Topic: Nintendo Switch 2 Direct

I'd predict a Direct something like:

1. Segment about the new hardware, new features etc which flows into showing off a new party game (like 1,2 Switch) which uses them. This game is then announced as being preloaded for free on every Switch 2

2. "Here's some other games you'll be able to play on Switch 2 when it launches"
3rd party port section including Elden Ring, Tales of Arise, something Ubisoft.

3. New Mario Kart deep dive

4. "Play these games for FREE when Switch 2 launches"
F2P Segment, available at launch: Fortnite, Genshin Impact etc, then focus on Call of Duty Warzone

5. Backwards compatibility section explaining how it works then showing new Switch games that will be available on Switch 2 (Metroid Prime 4 + release date, Pokemon ZA + release date, a Kirby remaster announced for both consoles, Windwaker port announced for both consoles)

6. Big new 3rd party game announcement, something like Silksong (but probably not Silksong)

7. Ends with new 3d Mario tease, coming November.

My predictions are:

• Starts off with a teaser trailer similar to the October 2016 one for Switch 1, teasing a few games and at the end shows the release date for the console and price
• Overview for the hardware side of things presented like the segment for Virtual Game Cards in the March 2025 Direct or the NSO section in the September 2018 Direct. Stuff covered being things like mouse mode, the C button, backwards compatibility and how Switch 2 Versions works, UI, eshop, etc.
• Then the rest of the Direct is just a normal general Direct and games with Switch 1+2 versions have some kind of way of showing that's coming to both like both logos appearing

As for the 1st party presence, I think Mario Kart and 3D Mario will be Switch 2 exclusive but the other games are crossgen remasters/remakes such that when you combined the Switch 1 and Switch 2 Directs, the existence of the Switch 1 Direct makes more sense. No Prime 4 or Legends Z-A considering their big presence at the Switch 1 Direct, also I think Prime 4 is releasing before Switch 2 comes out. Direct closer being 3D Mario.

@Grumblevolcano I think we would have gotten a release date for Metroid Prime 4 in the previous Direct if it were releasing before Switch 2.

@BenAV I think if Nintendo announced Prime 4 for May in the Switch 1 Direct, people would automatically assume that Switch 2 is launching in May and then get disappointed if the Switch 2 actually launches in like June/July. My current thought based on the Switch 1 Direct is that Switch 2 launches with just Mario Kart in June.

I do think if there was a different game releasing in April/May like Kirby remake in May or Prime 2+3 in April, that would've been in the Switch 1 Direct and given a release date though.

@Grumblevolcano I still think if the release date was that close, they'd just tell us. More time to properly advertise the game and it would have added a bit of excitement to an otherwise lackluster Direct. Some people may make the wrong assumptions and end up a bit disappointment but I doubt Nintendo care too much about that. Tho people who get disappointed over a thing like that clearly want the system and aren't likely to change their mind just because it's coming out a month or two later than they hoped.

My predictions:

• Direct leads off with an updated logo animation
• Hardware segment
  • Points out that JoyCons are magnetic, mentions they experimented with it for Switch 1
  • Kickstand and top USBC port for improved tabletop mode
  • Mouse mode and the C button
  • UI/eShop are NOT shown
• Backwards compatibility talked about, as well as Switch 2 Edition games
• Switch 2 Pro Controller revealed
• Switch 1 JoyCon (wirelessly), Pro Controller, and NSO controller compatibility confirmed
• NSO talked about, confirmation that existing retro libraries carry over and don't restart
• Release date given before moving on to the games
• Rest of the Direct is games
• Mario Kart 9 is a launch title
• Metroid Prime 4 Beyond confirmed to be cross gen
• A few other 1st party titles shown
• 3rd party games highlighted, including Dragon Quest XII, Elden Ring, etc.
• Sizzle reel of other games (Genshin Impact, Sea of Thieves, etc)
• Price is revealed as the penultimate announcement
• One more thing: 3D Mario revealed

I think Square Enix and Xbox will have the biggest 3rd party presence.

My most wanted third party would be Elden Ring: Complete Edition

That is the only game besides AstroBot that I really want to play, owning solely a Switch. And AstroBot ain’t happening

I feel like we need to narrow this down to like our top 5 predictions or something.

1. The big hitters: MK9, MK9, and more MK9 - more simultaneous players, better online, continuous DLC plans, more robust offline mode with some sort of overworld and progression; it's gonna be a game that will last for the lifespan of the system. Next 3D Mario shown for Fall/Holiday. New DKC title, maybe not strictly a 2D platformer but also has elements of 3D stuff (sort of like Odyssey but the ratios totally flipped).
2. NSO changes and upgrades: Gamecube games and DS games - not another tier of subscription, simply must have Expansion Pass on a Switch 2. Switch 1 first-party game enhancements free for NSO subscribers, separate charges if not. Ramp up inclusions of DLC for the big games if you're an NSO sub scriber.
3. Hardware and eShop: mouse functionality, the "connect" button to use another Switch as a second screen, redesigned eShop that is no longer a software app, UI mostly unchanged but now full of (purchasable) customization options, showcase of the magnetic Joycon, etc.
4. Third-party blowout showcase: DOOM, Elden Ring, FF VII remakes, latest Assassin's Creeds, Oblivion remaster, CoD teaser, Silk Song, and the big one... GTA VI WILL be on Switch 2 (personally not excited, but it's a huge get) ... HALO collection, and something mid-tier from Sony that will turn a few heads (one of their older platformer franchises that will do well on Nintendo)
5. Nintendo's other stuff: Metroid Prime 4 used to showcase Switch 2 enhancements, a Zelda remaster that is NOT Ocarina (not yet, at least...), Nintendogs reboot available at launch, something Kirby, the next Splatoon teased as a reboot of sorts that will be supported for the life of the system

@Grumblevolcano
If Switch 2 is launching in June and Prime 4 is releasing prior to that on Switch 1 only, then Nintendo would have absolutely announced a release date during the Switch 1 Direct. If the game is launching within the next 2 months then there needs to be an official release date to take in preorders ASAP.

I think Prime 4 launching before Switch 2 is basically impossible at this point unless the Switch 2 is a launching later than anyone expects (i.e. fall/holidays).

2 days and 2 hours...

...predictions?

Besides the hope for a new 3D Mario (and a Wario Land game. But that's not happening anytime soon), I really want to see the switch go back to a 3DS style interface. If nintendo adds themes/customization/more personality to the system, I'll be satisfied. I feel like that's been lacking ever since miiverse went away.

My prediction is this:

We are going to all wake up and discover the past few months were all some bizarre realistic dream and we go to the bathroom, there we will find our beloved Nintendo Switch all live and well…

oh no wait I’m getting confused with Dallas.

less than forty eight hours, so close to a new era of nintendo!!!! excited to watch on here 😛

I'm so excited to celebrate with yall on April 2nd

I'm surprised they didn't put the livestream link up yet for the April 2nd Direct. Sure Nintendo's shared news on April 1st before (a Direct in 2015) but I thought they'd avoid sharing news this time on April 1st considering we're talking about a brand new console here.

@Grumblevolcano Agreed, I assumed Nintendo would re-announce the Direct on Twitter/Nintendo Today, giving the approximate run time and all that stuff. They’ll probably do that tomorrow, but I thought Nintendo might want to avoid April 1st.

@NinChocolate I’m 50/50 on it being Smash or Kid Icarus. Honestly if it’s an Icarus port it could be both. Didn’t Bandai Namco start two Nintendo partnered studios, one for 3D and one for 2D. Could they be working on an Uprising port and a new Smash at the same time

I have seen zero talk of Switch 2 in weeks. Nintendo really screwed up the hype with that announcement of the announcement trailer that made it seem like the system is the same system people already have. Unless they show off a new controller tomorrow, I see this system going down like WiiU. Too many people have a Switch. No one wants a second version of the same thing they have. Management at Nintendo needs to be fired for this strategic failure.

If this goes as I'm expecting, we are going to be talking about pulling the plug on Switch 2 tomorrow and Nintendo creating a home console that is totally new and innovative for launch in 2028.

@darthkermit
Unless they show off a new controller tomorrow, I see this system going down like WiiU

I heard countless hot takes like this about Switch, and it's now about to smash the PS2 record. All those people conveniently stopped frequenting the site after a year, when they realized the system was smashing it.

I promise you, Switch 2 isn't going down like Wii U. At worst it'll sell 100 million, and thats the absolute worst case scenario.

I just learned that the two treehouse events are apparently 7 HOURS in length combined. This direct is about to be PACKED with games.