Metroid Prime 4: Beyond’s Motorcycle is Opening a Pandora’s…

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond officially has a release date locked in, meaning that years of anticipation and waiting are about to come to an end. The wait for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond has definitely been a long one, so seeing fresh footage at the most recent Nintendo Direct event was a thrilling update for many fans.

Now that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is set to close out an already-packed year, the clock is ticking. Getting a fresh look at Samus was thrilling, but one of the most exciting reveals at the Nintendo Direct event was the brand-new motorcycle. Called the Vi-O-La, this motorbike is set to be a game-changer for the series, and it could potentially be teasing even more secrets.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond's Motorcycle Mechanics Could Be Paving the Way for More Experimentation

Samus on a bike in Metroid Prime 4 Beyond

Nintendo is Still Being Quite Secretive About the Game

There are plenty of reasons to be excited about Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, but much of the game is still shrouded in mystery. With the fresh look opening with footage of the motorcycle, it seems as though that the Vi-O-La and the open-world traversal that it plays part of are going to be major pieces of the game's world. Not only will the Vi-O-La be used as a mode of transportation, there will also be bike-centric combat, teasing an expansion of Metroid Prime's more shooter-based mechanics.

It's a compelling way to evolve the series further, but it also raises plenty of questions about other surprise mechanics that have yet to be revealed. After this many years of waiting, it's still quite possible that Nintendo has more tricks up its sleeve, but only time will tell. With the tease of an open-world setting, it makes one wonder if Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will be mostly open-world or just partially for these bike-focused sections.

Driving in a desert in Metroid Prime 4 Beyond

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is also introducing psychic-based abilities to the series.

If the majority of the game is more open-world focused, this would undoubtedly change how players approach Samus in a massive way. This opens the door to plenty of mechanics, whether it be more in-depth shooter controls or more substantial melee. It remains to be seen whether Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is jumping on the open-world bandwagon, but it definitely raises some compelling questions regarding gameplay. Metroid and exploration go hand-in-hand, but an open-world approach would be taking things in a vastly different direction.

metroid-prime-4-beyond-release-date-nintendo-direct-game-rant

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond was originally announced at E3 in 2017, but production was restarted from scratch in 2019.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is Set to End the Year On a High Note

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is scheduled to be released on December 4.
The game will be available for both the Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Switch 2.

metroid prime 4 beyond - trailer screenshot

So far, 2025 has been jam-packed with huge releases, and the rest of the year still has plenty in store. Games like Silent Hill f, Ghost of Yotei, Battlefield 6, and Black Ops 7 still have yet to come out, and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond brings forth a thrilling end to the year's release schedule. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond's release date puts it in an interesting position, and with such significant changes being teased, it will be fascinating to see how players respond to the fresh approach.

As the year slowly comes to a close, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will have the end-of-the-year spotlight, and Nintendo will hopefully reveal even more information and deeper in-game details leading up to its launch. There's no way to know for sure if a Metroid Prime 4-focused Nintendo Direct is in the cards, but one can at least hope.

Rating block community and brand ratings Image