Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will impress at April Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, according to insider

Since its 2017 announcement, gamers have been desperate for a Metroid Prime 4: Beyond release date. After Retro Studios took over the game's development in 2019, precious few details followed. Finally, Nintendo unveiled a trailer in June 2024 and announced that the new Metroid Prime would arrive the following year. Now, an insider connected to Retro Studios expects Metroid Prime 4: Beyond to be a main attraction in the April Nintendo Switch 2 direct. 

Reece "Kiwi Talkz" Reilly confirmed the Metroid Prime 4: Beyond news on X but warned that Nintendo's plans could still change. The inaugural 2002 entry in the series took risks by switching perspectives to first-person. Previous Metroid games were 2D side-scrollers, but the Prime titles often pushed Nintendo's consoles to their limits. Kiwi Talkz hints that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will make another technological leap at next month's Switch 2 Direct.

Nintendo's January reveal video justified Switch 2 leaks, indicating a larger screen and magnetic joy-cons. However, the handheld's internals are more of a mystery. A more powerful processor and support for DLSS frame generation would benefit a demanding Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.

Another question is whether the new Metroid Prime was intended for Nintendo's upcoming console. Considering the long development cycle, it may not have always been a Switch 2 launch title. With backward compatibility, current-gen releases will work on the new system. Still, it would be surprising if the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct didn't show off significant enhancements.

With a slow release schedule, Nintendo has likely been waiting for the Switch 2's arrival to unleash a bunch of new titles. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond news could headline next month's event along with Pokémon Legends Z-A and a new Mario Kart game. Of note, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was a Switch launch title. However, it also simultaneously debuted on the Wii U. Likewise, many of these games may be available on both consoles.