The September 12th Nintendo Direct will be the first streamed on Nintendo Today! app

Unlike past events, some gamers didn’t learn about the next Nintendo Direct on social media. The Nintendo Today! app also revealed that the broadcast will take place on September 12th at 9:00 AM EST/3:00 PM CST. Viewers will focus on potential release date announcements for anticipated Switch 2 games like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. Even so, it’s a significant milestone for an app that hasn’t yet become essential for all fans.

Followers hoping to watch another Nintendo Direct on YouTube have no reason to panic. The gaming giant will still host the roughly 60-minute presentation on the popular platform. Nevertheless, Nintendo made a separate post informing gamers about its availability on the mobile app.

Nintendo Today! became a popular attraction prior to the release of the manufacturer’s latest console. Mobile users would often find glimpses of the handheld’s features that verified earlier Switch 2 leaks. However, the app also has its share of critics, who prefer to learn about news on social media or trustworthy websites.

Nintendo tries to control its marketing, preferring to make announcements about Switch 2 games during its own events. The app is another attempt to lure gamers into the restricted Nintendo ecosystem. Users must have a Nintendo account, and the software blocks them from sharing some content elsewhere.

How will livestreaming work on Nintendo Today!?

The app also has limited video playback capabilities and doesn’t play nicely with screen rotation on smartphones. It’s unclear how well-prepared the Nintendo Today! app is to livestream such a major event. The servers Nintendo relies on may become overwhelmed if the event isn’t simulcast on YouTube.

It’s unlikely that Nintendo Direct events will become exclusive to mobile devices in the near future. Nevertheless, the company could begin to transition some viewers away from its heavily followed YouTube channel.