Nintendo Direct on September 12 Will Be the Longest Ever With Switch 2 News

Nintendo has officially confirmed that its upcoming Direct presentation will run for roughly 60 minutes, making it the company’s longest general Direct broadcast to date. Scheduled for Friday, September 12, the event will cover updates on both Nintendo Switch 2 and current Switch titles.

This duration puts the Direct ahead of typical Nintendo showcases, which usually last between 40 and 45 minutes. The only presentation to exceed it previously was the Switch 2 reveal earlier this year, clocking in at 62 minutes. The previous record-holder for general Directs was February 2021, which followed a period of silence during the pandemic.

The extended length raises expectations, especially given the timing. On September 13, Super Mario Bros celebrates its 40th anniversary, and Nintendo is expected to mark the occasion with announcements related to its flagship franchise. The company took a similar approach during Mario’s 35th anniversary in 2020, when it released several celebratory titles, including Super Mario 3D All-Stars and Super Mario Bros. 35. In the previous Direct Event, they successfully remained silent about Mario. With this year’s milestone, speculation is already mounting around potential remakes, remasters, or even a brand-new Mario installment.

Fans also point to several high-profile Switch 2 projects with no confirmed release dates. Titles like Metroid Prime 4, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, and Splatoon Raiders are among the most anticipated, and their absence from Nintendo’s release calendar suggests updates could be imminent. While Nintendo has shared plans for Switch releases beyond 2025, including Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream and Rhythm Heaven Groove slated for 2026, the company has yet to reveal first-party Switch 2 titles for next year.

Beyond Nintendo’s internal projects, third-party publishers are expected to play a role in the showcase. Multiple Resident Evil entries are reportedly in development for Switch 2, alongside titles from Xbox and Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed series. These potential announcements would align with Nintendo’s push to highlight the Switch 2’s expanded technical capabilities, ensuring the console attracts broader multiplatform support.

The Direct also follows last month’s showcase centered on Kirby Air Riders, a sequel to 2003’s Kirby Air Ride. That 45-minute presentation detailed the upcoming game’s modes and features before confirming its November 20 launch for Switch 2. The event’s focused structure stands in contrast to general Directs, which tend to blend first-party, third-party, and sometimes hardware-related news into a single broadcast.

The anniversary factor adds further weight to Friday’s event. Super Mario Bros, released on September 13, 1985, defined both the character of Mario and platform gaming as a whole. Nintendo has consistently leveraged milestone anniversaries for promotional campaigns, re-releases, and new projects. For the 35th anniversary, the company bundled classic 3D Mario titles and experimented with limited-time releases. Given the larger cultural significance of a 40-year milestone, this year’s announcements may carry even greater impact.

Industry speculation has also centered on the possibility of a new 3D Mario game. Super Mario Odyssey was released in 2017, and the eight-year gap since then represents the longest stretch without a new mainline 3D Mario release. While Nintendo has recently launched Donkey Kong Bananza, developed partly by Odyssey’s team, it is not out of the question that another group within Nintendo has been preparing a Mario project specifically for Switch 2. If so, Friday’s Direct could be the moment to confirm it.

The presentation may also clarify Nintendo’s strategy for balancing support between the current Switch and the new Switch 2. Historically, the company has transitioned gradually, releasing cross-generational titles before fully committing to its new hardware. With Switch sales still strong and Switch 2 poised to take center stage, Friday’s Direct could outline the company’s roadmap for managing this transition.

Expectations remain high, not only because of the anniversary but also because of the Direct’s runtime. Nintendo rarely extends its general showcases to this degree unless there is a significant amount of material to cover. Between unannounced release dates, major third-party partnerships, and one of the most iconic anniversaries in gaming history, this Direct has the potential to shape the trajectory of Nintendo’s next few years.