After a long and arduous wait for Nintendo to announce its next console, forced to rely on unconvincing leaks and rumors to get any sliver of information, it has finally announced theNintendo Switch 2. It did so back in a surprisingly low-key YouTube trailer on August 11, 2025, much to the delight of fans. However, there were naturally those, including myself, who wanted to know more about this console than just what it looked like.
Fortunately, alongside the official reveal of the Switch 2, Nintendo also confirmed a Direct that would further showcase the console and some of its games. Well, we’re now mere hours away from it, and people are already beginning to wildly speculate on theSwitch 2 Directs' biggest reveals, including its launch-day lineup. However, while we don’t have much information on what will appear,I’m pretty sure that one game will be heavily featured during the Directand will also likely be a day-one release.
Nintendo Switch 2 Direct Is Happening On April 2
It Is Showing Off The Console & Its Games
The first Nintendo Switch 2 Direct is taking place tomorrow, July 03, 2025. It starts at 6 am PT/9 am ET and will last a whole hour, making it one of the longest Nintendo Directs ever to air. Naturally, fans have plenty of predictions forgames that could be announced, but outside the card at the end of the original Switch 2 reveal trailer that just announces what date the Direct will be on, Nintendo has given no information about what to expect. That’s not surprising, as typically, Nintendo keeps the contents of a Direct under lock and key.
22 Years After Wind Waker, I Wish Zelda On Switch 2 Would Repeat What Made It So Great
Wind Waker received a lot of controversy, but it’s now regarded as one of the best Zelda games. The Switch 2 should bring back what made it so great.
However, what we do know is that Nintendo will fully break down the console and its functionalities - including theSwitch 2’s mouse-like controllers- as well as show off some games. Most of these games will likely be launch titles, althoughNintendo is also likely to showcase some higher-profile games that may not be ready for the first day of launchbut could be coming out towards the end of the year. This will also likely include third-party games, which are rumored to be releasing during theSwitch 2’s second phase.
I’m Convinced We’ll See More Of Mario Kart 9
It Will Be One Of The Direct’s Biggest Games
Of course,there is one game that I’m almost certain will appear during the April Nintendo Switch 2 Direct:Mario Kart 9. It makes perfect sense that Nintendo would put a spotlight on the nextMario Kartgame, not only because it is very likely to be aSwitch 2 launch titlebut also because it has already shown off some gameplay. During the original Switch 2 reveal, Nintendo sneakily showcased a few seconds ofMK9footage without saying what game it was. It was just enough of a tease to show off the consoles' power without revealing too much.
However, fans like myself want to see more and soon. Nintendo will definitely understand that, as it would be ridiculous to show off brief clips of a game and then not follow that up with meaningful gameplay when revealing the Switch 2’s launch catalog. Furthermore, considering thatMario Kart 8 Deluxewas released during the original Switch’s launch window in 2017, and, outside of DLC, we haven’t had a newMario Kartgame since,there’s an very good chance that the very first game coming out on the Nintendo Switch 2 is the nextMario Kart.
Will MK9 Be A Switch 2 Launch Title?
It Will Almost Certainly Launch Alongside The Switch 2
It seems very likely thatMario Kart 9will be a Nintendo Switch 2 launch title,based on the enormous success of its predecessor. It has also, as aforementioned, been a considerable amount of time since the lastMario Kartgame, and fans are vocally asking for more. Nintendo has also already shown offMario Kart 9footage running on the Switch 2, which indicates it’s already ramping up hype and marketing for it. However, it is possible thatMario Kart 9skips the Switch 2’s launch day, and, likeMK8 Deluxe, releases a month or so later.
According to Krysta Yang - who used to be a PR Manager for Nintendo of America - it is “unlike Nintendo” to makeMario Kart 9a launch title. During aKit & KrystaYouTube video,Yang mentioned that Nintendo prefers to make more unconventional or surprising games as its launch titles and then later release the ones fans expect. This was the case with the undeniably groundbreakingBreath of the Wildfor the Nintendo Switch. However, as Yang also notes,Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’simmense commercial success and enormous fanbase could be enough to incentivize Nintendo to break its rule.
Mario Kart 9 Needs To Break This Franchise Tradition
Mario Kart 9 should move away from including older tracks, focussing instead on being something entirely original compared to previous entries.
While it remains somewhat in the air, I have a strong suspicion that Nintendo will makeMario Kart 9a launch title, or, at the absolute least, release it a month after launch. It is the perfect game to buy bundled with a Switch, thanks to it being a co-op experience, and also, if the rumors ofMK9’snew gameplay featuresare true, a great way of showcasing the power of the Switch 2. Either way, it doesn’t feel like it’ll be long until we finally have our hands onMario Kart 9running on theNintendo Switch 2.
