The wait is almost over. After eight agonizing years since the initial announcement in 2017, two complete development restarts, and enough delays to spawn wild speculation, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is coming in exactly one month on December 4, 2025. Nintendo just released a brand new trailer on November 4 titled “Survive,” and it’s the best look at the game we’ve gotten yet. Finally, after nearly two decades since Metroid Prime 3: Corruption launched on the Wii, Samus Aran is coming back to the first-person scanner action that defined her legacy.
The Journey to December
Nintendo’s announcement in 2017 seemed straightforward. Bandai Namco Studios would develop Metroid Prime 4 with producer Kensuke Tanabe leading the charge. But in 2019, Nintendo shocked everyone by scrapping that version entirely and restarting development with Retro Studios, the legendary studio that created the original Metroid Prime trilogy. That decision cost time but signaled Nintendo was serious about getting this right.
For years after that restart, radio silence. No trailers, no gameplay, just vague assurances the game existed. When the first proper trailer dropped in June 2024 with the “Beyond” subtitle, fans finally exhaled. The wait wasn’t in vain. The game looked like classic Metroid Prime action reimagined for modern hardware, with Samus exploring forest environments, using her iconic morph ball, and scanning the environment like we remembered from 2002.
What’s New in Metroid Prime 4
Samus has aged two decades since the last game, and she’s brought new toys with her. The most significant addition is psychic abilities. Players can now harness Samus’s mind powers to manipulate objects, operate machinery, and even guide shots. It sounds weird on paper, but the trailers show it working smoothly in the combat flow. More controversially, Samus now has a motorcycle called the Vi-O-La that she uses to traverse Viewros and engage in action sequences. Fans had mixed reactions when that was first revealed, but seeing it in the new trailer suggests it integrates naturally into the exploration and combat.
The planet Viewros itself is the setting, described as a mysterious world once inhabited by an ancient race. The trailers show diverse environments from dense forests to expansive deserts, suggesting substantial environmental variety. Returning characters like the rival bounty hunter Sylux make appearances, and new enemies designed specifically for this entry give the game a fresh feel despite being part of an established franchise.
Switch 2 Is Getting Special Treatment
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond launches simultaneously on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, but the Switch 2 version is where things get interesting. The Switch 2 Edition offers enhanced graphics with multiple display modes. Quality Mode runs at 4K 60fps with HDR when docked, or 1080p 60fps with HDR handheld. Performance Mode prioritizes smoother gameplay at 1080p 120fps docked or 720p 120fps handheld.
More significantly, the Switch 2 version supports mouse controls using the new Joy-Con 2 controllers. You can move the right Joy-Con like a computer mouse to aim your weapons with precision, similar to how first-person shooters play on PC. This is a massive quality-of-life improvement over traditional console stick aiming and could fundamentally change how Metroid Prime plays on the new hardware.
Players who buy the standard Switch version can upgrade to the Switch 2 Edition by purchasing an upgrade pack, though Nintendo hasn’t detailed pricing yet. This approach respects players who can’t immediately jump to Switch 2 while giving early adopters access to the definitive visual experience.
The Mixed Reception Problem Nobody’s Discussing
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: the previous glimpses of Metroid Prime 4 haven’t generated the universal hype you’d expect from an eight-year-old franchise revival. The demo shown during the Switch 2 event received “fairly mixed” responses, and the September Direct trailer sparked some debate. The combat works fine, and it looks like proper Metroid Prime action, but some fans worry the game feels conservative rather than revolutionary.
That might be intentional restraint. The developers are working with aging Switch hardware as a baseline, which limits how ambitious the design can be. The psychic powers and motorcycle additions feel more like mechanical tweaks than fundamental redesigns of the formula. For some players, that’s perfect. For others expecting a massive leap forward, it might feel incremental.
The November Trailer Shifts Momentum
The “Survive” trailer released on November 4 is only slightly over one minute long, but it shows more action and urgency than previous showings. Samus faces real danger, exotic creatures fill the screen, and the psychic powers look seamlessly integrated into combat flows. For the first time, the game feels less like a museum piece recreating past glory and more like a genuine progression of the series.
The trailer specifically emphasizes survival and danger, hinting that Viewros isn’t a friendly exploration hub but an actively hostile environment. That frames the entire experience differently. Samus isn’t on a mission. She’s stranded and fighting to escape. That narrative framing could be exactly what lifts the game from “solid continuation” to “essential experience.”
Why Metroid Prime 4 Matters Beyond Being a Game
This release represents Nintendo proving it can deliver major franchises even after massive delays and restarts. The company had to swallow its pride, restart an entire project, and wait years longer. Getting Metroid Prime right mattered more than hitting an arbitrary deadline. That’s a statement about Nintendo’s values.
It’s also a statement about the Switch 2’s viability. Within its first month on the market, the system gets a first-party release from one of Nintendo’s most valuable franchises. That’s exactly how you establish a console. Paired with Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment earlier in November, Nintendo is clearly using software to drive Switch 2 adoption immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Metroid Prime 4: Beyond release?
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond launches on December 4, 2025, for both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. Pre-orders are available now on the Nintendo eShop.
What platforms can I play Metroid Prime 4 on?
The game releases simultaneously on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. The Switch 2 version features enhanced graphics, higher frame rates, and optional mouse controls via the new Joy-Con controllers.
What new abilities does Samus have in Metroid Prime 4?
Samus gains psychic powers that allow her to manipulate objects, operate machinery, and guide weapon shots. She also uses a motorcycle called the Vi-O-La for traversal and combat sequences.
Can I upgrade from the Switch version to the Switch 2 version?
Yes, players who purchase the standard Switch version can upgrade to the Switch 2 Edition via an upgrade pack. Pricing for the upgrade hasn’t been announced yet.
How long has Metroid Prime 4 been in development?
The game was initially announced in 2017. Nintendo restarted development with Retro Studios in 2019, meaning the current version has been in active development for about six years, with eight years elapsed since the original announcement.
What are the Switch 2 graphics options?
Quality Mode: 4K 60fps with HDR docked, 1080p 60fps with HDR handheld. Performance Mode: 1080p 120fps with HDR docked, 720p 120fps with HDR handheld.
Do I need a Switch 2 to play with mouse controls?
Yes, mouse controls using Joy-Con 2 are exclusive to the Switch 2 version. The standard Switch version uses traditional button and stick controls.
Is this connected to the previous Metroid Prime games?
Yes, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond continues the story set 18 years after the events of the previous Metroid Prime trilogy. You play as an older Samus on the mysterious planet Viewros.
Are Amiibo available for Metroid Prime 4?
Yes, three Amiibo figures are coming: Samus (Metroid Prime 4), Samus & Vi-O-La, and the bounty hunter Sylux. These will likely unlock bonuses in the game.
Conclusion
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is December 4, 2025. After eight years of waiting, restarts, and delays, Samus finally gets her next adventure. The game looks like a respectful continuation of the first-person Metroid formula with genuine new ideas like psychic powers and the Vi-O-La motorcycle. The Switch 2 version promises enhanced visuals and mouse controls that could make it the definitive way to experience the game. Is it revolutionary? Maybe not. But it’s coming, it’s real, and in one month, fans will finally get their hands on a game Nintendo clearly believes in enough to delay repeatedly rather than rush. That says everything you need to know.