Nintendo is set to captivate its audience with a highly anticipated, hour-long Nintendo Direct presentation scheduled for today, September 12th. This broadcast is poised to be the company's longest general Direct to date, excluding special console reveals, and will offer a substantial look at upcoming games for both the Nintendo Switch and its successor, the Switch 2. Fans can tune in at 9 AM ET/6 AM PT in the US to catch the extensive showcase.

The timing of the Direct is particularly significant, falling on the eve of Super Mario Bros.' 40th anniversary. This milestone is widely expected to be a focal point of the presentation, with speculation rife about potential game announcements, merchandise, or other celebratory content, reminiscent of Nintendo's extensive anniversary campaigns for previous milestones. Furthermore, domain names for a "Super Mario Galaxy Movie" have recently surfaced, fueling rumors that today's Direct might offer more concrete details about an upcoming film.

Beyond the celebratory content, the Direct is expected to reveal new titles for the current Switch console and provide insights into the future with Switch 2 game announcements. While Nintendo remains tight-lipped about specifics, confirmed releases for the current year include Pokémon Legends: Z-A on October 16th, Kirby Air Riders on November 20th, and the highly anticipated Metroid Prime 4. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment and Splatoon Raiders are also slated for release, with the former expected this winter and the latter without a specified window.

Meanwhile, Nintendo finds itself embroiled in a discussion surrounding a recently approved patent that allows for the summoning of a "sub-character" to engage in combat. This patent has drawn criticism from intellectual property lawyers who argue that its broad scope should not have been granted, raising questions about its potential impact on game development and existing titles. The controversy adds another layer of intrigue to Nintendo's current news cycle.

In other related news, the highly anticipated game *Hollow Knight: Silksong* is receiving its first post-launch patch, which will include minor balance adjustments. Additionally, reports suggest that development kits for the Switch 2 are becoming more accessible to third-party developers, potentially signaling a ramp-up in content creation for the upcoming console. The gaming community is abuzz with anticipation for both the Nintendo Direct and the evolving landscape of Nintendo's gaming ecosystem.