Nintendo Direct June 2024 Recap: Metroid Prime 4, New Zelda, and HD Switch Teased

After weeks of anticipation, today’s June 2024 Nintendo Direct delivered a blockbuster showcase packed with long-requested fan favorites, surprise reveals, and tantalizing first looks at what’s next for the hybrid console. From the long-awaited return of Metroid Prime to speculation-fueling Switch hardware developments, here’s everything you need to know from the latest Direct.

Headlining the event was the long-overdue Metroid Prime 4, which finally re-emerged with a stunning gameplay trailer and a confirmed 2025 release window. Samus Aran returns in what appears to be her most cinematic and expansive adventure yet. The gameplay tease showed off first-person action fused with new traversal mechanics, indicating that Retro Studios has been hard at work making Prime 4 a worthy successor to the beloved trilogy.

Not to be outdone, Nintendo also lifted the curtain on an all-new The Legend of Zelda game. Departing from the stylings of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, this new entry appears to be more classically inspired, offering top-down gameplay reminiscent of A Link Between Worlds. Featuring a vibrant painterly art style and the return of classic dungeons, the unnamed title is set to launch in early 2025.

Perhaps most eyebrow-raising was a heavily implied tease about new Nintendo hardware. While no official announcement was made, the Direct concluded with a montage of games labeled “Optimized for Next-Gen Switch Hardware,” fueling speculation about the long-rumored HD successor to the Switch. Insiders and fans alike are now buzzing with theories pointing to a late 2025 launch timeline.

Other highlights included remasters of classic GameCube hits including Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (now with updated visuals and quality-of-life tweaks) and a surprise port of Kid Icarus: Uprising, now fully playable with modern twin-stick controls.

Nintendo has once again proven its flair for mixing nostalgia with innovation. While some fans may remain hungry for more concrete hardware details, today’s Direct was a bold step into the future, showing that the company is gearing up for a strong 2025 and beyond.