All of us knew a Nintendo Direct was coming this month; the corporate stated as a lot in Could. The true query is what is going to truly be proven. Nintendo’s launch schedule for the remainder of 2024 and past is barren (apart from Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD and Nintendo World Championships: NES Version), and the corporate itself has provided no hints as to what could be anticipated, leaving all of us free rein to foretell what may very well be introduced.

Under, we’ve collated each potential announcement we expect may very well be made throughout the June Nintendo Direct, together with a few of the extra standard rumors which have been making the rounds. Though we are able to most positively rule out something to do with the Nintendo Change 2 (or no matter Nintendo’s subsequent console is) being shared since Nintendo’s announcement for the Direct emphatically dominated it out, there are nonetheless loads of video games that would make an look.

Each rumored or theorized sport that would seem in Nintendo’s June 2024 Direct

Metroid Prime

Metroid Prime 4 nonetheless stays an enigma amongst Nintendo’s line-up of upcoming titles. Zero info on the sport has been shared since that 2017 reveal, barring affirmation that growth had began from scratch at Retro Studios. And that was 5 years in the past. It wouldn’t be shocking if Nintendo’s opted to carry it again for the Change 2 however, if not, perhaps Nintendo will lastly have one thing to share at this Direct.

Even when Metroid Prime 4 is MIA once more, there have been claims previously of Metroid Prime 2 and 3 seeing remasters, particularly within the wake of the primary sport’s remaster from February 2023. Though Big Bomb’s Jeff Grubb has claimed the Prime 2 and 3 remasters gained’t be as a lot as an overhaul in comparison with the primary one (by way of Metro). Nonetheless, it’d make a number of sense for Nintendo to a minimum of make the entire Prime trilogy accessible within the run-up to Metroid Prime 4.

Legend of Zelda

After the Change launch of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, it was broadly claimed/assumed that Twilight Princess and The Wind Waker (each of which noticed Wii U ports) would observe swimsuit. These rumors had been particularly standard in the direction of the top of 2022, however nothing ever got here of them. Nonetheless, these rumors haven’t fully gone away, with some speculating that Nintendo is just ready for a very good time to launch them. With how empty the remainder of its 2024 is, this yr might even see a minimum of considered one of them come out. On the very least, you shouldn’t count on any Tears of the Kingdom DLC since producer Eiji Aonuma dominated it out final yr (by way of IGN).

Hearth Emblem

One other longstanding and standard rumor has been for a remake of Hearth Emblem: Family tree of the Holy Warfare, the fourth mainline entry within the collection. So far, it was solely ever launched in Japan, however contemplating how far more standard the collection has grow to be since then, it’d make a number of sense for Nintendo to a minimum of re-release it. Particularly because it’s thought of the most effective Hearth Emblem video games ever made and launched a number of longstanding parts to the collection. Plus, the primary three Hearth Emblem video games have all seen remakes (although solely the primary two ever got here to the West), so it solely appears pure for Family tree of the Holy Warfare to observe swimsuit.

Donkey Kong

Between Donkey Kong’s presence in The Tremendous Mario Bros. Film and Nintendo’s theme park getting a complete Donkey Kong themed space, it does really feel like Nintendo’s trying to push its gorilla mascot in a giant manner. The Mario vs. Donkey Kong remake was a quaint throwback, however DK serves because the antagonist, that means we’re overdue a brand new journey the place he’s the star. This yr additionally marks the thirtieth anniversary of the Donkey Kong Nation collection and whereas Nintendo skipped out on celebrating the character’s fortieth birthday in 2021, a brand new sport reveal for this yr would make for an excellent anniversary current.

Xenosaga

This one is likely to be essentially the most esoteric decide on the listing, however I and many others genuinely really feel like developer Monolith Smooth, the studio behind Xenoblade Chronicles, may convey its Xenosaga video games to the Change. The reasoning for this may take a separate article to totally clarify, however the quick model is that Xenoblade Chronicles 3‘s story DLC, Future Redeemed, contained direct references to the plot of the Xenosaga collection, with its ending mainly confirming ties between Xenoblade and Xenosaga.

Admittedly, Xenosaga is a Bandai Namco IP, so it’s not like Monolith Smooth took it when it was acquired by Nintendo. Nonetheless, Nintendo and Bandai Namco have a robust working relationship, with the latter aiding growth on Tremendous Smash Bros. Final and making a few Pokémon spin-offs. Plus, all three labored collectively on the Baten Kaitos remasters from 2023, and Monolith doubtless couldn’t have had direct Xenosaga references in Future Redeemed with out Bandai Namco’s involvement. To not point out Xenosaga protagonist KOS-MOS already made a cameo in Xenoblade Chronicles 2. It actually appears like the celebrities are aligning for Xenosaga to make a return, although whether or not it’s at this Direct or a future one is one other query fully. In any other case, Wii U followers are holding out hope that Xenoblade Chronicles X may lastly make a leap to Change.

Lego Horizon Adventures

Lego Horizon Adventures could also be a spin-off, however Sony placing Horizon, considered one of its essential IPs, on Nintendo {hardware} remains to be a giant deal and was one of many standout surprises from Summer season Recreation Fest. Given this sudden partnership, we may see extra of the sport on the June Direct, if not a minimum of a reminder that it’s taking place. Then once more, contemplating Sony withheld Lego Horizon Adventures from its personal State of Play showcase, Nintendo might omit as effectively simply so it could keep away from selling a rival firm’s IP.

One other Wii U port

There are nonetheless a handful of Wii U video games that stay locked to Nintendo’s deserted {hardware} that followers would like to see discover new life on Change. As talked about earlier than, some need Xenoblade Chronicles X to get a Change port, however a trademark from earlier this yr factors to a different risk. As noticed by Vooks again in Could, Nintendo filed a brand new trademark for Kirby and the Rainbow Paintbrush, or Kirby and the Rainbow Curse because it’s referred to as within the U.S., sparking assumptions that it’s going to see a Change launch very quickly. There was additionally a brand new trademark for 3DS puzzle sport Fullblox, also called Stretchmo within the U.S., which might be a random however not unwelcome IP for Nintendo to revisit after so a few years.

Sonic X Shadow Generations

Shifting onto third-party bulletins, a trailer for the following Sonic the Hedgehog sport appears like a secure guess, particularly with it launching in October. Regardless of it coming to Change, there’s been little to no concentrate on that model of Sonic X Shadow Generations, so it’d be good to see the way it runs on Nintendo’s {hardware}. Ideally, we’d even get to see particulars not proven in Sega’s Summer season Recreation Fest preview, like its new open world space or perhaps one other new stage for the Shadow portion.

Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D

The HD-2D remake of Dragon Quest 3 fell off the map after its 2021 reveal, however Sq. Enix lastly acknowledged it was nonetheless within the works with this Twitter submit this previous Could. It didn’t actually affirm something except for it being multiplatform, however the accompanying message, “The legend of Erdrick attracts close to,” obtained folks considering the rationale it’s taken so lengthy is as a result of it’s now a remake of the primary three Dragon Quest video games, that are thought to be the Erdrick Saga Trilogy. Contemplating Sq. Enix’s earlier HD-2D video games, like Octopath Traveler and Triangle Technique, debuted on Nintendo {hardware}, it’s not unreasonable to imagine the Dragon Quest 3 remake may make its return in a Nintendo Direct.

Past Good & Evil

Whereas no person expects Past Good & Evil 2 to come back out any time quickly (if in any respect), a remaster of the primary sport made to have fun its twentieth anniversary must be on its manner, particularly for the reason that anniversary was final yr. Ubisoft had promised it could share particulars on it in early 2024 and but it’s stated nothing for the reason that 2023 reveal, with the remaster additionally bizarrely absent at Ubisoft’s newest showcase. Lately, nonetheless, trophies for the PlayStation 5 model popped up on monitoring website Exophase, suggesting a launch is imminent. With the Nintendo Direct the one main summer season showcase left, Past Good & Evil will hopefully make an look there.

Ace Lawyer

Capcom spent Summer season Recreation Fest hyping up Monster Hunter Wilds and Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess, however a really current hearsay factors to one thing Ace Lawyer associated being proven on the Nintendo Direct. The collection began out on Nintendo platforms so it’d be becoming for a brand new sport to be introduced throughout the Direct, though a remark by Twitter person Pyoro (a typical and dependable supply of Nintendo leaks) has some followers considering it’ll be a group of the 2 Ace Lawyer Investigations spin-offs. Whereas I’d personally choose an Ace Lawyer 7, an Investigations assortment can be a giant deal. Not solely are each video games not accessible on fashionable {hardware} like the remainder of the collection, however the second sport by no means launched outdoors of Japan.

Darkest Dungeon 2

Because the unique Darkest Dungeon finally made its method to consoles after its PC launch, it was at all times secure to imagine its sequel would observe swimsuit. PlayStation variations of Darkest Dungeon 2 had been finally introduced in April however, only a month earlier, Gematsu reported that Darkest Dungeon 2 had been rated in Brazil for PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Change. So, a Change port may get a short acknowledgement within the Nintendo Direct in-between the larger reveals.

Silksong

Actually, that is right here out of obligation. Silksong followers can’t assist however hope this long-awaited sequel to 2017’s Hole Knight will make an look with each gaming associated showcase, and are compelled to placed on clown make-up when it doesn’t present. Developer Workforce Cherry did beforehand purpose for a 2023 launch, however wound up delaying it, and the final ‘actual’ replace was when a list for it appeared on the Xbox retailer this previous April. This may very well be an indication of Workforce Cherry gearing up for a launch, however there’s in any other case nothing to recommend Silksong will seem at this Nintendo Direct. By that very same metric, there’s nothing to recommend it gained’t seem, however we’ll be maintaining the clown wig and face-paint on stand-by regardless.