Nintendo fans, mark your calendars and set your alarms — a brand-new Nintendo Direct is officially airing tomorrow, Thursday, March 27, at 7:00 AM PT / 10:00 AM ET. This 30-minute showcase will focus entirely on upcoming Nintendo Switch titles. However, let’s cut straight to it: there will be zero mention of the next-gen Switch (often referred to as the “Switch 2”) during this presentation. Nintendo has made that crystal clear.
And yes, that’s a deliberate move. According to insiders and analysts, Nintendo is taking a carefully calculated, two-stage approach. The March 27 Direct keeps the spotlight squarely on current-gen games and ongoing software support, while a rumored separate hardware-focused event—potentially on April 2—is expected to finally unveil the company’s next console.
In the meantime, with over 130 million Switch units sold and a strong tail-end audience, Nintendo still has games to deliver for its aging but beloved hybrid platform. Here’s what we expect—and what we’re hoping—to see during tomorrow’s show.
Metroid, Pokémon, and Professor Layton – The Big Guns Still in the Chamber
Let’s start with the most anticipated titles that could take center stage:
- Metroid Prime 4: Beyond: First revealed seven years ago, then rebooted with Retro Studios in 2019, Metroid Prime 4 is the ultimate white whale for Nintendo fans. The subtitle “Beyond” was discovered via backend updates earlier this year, and the game is still officially listed as a Switch title. With the Switch nearing the end of its life cycle, now feels like the moment for a full gameplay reveal—and maybe even a late 2025 release date.
- Pokémon Legends: Z-A: Unveiled during February’s Pokémon Presents stream, Z-A is being positioned as the next major evolution in the franchise, set in the futuristic Lumiose City. Game Freak confirmed it will launch exclusively on the current Switch in 2025, which makes it a lock for this Direct. Expect new gameplay footage, possibly teasing a more urban, vertical exploration style and innovations on the open-world format seen in Legends: Arceus.
- Professor Layton and the New World of Steam: This revival of the beloved puzzle series from Level-5 has gone quiet since its teaser trailer last year. With Level-5 committed to a Western resurgence, tomorrow could finally deliver more footage and a release date for this long-awaited sequel.
Don’t Count Out Third-Parties and Indies
Nintendo Directs are known for surprises, and while first-party titles get the headlines, the Switch’s vast audience makes it a key target for third-party publishers. Here’s what else could make an appearance:
- Hollow Knight: Silksong: The long-gestating sequel remains in development limbo, but every Direct brings new hope. After missing several expected showings, fans are once again speculating that Silksong could shadow-drop or at least get a release window.
- Persona 3 Reload or Persona 5 Tactica Port: Atlus has deep ties to Nintendo now, and a Switch port of P3 Reload—even a cloud version—isn’t out of the question. Plus, with Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance launching in June, expect at least a mention.
- Indie Favorites: Nintendo often squeezes in a few indie highlights, even outside its dedicated Indie World showcases. Expect games like Sea of Stars, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate, or Oxenfree II to show up, especially if there’s news on upcoming DLC or physical editions.
Why No Switch 2 Yet? Nintendo’s Strategy Is All About Momentum
Let’s be honest — the Switch is on borrowed time. But Nintendo knows how to manage transitions. By decoupling hardware news from game announcements, the company avoids cannibalizing current-gen sales and maintains steady momentum into the holiday season. That’s crucial, especially with analysts like Serkan Toto predicting the Switch 2 won’t hit shelves until early 2025, potentially with Metroid Prime 4 as a cross-gen launch title.
More importantly, this approach signals to developers and publishers that Nintendo will continue supporting the current Switch throughout 2025, ensuring a smoother ecosystem shift.
Tomorrow’s Direct: What You Should Expect
This isn’t just filler content to kill time before Switch 2 — tomorrow’s Direct is shaping up to be a send-off celebration for the Switch’s final full year. That means:
- Release dates and trailers for major 2025 titles
- Surprise eShop drops or demos
- Deep dives on system sellers and third-party support
- And likely a few emotional nods to what’s been a historic run for Nintendo’s most successful console
One Final Thought…
If you’re still playing on your OG Switch or OLED model, tomorrow is for you. Nintendo wants to show that there’s more to come — not just what’s next. With legacy franchises returning, new entries in beloved series, and some long-awaited indies in the mix, this Direct has potential to be one of the most memorable of the Switch era.
As for Switch 2? Just one more week.
So what’s on your wishlist? Are you crossing your fingers for Metroid, Layton, or something unexpected? Let us know what you’re hoping to see in the comments!
