Nintendo drops its first big showcase of 2026! The Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase airs February 5, delivering 30 minutes of third-party game reveals for Switch and Switch 2. Here’s your complete guide.
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When and Where to Watch
Streaming live on Thursday, February 5, 2026, via Nintendo’s YouTube channel and Nintendo Today! app.
Nintendo Global Streaming Times
| Region | Time |
|---|---|
| North America (PST) | 6:00 AM |
| North America (EST) | 9:00 AM |
| United Kingdom | 2:00 PM |
| Europe (CET) | 3:00 PM |
| Australia (AEDT) | 1:00 AM (Feb 6) |
| New Zealand (NZDT) | 2:00 AM (Feb 6) |
The 30-minute presentation focuses on third-party titles from Nintendo’s development partners.
What Is a Partner Showcase?
Unlike regular Directs featuring Mario or Zelda, Partner Showcases spotlight third-party games from Capcom, Square Enix, FromSoftware, and indie studios. Nintendo hosts 1-3 annually, delivering major reveals despite shorter runtimes.
Expected Game Announcements
| Game | Developer | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| The Duskbloods | FromSoftware | Switch 2 |
| Elden Ring | FromSoftware | Switch 2 |
| Final Fantasy VII Rebirth | Square Enix | Switch 2 |
| Professor Layton | Level-5 | Switch 2 |
| Indiana Jones | MachineGames | Switch 2 |
The Duskbloods, FromSoftware’s multiplayer exclusive, needs gameplay footage after last year’s announcement. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth could ride Remake’s recent Switch 2 success.
Why This Matters
This showcase represents Nintendo’s first major 2026 presentation. Strong third-party support directly impacts Switch 2’s success. According to Nintendo, it covers first-half 2026 releases, clarifying the console’s early library.
Potential Surprises
Partner Showcases occasionally feature Nintendo-published spin-offs like Hyrule Warriors. Microsoft titles may appear, continuing Xbox-Nintendo collaboration trends. The gaming community speculates about surprise ports, though unconfirmed.
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FAQs
Q: Will we see Mario or Zelda games in this Partner Showcase?
No. Partner Showcases focus exclusively on third-party games from external developers. First-party Nintendo titles like Mario and Zelda appear only in full Nintendo Directs, though occasional Nintendo-published spin-offs (like Hyrule Warriors) may appear if developed by partners.
Q: When is the next full Nintendo Direct with first-party game announcements?
Nintendo hasn’t confirmed the next full Direct, but historically they occur in February or early spring. With March 10 marking Mario Day and the franchise’s 40th anniversary, major announcements could happen then or in an April Direct.
