breaking news

Finally, Nintendo has confirmed the date of its next Nintendo Direct event, and it's one that both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 fans have been avidly waiting for.
It's the announcement that we've been expecting to land on social media all week.
Nintendo has confirmed that a Nintendo Direct will be held this coming Friday, on 11 September at 6am PT / 2pm BST.
Why is this specific Direct so hotly anticipated?
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Well, it's expected that it'll feature both first and third party announcements, including some major reveals.
There's also the fact that it's been teased by insiders for the past couple of weeks; you've likely seen that rumour going round claiming that the Direct features three games that somehow link to the number seven.
Plenty of suggestions have been thrown into the mix regarding what those games might possibly be.
Resident Evil 7, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 are amongst the many guesses.
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Personally, I’m desperate for a Professor Layton and the New World of Steam update - and given that there’s a demo at Tokyo Games Show this month, that doesn’t feel out of the question.
New World of Steam will be the seventh mainline game, after all.
Most significantly though, this Direct is generating immense hype as it’s being held one day before the Mario franchise celebrates its 40th anniversary, and that doesn't feel like a coincidence.
Yes, it’s hard to believe it but everyone’s favourite Italian plumber debuted almost 40 years ago when Super Mario Bros. landed on the NES.
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What could the Nintendo mascot’s 40th birthday entail?
Well, we’re all certainly hoping for a new 3D game; I’m sure there’s plenty of you praying that’ll be a follow up to Super Mario Odyssey.
I’d be jumping from the rooftops if that was unveiled but honestly, I’ll take anything.
A 2D Mario game, a follow-up to Super Mario 3D World … you name it.
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Perhaps we’ll also get an update on the upcoming sequel to the Super Mario Bros. Movie.
Some fresh casting would be fun.
As for what else the Direct might entail, well, I can only speculate.
Metroid Prime 4 needs a release date considering its set to launch in 2025, and I wouldn’t be shocked if Nintendo spent some time showcasing more of Kirby Air Riders to remind everyone it’s on the way.
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There’s the FromSoftware collaboration The Duskbloods that we’re largely in the dark about beyond the vague window of 2026, with Tomodatchi Life: Living The Dream and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment falling into the same category.
I’d love an Animal Crossing surprise, but I might be reaching there.
This Nintendo Direct has the potential to be stacked; we can only hope it lives up to expectations and doesn’t just consist of 30 more anime farming sims.
Topics: Nintendo, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, Mario, Super Mario