History WebVideo / NintendoDirect

[[Creator/XboxGameStudios Microsoft]] and [[Creator/SonyInteractiveEntertainment Sony]] would create their own equivalents in the following years: ''Inside Xbox'' starting in 2018 and ''State of Play'' in 2019, respectively.

* WhamEpisode: Pretty much the definition of many episodes for one reason or another, to the point where listing them all would be an exercise in futility. But some big ones include:

** "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GisRY6h100U Nintendo Digital Event @ E3 2014]]". Bookended with brand-new ''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U'' news and character reveals, this Direct saw the announcement of Toys/{{amiibo}}, the return of ''Yoshi's Woolly World'', ''Bayonetta 2'', and ''Xenoblade Chronicles X'' with gameplay trailers and release windows, and the reveals of ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'', ''VideoGame/SuperMarioMaker'', and brand-new IP ''VideoGame/{{Splatoon}}''. Oh, and a hint that a new ''Franchise/StarFox'' game was in development. All this interspersed with various ''WesternAnimation/RobotChicken'' skits mocking game journalists, Nintendo fans, and Nintendo themselves, as well as short "developer story" segments.
** The Q1 2018 Nintendo direct was pretty standard up until the very end, when a replay of the original ''Splatoon'' trailer morphed into an announcement... of ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate''. To say the internet went ''nuts'' is to horribly understate it.

** The Q1 2018 Nintendo direct was pretty standard up until the very end, when a replay of the original ''Splatoon'' trailer morphed into an announcement... of ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate''. To say the internet went ''nuts'' is too horribly understated.

** Raising a hand to snap your fingers while saying some variant on "Let's switch."

** The Q1 2018 Nintendo direct was pretty standard up until the very end, when a replay of the original ''Splatoon'' trailer morphed into an announcement...of ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate''. To say the internet went ''nuts'' is to horribly understate it.

** "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GisRY6h100U Nintendo Digital Event @ E3 2014]]". Bookended with brand-new ''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U'' news and character reveals, this Direct saw the announcement of Toys/{{amiibo}}, the return of ''Yoshi's Woolly World'', ''Bayonetta 2'', and ''Xenoblade Chronicles X'' with gameplay trailers and release windows, and the reveals of ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'', ''VideoGame/SuperMarioMaker'', and brand-new IP ''VideoGame/{{Splatoon}}''. Oh, and a hint that a new ''Franchise/StarFox'' game was in development. All this interspersed with various ''WesternAnimation/RobotChicken'' skits mocking game journalists, Nintendo fans, and Nintendo themselves, as well as short "developer story" segments.

* MemeticHandGesture: Putting both of your hands at the sides of your face and pointing outward with them when saying the word "Direct."

''Nintendo Directs'' are online presentations produced by Creator/{{Nintendo}} where news about upcoming video games, events, and other things concerning the company are relayed [[TitleDrop directly]] to its fanbase. They began on October 21, 2011, with only Japan and North America receiving the presentations before expanding to other regions. Worldwide directs were presented by Creator/SatoruIwata until his death in 2015, after which Creator/YoshiakiKoizumi took up the position. Meanwhile, regional directs are generally hosted by that branch's CCO or marketing head. ''Nintendo Directs'' are known for not being scheduled too far in advance, with announcements that one will be aired usually coming no more than two days in advance. The only exception to this are the ones done for the yearly UsefulNotes/ElectronicEntertainmentExpo, thanks to Nintendo always maintaining a "Tuesday at 09:00 Pacific Time" slot at the trade show. These two facts combined result in both a lot of predicting when the next one will happen and a concentrated two-day burst of hype when one is announced.[[note]]These days, fans can generally expect at least one general Direct during each of the company's fiscal quarters, though.[[/note]]

Nintendo Directs can be divided up into a few formats:
* General Directs: Cover a wide variety of games and topics over the course of thirty minutes or more. On occasion, there may be one or two particular titles that are given extra focus. There is also the ''Nintendo Direct mini'', which, as the name suggests, it is a shorter variant.
* Specialized Directs: Focus on a particular title or franchise.
* Nindie Showcases: Technically seen as a different web series by Nintendo, these focus on upcoming titles made by independent developers being released on the Nintendo eShop.

The show can be viewed on the Nintendo eShop, Website/YouTube, Website/{{Twitch}}, and the official Nintendo [[http://www.nintendo.com/nintendo-direct website]].

* WhamEpisode: Pretty much the definition of most episodes, to the point where listing them all would be an exercise in futility. But some big ones include:

** "Please understand" at the end of apologizes for product delays and issues. Was retired upon Iwata's death.

* {{Foreshadowing}}:
** During the March 8, 2018 Direct, [[VideoGame/{{Undertale}} Sans and Papyrus]] briefly take over the presentation with their ''Undertale'' teaser trailer, with both complaining that no one can see the "good graphics" due to the lights being turned off. The teaser trailer at the end for ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate'' does just that.
** In the August 8, 2018 ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'' Direct, when highlighting the new "stage morph" feature, the cursor selects [[VideoGame/AnimalCrossing Smashville]] ''and'' VideoGame/LuigisMansion in the stage select screen. The September 13, 2018 Direct announced new installments for ''Animal Crossing'' and ''[[VideoGame/LuigisMansion3 Luigi's Mansion]]'' for the Nintendo Switch.
** During the February 13, 2019 Direct, the screenshot used for the ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'' ver. 3.0.0 update has Inkling, Villager, and Young Link gathering around a giant purple Yoshi egg. While it appears to be referring to Easter since the characters are also wearing rabbit ears, the egg bears a resemblance to the [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaLinksAwakening Wind Fish's egg]]. Guess what was revealed at the end of the Direct?

** The "UsefulNotes/WiiU Direct of January 2013", considered the first ''big'' Direct. This was Nintendo's attempt at restoring faith in the console, which had a disappointing launch a few months prior. The presentation announced the return of UsefulNotes/VirtualConsole, new information about ''VideoGame/TheWonderful101'' and ''VideoGame/Bayonetta2'', confirmation on the development of what would become ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosForNintendo3DSAndWiiU'', ''VideoGame/SuperMario3DWorld'' and ''VideoGame/MarioKart8'', and the reveals of what would become ''VideoGame/YoshisWoollyWorld'', ''VideoGame/TokyoMirageSessionsFE'', and ''VideoGame/XenobladeChroniclesX'', in addition to a HD remake of ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker''.
** "Nintendo Digital Event @ E3 2014". Bookended with brand-new ''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U'' news and character reveals, this Direct saw the announcement of Toys/{{amiibo}}, the return of ''Yoshi's Woolly World'', ''Bayonetta 2'', and ''Xenoblade Chronicles X'' with gameplay trailers and release windows, and the reveals of ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'', ''VideoGame/SuperMarioMaker'', and brand-new IP ''VideoGame/{{Splatoon}}''. Oh, and a hint that a new ''Franchise/StarFox'' game was in development. All this interspersed with various ''WesternAnimation/RobotChicken'' skits mocking game journalists, Nintendo fans, and Nintendo themselves, as well as short "developer story" segments.

** "Nintendo Digital Event @ E3 2014". Bookended by ''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U'', this Direct saw the announcement of Toys/{{amiibo}}, the return of ''Yoshi's Woolly World'', ''Bayonetta 2'', and ''Xenoblade Chronicles X'' with gameplay trailers and release windows, and the reveals of ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'', ''VideoGame/SuperMarioMaker'', and brand-new IP ''VideoGame/{{Splatoon}}''. Oh, and a hint that a new ''Franchise/StarFox'' game was in development. All this interspersed with various ''WesternAnimation/RobotChicken'' skits mocking game journalists, Nintendo fans, and Nintendo themselves, as well as short "developer story" segments.

** "Nintendo Digital Event @ E3 2014". Bookended by ''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U'', this Direct saw (among other things) the announcement of Toys/{{amiibo}}, the return of ''Yoshi's Woolly World'', ''Bayonetta 2'', and ''Xenoblade Chronicles X'' with gameplay trailers and release windows, and the reveals of what would become ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'', as well as ''VideoGame/SuperMarioMaker'' and brand-new IP ''VideoGame/{{Splatoon}}''. Oh, and a hint that a new ''Franchise/StarFox'' game was in development. All this interspersed with various ''WesternAnimation/RobotChicken'' skits mocking game journalists, Nintendo fans, and Nintendo themselves, as well as short "developer story" segments.

* WhamEpisode: Pretty much the definition of most episodes, to the point where listing them all would be an exercise in futility. But the first instance of this is considered to be the "UsefulNotes/WiiU Direct of January 2013", affectionately noted by fans in the years since as Nintendo's attempt at restoring faith in the console, which had a disappointing launch a few months prior. This presentation announced the return of UsefulNotes/VirtualConsole, new information about ''VideoGame/TheWonderful101'' and ''VideoGame/Bayonetta2'', confirmation on the development of what would become ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosForNintendo3DSAndWiiU'', ''VideoGame/SuperMario3DWorld'' and ''VideoGame/MarioKart8'', and the reveals of what would become ''VideoGame/YoshisWoollyWorld'', ''VideoGame/TokyoMirageSessionsFE'', and ''VideoGame/XenobladeChroniclesX'', in addition to a HD remake of ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker''.

* {{Retool}}: The April 12, 2017 Direct saw the debut of a headline-centric presentation format that delivers information in a more fast-paced, trailer-focused manner; this is in sharp contrast to prior Directs, which would spend some time after every trailer both discussing what they just showed and building up what we're about to see.

''Nintendo Direct'' is the title for a series of online presentations produced by Creator/{{Nintendo}}, where news about upcoming video games, events, and other things concerning the company are relayed "[[TitleDrop directly to you]]". They began on October 21, 2011, with only Japan and North America receiving the presentations before expanding to other regions. Worldwide directs were presented by Creator/SatoruIwata until his death in 2015, after which Creator/YoshiakiKoizumi took up the position. Meanwhile, regional directs are generally hosted by that branch's CCO or marketing head. ''Nintendo Directs'' are known for not being scheduled too far in advance, with announcements that one will be aired usually coming no more than two days in advance. The only exception to this are the ones done for the yearly UsefulNotes/ElectronicEntertainmentExpo, thanks to Nintendo always maintaining a "Tuesday at 09:00 Pacific Time" slot at the trade show. These two facts combined result in both a lot of predicting when the next one will happen and a concentrated two-day burst of hype when one is announced.[[note]]These days, fans can generally expect at least one general Direct during each of the company's fiscal quarters, though.[[/note]]

** "Directly to you."
** "Please, take a look."
** "Please, understand."

* General Directs: Cover a wide variety of games and topics over the course of thirty minutes or more. On occasion, there may be one or two particular titles that are given extra focus. There is also the ''Nintendo Direct mini''; as the name suggests, it is the same as a standard Direct, just shorter.

* {{Retool}}: The April 12, 2017 Direct saw the debut of the new headline-centric presentation format.

* WhamEpisode: Pretty much the definition of most episodes.
** The Nintendo Direct from March 8, 2018 in particular had a few bombshells dropped:
*** ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}'' for the [[UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch Switch]].
*** ''VideoGame/CrashBandicootNSaneTrilogy'' for the Switch (yes, really).
*** ''VideoGame/SouthParkTheFracturedButWhole'' for the Switch. Not so much the fact that it was ported to the Switch, but the fact that it was a highlighted release in a Nintendo presentation. If taking charge of the ''VideoGame/{{Bayonetta}}'' series and announcing a Switch port of ''VideoGame/Doom2016'' of all games didn't shatter Nintendo's family friendly reputation, this sure will.
*** And lastly, what appeared at first to be a trailer for a ''VideoGame/{{Splatoon}}'' port ended with the Inkling Girl looking surprised at something, the recognizable ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' logo appearing in her eyes, silhouettes of various Nintendo characters with said logo in the background, and the Super Smash Bros. title screen. Oh yeah, and then [[WhamShot "2018" comes up immediately afterwards,]] followed by the Nintendo Switch logo. The Direct ended on that note.
** The September 2018 Direct had one for ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' fans, with the announcements that the previously PlayStation console-exclusive ''Final Fantasies VII'', ''IX'',''X/X-2'', and ''XII'' would be coming to Nintendo Switch, the first time that a Nintendo platform has seen a new mainline ''Final Fantasy'' game since ''1994''.[[note]]While Creator/SquareEnix returned to developing games for Nintendo platforms in UsefulNotes/TheSixthGenerationOfConsoleVideoGames, the only mainline ''Final Fantasy'' titles for Nintendo platforms since then were remakes of the first six installments.[[/note]] ''VII'' in particular is interesting, since it was with that game that Square famously broke off its long-standing relationship with Nintendo to release the game on the UsefulNotes/PlayStation instead due to that console using [=CD-ROMs=] while the UsefulNotes/Nintendo64 stuck with cartridges. For extra irony, if the games are released physically on Switch, then they will be released on a cartridge.

Started on October 21, 2011, Nintendo Direct is a semi-monthly webcast providing official information about Creator/{{Nintendo}} games and consoles. It was presented by Creator/SatoruIwata until his death in 2015, as well as Reggie Fils-Aime in North America, Satoru Shibata in Europe, and Hiroyuki Fukuda in South Korea. As of 2013, this format has also replaced Nintendo's E3 conference format in the form of the Digital Event, along with an extended three-day showcase of planned games it had announced. The show can be viewed on the Nintendo eShop, Website/YouTube, and the official Nintendo [[http://www.nintendo.com/nintendo-direct website]].

** Done occasionally to promote certain games, such as Iwata having a "paper border" when presenting ''VideoGame/PaperMarioStickerStar'', and a Lego Iwata showing off ''VideoGame/LegoCityUndercover''.

** People staring at fruits and vegetables. It started with Iwata staring at a bunch of bananas in the E3 2012 showcase, later that year Bill Trinen stared at a tangerine in the same way, and yet again with Lego Iwata holding a carrot.

* {{Foreshadowing}}: During the March 8, 2018 Direct, [[VideoGame/{{Undertale}} Sans and Papyrus]] briefly take over the presentation with their ''Undertale'' teaser trailer, with both complaining that no one can see the "good graphics" due to the lights being turned off. The teaser trailer at the end for ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate'' does just that.

** The September 2018 Direct had one for ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' fans, with the announcements that the previously PlayStation console-exclusive ''Final Fantasies VII'', ''IX'',''X/X-2'', and ''XII'' would be coming to Nintendo Switch, the first time that a Nintendo platform has seen a mainline ''Final Fantasy'' game since ''1994''.[[note]]While Creator/SquareEnix returned to developing games for Nintendo platforms in UsefulNotes/TheSixthGenerationOfConsoleVideoGames, the only mainline ''Final Fantasy'' titles for Nintendo platforms since then were remakes of the first six installments.[[/note]] ''VII'' in particular is interesting, since it was with that game that Square famously broke off its long-standing relationship with Nintendo to release the game on the UsefulNotes/PlayStation instead due to that console using [=CD-ROMs=] while the UsefulNotes/Nintendo64 stuck with cartridges. For extra irony, if the games are released physically on Switch, then they will be released on a cartridge.

** The September 2018 Direct had one for ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' fans, with the announcements that the previously PlayStation console-exclusive ''Final Fantasies VII, IX'', and ''X'' would be coming to Nintendo Switch, the first time that a Nintendo platform has seen a mainline ''Final Fantasy'' game since ''1994''. ''VII'' in particular is interesting, since it was with that game that Square famously broke off its long-standing relationship with Nintendo to release the game on the UsefulNotes/PlayStation instead due to that console using [=CD-ROMs=] while the UsefulNotes/Nintendo64 stuck with cartridges. For extra irony, if the games are released physically on Switch, then they will be released on a cartridge.

* {{Foreshadowing}}: During the 08/03/18 Direct, [[VideoGame/{{Undertale}} Sans and Papyrus]] briefly take over the presentation with their teaser trailer, with both complaining that no one can see the "good graphics" due to the lights being turned off. The teaser trailer at the end for ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' does just that.

* WhamEpisode: Pretty much the definition of most episodes. The Nintendo Direct from March 8, 2018 in particular had a few bombshells dropped:
** ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}'' for the [[UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch Switch]].
** ''VideoGame/CrashBandicootNSaneTrilogy'' for the Switch (yes, really).
** ''VideoGame/SouthParkTheFracturedButWhole'' for the Switch. Not so much the fact that it was ported to the Switch, but the fact that it was a highlighted release in a Nintendo presentation. If taking charge of the ''VideoGame/{{Bayonetta}}'' series and announcing a Switch port of ''VideoGame/Doom2016'' of all games didn't shatter Nintendo's family friendly reputation, this sure will.
** And lastly, what appeared at first to be a trailer for a ''VideoGame/{{Splatoon}}'' port ended with the Inkling Girl looking surprised at something, the recognizable ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' logo appearing in her eyes, silhouettes of various Nintendo characters with said logo in the background, and the Super Smash Bros. title screen. Oh yeah, and then [[WhamShot "2018" comes up immediately afterwards,]] followed by the Nintendo Switch logo. The Direct ended on that note.