Nintendo Switch 2 2026 Lineup and Zelda 40th Rumors Point to Major June Nintendo Direct

You are being led to believe there are many games left to announce, hitting both 2026 and the following years, because Nintendo’s strategy for Switch 2 seems much more alive regarding the currently announced titles. Considering the recent statements by Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa, you hear that Nintendo has more plans for 2026 that are in progress but will only be discussed at a later stage.

What he revealed is that Nintendo is developing several games for the Switch 2 that will be released soon. Besides the already announced major games expected to launch in the second half of this year, other games are in development, and more news about them will be shared as soon as possible. This immediately draws your attention to the Nintendo Direct event in June, when more announcements are expected.

As for Nintendo’s tendencies, June seems to be the best time for a Nintendo Direct.

One particular possibility mentioned is the June 3, Wednesday Direct, which will mark the beginning of the month by featuring an important showcase from the company. The other obvious period that comes to mind is the week from June 9 to June 11, given that Nintendo is often inclined to make its announcements in the middle of the week, between Tuesday and Thursday.

While Nintendo has been known to deviate from its regular schedule by holding a Direct on a Friday during its September showcase, the general idea is that the first three weeks of June are the most practical time frame. At this point, it seems clear that Nintendo is gearing up for its annual summer Direct, regardless of the day.

In connection with the previous discussion, there are more things involved as you look deeper into the matter, beyond just making a game announcement. This year marks the 40th anniversary of Mario, which serves as a reference point whenever there is a discussion about Nintendo's approach toward major milestone events.

As part of your preparation, you are warned that many Nintendo fans expect the company to line everything up with the anniversary day; however, historically speaking, this has not been the case. Mario's anniversaries serve as a point of comparison for understanding how Nintendo handles this kind of event, particularly when making predictions about Zelda.

Here is where Zelda's 40th anniversary becomes relevant to this possible Direct presentation.

Indeed, much of the discussion centers on the idea that Nintendo launches the Zelda anniversary marketing campaign in the summer, not on its actual date. Hence, if Nintendo holds a Direct in June, it will not only serve as an ordinary showcase but also mark the kick-off of the celebration of Zelda's anniversary.

It is here that the rumor about the remake of Ocarina of Time emerges as the biggest point of interest. In other words, you get claims from reputable sources, such as Nate the Hate, about the development of the Ocarina of Time remake for a 2026 holiday-season release. This way, the remake takes the spotlight and becomes one of the core elements in Nintendo’s celebration plan in connection with the 40-year anniversary of the Zelda series.

It means you can expect Nintendo to announce the game remake at the next Direct, making it one of the most remarkable announcements. In addition, it is suggested that Nintendo might launch a special edition of Switch 2 to support the upcoming game remake.

This way, you will see some similarities to the approach used to promote Ocarina of Time 3D when the series celebrated its 25th anniversary on the Nintendo 3DS platform. When it comes to Mario, it is primarily mentioned in relation to Nintendo’s policy in regard to major anniversaries and related decisions.

By using Mario’s anniversaries as an example, one tries to explain the pattern in regard to Nintendo’s celebration policy, even though Zelda is not necessarily following the same approach. This example helps show why it is expected that the Zelda 40th anniversary release will take place in the summer. It is believed that anniversary content for Mario was released during the summer, while it never had a strictly defined date.

On the other hand, there is some discussion related to remasters of Zelda’s older games.

According to rumors, Twilight Princess HD and The Wind Waker HD may appear on the horizon. Apparently, Nintendo may have intentionally postponed its release to make a big deal of the anniversary. Therefore, in such a scenario, these games will not be released together with the remake of Ocarina. They will become Switch One titles released to the large installed base. In that case, they can be released after the Direct or maybe in July.

Apart from the analysis of timing in the Zelda and Mario franchises, you will see the emergence of new insights into Nintendo's teasing practices. Namely, there is a tendency to reveal future plans through indirect signs on social networks or even direct hints. The examples include Switch 2's tease prior to the announcement, or the Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition teaser before the announcement of this game.

The last mention leads us to another piece of teasing from Nintendo, which appears quite recent. Specifically, the company published three colored flowers (blue, yellow, and red), accompanied by a phrase suggesting “Soon” or “Sun.” One of the main theories you are encountering right now is the possibility that it is related to the Switch 2 Edition of Pikmin 4.

According to this theory, it won't be just an aesthetic update but an extended edition with possible DLC and other extra content. It should be noted that Nintendo previously used this approach for games such as “Super Mario Party Jamboree” and “Kirby and the Forgotten Land”.

In that sense, Pikmin 4 would fit into an ongoing pattern of Nintendo revisiting major titles and upgrading them for Switch 2 with both technical improvements and extra content. You’re being led toward the idea that this could be a fairly straightforward summer announcement with a relatively quick turnaround to release.

You’re also seeing continued talk about Nintendo Switch Sports potentially evolving into either a sequel or an enhanced version for Switch 2.

It’s not fully clear which direction Nintendo would take, but the concept being discussed is that the game could be expanded with additional sports and more content tailored for the new system. Given how successful the original game was, it’s being viewed as a strong candidate for continued support or reinvention on Switch 2. Another rumor that keeps coming up is a possible Super Metroid remake.

You’re seeing suggestions that it could be a 2D pixel-style remake, although details vary depending on the source. MercurySteam is frequently mentioned in connection with the project due to their work on Metroid Dread, and also because they are believed to be in a timeframe where a new project could realistically be ready.

Some speculation places this remake as a potential September release if it is revealed during the summer Direct. On top of that, there are smaller rumors pointing toward Luigi’s Mansion 4 potentially being in development. If it exists, you’re being told it would likely fit into an October-style release window, continuing Nintendo’s pattern of strong seasonal launches.

You’re also expecting Duskbloods to reappear during the next major presentation, likely with a new update or trailer as part of the broader Direct lineup. When you step back and look at everything together, you’re being shown a picture of Nintendo building toward a very packed summer Direct.

Between Furukawa confirming ongoing development, the timing of the Mario anniversary being used as a structural comparison, Zelda’s 40th anniversary approaching, and multiple long-running rumors beginning to align, it feels like Nintendo still has a lot of unannounced content ready to be revealed.

From your perspective, the expectation is for a full general Nintendo Direct in early to mid-June, where Nintendo could simultaneously shape the remainder of 2025 while also laying the foundation for a major part of its 2026 lineup, with Mario and Zelda anniversary timing both playing into how that reveal structure is understood.