Nintendo fans just got something to get excited about. A demo listing for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond showed up on Germany’s USK rating board, and everyone’s trying to figure out what it means. The rating was actually filed back in March 2025, but it only recently caught people’s attention.
What We Know About the Demo
The listing itself doesn’t give away much. It confirms a Metroid Prime 4 demo exists and has been rated by German authorities, but that’s where the trail goes cold. The big question everyone’s asking is whether this demo is meant for the public or just for the event demos Nintendo has been showing off at gaming conventions since April.
Here’s the interesting part – the demo is listed exclusively for Switch 2. If Nintendo was planning to drop an eShop demo for everyone to try, you’d expect it to be available on both the original Switch and Switch 2, since the game is launching on both platforms. The fact that it’s Switch 2-only makes it seem more likely this is the same build they’ve been using at events like Gamescom, PAX Aus, and Fan Expo Canada.
Could This Mean an eShop Demo Is Coming
Nintendo has been putting out demos for their big first-party releases lately, so it’s not out of the question. With Metroid Prime 4: Beyond launching on December 4, 2025, the timing would make sense for a pre-release demo drop. Many fans are hoping Nintendo will host a dedicated Direct presentation in mid-November that could reveal this demo alongside final details about the game.
The demo would be a smart move for Nintendo. Metroid Prime 4 has been in development hell for years. It was originally announced at E3 2017, started development at Bandai Namco Studios, got completely restarted in 2019 when Nintendo wasn’t happy with progress, and was handed over to Retro Studios (the team behind the original Metroid Prime trilogy). After all that drama, letting people actually play a slice of the game before launch could build serious momentum.
What the Event Demos Have Shown
People who got hands-on time with Metroid Prime 4 at events have been pretty consistent in their impressions. The demo is about 15 minutes long and takes players through a standard Metroid Prime gameplay loop. You land on a planet in the middle of a battle between space soldiers and space pirates, shoot some aliens, scan your environment for lore and clues, pick up power-ups, and face off against a big boss at the end.
The standout feature everyone’s talking about is the new free-aim mechanic made possible by the Switch 2’s Joy-Con 2 controllers. These controllers can function like a mouse, giving you way more precision when aiming. Nintendo is clearly betting this control scheme will be a major selling point, especially for people who’ve been on the fence about upgrading to Switch 2.
The Long Road to Release
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond has had one of the most turbulent development cycles in recent Nintendo history. When it was announced in 2017, fans were thrilled. Then… nothing. For two years, radio silence. In January 2019, Nintendo did something rare – they publicly admitted development wasn’t going well and announced they were scrapping everything and starting over with Retro Studios.
Fast forward to June 2024, and Nintendo finally showed the first real trailer, revealing the subtitle “Beyond” and giving fans their first look at actual gameplay. The game is set on a planet called Viewros, where Samus Aran lands after a confrontation with rival bounty hunter Sylux. She’s stranded and needs to use both her classic abilities and new psychic powers gifted by the planet’s inhabitants to find a way home.
Switch 2 Features and Performance
The Switch 2 version of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is getting the full treatment. Nintendo is offering two display modes. Quality Mode runs at 4K and 60 fps when docked (1080p at 60 fps in handheld), while Performance Mode pushes things to 1080p at 120 fps when docked (720p at 120 fps in handheld). Both modes support HDR for more vivid colors.
Beyond the visual upgrades, the Switch 2 edition includes support for mouse controls via the Joy-Con 2 controllers, faster load times, and enhanced resolution. If you buy the standard Switch version, you can purchase an upgrade pack to access the Switch 2 edition features without buying the game twice.
What’s Next
With the game launching in just over a month, Nintendo needs to start ramping up their marketing. Fans are expecting either a dedicated Metroid Prime 4 Direct or at least a significant segment in an upcoming general Direct. That presentation would be the perfect opportunity to announce an eShop demo if one is coming.
Whether this German rating board listing leads to a public demo or not, the fact that we’re this close to finally playing Metroid Prime 4 after eight years of waiting is pretty wild. The first-person adventure series hasn’t had a new mainline entry since Metroid Prime 3: Corruption launched on the Wii in 2007. That’s an 18-year gap.
FAQs
When does Metroid Prime 4: Beyond release?
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond launches on December 4, 2025, for both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2.
Will there be a public demo before release?
It’s unclear. A demo has been rated by Germany’s USK board, but it could be the version used at gaming events rather than a public eShop release. Many fans are hoping Nintendo announces a public demo in an upcoming Direct presentation.
Is the demo only for Switch 2?
According to the German rating board listing, yes. The demo is listed exclusively for Switch 2, which is one reason people think it might be the event demo rather than a public release.
Who is developing Metroid Prime 4?
Retro Studios, the team behind the original Metroid Prime trilogy, is developing the game. Development was restarted under Retro in 2019 after Nintendo wasn’t satisfied with the initial work by Bandai Namco Studios.
What’s different about the Switch 2 version?
The Switch 2 edition features mouse controls via Joy-Con 2, up to 4K resolution at 60 fps or 1080p at 120 fps, HDR support, and faster load times. Players can choose between Quality Mode (better visuals) or Performance Mode (higher frame rate).
Can I upgrade from the Switch version to Switch 2?
Yes. If you purchase Metroid Prime 4: Beyond for Nintendo Switch, you can buy an upgrade pack to access the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition features without purchasing the full game again.
What is the game about?
Samus Aran is transported to the unknown planet Viewros after a battle with rival bounty hunter Sylux. She must use her classic abilities plus new psychic powers granted by the planet’s inhabitants to find a way home. The game features exploration, combat, and a new motorcycle vehicle called Vi-O-La for traversing open areas.
Will the game work on original Switch?
Yes. While the Switch 2 version has enhanced features, the full game will be playable on the original Nintendo Switch with standard performance and controls.
Conclusion
The appearance of a Metroid Prime 4: Beyond demo on Germany’s rating board has given fans something to speculate about as the December 4 release date approaches. Whether this listing leads to a public eShop demo or simply documents the event demos Nintendo has been showing remains to be seen. What’s certain is that after eight years of waiting, multiple delays, and a complete development restart, Samus Aran’s next adventure is finally almost here. The combination of classic Metroid Prime gameplay, new mechanics like psychic abilities and the Vi-O-La motorcycle, and cutting-edge Switch 2 features like mouse controls and 4K performance has positioned this as one of Nintendo’s biggest releases of 2025. If Nintendo does drop a demo before launch, it could be the final push that convinces holdouts to either pick up the game or finally upgrade to Switch 2.