Nintendo Switch 2 Direct – live: Build-up begins ahead of console launch – UK Times

Nintendo has dropped one last teaser ahead of today’s big Switch 2 reveal, and it includes a closer look at the mysterious “C” button.

The short video was released on the Nintendo Today app this morning as a final bit of promotion before the 2pm BST Nintendo Direct.

In the teaser, we see the right-side of the Switch 2 in view. It ends with a close-up of the “C” button clearly visible, being pressed and triggering a sound effect. It sounds a lot like the old Mii noises – chat or community functionality perhaps?

ICYMI: Nintendo isn’t just hosting a Nintendo Direct this afternoon – it’s also bringing back Treehouse: Live later this week for an extended look at Switch 2 games.

The gameplay showcases will take place on Thursday 4 April and Friday 5 April, kicking off at 3pm BST on both days. Nintendo has confirmed that Thursday’s stream will run for four hours, while Friday’s session will last three hours. The gaming giant is really spoiling us.

Nintendo is set to officially unveil the Switch 2 during a dedicated Nintendo Direct today (Tuesday 2 April).

The stream kicks off at 2pm BST and will run for roughly an hour. You can watch it live on Nintendo’s official YouTube or Twitch channels, but I’ve embedded the stream below for easy viewing.

While Nintendo hasn’t confirmed what we’ll see, the expectation is a full hardware reveal (design, specs, features), as well as release date and price. Well, that’s what we saw back in January at the original Switch’s one-hour presentation.

With the same full hour to play with, we’re likely to get similar stuff – so, game trailers and third-party developer game announcements.

Good morning! The day has finally arrived. I’m The Independent’s senior tech critic, and I’ll be with you throughout the day as we count down to Nintendo’s big reveal at 2pm BST.

After years of rumours and speculation, we’re finally about to get our first proper look at the Nintendo Switch 2. I’ll be covering all the latest updates, leaks and live reactions right here – so stick with me.

First and foremost, I’m expecting a full hardware reveal for the Nintendo Switch 2. From the design, confirmation of long-rumoured features like magnetic Joy-Cons, optical mouse support and more.

Pricing and a release date are also likely to be announced, with analysts suggesting a launch price around £359.99 and a release window in early June.

I’m also predicting a proper gameplay showcase for the new Mario Kart, which briefly appeared in the trailer and looks to support up to 24 racers and a wider variety of vehicles than ever before.

Nintendo might also highlight “Switch 2 Edition” versions of current-gen games, with titles like Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Metroid Prime 4 and a new Zelda game potentially getting next-gen enhancements.

Finally, I’m really looking forward to seeing how the software runs. Will the system look exactly like the OG Nintendo Switch? Will it run 4K games? Will there be better accessibility features? And will there be a new chat or community system, hinted at with that new square-shaped C button? Lots of possibilities.

I’m also hoping Nintendo will show us something unexpected, but that’s unlikely given what’s already leaked.

Either way, there’s not long left to wait before we find out. Nintendo Direct kicks off tomorrow afternoon, and I’ll be with you in the build-up ahead of the event and right throughout to unpick everything Nintendo Switch 2.

Nintendo has just confirmed that tomorrow’s Nintendo Direct will run for approximately one hour. That gives the company plenty of time to reveal everything we need to know about the Nintendo Switch 2, as well as any launch titles coming to the platform.

Nintendo Treehouse: Live is a special livestream event where Nintendo’s in-house team showcases extended gameplay of upcoming titles.

Unlike a typical Nintendo Direct, which is a fast-paced affairs, Treehouse: Live gives us a more in-depth look with live demos and developer commentary, letting fans see how new games play for the very first time.

Treehouse: Live first launched during E3 2014, but we haven’t seen one since 2023.

Not yet, but that could change as soon as tomorrow if the leaked pre-order date from Best Buy Canada is correct.

While Nintendo hasn’t opened pre-orders, let alone given anyone any indication of a pre-order date, you can already register your interest at Currys, and ShopTo is letting customers reserve a console for just 1p, with the full payment due once it ships.

Yes, and it was one of the first things Nintendo ever announced with regards to the Switch 2.

The confirmation came directly from Nintendo’s president Shuntaro Furukawa, who announced the news in a post on X back in November 2024.

Backwards compatibility means you’ll be able to transition to the new console without losing access to your current titles.