With the next Nintendo Direct so close, the internet is abuzz with which games will fill the announced 40 minutes of the showcase. I'll share five of my predictions for the June 2024 Nintendo Direct.
June 2024 Nintendo Direct Predictions
These five predictions share my thoughts and hopes for future Nintendo Switch releases. The first you've already seen, two have been abuzz on the internet in anticipation of the Direct, and two are series I think are due for a new title.
Luigi's Mansion 2 HD
With Luigi's Mansion 2 HD releasing in less than two weeks, it's pretty much guaranteed that we'll get one last look at the title during this Direct. I don't expect that there will be any large surprises hidden here. If you're still on the fence about the game, this should help you decide if it's right for you.
Hollow Knight Silksong
Every time a new Showcase comes around, I see floods of comments hopeful for a new Hollow Knight Silksong Trailer or the game's release date. Unfortunately, the previous weekend contained big showcases, like the Xbox Showcase, but Hollow Knight was nowhere to be found. This may be wishful thinking, but there is a chance for Silksong to make its return in the upcoming Nintendo Direct.
The previous Hollow Knight game was released 3 years after it was first announced. Since it has been nearly twice that amount of time, fans should receive at least a short gameplay trailer to show that the game is still moving along. If not, I worry that the next announcement will say that the game has been further delayed or even dropped entirely.
Metroid Prime 4
Metroid Prime 4 is another title that was announced years ago and still doesn't have so much as a release date. With most of the larger 2024 Nintendo titles having been released over the past six months or in the next few weeks, like Luigi's Mansion, it's time that Metroid Fans had their moment in the spotlight.
One potential factor in Metroid's delayed content could be if it is coming to the next generation of Switch consoles. In Nintendo's official Twitter post about the Direct, they explicitly mention that there will be no mention of the next generation of Switch consoles. Due to this announcement and the time already sunk into the game, I believe that it will be one of the last big titles coming to the Switch. However, I could also see it coming to the Switch alongside an enhanced version created for the next-generation console.
Donkey Kong
Donkey Kong is one of the biggest contenders for a new Switch game announcement. Not only has it been six years since the last Donkey Kong game was released (and a remake at that!), but 2024 is the 30th anniversary of the first Donkey Kong Country game. Additionally, Donkey Kong-themed areas are coming to both the upcoming Super Nintendo World park in Orlando and the Super Nintendo World in Japan. With all of this happening, it would make sense for Nintendo to announce a new Donkey Kong title to share in the hype.
Because the only other Donkey Kong games on the Nintendo Switch are remakes or ports, I don't think Nintendo would announce another remake or remastered version of a game. Instead, it feels like a great time for a sequel or an entirely new title. My money is on either a new Donkey Kong Country game or a sequel to Diddy Kong racing.
New Yoshi Game
Nintendo always shows its Mario characters a lot of love. In the past year, Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach have all released their own titles. While Donkey Kong is the big contender for a new title, I think Yoshi has a shot at stardom. Like Donkey Kong, Yoshi is coming to the new Super Mario Land park where his attraction, Yoshi's Adventure", will appear in the US for the first time. He also has not received a new game since Yoshi's Crafted World was released in 2019.
If a new Yoshi title were to be announced, it's likely to be a remake of Yoshi's Woolly World. This would allow fans of the series to own both that and the Crafted World sequel on the same device. If it were up to me, I would love to see a new game in the Yoshi's Island series. It has been 10 years since the last Yoshi's Island title for the Nintendo 3DS. It would be a great end to the larger Switch game releases or a great start for the wave of games coming to the next Nintendo console.
Looking for your next Switch game? Check out Princess Peach Showtime Review: A charming spin-off for all audiences here on Pro Game Guides.