Nintendo Direct June 2024 Recap: Metroid Prime 4 Revealed, New Zelda Spinoff, and Switch 2 Teased

Nintendo pulled no punches in its June 2024 Direct showcase, dropping bombshell announcements and long-anticipated reveals that have reignited fan excitement across the board. Headlining the presentation was the jaw-dropping first trailer for *Metroid Prime 4: Beyond*, giving players a glimpse into Samus Aran’s next interstellar adventure after years of radio silence.

Originally revealed in 2017 and subsequently rebooted in development, *Metroid Prime 4: Beyond* is now slated for an early 2025 release. The cinematic trailer showed a darker tone, space-faring combat, and the return of classic Metroid Prime gameplay mechanics, leaving long-time fans thrilled. Retro Studios is officially back at the helm, working closely with Nintendo to deliver what may be Samus’s most ambitious journey yet.

Equally buzzworthy was the announcement of a brand-new Zelda spinoff titled *The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of the Depths*. Positioned as a narrative side story to *Tears of the Kingdom*, players will step into the boots of Princess Zelda herself, wielding ancient magical tools and exploring the mysterious ruins beneath Hyrule. The game uses the same engine as *Tears of the Kingdom* but promises fresh mechanics centered around puzzle-solving and environmental manipulation. It’s set to launch this holiday season.

Just when fans thought the hits had stopped, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa closed the Direct with a cryptic teaser for the future of Nintendo hardware. A sleek silhouette accompanied by the tagline “The Next Evolution of Play” appeared briefly, confirming ongoing rumors of a Switch successor. While no specs or official name were unveiled, Furukawa mentioned more details will come in a standalone presentation this September.

Other surprise announcements included a *Donkey Kong Country Returns* HD remaster for October, and the global release of *Mother 3* on Nintendo Switch Online, finally delivering on a wishful meme that’s persisted for over a decade.

With an exhilarating lineup of games and the promise of new hardware on the horizon, Nintendo’s June 2024 Direct has set the tone for what looks to be a monumental year ahead.