A new rumor suggests Nintendo is preparing a major Nintendo Direct for February 10, 2026, with claims that the showcase will be “huge” and include the reveal of a brand-new 3D Super Mario title for the Switch 2. The source of the leak is a French insider known as BeeFun.
While the timing of a February Direct feels realistic based on Nintendo’s long-standing habits, the details — especially the Mario claim — deserve a closer look.
Why a February Direct makes sense
Historically, Nintendo has relied heavily on early-year Directs to set the tone for the rest of its lineup. Since 2012, the company has hosted a presentation in January or February in most years, and it is currently on a six-year streak of February showcases.
If Nintendo does not announce an event before late January, industry watchers generally consider a February Direct almost inevitable. From that perspective, February 10 is a believable date — close enough to the usual window without conflicting with major industry events.
So far, the timing of the rumor checks out.
The 3D Mario claim raises red flags
The more controversial part of the leak is the suggestion that Nintendo will unveil a new mainline 3D Super Mario game.
It has indeed been a long time since the last original 3D Mario entry, which makes fans eager for news. However, recent development history complicates the picture:
- The core team behind Super Mario Galaxy has reportedly just wrapped work on Donkey Kong Bananza for Switch 2.
- Announcing a new 3D Mario this soon would likely require a different lead studio, something Nintendo rarely does for such a flagship series.
- Nintendo typically builds long, carefully paced marketing cycles around Mario titles. A sudden reveal in February would be uncharacteristically abrupt.
This does not make the rumor impossible — but it does make it far less convincing than the Direct timing itself.
Other signals around Switch 2 support
Adding another layer to the discussion, recent files discovered in a Call of Duty HQ build reportedly reference Nintendo. This has reignited speculation about a Call of Duty release for Switch 2, tied to Microsoft’s decade-long commitment to bring the franchise to Nintendo platforms.
So far, that agreement has not resulted in a confirmed Nintendo release, but these internal references suggest that announcements may finally be approaching — something that could easily fit into a high-profile Direct.
If true, this would likely be one of the more realistic “big moments” for a February showcase.
What a February Direct is more likely to include
Instead of a surprise 3D Mario reveal, a February presentation is more plausibly positioned as a lineup-focused Direct, highlighting titles coming between mid-February and early spring.
Several rumored and upcoming games fit neatly into that window, including:
- Yakuza Kiwami 3
- Dark Ties
- Resident Evil 7
- Resident Evil Requiem
- Reanimal
- Ys X: Proud Nordics
- Mario Tennis Fever
These are exactly the kind of releases Nintendo tends to spotlight early in the year — strong third-party support mixed with one or two notable first-party updates.
A realistic outlook
In short:
- A Nintendo Direct in February is highly believable.
- The specific date of February 10 is plausible, even if unconfirmed.
- The claim of a new 3D Super Mario reveal feels far less solid, given Nintendo’s usual development cycles and marketing strategies.
Until Nintendo makes an official announcement, this rumor should be treated as a timing prediction with speculative extras, rather than a fully reliable leak.
Disclaimer:
The information in this article is based on leaks and should be taken with a grain of salt. As with all unconfirmed reports, there is no guarantee that the details are accurate or final, and projects mentioned may change or be canceled. If you prefer not to read news based on leaks or unverified information, we advise choosing another article or storyline.
