We are barely two weeks into the launch of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and the dataminers are already hard at work stripping the game down to its digital bones. While most of us are still scanning lore entries and trying to survive the new Omega Grievers, a discovery deep within the game’s audio files has sparked a massive debate in the community.
It turns out, the version of the game we got is the “quiet” version. Hidden files reveal that Metroid Prime 4 was originally planned to have significantly more incidental dialogue, specifically involving the Galactic Federation troopers that have become the game’s most divisive addition.
The “Chatty Samus” That Almost Was
According to a recent report by Eurogamer and a video deep-dive by YouTuber Bearborg, there are approximately 30 to 40 minutes of unused voice lines buried in the game’s code. These aren’t just throwaway grunts; they are full conversations, jokes, and character-building moments that were left on the cutting room floor.
The bulk of this cut content focuses on the “Base Camp” area, where Samus interacts with Federation soldiers. In the final release, these interactions are relatively brief—professional, military, and to the point. But the cut files paint a picture of a much livelier, and perhaps more annoying, hub world.
What Was Cut?
The datamined audio includes a variety of mundane and humorous exchanges that flesh out the daily lives of the soldiers. Here are a few examples of what was originally scripted:
- Roast Beasts: Several lines discuss the culinary habits of the troopers, including jokes about “roast beasts” found on the planet.
- Rookie Nerves: A character named MacKenzie originally had a much longer arc about being inexperienced and terrified of the mission, with Samus (or at least the troopers) commenting on it more frequently.
- Robot Lifting: There is an entire cut conversation about the lifting capacity of the VUE-995 service robots, which adds world-building but zero gameplay value.
Why Was It Removed?
The discovery has validated a lot of fans who felt the inclusion of friendly NPCs was already pushing the boundaries of what a Metroid game should be. The series is defined by isolation—Samus vs. a hostile alien world. The idea of her hanging out at a base camp listening to soldiers crack jokes about bad food feels… wrong.
It is highly likely that Retro Studios cut this content for pacing. In a game that relies on atmospheric tension, having constant chatter in your ear can break the immersion. By trimming the fat, they kept the “soldier” element without letting it turn into Mass Effect.
The Community Reaction
The reaction to this leak has been mixed. Some players feel robbed of lore, arguing that more world-building is always better. Others are breathing a sigh of relief.
| Camp “Restore the Cut” | Camp “Keep it Quiet” |
| “The troopers feel generic; this dialogue would have given them personality.” | “Metroid is about isolation. I don’t want to hear about a soldier’s lunch.” |
| “It makes the Federation feel like a real organization.” | “Thirty minutes of unskippable dialogue would kill speedruns.” |
Conclusion
Whether you love the Federation troopers or wish they would get eaten by a Space Pirate, this datamine offers a fascinating glimpse into the development process. Metroid Prime 4 could have been a much different, much chattier experience. It seems Retro Studios ultimately decided that silence is golden—or at least, that hearing about “roast beast” for the tenth time wasn’t worth the audio file size.
FAQs
1. Is Metroid Prime 4 out yet?
Yes! Metroid Prime 4: Beyond was released earlier this month, around December 4, 2025.
2. Who found the hidden files?
The files were highlighted by YouTuber Bearborg and reported by outlets like Eurogamer after dataminers began digging into the game’s code post-launch.
3. Can I hear the cut dialogue in the game?
No, the dialogue is not accessible through normal gameplay. You can only hear it by listening to the extracted audio files online.
4. Why did people hate the NPCs?
Many hardcore fans believe Metroid should be an isolating experience. The presence of friendly Federation soldiers who talk to Samus breaks that feeling of being alone on an alien planet.
5. Will this content be added back in a DLC?
It is unlikely. This content appears to have been cut for creative or pacing reasons, not because it wasn’t finished. Nintendo rarely restores cut “chatter” via DLC.