Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Not Ready Yet, But Nintendo to Announce a Release Date

After a long silence, an update on Metroid Prime 4: Beyond has finally come to light. This gives Metroid fans more hope that the game may finally be coming out soon. The report, however, stated that Metroid Prime 4 isn't quite ready yet, and a firm release date could be announced as soon as Nintendo's next Direct presentation, if that takes place this week.

Though neither Nintendo nor Retro Studios has officially confirmed the delays, this new information fits with the idea that Nintendo has been keeping the release date a secret because the game is still being finished. This is said to be the last stage of development, and Nintendo wants to make sure the product is perfect before setting a release date.

There is already a lot of talk about when the possible release window might be. Some people close to the project think it could come out as early as September, while others believe it will probably come out between October and December. If the leak from Kiwi Talks is accurate, November could be the best month.

Metroid Dread, which came out in October 2021 at the same time as the OLED Nintendo Switch model, has been compared to it. That game set a new standard for the Metroid series by selling more copies than any other in the series. Naturally, people have very high hopes for Metroid Prime 4.

The game is also getting a lot of attention because it works with the Nintendo Switch 2, which is expected to have much better hardware. Reports say Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will support 4K at 60 fps, and maybe even 120 fps in some modes. This is a massive improvement for the series. There are also rumors that the Switch 2 version will support a mouse and keyboard, which would really appeal to serious gamers.

Nintendo wants Metroid Prime 4 to be one of the best-selling games for the Switch 2 when it comes out, especially among fans who want a darker, more intense experience than the usual Mario, Donkey Kong, or Pokémon games. This might not be the biggest holiday game the company makes, but its great performance and cult following could make it one of the most talked-about Switch 2 games of 2025.

Also, let's not forget the long and winding path this game took to get here. Metroid Prime 4 was first announced in 2017. The project was taken away from its original developer and given back to Retro Studios in late 2018 or early 2019. We haven't heard much about the game since then, but the studio is said to have been working hard to rebuild it from the ground up.

Nintendo is almost done with development and getting ready for a real marketing push, so it looks like the game is nearly ready. Recently, on Treehouse Live, footage was shown that gave viewers a sneak peek at gameplay running on Switch 2 hardware. Initial thoughts were mostly positive.

More fuel on the fire: fans are now wondering if Nintendo will also update Metroid Prime 2: Echoes and Metroid Prime 3: Corruption in the background. Since Metroid Prime Remastered came out with little notice and sold more than expected, using the same strategy for the other games in the trilogy could build a huge buzz before Prime 4's release.

Overall, Metroid Prime 4's development might not be finished yet, but there are signs that an announcement is coming soon—maybe in a few weeks. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is shaping up to be a big part of Nintendo's 2025 strategy, thanks to its big jump in graphics, rumored release on two platforms, and long history.

Fans won't have to wait long to find out more. Since a Nintendo Direct is coming up before the end of the month, the wait may finally be over.