Nintendo’s February 5, 2026 presentation was a Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase, not an unqualified “first Nintendo Direct of 2026.” Nintendo of America announced a 6 a.m. Pacific start and an approximately 30-minute broadcast about upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch games. It has since aired; the recording and its program list are available on Nintendo’s official video.
What kind of Nintendo Direct aired on February 5?
Nintendo of America identified the broadcast as Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase 2.5.2026. Nintendo’s Japanese archive labels the event a software-maker lineup, reinforcing that it focused on games from Nintendo’s publishing and development partners rather than presenting it as a general, first-party-focused Nintendo Direct. The archive entry is titled “Nintendo Direct ソフトメーカーラインナップ 2026.2.5” on Nintendo’s official feature archive.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Mario Kart™ World (Nintendo Switch 2) | $79.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Star Fox™ - Nintendo Switch 2 | $59.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Donkey Kong Bananza (Nintendo Switch 2) | $69.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Pokémon Pokopia - Nintendo Switch 2 | $69.00 | Buy on Amazon |
The date in the original announcement is now historical: the showcase took place on February 5, 2026. Nintendo’s official recording described a 6 a.m. Pacific Time start and a runtime of roughly 30 minutes.
What games were featured?
Nintendo’s video description lists a mix of new and returning games. The program included:
#1 Best Overall
- Race from one course to another through interconnected paths that span the world
- Traverse mountains, forests, cities, and more—with shifting weather patterns and a day/night cycle
- Ride on rails, jump off walls, skim across water, and more as you race for the finish line
- Take on the adrenaline-packed Knockout Tour—a fierce 24-driver elimination mode
- Explore courses at your own pace and wander the world to discover fun surprises in Free Roam
- Orbitals
- PARANORMASIGHT: The Mermaid’s Curse
- CAPTAIN TSUBASA 2: WORLD FIGHTERS
- TOKYO SCRAMBLE
- Valheim
- Hollow Knight – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
- eFootball Kick-Off!
- The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales
- SUPER BOMBERMAN COLLECTION
- FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH
- PRAGMATA
- Turok: Origins
- Kyoto Xanadu
- Digimon Story Time Stranger
- Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok
- Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection
- Resident Evil Requiem
- Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition
- The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
This list reflects titles named in the recording’s description, not a claim that all games were available on the same day or on both Nintendo systems.
Was it the first Nintendo Direct of 2026?
It is more precise to call February 5 a 2026 Partner Showcase than the first Nintendo Direct of the year. Nintendo’s official archives include other Direct presentations in 2026; for example, Nintendo UK lists a The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct dated September 8, 2026, in its recent broadcast archive. That later entry establishes that February 5 was not the year’s only Direct presentation, but the cited archive does not establish which Direct-branded presentation came first.
Rank #2
- Blast off on a high-octane adventure to save a star system from invasion
- Tear through space, soar across planets, and shoot loads of foes out of the sky at every step of the way
- A cinematic take on the Star Fox 64 story, featuring fully voiced dialogue, an epic orchestral soundtrack, and a complete visual overhaul for the Nintendo Switch 2 system
- Enter first-person mode to experience the action from inside the cockpit, and even use mouse controls to fly
- Invite a second player* to join you as a gunner using Nintendo Switch 2 mouse controls
How to check a specific game’s platform and release details
The showcase’s overall scope included upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch games, but that does not mean every featured title was announced for both consoles. Check each game’s own platform listing, release date, and edition name before assuming it is playable on a particular system. For example, the program specifically names Hollow Knight – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition; that edition title should not be generalized to the rest of the lineup.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Shape the world and build a cozy new life with Pokémon as a Ditto transformed to look like a human.
- Use other Pokémon’s moves, like Bulbasaur’s Leafage, to revitalize and navigate the world around you.
- Meet and befriend more Pokémon as you help nature flourish.
- Gather materials to create items and furniture, till the fields to grow delicious crops, build homes for the Pokémon you meet, and more—there’s so much to do!
- Experience a world with varied weather, real-time days and nights, and other surprises.
Rank #3
- Explore a vast underground world—by smashing your way through it!
- A brand-new 3D platforming action adventure starring Donkey Kong and Pauline
- Bash through just about anything in groundbreaking exploration! Crash through walls and carve tunnels—the more you smash, the more areas open up to you
- Pair up with Pauline to use Bananza Transformations: smash through obstacles with the raw strength of Kong form, gallop with incredible speed as a Zebra, and more
- Team up with a friend in two-player co-op as Donkey Kong and Pauline! Blast foes and terrain alike with Pauline’s voice as you explore together
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
