Nintendo Direct Rumors Heat Up for Late July: Metroid Prime 4 & Animal Crossing Tease Raise Expectations

[July 19, 2025 | Earthtechy Gaming News Desk]

The Nintendo community is buzzing once again, and for good reason — credible insiders are hinting that a new Nintendo Direct could drop later this July, possibly bringing long-awaited updates on Metroid Prime 4, Animal Crossing, and more. And honestly, with Donkey Kong Bananza now officially launched, the timing couldn’t be more perfect.

If you’ve been waiting (and speculating) like the rest of us, you’ll know that Nintendo has been unusually quiet post-Switch 2 announcement. Outside of scattered game updates and surprise drops like the Zelda movie cast reveal on social media, there hasn’t been a major full-scale Nintendo Direct since the one that followed the Switch 2 reveal earlier this year.

But that could soon change.

Also Read: Nintendo Switch 2 Becomes Fastest-Selling Console Ever with 3.5 Million Units Sold in Just 4 Days

🎙️ Former Nintendo Exec Backs the Direct Rumors

The speculation gained serious traction after Kit Ellis, former Director of Social Media Marketing at Nintendo of America, shared his thoughts on the matter. On a recent podcast appearance, Ellis stated:

“I do think that a Nintendo Direct in late July does make a lot of sense for Nintendo.”

Coming from someone who lived and breathed Nintendo’s marketing machine from the inside, this adds a whole new layer of credibility to the current buzz.

Ellis pointed out that Nintendo has yet to announce solid release dates for several key Switch 2 titles. And while we’ve heard about games like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Kirby Air Riders, and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, all we really have so far are vague “2025” launch windows.

It’s clear: fans, developers, and even insiders are hungry for concrete updates — and a July Nintendo Direct could be just what the company needs to reset the hype cycle.

🔥 What Could Nintendo Reveal? BeatEmUps and Nate the Hate Drop Hints

Now let’s talk about what might actually appear in this rumored Direct. According to Nate the Hate, the same insider who correctly predicted the Switch 2 reveal earlier this year, the next big Nintendo Direct is set to arrive after the launch of Donkey Kong Bananza — which, as we know, is already out. That means the next few days are looking very promising.

And it doesn’t stop there. Popular content creator Wood “BeatEmUps” Hawker shared even more juicy details weeks before the rumors exploded. On the Nontendo Podcast, he claimed that the upcoming Direct will showcase a huge lineup of new and returning titles, including:

• Metroid Prime 4: Beyond with an official release date
• Animal Crossing teaser for Switch 2, coming in 2026 (Isabelle may make a cameo with a title card tease)
• GameCube shadow drops, featuring titles like Pokémon Colosseum
• Metaphor: ReFantazio on Switch 2
• A Switch 2 upgrade for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
• Death Stranding: Director’s Cut debuting on the new system

Also Read: Nintendo Switch 2 Launches June 5 with Mario Kart World, Cyberpunk 2077 & More: Full June 2025 Game Release Schedule

🎯 Why July Just Makes Sense for a Nintendo Direct

When you step back and look at Nintendo’s release calendar, the logic behind these Direct rumors becomes hard to ignore. Beyond Donkey Kong Bananza, there’s an oddly quiet stretch ahead — especially considering the Switch 2 is expected to launch with a fresh wave of first-party titles.

So far, the only upcoming games officially mentioned — Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Kirby Air Riders, and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment — have all been slapped with vague “2025” tags and little else. And while it’s common for Nintendo to keep its cards close, fans are now deep in speculation territory because the silence is louder than usual.

Even more telling is the absence of third-party confirmations for Switch 2. Sure, we just saw Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 make its way over, but beyond that, even Microsoft — despite Phil Spencer’s public commitment to supporting Nintendo’s next-gen plans — has been quiet. This leaves a huge gap that a July Direct could easily fill.

🎭 Nintendo’s Pattern: Predictably Unpredictable

Of course, we can never fully predict Nintendo’s moves. This is the same company that casually dropped major announcements like the Zelda movie cast reveal on Twitter (X), and announced a whole new Splatoon game via the Nintendo Today app earlier this year — with zero fanfare.

So yes, Nintendo could decide to reveal the Metroid Prime 4 release date in a tweet, a QR code, or even a mysterious mural on the side of their Kyoto HQ. But let’s be real — a July Direct is the cleanest and most impactful way to deliver updates on major first-party titles and showcase what’s next for the Switch 2.

And given how much attention is already building around this, it would be surprising if Nintendo didn’t take the opportunity to build some controlled hype before their usual September showcase window.

🎮 BitSummit 2025: The Indie Surge That Might Tease More

While big-budget titles are dominating the rumor spotlight, we shouldn’t overlook Nintendo’s consistent love for indies — especially during the summer. And if BitSummit 2025 is anything to go by, we might see some of these creative gems pop up in an Indie World segment during the next Direct.

Let me walk you through a few highlights from BitSummit XIII, straight from the heart of Kyoto:

• Thumbylina: A charming virtual pet designed for the world’s tiniest game device — the Thumby keychain. It’s quirky, unique, and oddly heartwarming. This is exactly the kind of project Nintendo loves showcasing.
• Pico Park 2 + Mouse Stage: A new Joy-Con-enhanced co-op puzzle experience. Think Snipperclips meets Angry Birds, with hilariously chaotic multiplayer potential. Pure Direct material.
• Muffles’ Life Sentence: A dark comedy RPG where your character can only speak in muffled grunts — and somehow, it’s hilarious. Nintendo could easily sneak this into an Indie World reel.
• No Players Online and Soviet Spooky Tales: Green Eyes: Both bring experimental storytelling to the table, and each would give the Direct a boost of artistic edge, especially with Nintendo’s global focus on diverse creators.

This blend of humor, creativity, and accessibility fits Nintendo’s DNA perfectly — and we wouldn’t be surprised to see these titles highlighted soon.

Also Read: Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-Order Frenzy: Price, Stock Updates & UK Retailer Fallout Ahead of June 5 Launch

📅 Final Thoughts: All Eyes on Nintendo This Month

Here’s where things stand — Donkey Kong Bananza is out, multiple insiders are aligning on late July, and even former Nintendo leadership is saying the timing “makes a lot of sense.” If you’ve been waiting for clarity on Metroid Prime 4, Animal Crossing’s future, or even those long-rumored GameCube shadow drops, now’s the time to start refreshing your feeds.

But until we get that official “Tune in to our next Nintendo Direct…” post, it’s all speculation — credible speculation, yes, but still not confirmed.

My advice? Keep your notifications on. The window is wide open, and if the rumors are true, Nintendo’s next big moment could arrive any day now.

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