Nintendo Direct June 2024: New Mario & Zelda Titles Revealed Amid Switch 2 Tease

In a surprise-packed Nintendo Direct presentation today, Nintendo thrilled fans with a lineup of major announcements, including brand-new entries in the beloved Mario and The Legend of Zelda franchises, while subtly teasing the successor to the Nintendo Switch.

Kicking off the showcase was “Super Mario Odyssey 2,” slated for release in early 2025. The long-awaited sequel will return to the globetrotting sandbox style of its predecessor, with new kingdoms, co-op functionality featuring Luigi as a playable character, and expanded Hat Tricks mechanics. Fans erupted online at the reveal, with social media buzzing about Cappy’s return and a mysterious new villain chasing Mario across dimensions.

Later in the presentation, Nintendo stunned viewers by revealing “The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of the Past.” The new title appears to build on the open-world mechanics of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, but with a curious twist—playable segments from the perspective of Ganondorf before his transformation into the Demon King. Slated for a late 2025 release, the game promises a richer narrative focus and enhanced environments “only possible through next-generation hardware.”

That comment wasn’t the only teaser for what’s coming next from Nintendo. While the rumored “Switch 2” was never directly mentioned, eagle-eyed fans noted that both flagship titles featured footage with significantly enhanced visual fidelity. Additionally, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa closed the presentation by saying, “We’re entering a new era for Nintendo. Stay tuned—big things are on the horizon.”

Analysts interpret the presentation as a strategic move: releasing final system-defining games for the current Switch while building anticipation for new hardware, likely to be announced by year’s end. With the current Switch console approaching its eighth birthday, the timing feels right.

Between the powerful reveals of two of Nintendo’s most iconic franchises and the tantalizing tease of new hardware, this June Direct may mark the beginning of a bold new chapter for the company—and for gamers everywhere.