''Metroid Prime 4: Beyond'' is an upcoming
action-adventure game
An action-adventure game is a video game hybrid genre that combines core elements from both the action game and adventure game genres.
Definition
An action adventure game can be defined as a game with a mix of elements from an action ...
developed by
Retro Studios and published by
Nintendo
is a Japanese Multinational corporation, multinational video game company headquartered in Kyoto. It develops, publishes, and releases both video games and video game consoles.
The history of Nintendo began when craftsman Fusajiro Yamauchi ...
for the
Nintendo Switch
The is a video game console developed by Nintendo and released worldwide in most regions on March 3, 2017. Released in the middle of the Eighth generation of video game consoles, eighth generation of home consoles, the Switch succeeded the ...
and the
Nintendo Switch 2
The is a hybrid video game console developed by Nintendo, released in most regions on June5, 2025. Like the original Nintendo Switch, Switch, it can be used as a Handheld game console, handheld, as a Tablet computer, tablet, or connected via ...
. Players control
Samus Aran
is the protagonist of the video game series ''Metroid'' by Nintendo. She was created by the Japanese video game designer Makoto Kano (video game designer), Makoto Kano and introduced in the first ''Metroid (video game), Metroid'' (1986) for th ...
, who makes use of new psychic powers on the planet Viewros. ''Beyond'' is scheduled for release in 2025.
''Beyond'' was announced under the working title ''Metroid Prime 4'' at
E3 2017, and was reportedly initially developed by
Bandai Namco Studios
is a Japanese video game development, video game developer headquartered in Kōtō, Tokyo and founded in 2012, with studios in Singapore and Malaysia. Bandai Namco Studios is a subsidiary of Bandai Namco Entertainment (formerly Bandai Namco Games ...
. By January 2019, development had restarted under Retro Studios, the developer of the previous ''
Metroid Prime'' games.
Kensuke Tanabe
is a Japanese video game producer and designer working for Nintendo, where he currently is Senior Officer at Nintendo EPD.
After he had graduated from the Visual Concept Planning Department of Osaka University of Arts, he decided to enter the ...
, who worked on all three ''Prime'' games, returned as a producer. Nintendo announced the title ''Beyond'' and released the first trailer in June 2024.
Premise
Following the destruction of the Phazon,
Samus Aran
is the protagonist of the video game series ''Metroid'' by Nintendo. She was created by the Japanese video game designer Makoto Kano (video game designer), Makoto Kano and introduced in the first ''Metroid (video game), Metroid'' (1986) for th ...
fights for survival on the planet Viewros and confronts foes including the rival bounty hunter
Sylux. ''Beyond'' introduces psychic powers, which can be used to operate mechanisms and guide shots.
Development
In 2015, the producer
Kensuke Tanabe
is a Japanese video game producer and designer working for Nintendo, where he currently is Senior Officer at Nintendo EPD.
After he had graduated from the Visual Concept Planning Department of Osaka University of Arts, he decided to enter the ...
said the next ''
Metroid Prime'' game could involve the bounty hunter Sylux, who was introduced in ''
Metroid Prime Hunters
''Metroid Prime Hunters'' is a 2006 action-adventure game developed by Nintendo Software Technology and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS. It was released in North America in March 2006, with other territories later. The story takes place ...
'' (2006). Sylux's gunship appeared in a special ending for ''
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption'' (2007) unlocked after 100% completion, in pursuit of the player character,
Samus Aran
is the protagonist of the video game series ''Metroid'' by Nintendo. She was created by the Japanese video game designer Makoto Kano (video game designer), Makoto Kano and introduced in the first ''Metroid (video game), Metroid'' (1986) for th ...
.
Sylux also appeared in the special ending of ''
Metroid Prime: Federation Force'' (2016), infiltrating a Galactic Federation research station and releasing an infant Metroid from a stasis tube.
Nintendo announced ''Metroid Prime 4'' during the
Nintendo Direct
Nintendo Direct is a series of online presentations or live shows produced by Nintendo, where information regarding the company's upcoming content or franchises is presented, such as information about games and consoles. The presentations began ...
presentation at
E3 2017.
Bill Trinen, the director of product marketing at
Nintendo of America
is a Japanese multinational video game company headquartered in Kyoto. It develops, publishes, and releases both video games and video game consoles.
The history of Nintendo began when craftsman Fusajiro Yamauchi founded the company to p ...
, confirmed that it would involve Tanabe but not
Retro Studios, which had developed the previous ''Prime'' games.
While not confirmed by Nintendo, ''
Eurogamer
''Eurogamer'' is a British video game journalism website launched in 1999 alongside parent company Gamer Network.
In 2008, it started in the formerly eponymous trade fair EGX (Eurogamer Expo until 2013) organised by its parent company. Fr ...
'' reported that ''Prime 4'' was being developed by
Bandai Namco Studios
is a Japanese video game development, video game developer headquartered in Kōtō, Tokyo and founded in 2012, with studios in Singapore and Malaysia. Bandai Namco Studios is a subsidiary of Bandai Namco Entertainment (formerly Bandai Namco Games ...
in Japan and Singapore.
The Bandai Singapore staff included former
LucasArts
Lucasfilm Games (known as LucasArts between 1990 and 2021) is an American video game brand licensing, licensor, former video game developer and video game publisher, publisher, and a subsidiary of Lucasfilm. It was founded in May 1982 by George ...
staff who had worked on the canceled ''
Star Wars 1313''.
The Nintendo of America president,
Reggie Fils-Aimé
Reginald Fils-Aimé ( ; born March 25, 1961) is an American businessman best known for being the President (corporate title), president and chief operating officer of Nintendo of America, the North American branch of the Japanese video game co ...
, said in 2018 that ''Metroid Prime 4'' was "well into development" and "proceeding well".
Nintendo did not show it at
E3 2018; Trinen said they would share more when they "had something that would wow people". In January 2019, the
Nintendo EPD
abbreviated Nintendo EPD, is the largest division within the Japanese video game company Nintendo. The division focuses on developing and producing video games, mobile apps, and other related entertainment software for the company. Nintendo EPD ...
general manager, Shinya Takahashi, announced that development had restarted under Retro Studios with Tanabe. Takahashi said that the previous studio had not met Nintendo's standards and that the decision to restart the project was not taken lightly. In October 2020, Retro posted a job advertisement seeking storyboard artists to work on "emotional" and "interesting and innovative scenes that elevate the narrative". ''
Video Games Chronicle
''Video Games Chronicle'' (''VGC'' is a British entertainment website covering video games published independently by 1981 Media. Led by editor-in-chief Andy Robinson, the team consists largely of former ''Computer and Video Games'' staff. Lau ...
'' took this as an indication of a more cinematic focus.
Release and promotion
Nintendo released the first trailer and the title ''Metroid Prime 4: Beyond'' on June 18, 2024.
It showcased similar gameplay to previous ''Metroid Prime'' games, with Samus exiting her gunship, exploring a forest world, using her morph ball ability, scanning a Space Pirate and encountering the bounty hunter Sylux, who first appeared in ''
Metroid Prime Hunters
''Metroid Prime Hunters'' is a 2006 action-adventure game developed by Nintendo Software Technology and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS. It was released in North America in March 2006, with other territories later. The story takes place ...
''. Nintendo also announced that ''Metroid Prime 4: Beyond'' is scheduled for release in 2025.
It was nominated for Most Anticipated Game at
the Game Awards 2024.
Nintendo released a second trailer in a Direct presentation on March 27, 2025, introducing the forest planet Viewros setting, new enemies, the Lamorn race and Samus's psychic powers.
In a Direct presentation on April 2, Nintendo announced a version for
Nintendo Switch 2
The is a hybrid video game console developed by Nintendo, released in most regions on June5, 2025. Like the original Nintendo Switch, Switch, it can be used as a Handheld game console, handheld, as a Tablet computer, tablet, or connected via ...
, with enhanced visual resolution, the option to use
4K at 60 frames per second or
1080p
1080p (1920 × 1080 progressively displayed pixels; also known as Full HD or FHD, and BT.709) is a set of HDTV high-definition video modes characterized by 1,920 pixels displayed across the screen horizontally and 1,080 pixels down the sc ...
at 120 frames per second, and optional mouse controls when using the
Joy-Con 2 controllers.
Notes
References
External links
Official ''Metroid'' series websiteOfficial Retro Studios website
{{Retro Studios
Upcoming video games scheduled for 2025
First-person adventure games
First-person shooters
Metroid games
Metroid Prime
Metroidvania games
Nintendo Switch games
Nintendo Switch 2 games
Retro Studios games
Single-player video games
Video game sequels
Video games about psychic powers
Video games developed in the United States
Video games featuring female protagonists
Video games produced by Kensuke Tanabe
Video games set in outer space
Video games set on fictional planets