The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct will be about an hour long, big Ninty confirms, and you can watch it here

It’s time: strap your DS and life-size Wario plush to your back, we’re going in as soon as the countdown hits zero.

Image credit:Nintendo

Nintendo’s all ready to go for its big April 2 Switch 2 Direct. While we’ve known the date and time for a little while , it’s now confirmed how long the showcase will last - and you’ll be able to watch the Direct right here .

So, prepare your bottom, scream away the last of any anguish last week’s original Switch Direct left you with (assuming you believed Hollow Knight: Silksong would show up at it), and get ready to drink your fill from Ninty’s Switch 2 info vat.

You’ll be able to tune into this Nintendo Switch 2 Direct via the video above on April 2, 2025. It’s set to kick off at 2PM GMT, which is 6AM PT, 9AM ET, and 3PM CET . Just press play at that time wherever you are and boom, Switch 2 all up in your grill - flaunting its sexy joy-cons and mysterious C button.

As for what you’ll see, literally all Nintendo’s said is that there’ll be “a closer look at Nintendo Switch 2”, and that the broadcast “will be approximately 60 minutes long”. That’s double the length of last week’s Direct! So, in theory, double the chance of Hollow Knight : Silksong not getting cut for time, assuming that’s what happened last week and the game’s not just a thing we’ve all collectively hallucinated.

Join us tomorrow, April 2nd, at 14:00 (UK time) for a closer look at #NintendoSwitch2 ! The #NintendoDirect : Nintendo Switch 2 – 02.04.2025 livestream will be around 60 minutes long. Watch here: https://t.co/0OWkMhkSP8 pic.twitter.com/QADJZ26vaP — Nintendo UK (@NintendoUK) April 1, 2025

Seriously though, what’ll be in it? Well, we got some new Mario Kart in the initial Switch 2 reveal , so that might show up again. Metroid Prime 4 showed up last week , but it seems like a game that could well hit Switch 2 as well, ditto Pokemon Legends: Z-A . Aside from that, who’s to say which other games will fill out the lineup.

Regardless, we’ll definitely get plenty of info about the console itself. How much will it cost? What’s the difference between “Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive games” and “Nintendo Switch 2 edition games” ? Will all of this info be screamed at us by Toad, to ensure it penetrates our skulls in a fashion Shigeru Miyamoto would deem DIRECT enough?

Whatever happens, we at VG247 will be here, reporting on all the big reveals and probably getting a bit funny with headlines.

Mario Kart World

Nintendo Switch 2

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

Nintendo Switch

What’s the difference between “Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive games” and “Nintendo Switch 2 edition games”? Ninty says all will be revealed next week

It seems it’s always worth reading the fine print.

Image credit:Nintendo

What’s a Nintendo Switch 2 edition game, and how does it differ from the console exclusives it seems to be separate thing to? That’s the question folks have been left contemplating after stumbling across a bit of small print Nintendo’s put out there, and the console maker says you’ll get your answer next week.

Would that be the week that happens to feature a certain Switch 2 Direct ? Yes, it is, Inspector Clouseau.

The bit of fine print that’s alerted everyone to Switch 2 edition games existing came attatched to the “Virtual Game Card” system Ninty revealed at yesterday’s original Switch-focused Direct - there’s more on that here . Naturally, after telling us that feature was coming, Nintendo put a webpage live that offers more info about how it works.

“Compatible systems must be linked to a Nintendo Account to use virtual game cards,” it reads, “Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive games and Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games can only be loaded on a Nintendo Switch 2 system. To move virtual game cards between two systems, you must pair the systems via local wireless and an internet connection, but only when pairing the systems for the first time. Up to two systems total can be linked per Nintendo Account.”

Naturally, the big talking point’s been what difference between exclusive games and edition games is. The theory that seems most obvious is the edition ones being classic Switch games that end up getting special Switch 2 versions designed to make proper use of all the the hardware as the Switch 2-only exclusives will. That would make playing the regular Switch edition - to use another console for comparision - a bit like playing a PS4 copy of a game on your PS5. Still good, but not all-singing, all-dancing.

IGN reached out to Ninty to ask for clarfication as to what the small print means, and reports being told to wait until April 2 - the date of that big Switch 2 Direct. So, you can bet your collection of life-size Mario body pillows we’ll learn what a Switch 2 edition game is from Nintendo DIRECTLY then.

Do you think Switch 2 edition games will be original Switch games enhanced for Switch 2? Let us know below!