Nintendo Direct June 2024: Metroid Prime 4 Release Date, New Zelda Spin-Off, and GameCube Classics Return

Nintendo fans were treated to a treasure trove of announcements during today’s June 2024 Nintendo Direct, bringing both long-awaited updates and surprising new projects to the Switch. Here’s everything you need to know from this morning’s 40-minute presentation.

The biggest bombshell? Metroid Prime 4: Beyond has finally resurfaced with a new trailer and a confirmed release date of November 8, 2024. After years of radio silence and a complete development reboot in 2019, fans of the bounty hunter Samus Aran finally have a solid launch window. The trailer showed off stunning visuals and showcased gameplay blending first-person exploration and combat, hinting at a darker, more narrative-driven approach than its predecessors.

In another major reveal, Nintendo announced a brand-new Zelda spin-off titled The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of the Gerudo, scheduled for early 2025. Unlike traditional entries in the franchise, Echoes of the Gerudo is a top-down action-RPG featuring a new protagonist — Naima, a renegade warrior from the Gerudo tribe — as she investigates mysterious time-shattering artifacts across Hyrule. The announcement trailer showcased fast-paced swordplay, puzzle-solving, and what appears to be cooperative gameplay elements.

Nintendo also thrilled long-time fans by revealing the return of several beloved GameCube titles via the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service. Launching later this summer, subscribers will gain access to remastered versions of classics including F-Zero GX, Luigi’s Mansion, and Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. These upgraded releases have been optimized for HD visuals and modern controls, and some will even support online multiplayer for the first time.

With a mix of long-awaited blockbusters, fresh IP expansions, and nostalgic blasts from the past, today’s Direct reinforced Nintendo’s momentum heading into the back half of 2024. While Switch 2 rumors continue to swirl, it’s clear the current platform isn’t done yet. If anything, Nintendo looks to be hitting its stride again — and fans couldn’t be more excited.