Nintendo Direct February 2022: Mario Kart 9, Xenoblade Chronicles 3, new Fire Emblem game | Gaming | Entertainment

Nintendo Switch fans could be in for a treat this month, with a jaw-dropping Nintendo Direct rumoured to be taking place in February 2022. The next Nintendo Direct could take place as early as next week, and it could be jam-packed full of incredible Nintendo Switch announcements. According to leaker Zippo, the February 2022 Nintendo Direct could reveal Mario Kart 9 – and given how big of a seller Mario Kart 8 has been since first launching on the Switch this would be a massive deal.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe first launched on the Nintendo Switch back in April 2017, not long after the Switch first hit shelves.

And it has been a huge hit for Nintendo, as it’s the best selling Switch game of all time – ahead of Animal Crossing New Horizons and Super Smash Bros Ultimate.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is an upgraded version of the brilliant Wii U original which first launched in May 2014.

That means, if Mario Kart 9 does come out this year it will be the first entirely new mainline game in the Mario Kart series for eight years.

The reveal of Mario Kart 9 alone would make the rumoured February Nintendo Direct one for the ages.

But the House of Mario aren’t stopping there, with the heavily rumoured Xenoblade Chronicles 3 and a brand new Fire Emblem game also expected to get revealed.

This news comes courtesy of leaker Zippo, who was recently spot on about Persona 4 Arena Ultimax heading to modern day consoles.

In a new post the insider posted: “I’m hearing that the first Direct of the year will take place this month and could be as soon as next week.”

Zippo went on to say that the rumoured February 2022 Nintendo Direct is “gonna be a big one”, and that there will be some “huge” announcements made.

The leaker said: “I’m not sure of the content at this point in time, but it’s safe to assume that Kirby And The Forgotten Land, Splatoon 3, Advance Wars 1+2, the heavily rumored Xenoblade 3, and a new Fire Emblem title will likely be featured in this one.”

And, teasing the reveal of the next Mario Kart game, Zippo went on to add: “Also, if you made Super Bowl sized money bets on this new Mario Kart not being real, you’re going to be out of a lot of money.”

As always with rumours, it’s best to take things with a big pinch of salt until official confirmation.

But, from the sounds of it, the next Nintendo Direct is going to be one stream you don’t want to miss out on.

It was previously rumoured that the next Nintendo Direct will happen some time before February 17.