Nintendo has finally announced the date for the June 2024 Nintendo Direct they first mentioned earlier this year, and fans have many expectations for what could be Nintendo’s final presentation before the Switch successor is announced could bring. Just like last year’s summer Direct, we really don’t know what to expect, as Nintendo has been relatively quiet about the latter half of 2024. So, I wanted to give some of my predictions, realistic and not, for the June 2024 presentation. Note that this list is not based on any leaks that have come out, and anything here that has been leaked is not on this list for that reason. Without further ado, here are my June 2024 Direct predictions.
Metroid Prime 4 Will Finally Be Shown
It has been over seven years now since Metroid Prime 4 was first revealed at E3 2017. Metroid fans have been waiting patiently for this game, and it seems like now is when the game will finally show off. As I said, this Direct may be the last Direct before the Switch’s successor is revealed, and at this point, it seems like we need to see this game here. Even if (for whatever reason) the game still needs work, Nintendo needs to at least show the game is still in development and we need to see its progress. I’m aware that this is something that should have happened a long time ago, especially after the game was briefly mentioned during E3 2021 with the reveal of Metroid: Dread. This Direct feels like the game’s last chance before Nintendo’s next system overshaddows the Switch. As for if the game is in the Direct, I don’t expect there to be a huge trailer for it. I’m expecting something similar to the reveal of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom back at E3 2019, where some of the game will be shown, but there won’t be much gameplay. I’m not expecting the game to release this year, especially since I think the game will simulatenously launch on the Switch and its successor, similar to Breath of the Wild launching on the Wii U and Switch back in 2017. All I know is that this game is almost definitely going to be in this presentation.
Metroid Prime 2 Will Join the First Game on Switch
As I mentioned, I don’t think Metroid Prime 4 will launch in 2024. However, to pass the time, another 3D Metroid game remaster would be great. Metroid Prime Remastered early last year was a great surprise, and it seems like it makes sense for Nintendo to at least bring the second game to Switch as well. I expect that if the game launches by itself, it will probably have similar graphics to Metroid Prime Remastered, which would be fantastic as the term ‘remastered’ felt like it didn’t do the game’s graphics justice. However, if the game launches with Metroid Prime 3, I don’t think they’ll be quite as good as the first game’s remaster (but still will look nice). While I can’t imagine Nintendo selling Metroid Prime 2 alone for $60, Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD costs $60, so there is a chance. I think it would make more sense if both games were packaged together for $60. As for a release, I think an August or September release date makes sense, as the release of Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD next week makes me guess that it won’t come out this month. My hope is that at least Metroid Prime 2 will be announced here, and while it would be neat to see the third game as well, I at least hope both games will come out before Metroid Prime 4.
The Legend of Zelda Will Have At Least One 3D Game on Switch
It seems as though a Legend of Zelda port for Switch has been talked about forever now. Nintendo did bring Skyward Sword to the system back in 2021, but fans have been asking for The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess for so long. Now, compared to Metroid Prime 2 and 3, there is no Zelda game coming out soon, so it’s not like releasing these games would be smart to have for people curious about the upcoming game. However, that argument works both ways, as there is usually at least one Legend of Zelda game per year on the Switch. Since 2017, there has been a Zelda game released every year except for 2022. Plus, with the Switch nearing the end of its life cycle, remakes and remastered seem to have been flooding the Switch the last year or so, and we can only expect more in the second half of this year. So, why not bring some of Link’s most famous adventures, especially since HD ports of the games already exist on the Wii U. Even better, what if Nintendo announced a 3D Zelda game collection, including HD remakes of games like Ocarina of Time, Majora’s Mask, Wind Waker, and Twilight Princess? That would be a huge announcement, and easy to pull of with 3 of those remasters already existing on the Wii U.
Mario Baseball Will Finally Strike Onto the Switch
Mario sports games have not boded well on the Switch, with Mario Tennis Aces and Mario Strikers: Battle League not garnering much critical and financial success. However, I feel as though a well-designed Mario sports game would work perfectly, and baseball is the only sports left that Mario hasn’t played on Switch. Plus, with the Switch close to its end, a new Mario baseball game doesn’t need to be super successful. Personally, baseball is the sport I want Mario to play on Switch the most, and it’s unfortunate that it hasn’t come yet. Also, the last Mario baseball game was Mario Super Sluggers all the way back in 2008 on the Wii, so it has been a long time. I think that along with standard exhibition modes, the game should have an interesting story mode with unique concepts that strengthen the Mario baseball experience. There are many cool things Nintendo could do with Mario baseball, and I hope they try it out.
At Least One Switch 2 Launch Title Will Be Revealed
When Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa announced the June Nintendo Direct a couple of months ago, he specified that the Nintendo Switch successor would not be acknowledged during the presentation. However, that doesn’t mean we won’t get a sneak peek at the launch titles for this upcoming system. Nintendo doesn’t even need to specify that it will release on the new system, but I do think at least one game, most certainly a launch title, will be revealed during this presentation. For what it could be, I’m not sure. It could very well be Metroid Prime 4, but I feel like something else will be shown as well. I also don’t think it will be a game in one of Nintendo’s biggest franchises, like Mario or Zelda. Even if the game ends with a brand new Kirby game, or even something out of the blue like a new Star Fox game, that would be pretty cool. I’m not expecting much from Nintendo’s big IPs in this Direct, and instead expect the smaller but still popular franchises will steal the show. I just don’t know which one could take the crown for itself. But I guess we’ll find out tomorrow.
What are you expecting from Nintendo’s June 2024 Nintendo Direct? Let me know in the reply section below.
Ryan’s Fortress Twitter: @RyansFortress
Ryan’s Fortress Instagram: @ryans_fortress