Metroid Prime 4: Beyond gameplay unveiled at Nintendo Direct

During the June 2024 Nintendo Direct event, we were reintroduced to Metroid Prime 4, now titled Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. Fans have been waiting for an update since the game’s initial announcement in 2017. The new trailer has confirmed a release window for 2025.

The trailer spotlights iconic bounty hunter Samus Aran, exploring a mysterious alien planet. The planet appears to be in conflict with various alien factions vying for control. Fans of the Metroid Prime series will be pleased to see familiar gameplay elements such as scanning alien creatures and the distinctive lock-on targeting system. We also got a glimpse at the game’s antagonist: a humanoid figure accompanied by two Metroids acting as bodyguards.

The journey of Metroid Prime 4 has been anything but smooth. Originally announced in 2017 for the Nintendo Switch, the game’s development faced challenges, to say the least. In 2019, Nintendo made the bold decision to shift development to Retro Studios. Previously, the project was handled by Bandai Namco, but the switch to Retro Studios required the game to be restarted from scratch, leading to more delays.

Despite the setbacks, the dedication appears to be paying off. The excitement surrounding Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is palpable and the 2025 release window suggests it could be one of the Nintendo Switch’s final major exclusives before the anticipated release of its successor, the Switch 2. There is speculation that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond might even become a cross-generation title, bridging the gap between the two console generations.

As the 2025 release date approaches, fans of the series will undoubtedly keep a close eye on further updates and details.