Gamescom confirmed today that Nintendo will be among the companies in attendance at its gaming convention later this year. Gamescom typically brings in well over 300,000 avid video game fans a year to its show floor, so it's unsurprising that Nintendo would have its presence felt at the show for the second year straight. Taking place in Cologne, Germany, Gamescom is recognized as the largest gaming convention in the world.
Nintendo returned to Gamescom in 2022 after taking an absence from the show during the COVID pandemic, so many expected another appearance from the Switch manufacturer at this year's celebration. But after reviewing what was revealed for the Switch in 2022, fans may want to temper their expectations for the event. 17 Switch titles were announced during last year's Gamescom Future Games Show, and none of them were first-party software from Nintendo itself.
There's no hint as to what Nintendo is bringing to Gamescom. While Nintendo confirmed it will not be attending the now defunct E3 2023, many still expect the publisher to debut a fresh Nintendo Direct around that June timeframe to promote what's expected to arrive through the 12 months. Anything newly announced within that hypothetical Direct could very well be on display at the Germany-hosted event in late August.
Nintendo could also have a presence within Geoff Keighley's Summer Game Fest, though nothing has been announced to date. At some point, the company will need to unveil what its plans are for first-party software in the near future. Once The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom releases on May 12th, the cupboard appears pretty bear. Pikmin 4 is set to release on July 21 (before Gamescom). Pokemon Scarlet and Violet have DLC planned for later this year, as does Mario Kart 8. Detective Pikachu 2 is said to be nearly complete. And Metroid Prime 4 remains looming, but few expect that in 2023.
Nintendo does have a handful of rumored Nintendo Switch games in the works. There have been whispers of a new Donkey Kong game. Mario Kart 8 arrived for the Wii U in 2014, so Mario Kart 9 could be surprise announced seemingly anytime. And Switch owners seem overdue for a new Super Mario title, whether 2D or 3D, especially after The Super Mario Bros. Movie's dominance at the box office this month. Gamescom, now with Nintendo confirmed to appear, will take place from August 23 through August 27.
