Nintendo Switch 2 | Release Date + Price

[queenzelda]

Hmm interesting. I keep hearing rumors of a late February direct, but we'll see I suppose. Also, weird the direct is happening on a Wednesday. I thought usually they did them on Thursdays? XD I should be home that day either way, unless something unexpected happens.

[Moonface]

If Nintendo do a Direct before that Switch 2 one, I can see it being for titles that are already confirmed for the Switch and that don't need to be taking up time on a dedicated Switch 2 presentation. If we get a February one it'll probably be a Pokémon one on the 27th for Pokémon Day, which would be a good time to give some details on Legends Z-A.

As for the day the Switch 2 Direct falls on, here's the day previous Direct's have fallen on:

• Super Nintendo World Direct - November 11, 2024 (Monday)
  
• Nintendo Direct - June 6, 2024 (Tuesday)
  
• Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase - February 21, 2024 (Wednesday)
  
• Nintendo Direct - September 14, 2023 (Thursday)
  
• Super Mario Bros. Wonder Direct - August 31, 2023 (Thursday)
  
• Nintendo Direct - June 21, 2023 (Wednesday)
  
• Nintendo Direct - February 8, 2023 (Wednesday)
  

So yeah, Wednesday isn't actually an odd day for Nintendo to pick. Ignoring the Super Nintendo World Direct, the June 6, 2024 Nintendo Direct is the actual outlier by being on a Tuesday.

[queenzelda]

I told some of my friends who are into Pokémon that it'd be funny if Gamefreak just talked about all the new Pokémon mobile games releasing and didn't even talk about Z-A. I'm thinking late Christmas, but we'll see. :p

[Mr EliteL]

Ah I've forgotten how scarce Directs are nowadays, only three or four in a year. But as it's a new console there'd surely be more leading up to it and/or after it, so Feb or March could have one before the April main Direct, or maybe they'll just bundle everything into one big Direct.

[Moonface]

Ah I've forgotten how scarce Directs are nowadays, only three or four in a year. But as it's a new console there'd surely be more leading up to it and/or after it, so Feb or March could have one before the April main Direct, or maybe they'll just bundle everything into one big Direct.

I looked through Nintendo's Direct Archive and even when the Switch had just come out we didn't get more Directs then than we do currently, (not counting game specific and partner publisher Directs in with that).
Seeing you mention everything maybe going into one big Direct, I got curious what the runtime for each Direct has been:

• June 18, 2024 - 42:45 (25 headlines)
  
• September 14, 2023 - 41:55 (23 headlines)
  
• June 21, 2023 - 43:23 (22 headlines)
  
• February 8, 2023 - 44:13 (23 headlines)
  
• September 13, 2022 - 45:14 (29 headlines)
  
• February 9, 2022 - 40:48 (21 headlines)
  
• September 23, 2021 - 38:59 (19 headlines)
  
• February 17, 2021 - 50:45 (25 headlines)
  
• September 4, 2019 - 38:45
  
• February 13, 2019 - 36:45
  
• September 13, 2018 - 38:13
  
• March 8, 2018 - 34:17
  
• September 13, 2017 - 45:59
  
• April 12, 2017 - 35:49
  

The back half of the list lacks headline counts because Nintendo's website just doesn't mention them alongside the respective Direct for anything before 2021. February 2021 is likely the longest due to being the first Direct after a whole year of nothing due to Covid, although it doesn't end up covering more content than what most of the other Directs average out at.

Also note, the Nintendo Switch Presentation video was not a Direct (nor is it even on Nintendo's YouTube channel), but that showcase came in at 1:06:17 but it was also a stage show so I don't know if it could have had a shorter runtime if it had been pre-recorded without an audience or stage to take into account for.

[Moonface]

Famiboards | New FCC filing hints at a GameCube controller for Switch 2

Firstly, it's wild to me that someone saw that image of a rounded rectangle with a label and thought to compare it to the size and label position of a GameCube controller.
Secondly, this wouldn't surprise me to be a thing because it doesn't seem like there's much left in the well of N64 games to draw from for NSO, and I imagine that putting DS titles onto NSO will be something Nintendo drag their feet over because of having to change a dual screen format to single screen, even though plenty of emulated DS titles have solved that issue long ago.

[Mr EliteL]

I forgot that could be a reason for DS titles to not make it onto NSO, though I ultimately don't care as I won't play from NSO, bringing up that it's already been solved there's little excuse Nintendo could give if they don't allow DS game to be re-released in that fashion.

About the controller, just because the placing of the label is similar doesn't really confirm it really, I mean it's a rectangle shape, I do prefer the dual grip/handle shape the GC and Switch Pro controller had. If anything it's closer to the Wii Classic Controller but maybe not so much in size, Classic might be a bit smaller. Or I'm stupid and wrong, but eh we'll see.

[Moonface]

I'm not sure if the shape for that FCC filing is supposed to represent the actual shape of what the controller would be. I think it's just to show where the label would be placed by using a box that makes up the height and width dimensions of the controller.

[Moonface]

Nintendo Switch 2 Direct | Time Announced
Nintendo have updated their info page about the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 Direct to now list the time it will air.

The Direct will air on April 2, 2025 at 6am PT / 9am ET / 12pm GMT.

UPDATE: Nintendo have shared that the Switch 2 Direct will last for approximately 60 minutes.

Additionally, Nintendo Treehouse will be broadcasting Switch 2 gameplay on April 3 and 4 starting at 7am PT / 10am ET / 1pm GMT.

[Moonface]

Nintendo Switch 2 | Overview
Here are all the new details about the Nintendo Switch 2 from today's Nintendo Direct, including the price which was not part of the Direct for some reason:

• Screen Size: 7.9 inches
  
• System Thickness: 13.9mm
  
  
• LCD screen with HDR support, 1080p quality and up to 120fps.
  
• The dock supports up to 4K resolution, and now has a fan to assist in system cooling.
  
• Two USB-C ports, one on the top and one on the bottom.
  
  
• 256GB internal storage.
  
• Internal storage can be expanded using microSD Express Cards. Regular microSD Cards are not supported.
  
• Joy-Cons are attached via magnets, and have mouse support as well as a new C button.
  
• The C Button is used to enable Game Chat, a new feature for Nintendo Switch 2 that allows you to talk with friends and even share screens.
  
• A standalone peripheral called the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera can be used to broadcast a video of yourself during Game Chat, as well as having use in supported games.
  
  
• Backwards compatible with Nintendo Switch titles.
  
• Certain Nintendo Switch titles will receive a Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade, known as Nintendo Switch 2 Editions.
  
• Games can be shared locally to play together with only one player needing to own a copy of the game now.
  
  
• Release Date: June 5, 2025
  
• Price: $449.99 USD