo

An increasing number of insiders claim that a Nintendo Direct is coming next week, as popular leaker Nate the Hate added: "As from what I have heard, the Nintendo Direct will take place next week, the second week of June. And just to be clear, that is the week of the 8th. Yes."

This has been backed up by Jeff Grubb, saying that the next direct is "likely on Tuesday (9 June) morning".

The Nintendo Switch 2 had something of a rocky start thanks to Trump's trade tariffs and price hike complaints, but remembering the next generation of Nintendo hardware released on June 5, 2025, a first anniversary celebration makes a lot of sense.

We've been burned too many times before by lacklustre Nintendo Directs, and like many have given up on that long-rumoured The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker remaster, we'll temper our expectations even if a Nintendo Direct is confirmed for June.

A New 3D Mario Could See Nintendo Take The Lead

Nintendo

2026 has stiff competition in the gaming space, which might have a little something to do with GTA VI's November release. We know Rockstar Games' automotive adventure won't be coming to the Switch 2, but as Nintendo has largely done its own thing away from Sony and Microsoft, we don't imagine the gaming giant will be too fussed. This has led to swirling reports that a The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake will swing the Master Sword before the end of 2026, but what if that's not all?

Even though you might think that Nintendo has always launched new consoles with a 3D Mario game, Luigi's Mansion helped herald the GameCube's arrival, while the Wii got The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess ahead of Super Mario Galaxy's release in 2007.

Donkey Kong Bananza went some way in filling that Mario-shaped hole, but a year later, we're anxious for a full-blown platformer for the portly plumber.

Over on the Nintendo Switch 2 subreddit, one gamer asked others if they think we'll get a 3D Mario reveal at the (mythical) Nintendo Direct.

As much as this would be a licence to print money, the jury is out.

One Mario superfan wrote: "I mean if we think that a 3D Mario could come out before July 2027, then yeah it can be showcased in the next ND."

Another added: "I think they need to reveal the next Mario or Zelda. If the Zelda reveal is in fact [an] Ocarina remake, then I still think they need Mario sequel. No one wants year 2 to be dominated by remakes."

Not everyone was sold, with one naysayer musing: "I think it will be a next summer game. With it being revealed Early 2027."

Someone else concluded: "I no longer anticipate anything from them. If you'd have asked me the likelihood of a starfox 64 remake I'd have put that at like 1% chance lol."

It might've been nine years since Super Mario Odyssey threw Cappy into our lives, but something tells us it's still a little early for another leap down the warp pipe.

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