Nintendo reveals new details about Metroid Prime 4: Beyond’s Vi-O-La motorcycle

Nintendo has uncovered new details about Metroid Prime 4: Beyond’s motorbike, Vi-O-La, which is reported to change traversal in the coming Nintendo Switch title, allowing Samus Aran to summon the vehicle exclusively in select areas of the planet Viewros.

Vi-O-La was first teased in a Nintendo Direct trailer last month, revealed as a high-speed motorcycle invented by the ancient spacefaring civilization of Lamorn. From what we know so far, Vi-O-La is linked to Samus via a special suit.

According to a recent update on Nintendo’s Japanese website, the company detailed the mechanics of the new motorcycle featured in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, stating, “You can summon Vi-O-La whenever you’re in an available area.” 

Dismounting from Vi-O-La quickly shifts Samus back into a first-person perspective, similar to hoverbikes, dubbed “Sparrows” in Destiny 2. The blog post further explained:

“Additionally, you can use special actions while aboard to fight enemies and destroy ores scattered across the ground as you make your way through uncharted territory.”

Vi-O-La comes with your run-of-the-mill abilities like boost, delivering a temporary surge in speed, which knocks back foes. Power sliding enables a sideways drift, accompanied by the ability to fire homing energy blasts that can lock onto up to five targets simultaneously.

Nintendo is also launching a tie-in Amiibo featuring Samus wearing the red Vi-O-La while piloting the motorcycle, which is priced at a premium $39.99 and released on November 6.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will stay true to its 2025 launch window, arriving on the Nintendo Switch 2 on December 4, with a lineup of more compatible amiibo figures rolling out in tandem. The Sylux Amiibo will launch alongside Metroid Prime 4: Beyond’s release date for $29.99.

However, it’s expected that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond’s Amiibo lineup and physical release might break street date, as was the case with Nintendo’s Super Mario Galaxy 1+2 release.

Story details regarding Metroid Prime 4 Beyond are still under tight wraps. What’s been revealed so far is that Samus is stranded on the planet Viewros, as she explores Viewros and discovers artifacts left by the Lamorn race. The instalment also sees the return of bounty hunter Sylux, poised as the antagonist in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.