Nintendo Direct June 2024: Metroid Prime 4 Confirmed, Switch Successor Teased, and More

In a highly anticipated Nintendo Direct presentation today, the Japanese gaming giant thrilled fans with a slew of announcements, including the long-awaited return of the Metroid Prime series and a tantalizing look at what could be the next generation of Nintendo hardware.

After years of speculation and radio silence, Nintendo finally confirmed that *Metroid Prime 4: Beyond the Veil* is real — and it’s coming in early 2025. A striking new trailer showcased Samus Aran exploring a dark, uncharted world filled with ominous structures and new enemies, running on an engine that appears far more robust than anything seen on the Nintendo Switch to date. Though no direct confirmation was made, the visual fidelity has sparked speculation that the game may be a cross-generation title for both the current Switch and a successor platform.

That leads into the next bombshell: Nintendo acknowledged the existence of new hardware, albeit briefly. In a message from Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa, it was revealed that “development is progressing smoothly on our next gaming system,” and that “more details will come later this fiscal year.” This marks the first official mention of the Switch’s successor, following months of insider reports and leaks.

Other highlights from the Direct included a surprise *The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of the Past*, a top-down adventure returning to the series’ roots, releasing this November. Additionally, a new *Donkey Kong Country* title — *Donkey Kong Country: Jungle Rumble* — was announced, reviving the classic sidescroller with cooperative multiplayer and revamped visuals.

Rounding out the presentation were updates to *Splatoon 3*, a new wave of fighters coming to *Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s* Echo Expansion Pass, and a retro re-release of *F-Zero GX* in HD — available today on Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack.

While the confirmation of *Metroid Prime 4* stole the show, the first hint at Nintendo’s next console makes this Direct one of the most impactful in recent memory. With games like *Echoes of the Past* and *Jungle Rumble* closing out the Switch’s lifecycle, fans now look eagerly toward what’s next for the house of Mario.