New Nintendo Trademarks Spark Speculation Ahead of Direct, But Caution Advised as Doubts Arise

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Two new Nintendo trademarks have been updated, fueling speculation about an upcoming Nintendo Direct.

Even though the recent Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase just wrapped up, fans are buzzing with the belief that a full Nintendo Direct is on the way. While rumors are swirling, there’s no solid evidence or trustworthy leakers confirming this just yet. However, the recent update on the Splatoon Raiders trademark has sparked hope that this anticipated general Direct could be arriving sooner than expected.

In a similar vein, Twitter user MikeOdysseyY has discovered some trademarks with a publication date from this month, including Rhythm Heaven Groove—set to be the Game of the Year in December 2026. This title is scheduled for release on February 24, 2026, which is a week later than Splatoon’s February 17 trademark publication date. Given that we haven’t heard much about Rhythm Heaven since its announcement in March 2025, it seems likely that the next Nintendo Direct will showcase it, regardless of its trademark status.

Additionally, February 17 also features a trademark filing for “Mario & Wario,” an obscure Japan-only SNES title developed by Game Freak, the creators of Pokémon. While this could be intriguing, it’s worth noting that this game was already made available on Nintendo Switch Online back in October 2025. This makes me skeptical about the significance of these trademark filings, especially since the application date aligns with its NSO release. Of course, with the new Switch 2 mouse controls, there’s always a chance Nintendo might consider a remake, but I wouldn’t hold my breath.

Fallout 4 is set to launch this month on Switch 2, and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is slated for a May release.