Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Gaming
  3. News

Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase: how to watch and what to expect

Add as a preferred source on Google
Information from a Nintendo Direct appears on a gray background.
Nintendo

After lots of rumors (and a lot of educated guessing), Nintendo will finally give players a new Direct presentation this week — just as it does almost every February. This time, however, we aren’t getting a full-scale Direct bursting with first-party news. Instead, Nintendo will host a Partner Showcase that will focus on third-party games. While that would usually be a bit underwhelming, its notable considering that Xbox just announced that four of its games are headed to other platforms.

As such, the 25-minute showcase is one you probably won’t want to miss. It’s sure to give us a broader picture of what the last leg of the Nintendo Switch’s life span will look like. Here’s everything we know about the show and how you can watch it.

Recommended Videos

When is the Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase?

The Partner Showcase will take place at 6 a.m. PT. on Wednesday, February 21. Nintendo notes that it’s a 25-minute showcase. It will launch as an on-demand video rather than a traditional livestream, so the stakes are a bit low here. Even so, you’ll probably want to tune in right at 6 a.m. to see what Nintendo has in store.

How to watch the Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase?

Nintendo’s on-demand video will debut exclusively on its YouTube channel. There’s no placeholder video live for it at the moment, so it will likely be uploaded right at 6 a.m PT. Keep an eye on Nintendo’s channel that morning so you don’t miss it.

What to expect from the Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase

Chai slashes a robot in Hi-Fi Rush.
Bethesda

With a 25-minute runtime, you should keep your expectations in check here. This isn’t going to be a blowout showcase with tons of new Nintendo games. Instead, it’ll focus on third-party projects. The main thing you should look out for is Xbox. Considering its Business Update last week, which revealed that four Xbox exclusives were coming to other platforms, you can bet that something will show up here. Rumors indicate that both Hi-Fi Rush and Pentiment might be bound for the Switch, which seems fairly realistic.

We also may get an enhanced version of Shin Megami Tensei V at the show. This week, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance was rated in Korea. The game seems to be an updated edition of the RPG with new content. If that’s legit, there’s a very good chance it pops up here as a major announcement. All in all, expect a show that’s heavy in ports and double-dips meant to fill out the quiet months while we wait for Switch 2 news.

Giovanni Colantonio
As a veteran of the industry who first began writing about games professionally as a teenager, Giovanni brings a wealth of…
Intel’s Arc G3 Extreme could be the plot twist handheld gaming needed
My time with the MSI Claw and Acer Predator Atlas suggests AMD finally has genuine competition.
Intel Arc G3 Extreme Hands On with Acer Predator Atlas 8

If there’s one gadget category I’ve spent an unhealthy amount of time obsessing over in the past few years, it’s handheld gaming PCs. I’ve put hundreds of hours into the Steam Deck, bought an original ROG Ally for myself, and most recently reviewed the ROG Xbox Ally X in depth. I’ve seen this market evolve from a cool experiment into something that can genuinely replace a gaming laptop for quick sessions on the couch or while travelling. I’ve also experienced its biggest weakness firsthand. No matter how good these machines get, there’s always some compromise lurking around the corner, whether it’s battery life, thermals, performance, or software quirks.

So when I landed at Computex 2026 and got the chance to spend time with Acer’s brand-new Predator Atlas 8 and MSI’s latest Claw 8 EX AI+, I was naturally excited. Not just because they looked cool, but because they represented something the handheld market desperately needed: real competition. Truth be told, Intel’s new Arc G3 Extreme processor might just be the most important handheld announcement we’ve seen in years. And honestly? It’s about time.

Read more
Xbox’s next era may start with a painful question about console prices
A new Xbox Wire post points to surging parts costs, tighter supply, and more pressure on future console pricing.
Xbox Logo

Xbox is putting unusual pressure on its own console business, and a new Xbox Wire post gives players a clear reason to watch for an Xbox price hike.

Microsoft says storage and memory prices are climbing fast, while Xbox can’t currently make as many consoles as players want to buy. It also says the business needs a new hardware model and new partnerships as it remains committed to Helix.

Read more
Steam is ending gift cards because scammers were raising too much hell
Digital gift cards will remain, but physical cards are being retired from stores
Steam gift cards.

Valve is pulling physical Steam gift cards from retail stores, bringing an end to a program that has been around since 2012. The company confirmed, as spotted via SteamDB, that it will no longer send new stock of Steam gift cards to retailers once current supplies run out.

Digital Steam gift cards are not going away. Valve says users will still be able to buy them directly through Steam, and existing physical cards can still be redeemed whenever users choose. Retail stock, however, is expected to disappear by the end of 2026.

Read more