Metroid Prime 4 Development Restarted at Retro Studios: Nintendo Switch Update

Metroid Prime 4 Development Restarted at Retro Studios: Nintendo Switch Update Nintendo fans eagerly awaiting Metroid Prime 4 received an unexpected update regarding the game's development for Nintendo Switch.

Shinya Takahashi, Senior Managing Executive Officer at Nintendo, announced that development of Metroid Prime 4 will restart at Retro Studios—the creators behind the acclaimed original Metroid Prime trilogy.

This strategic move underlines Nintendo’s commitment to delivering a high-quality gaming experience for this storied franchise. Background: The Journey of Metroid Prime 4 First announced at E3 2017, Metroid Prime 4 generated tremendous excitement upon its reveal.

Originally, the title entered production with a "talented new development team" at Bandai Namco Studios Japan.

Its absence from Nintendo’s E3 2018 showcase raised questions about its progress.

At the time, Nintendo of America’s then-president Reggie Fils-Aime clarified that while the game was 'well in development,' it simply was not ready for a public update. A New Direction: Quality Above All On behalf of Nintendo, Takahashi provided context for the decision to restart development at Retro Studios.

He acknowledged the high expectations from fans of the Metroid Prime series and the anticipation that has surrounded the project since its original announcement.

Takahashi stated that the current state of Metroid Prime 4 had not met the rigorous standards Nintendo sets for its major titles.

"Nintendo consistently challenges itself to deliver top-quality games,” he explained, adding that the company is not able to release a game to the public unless it meets their confidence in quality and standards. As a result, Nintendo made the “difficult decision” to overhaul the development structure.

The restart now sees long-standing Metroid Prime producer Kensuke Tanabe working in close partnership with Retro Studios, the Texas-based developer renowned for the original trilogy.

Takahashi emphasized that this move was made to ensure the final product lives up to both Nintendo’s standards and fans’ expectations, even if it means an extensive delay.

"By working with Retro Studios, we believe we can create a Metroid Prime 4 worthy of the series’ legacy," he noted in his address. Project Status and Expectations The decision to restart will inevitably result in a significant delay from Nintendo’s initial internal plans.

Takahashi conveyed his sincere apologies for this setback, stating, "We recognize that this delay will disappoint many who have looked forward to Metroid Prime 4’s release." He stressed, however, that the extra time is necessary to deliver an experience that stands alongside its predecessors within the Metroid Prime series. Metroid Prime 4 remains in active development exclusively for the Nintendo Switch, with Retro Studios leading efforts under the guidance of Kensuke Tanabe.

Nintendo has not provided a new release window, affirming that the project’s timeline will be extended.

Updates will be shared in the future as development progresses further. For now, anticipation within the Nintendo community continues, bolstered by the reassurance that Metroid Prime 4 is in trusted hands.

Fans can look forward to future announcements and, ultimately, a title that upholds the excellence expected from both Nintendo and Retro Studios.

Nintendo Switch Metroid Metroid Prime Nintendo Metroid Prime 4 Retro Studios Switch