What to expect for The Duskbloods at the upcoming Nintendo Direct — and why this could be the big one.
On the latest episode of the Giant Bombcast, Nintendo insider Jeff Grubb stated that a Nintendo Direct is expected by mid-June 2026. While Grubb didn't specify the format, he believes it will be a traditional, full-scale Direct — the kind that typically includes major first-party and third-party game reveals, release dates, and extended gameplay showcases.
Grubb has an established track record with Nintendo predictions, having been among the first to accurately report the existence of the new Star Fox game before its official announcement. His word carries significant weight in the Nintendo rumor ecosystem.
It has been over a year since The Duskbloods was revealed at the April 2025 Switch 2 Direct. In that time, FromSoftware and Nintendo have shared almost nothing new about the game. The only updates have come through Kadokawa earnings reports confirming the 2026 release window — no new trailers, no gameplay demos, no character reveals.
With the game confirmed for 2026 and already past the halfway point of the year, a June Direct is the logical venue for a major Duskbloods showcase. Fan communities on NeoGAF, Reddit, and ResetEra are calling this a potential "full blowout" — and the evidence supports that expectation.
This is the big one. Kadokawa has confirmed 2026 twice, NateTheHate leaked a late 2026 window (possibly October or later), and the eShop listing is already live. All signs point to a concrete release date reveal at this Direct. An October-November 2026 date would align with Nintendo's strategy of having a marquee title ready after the September Switch 2 price increase.
The only trailer we've seen is the April 2025 reveal. After 14 months, fans are hungry for new footage. Expect a longer, more detailed trailer — potentially 4-6 minutes — showcasing specific Bloodsworn characters, named abilities, map environments, and a clearer look at the PvPvE match flow. Nintendo Life's comment sections are full of fans saying "it's been a year, I want to see a new trailer for Duskbloods."
The original trailer showed character silhouettes and fighting styles, but no individual Bloodsworn has been named or profiled. A Direct showcase would be the perfect opportunity to reveal 3-5 specific characters with names, backstories, unique abilities, and signature weapons. This is the kind of content that generates massive community discussion and theory-crafting.
The Creator's Voice blog described mechanics like Victory Points, the event system, Destined Roles, and the Blood History & Fate system — but none of these have been shown in action. A Direct could include a live gameplay segment showing a full match from character selection in the hub through an 8-player PvPvE battle to the results screen. This would answer the community's biggest question: what does a Duskbloods match actually look and feel like?
With the eShop listing already live and the game confirmed for 2026, a release date announcement would logically be accompanied by preorder availability — both digital on the eShop and physical through retailers. Special editions or preorder bonuses (exclusive Bloodsworn cosmetics, perhaps) would not be surprising.
The Duskbloods won't be the only highlight of a June Direct. Based on current rumors and confirmed titles, other expected announcements include:
Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition: Also confirmed for Switch 2 in 2026 by Kadokawa. A release date for this is likely as well — industry speculation suggests it launches before The Duskbloods, possibly in the summer window.
Star Fox: Already announced. A final cinematic trailer and firm release date are expected.
Ocarina of Time Remake: NateTheHate has claimed this is in development. Whether it appears at a June Direct is uncertain but widely hoped for.
Splatoon Raiders: Previously teased. More details expected.
For Duskbloods fans specifically, the key question is whether the game gets a brief appearance (release date + short trailer) or a full blowout (extended trailer + gameplay demo + developer commentary). Given the year-long silence and the game's status as arguably Switch 2's most anticipated exclusive, we're betting on the latter.
When the Direct airs, this page will be updated in real-time with everything shown for The Duskbloods — release date, new trailer embed, character reveals, gameplay details, and any surprises. Bookmark this page and check back as soon as the Direct is announced.