Metroid Prime 4: Beyond has been a long time coming, with the first reveal teaser landing all the way back in 2017. During its lengthy development, the project was even restarted, with Retro Studios put at the helm. But everything appears to be right on track and we'll soon see the return of Samus Aran, with our first proper look at the game in action arriving in a Direct showcase in the summer of 2024. In fact, Nintendo reconfirmed back in February that it will be releasing this year as one of the many new games for 2025 that we have to look forward to.
It's already shaping up to be an exciting year for all things Nintendo, with the official reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2. And speculation has already been doing the rounds about the possibility of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond making an appearance during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct that's set to come in April. But whether it'll be among the rumored upcoming Switch 2 games lineup as well as the upcoming Switch games we're expecting to arrive in the future remains to be seen.
While we wait it out for more news, there's already been some gameplay, screenshots, and information about the new Metroid Prime game, and we've brought together all of the most exciting details to give you an overview of all that's in store. So for a recap of everything we know so far about Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, read on below.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond release date speculation
Nintendo has confirmed that the Metroid Prime 4: Beyond release date will be set for 2025, although the publisher is yet to confirm a firm date. We know that the long-awaited sequel will land on Nintendo Switch, but there's no word yet on whether the game will also launch on Nintendo Switch 2 - but given the upcoming console is now ramping up to release (and with a Nintendo Direct planned for April) expect to see a release date land in the next few months.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond trailer
The latest Metroid Prime 4 trailer made its debut during the June 2024 Nintendo Direct, making it a standout moment in the showcase. Our first look at Samus as she emerges from a spacecraft, leaps through the air, and lands effortlessly on the ground before us is a powerful one, setting the tone for the rest of the trailer. We occupy a first-person perspective as Samus navigates hostile environs, bringing back the FPS stylings of Metroid Prime 3 as she guns down enemies, scans the corpses of space pirates, and rolls through vents as a sentient pinball.
Metroid Prime 4 screenshots
Nintendo released new Metroid Prime 4: Beyond screenshots. You can see these by scrolling through the gallery above, which should give you a good sense of the visual fidelity Nintendo is striving to deliver for this Switch release. You'll see Samus in combat with Space Pirates, some beautiful new environments, and get a glimpse at some returning abilities.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond gameplay
The Metroid Prime 4: Beyond gameplay experience is going to be a delicate blend of quiet exploration, puzzle solving, and frantic shootouts, something the best Metroid games always capture with ease. You see these sides of play represented in the reveal trailer; Samus using her Scan Visor to assess the environment and gather information, shifting into her Morph Ball to explore new areas of the environment, and blasting away Space Pirates with her Power Beam and Missile Launcher.
If you're looking to get a better idea of Metroid Prime and how 4: Beyond may play, be sure to check out our glowing Metroid Prime Remastered review - which should convince you to pick up the classic!
Metroid Prime 4 powers and abilities
There's still plenty more we need to learn about the game, but that hasn't stopped me from analysing that reveal trailer to pick out all the returning powers and abilities in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond:
- Power Suit
- Power Beam
- Missile Launcher
- Morph Ball
- Scan Visor
Metroid Prime 4 story
The Metroid Prime 4 story is still tightly under wraps, although it is possible to uncover a few details from the first gameplay trailer. What we know for certain is that the primary antagonist will be Sylux, with the bounty hunter reappearing after their showing in Metroid Prime Hunters – now seen leading a group of Space Pirates in a raid against a Galactic Federation Research Facility. The most striking detail is undoubtedly the two tamed Mochtroids lookalikes flanking Sylux... what the means for Samus remains to be seen, though!
Metroid Prime 4's Sylux explained
Retro Studios has confirmed that Sylux will play a massive role in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, but who is this mysterious character? Little is known about this powerful bounty hunter, and that's despite multiple appearances in the series. So here's what I can tell you: Sylux carries a strong distrust of the Galactic Federation, and views Samus Aran as an enemy for her association with the organization. Sylux made their debut in 2004's Metroid Prime Hunters, attacking Samus as she explores the depths of the Vesper Defense Outpost. It's also believed that Sylux is piloting the ship which tracks Samus in the 'special ending' of Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. There's a history here, so expect Sylux to be a formidable threat in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.
Why Metroid Prime 4 restarted development
Metroid Prime 4 has been in some form of active development for nearly a decade – first teased in 2015, and later revealed at E3 2017. The game was originally in development at Bandai Namco Studios, although it wasn't to be. Citing concerns over the quality of the production, Nintendo opted to restart development of Metroid Prime 4 in 2019 – handing the project over to Metroid Prime creator Retro Studios. It appears that everything is back on track now, with Metroid Prime 4: Beyond set to launch for Nintendo Switch - and likely Nintendo Switch 2 - in 2025.
Check out the best Switch games to play while you wait for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.
