Nintendo Direct June 2024 Recap: Metroid Prime 4 Finally Resurfaces, Zelda Spinoff Revealed, and GameCube Classics Return

After months of speculation and leaks, Nintendo delivered a power-packed June 2024 Nintendo Direct that left fans buzzing with excitement. From long-awaited titles resurfacing to new reveals that surprised even the most seasoned insiders, the showcase painted a promising picture for the Nintendo Switch in its twilight years.

The biggest news, without a doubt, was the long-anticipated return of *Metroid Prime 4: Beyond*. First announced in 2017 and notably absent from several past presentations, the game finally reappeared with a sleek new trailer and a tentative release window of early 2025. Retro Studios is back behind the wheel after years of silence, and the gameplay teased a moody atmosphere, intricate exploration, and a refined combat system that harks back to the series’ best moments.

Joining the surprise roster was *The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom*, a brand-new spinoff that puts players in control of Princess Zelda for the first time in a mainline adventure. Developed by Grezzo, known for their work on *Link’s Awakening* remake, the game features a vibrant, storybook-inspired art style and introduces a unique magic-based puzzle and combat system. Fans won’t have to wait long—*Echoes of Wisdom* releases September 20, 2024.

Perhaps just as exciting for longtime Nintendo fans was the announcement of the “GameCube Remaster Series,” a new initiative bringing classic GameCube titles to the Switch in updated HD form. The first wave includes *F-Zero GX*, *Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door* (a separate project from the recently released remake), and the fan-favorite *Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem*. All three remasters are expected later this year, complete with modern quality-of-life upgrades.

Throw in some third-party surprises—like *Hollow Knight: Silksong* finally committing to a November 2024 release date—and the June Direct proved to be one of Nintendo’s strongest in recent memory. With the Switch’s successor still under wraps, Nintendo appears committed to ending this hardware generation on a high note that honors the company’s legacy while pushing beloved franchises into bold new territory.