Nintendo confirms: Metroid Prime 4 coming soon
Metroid is without doubt one of the most influential Nintendo titles. The first installment, released in Japan in 1986 (in the USA 1987), set the NES controllers alight and transformed the gaming landscape with its unique blend of exploration and adventure. Alongside Castlevania, it gave rise to the term "Metroidvania." This concept continues to describe games featuring expansive, interconnected worlds that encourage exploration, often without a defined objective, while gradually unlocking new areas through the acquisition of abilities or items.
In 2002, Nintendo took the Metroid series into 3D for the first time with Metroid Prime, a groundbreaking achievement at the time. The most recent entry in the series, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, launched on the Nintendo Wii in 2007, leaving fans waiting nearly two decades for a follow-up. Finally, in June 2024, the wait was over: Nintendo unveiled the announcement trailer for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, featuring gameplay footage and the return of Samus Aran.
The journey to Metroid Prime 4: Beyond was far from straightforward. Originally announced at E3 2017, the project hit a major setback in 2019 when Nintendo decided to start over. In a video, Shinya Takahashi explained that development had been restarted with a new studio at the helm. While the delay was undoubtedly frustrating, fans valued Nintendo's openness and honesty throughout the process.
Small change raises high hopes
The announcement trailer had already confirmed that Metroid Prime 4 would launch in 2025, but details since then have been scarce. Now, there’s a small update: the official Metroid Prime 4 homepage now displays the message “Coming soon.” While the exact meaning remains unclear, it hints that the sequel to the iconic series might arrive in the first half of the year rather than later. A release timed with the anticipated March 2025 launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 seems plausible.
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