Nintendo confirms date of its next Direct event; here's what to expect

Nintendo is set to hold its next Nintendo Direct event this week. The Japanese game developer has confirmed that the virtual event will take place on July 31. It's important to note that this is a Partner Showcase event and not a typical Nintendo Direct. This means that the upcoming event will focus specifically on third-party partners, rather than Nintendo-published games. So, gamers who are waiting for the release date of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond should not expect the same from this event. Instead, the presentation, which is expected to last approximately 25 minutes, will focus on third-party developers and publishers, allowing them to reveal their upcoming Switch 2 games.Those who are interested in watching the event can catch it live on Nintendo’s official YouTube channel. The event kicks off at 6 am PT / 9 am ET / 2 pm BST / 3 pm CEST/ 6.30 am IST. For easy access, here’s a link to the YouTube video.As noted earlier, Nintendo has announced that the upcoming Direct will focus on titles for the Nintendo Switch 2 and current Switch consoles, developed by its third-party publishing partners. This may include games like Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition for Switch 2, Star Wars Outlaws, Hades 2, Professor Layton and the New World of Steam, and possibly even Hollow Knight: Silksong, according to a Polygon report.However, updates on Nintendo’s first-party titles, such as Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Kirby Air Riders for Switch 2, appear to be off the table for now.Nintendo Switch 2 launch lineup suggests that many titles still don’t have confirmed release dates, and more games are likely to join the list soon.The strong momentum behind the Switch 2 console, which is now the fastest-selling console ever, is also expected to drive more third-party support. A larger install base means developers will have access to a broader audience, increasing the chances of better sales.