Trademark sleuths hit gold on February 6, 2026 when Nintendo’s latest USPTO filings revealed three intriguing updates all slated for February 17 publication. Splatoon Raiders joins the previously spotted Rhythm Heaven Groove and the obscure 1993 SNES title Mario & Wario. With Nintendo Direct rumors swirling and Switch 2 launch looming, fans can’t help but connect the dots to upcoming reveals.
The February 17 Trademark Trio
GamesRadar spotted the filings first, noting Twitter user MikeOdysseyYT’s sharp eyes caught Splatoon Raiders joining two other Nintendo trademarks with identical February 17 publication dates. Rhythm Heaven Groove carries a February 24 date, but the clustering feels anything but random to excited fans.
Splatoon Raiders carries extra weight as Nintendo’s first confirmed Switch 2 exclusive, announced via the Nintendo Today app last June but silent since the massive September 2025 Direct. Mario & Wario, the Japan-only SNES puzzle game from Pokemon creator Game Freak, already lives on Switch Online since October 2025. Its trademark renewal alongside two 2026 releases fuels speculation of enhanced versions or NSO upgrades tied to Switch 2’s rumored mouse controls.
Mario & Wario’s Strange Case
Released in 1993 exclusively for Japanese Super Famicom, Mario & Wario was Game Freak’s puzzle-platformer precursor to Mario vs. Donkey Kong. Players guide a blinded Mario through obstacle courses using the SNES Mouse – perfect timing given Switch 2 leaks about enhanced cursor controls via the mysterious ‘C’ button. Reddit users wonder if this signals an international NSO debut or full remake showcasing the hybrid console’s dual-input capabilities.
Trademark expert taychoo poured cold water, explaining USPTO batches process simultaneously regardless of marketing intent. Still, three Nintendo properties clustering around Direct rumors proves too tantalizing to ignore completely.
Splatoon Raiders: Switch 2’s Killer App?
The real prize remains Splatoon Raiders, Nintendo’s bold multiplayer experiment announced as Switch 2 exclusive. Unlike mainline turf wars, Raiders reportedly blends battle royale elements with squad-based objectives across massive ink-soaked islands. No screenshots, no trailer, no release window – just the app tease and now this trademark pulse-check.
February 17 lands perfectly between rumored Nintendo Direct windows. A Partner Showcase hit February 5 showcasing third-party Switch 2 support. Whispers suggest a full Nintendo Direct follows in late February, potentially unveiling launch lineups before June debut. Raiders trademark timing screams ‘get ready.’
Rhythm Heaven’s Groove Revival
Rhythm Heaven Groove carries February 24 publication but belongs to the same suspicious cluster. The series thrives on perfect mobile timing – short, addictive sessions perfect for hybrid consoles. Last entry Rhythm Heaven Megamix sold 1.2 million on 3DS. Switch 2’s rumored haptics and larger screen position Groove as perfect showcase title.
Reddit erupted with ‘GOTY 2026’ predictions despite zero official details. Series creator Takashi Tezuka hasn’t commented publicly, but trademark diligence suggests active development rather than defensive housekeeping.
Trademark Reality Check
Before popping champagne, context matters. Nintendo routinely refreshes thousands of trademarks annually – Pikmin, Star Fox, F-Zero all saw 2025 renewals without corresponding reveals. USPTO publication triggers 30-day opposition windows, standard housekeeping regardless of release plans.
Still, patterns emerge. Virtual Boy trademarks updated before March 2025 NSO announcement. Pokemon Sun/Moon spotted trademark activity pre-reveal. Naughty Dog’s Intergalactic leaked via similar filings. When Nintendo pairs trademark diligence with Direct windows and platform transitions, speculation proves justified.
Switch 2 Launch Context
These filings land amid Nintendo’s most aggressive pre-launch leak management ever. Unlike secretive Wii U era, Switch 2 details flooded 2025 via factory molds, accessory reveals, dev kit photos. Nintendo shifted strategy – accepting controlled leaks while protecting software reveals for Direct spectacles.
Confirmed 2026 slate includes Dragon Quest VII Reimagined (February 5), Gear Club Unlimited 3 (February 19), Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave, Pokemon Champions. Third-party heavyweights bring Yakuza Kiwami 3, Resident Evil Requiem, Monster Hunter Stories 3. Splatoon Raiders anchors first-party hopes opposite rumored Mario Tennis Fever and enhanced Breath of the Wild successor.
What Fans Want
Reddit’s GamingLeaksAndRumours dissected filings frame-by-frame. ‘Mario making a return to Nintendo?’ joked Jammyyyyyyyyyyyyy (268 upvotes). DrAwesomeX noted SNES Mouse connection to Switch 2 controls, suggesting enhanced NSO libraries. Even skeptics concede clustered trademarks during Direct season carry narrative weight.
Wishlist includes Mario & Wario international debut showcasing mouse controls, Splatoon Raiders deep-dive with multiplayer beta signup, Rhythm Heaven Groove touchscreen rhythm madness. Realistic expectations center on Raiders gameplay reveal confirming Switch 2 as Splatoon evolution platform.
FAQs
What do the Nintendo trademarks mean?
Three trademarks – Splatoon Raiders, Mario & Wario, Rhythm Heaven Groove – share February 17, 2026 USPTO publication dates. Routine maintenance, but timing aligns with rumored Nintendo Direct and Switch 2 launch prep.
Is Splatoon Raiders confirmed for Switch 2?
Yes – first announced June 2025 via Nintendo Today app as Switch 2 exclusive. Trademark update suggests active development and potential Direct reveal imminent.
What is Mario & Wario?
1993 Japan-only SNES puzzle game by Game Freak using SNES Mouse peripheral. Already on Japanese Switch Online since October 2025. Trademark may signal international NSO release or Switch 2 enhanced port.
When is the next Nintendo Direct?
Partner Showcase aired February 5, 2026. Full Nintendo Direct rumored late February ahead of June Switch 2 launch. Trademark timing suggests February 17-24 window.
Will Rhythm Heaven Groove release in 2026?
Unconfirmed, but February 24 trademark publication and series development patterns suggest likely. Perfect hybrid console fit with touchscreen rhythm gameplay.
Why do trademarks matter for game reveals?
Legal housekeeping occasionally precedes announcements. Virtual Boy, Pokemon Sun/Moon followed trademark activity. Nintendo pairs filings with Direct reveals during platform transitions.
What’s confirmed for Switch 2 launch?
Full original Switch backward compatibility, magnetic Joy-Cons, 8-inch 1080p screen (4K docked via DLSS), June 2026 launch targeting $449. First-party includes Splatoon Raiders, enhanced Mario Kart/Smash carryover.
Conclusion
Nintendo’s February trademarks strike perfect psychological timing – Switch 2 hardware leaks saturated 2025, now software reveals take center stage. Splatoon Raiders headline potential Direct firepower, with Mario & Wario and Rhythm Heaven Groove adding delightful curveballs. Routine USPTO business or deliberate hype-building? Reality lands somewhere between, but clustered filings during launch year scream intentionality. Nintendo mastered controlled chaos – leaks build anticipation, trademarks fuel speculation, Directs deliver transcendence. February 17 approaches fast.