Metroid Prime 4 was announced in 2017 for the original Switch, much to the delight of fans, as the last numbered title was released in 2007. Unfortunately, due to delays and restructuring, fans had to wait a little longer than expected. But now, at long last, it seems like the game is finally coming out on December 4, 2025.
The game's full name is Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and while there are chances it could be delayed again since December release dates are odd, at least things seem to be at the finish line. For those new to Samus Aran’s adventures, specifically Metroid Prime, here are some reasons to be excited and why this is a big deal.
Every Metroid Prime Game, Ranked
Metroid Prime revitalized Nintendo's innovative scifi shooter series, and the best Prime games take full advantage of the first-person POV.
The Return Of A Legend
It's A Big Deal
Halo: Combat Evolved for the original Xbox set the standard for console shooters in 2001, but a year later, Metroid Prime hit the GameCube and was an equally big deal. It had a lower player base, but it was still a popular game for the system. This was the first 3D game in the series, and the first first-person shooter as well. It seemed like an impossible feat to turn a 2D Metroidvania into a 3D shooter, but Retro Studios did it with gusto, and its legacy is well-known.
A new entry in the Metroid Prime series is a big deal, which is reason alone to be excited for a new entry. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will be the first entry in this subseries designed from the ground up to work with a more modern controller setup, meaning that it has the potential to be the best controlling version of Samus in first-person to date. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption was a Wii game, so it has been a while.
The Bike And An Open-World
Vroom Vroom!
Since its reappearance in 2024, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond has looked like another first-person entry, which is good enough for many fans. However, the latest trailer for the game opened with Samus riding a bike, which is called Vi-O-La, in a big desert area. It looked massive, and maybe a bit empty, but bigger than any environment Samus had ever traversed before, 3D or otherwise.
Every Metroid Game Ever Made From Worst To Best, Ranked
Unlike Nintendo's other properties, the Metroid games vary wildly in quality, and we've ranked each and every game in the series from worst to best.
There was even bike combat, so it seems like it will be a big part of the game. Unlike most other trailers during the September 2025 Nintendo Direct, there wasn’t an explainer overview after. So, there’s still a lot of mystery regarding the game. Will the game be fully open-world? How will that bike work? Hopefully, Nintendo will make a Direct focused on Metroid Prime 4: Beyond to address these mysteries like they did for Kirby Air Riders.
The Amiibo
Nintendo Is Putting Effort Into Marketing
This rarely happens anymore, but Nintendo is making not one, not two, but three Amiibo for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. Also, two of them are going to launch before the main event. There will be a standard Samus Amiibo along with one where she is riding that new bike.
On launch day, the villain, Sylux, is getting an Amiibo too. Their functionality in the game doesn’t matter that much, as the Amiibo look great. Not every Nintendo fan is into collecting Amiibo, but the ones who enjoy it will be getting some cool new collectibles in November and December.
The Switch 2 Is In Dire Need Of Shooters
A Genre Nintendo Isn’t Known For
Beyond the legacy of the Metroid Prime series, Switch 2 owners should be overjoyed that they are getting a first-person shooter. Compared to the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S 2025 lineup, the Switch 2 is lagging behind, as fans of those consoles have been enjoying Atomfall, Doom: The Dark Ages, and Borderlands 4. Nintendo has never really had a good lineup of shooters on its consoles in general, so this isn’t that surprising.
So far, there is only Cyberpunk 2077, Apex Legends, and High on Life as far as major FPS offerings on the Switch 2. Some upcoming FPS games besides Metroid Prime 4: Beyond include Borderlands 4 as well. As far as optimization goes, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is probably going to be the best running FPS that will work properly on the Switch 2. So, anyone who wants a well-rounded year one library on the system needs to pick this game up.
How Will Retro Studios Reinvent Metroidvanias?
The Queen Is Back
Super Metroid, the third game, is when the series nailed its concept down completely. With the dawn of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, the Metroidvania was born. When both series disappeared, it was up to indie games to fill in the gaps. Hollow Knight, Axiom Verge, Shadow Complex, and many others filled in the gaps in the 2D realm.
2D vs 3D Metroid: Which Should You Play?
The Metroid series is one of many Nintendo franchises that contains both 2D and 3D entries, though appeal to audiences for different reasons!
However, not many groundbreaking 3D Metroidvanias have followed up Metroid Prime as successfully as 2D games. That’s why it will be exciting to see how Retro Studios will evolve the genre and what they decide to borrow from other games. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond could turn into the new blueprint for Metroidvanias as a whole, which seems fitting.
The Psychic Abilities
A New Take For The Franchise
One of the staples of the Metroid series is gaining new combat and exploration abilities through the campaign, typical of any Metroidvania. It’s become a trope now, but in most games, there is some reason why Samus loses her powers from game to game, only to get them back, or similar ones, along the way. This time around, Samus is going to be granted various psychic-based powers. In the footage shown so far, Samus can be seen guiding her bullets toward enemies, activating switches, and moving things with her mind. Time slows to a crawl when these powers are activated too.
It’s a good reset to make Metroid Prime 4: Beyond feel fresh and to get new players interested. It has been a while since a big game featured psychic abilities. Between the bike, these powers, the new world, and Samus’ new costume, it seems like Nintendo and Retro Studios want to create a new jumping-on point for newcomers.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 81 /100 Critics Rec: 81%
- Released
- December 4, 2025
- ESRB
- Teen / Animated Blood, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Retro Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
