In a move that sent the internet into a frenzy, Nintendo dropped a surprise Nintendo Direct presentation early this morning, unveiling a lineup that has fans buzzing. Headlining the showcase were two long-rumored titles: Metroid Prime 4, which re-emerged after years of near-silence, and a brand-new installment in the Legend of Zelda series.
Metroid Prime 4, which was first announced in 2017 before being rebooted in 2019, finally received its first full trailer. The footage revealed a stunning return to the first-person exploration gameplay that defined the series, now powered by a revamped engine that highlights the Nintendo Switch’s graphical limits. The trailer teased new alien worlds, a deeper mystery tied to Samus’s past, and a Spring 2025 release window. Fans have waited over six years for an update, making this one of the most celebrated reveals of the showcase.
But Nintendo wasn’t done. The biggest shock of the Direct came with a cryptic teaser for a brand-new title in the Legend of Zelda franchise. The as-yet-untitled game is not a direct sequel to Tears of the Kingdom, but rather a completely fresh take on the series, featuring a new protagonist and an art style that blends cel-shading with photo-realism. The trailer showed a mysterious floating city and what appears to be the return of a villain with ties to the series’ earliest lore. Nintendo confirmed more details will come in a dedicated Zelda Direct later this year.
Beyond those heavy hitters, the Direct also included updates on several fan-favorite franchises. A Mario Kart 8 Deluxe expansion passed its final lap, introducing new tracks and classic characters like Funky Kong. There were also surprise indie announcements, including a Switch port of the critically acclaimed Hollow Knight: Silksong, finally confirmed for late 2024.
With the gaming industry still recovering from a string of delays and cancellations, Nintendo’s sudden and content-packed showcase couldn’t have come at a better time. The surprise Direct not only reignited excitement for the company’s aging Switch console but also confirmed that Nintendo still has plenty of magic left up its sleeve.