Nintendo Direct June 2024 Recap: Metroid Prime 4, New Donkey Kong, and Zelda Surprise Steal the Show

In today’s highly anticipated June 2024 Nintendo Direct, the gaming giant delivered a power-packed presentation filled with long-awaited reveals, nostalgic returns, and a few surprises that left fans buzzing. The biggest headline was the long-awaited Metroid Prime 4, finally emerging from the shadows with a striking gameplay trailer and a 2025 release window after years of uncertainty.

The trailer showed protagonist Samus Aran exploring a ruined Chozo facility with fast-paced first-person combat, atmospheric lighting, and enhanced visuals that highlight the power of the Nintendo Switch successor (still unnamed but heavily hinted at throughout the Direct). Fans of the series expressed relief and excitement across social media, marking this as a major comeback for the iconic franchise.

But the surprises didn’t end there. Nintendo stunned audiences by unveiling a brand-new Donkey Kong Country title, “Donkey Kong Country: Rise of the Kongs.” It combines classic side-scrolling platforming with updated 3D visuals and co-op support. Launching this holiday season, the game is being developed by Next Level Games — the studio behind Luigi’s Mansion 3 — and promises a return to form for DK fans after nearly a decade without a mainline title.

Perhaps the most unexpected moment came in the final minutes of the Direct, when Nintendo closed with a short teaser for a new Zelda project. Rather than a full sequel to Tears of the Kingdom, the company revealed “The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of the Past,” a 2.5D action-adventure game reminiscent of A Link Between Worlds, slated for early 2025. The teaser shows a younger Link dealing with echoes from forgotten timelines, triggering immediate fan theories about multiverse storytelling within the Zelda universe.

With a mix of long-awaited releases and unexpected revivals, today’s Nintendo Direct will be remembered as one of the strongest in years — a clear signal that Nintendo is gearing up for its next era. Whether on Switch or whatever’s next, fans have a lot to look forward to in the months ahead.