It is hard to believe that the Nintendo Switch 2 is practically right around the corner, and yet here we are. The long-awaited sequel to Nintendo's incredibly successful Nintendo Switch has been on everyone's minds since leaks began spreading last year. Since then, and a lot of unconfirmed and, in hindsight, ridiculous-sounding rumors later, fans are being treated to the very first official Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, full of information about the console and its library of games.

However, fans have a lot of expectations of what Nintendo's new console should be and what the Switch 2 first-party launch titles should include. These expectations could absolutely be met during this lengthy Nintendo Direct, or fans could be let down immensely. This has made a lot of fans wonder whether the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct can even live up to the hype, especially with expectations this unbelievably high.

Switch 2 Reveal Is Happening On April 2

It's Happening In A 60-Minute Direct

The original Nintendo Switch 2 reveal trailer teased that a complete Nintendo Direct dedicated to the new console and its myriad of games would be airing on April 4, 2025. That was followed up by a smattering of official information, such as the fact that it is airing at 6 am PT/9 am ET and will last roughly 60 minutes. We also know that the runtime will be split between showcasing the console's myriad of new functionalities, including the rumored Switch 2's mouse-like controllers, and a handful of games. However, Nintendo has remained tight-lipped about basically everything else.

Many are even attempting to predict what the Switch 2 Direct's biggest reveals will be, including whether the much-requested third-party titles like Elden Ring and Cyberpunk 2077 will make it onto the console. All of this has raised expectations considerably, with fans now anticipating everything from new entries in beloved franchises and, like always, a Hollow Knight: Silksong reveal. Of course, there's every possibility that these things could happen, as, after all, the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct will be one of the most monumental in Nintendo's history.

The Switch 2 Direct Is Expected To Be A Monumental Event

It Is Predicted To Be One Of The Biggest Console Launches Ever

One has to imagine that Nintendo is aware of how much hype there is surrounding the Switch 2. It is responsible for propagating much of this hype, largely by putting such a lengthy period of time between the original reveal and the first Direct. Had it wanted to temper expectations, it could have dropped the Direct the day after the reveal to prevent people from speculating what the Switch 2's new games and features may be. The original reveal trailer has also amassed over 20 million views, which illustrates just how much interest there is in the console.

Furthermore, the Switch 2 has been eight years in the making, with the first Nintendo Switch launching all the way back in 2017. People have been eagerly awaiting what Nintendo has up its sleeve next, so it's unlikely that diehard fans and even the wider gaming community will miss out on seeing just what it has to offer all these years later. All of this is to say that this Nintendo Direct has to be good.

With This Much Hype, Switch 2 May Struggle To Live Up To Expectations

Fans May Be Expecting Too Much

Frequently, after a Direct airs, fans take to social media to complain that the game they were expecting didn't show up or that what was revealed didn't contain enough first-party announcements or was too cozy-heavy. A 30-40-minute Direct is rarely going to satisfy everyone, but if it features enough major first-party releases, interesting indies, and unexpected announcements, then it is generally well-received. The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct can't risk feeling like just another Nintendo Direct, otherwise, fans will likely be outraged.

It can't focus heavily on hardware, as those who aren't interested will tune out, nor can it brush over the console's new features, as then many will wonder why they even need an upgrade. It has to perfectly balance first-party and third-party announcements - although the rumored bizarre Nintendo Switch 2 strategy could see no third-party games be announced at this early stage - and it also has to have a final huge announcement that no one saw coming to really get everyone excited. That's a lot of pressure to put on a Direct, but it is genuinely what people are expecting.

If anyone can pull off this perfect balance, it is Nintendo - it perfected the Direct format, after all. However, there's also a good chance that it'll fail to live up to expectations, and, frankly, that's fine. So long as Nintendo reveals just enough major releases to tide people over to the next Direct, then it can keep the momentum going. Nintendo is good at keeping people interested in the potential of future announcements - that is ultimately the foundation of the Direct format - so I believe it can continue to sustain interest in the Nintendo Switch 2 for a while longer.