Nintendo has officially ramped up excitement for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond by unveiling two brand-new advertisements ahead of the highly anticipated game's launch on December 4, 2025.
This marks not just a major software release for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, but also the long-awaited return of the celebrated Metroid Prime series, which last saw a mainline release nearly two decades ago. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, developed by industry veterans Retro Studios, returns star bounty hunter Samus Aran to the forefront after a turbulent development history.
Initially announced in 2017 during E3 in the first year of the Nintendo Switch’s lifecycle, the game was briefly under Bandai Namco Studios' direction.
However, after feedback regarding the game's quality, Nintendo made the decision in January 2019 to restart development with the franchise's original creators, Retro Studios.
This move was widely seen as a commitment to upholding the high standards fans have come to expect from the series. The new advertisements, rolled out in June 2024, each emphasize different aspects of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.
The first ad centers on the Federation Troopers—key allies that players will interact with throughout their journey.
Notably, it highlights beloved character Myles Mackenzie, offering glimpses into the expanded supporting cast and story depth that Retro Studios is aiming for.
The second ad introduces the innovative mouse controls available on the Nintendo Switch 2, demonstrating Nintendo’s focus on accessibility and gameplay evolution as it expands its hardware capabilities. For many fans, the wait for a new mainline Metroid Prime experience has been a lengthy one—eighteen years have passed since the acclaimed Metroid Prime 3: Corruption was released in 2007 on the Wii.
Aside from Metroid Prime: Federation Force in 2016, which offered a spin-off experience, the core series has been dormant.
The release of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond thus carries significant weight, with the gaming community’s expectations buoyed by Nintendo’s and Retro Studios’ reputations for excellence. Retro Studios, based in Austin, Texas, has a storied history with the Metroid franchise, having developed all previous Prime entries to both critical and commercial acclaim.
With Metroid Prime 4: Beyond set to both push the technical boundaries of Nintendo Switch 2 hardware and revisit the exploration-based gameplay that made the series iconic, anticipation is at an all-time high. As the eight-year wait since the original announcement comes to a close, and with new footage now circulating thanks to Nintendo’s focused marketing push, industry observers and Metroid fans alike are watching closely.
The road to December 4, 2025, is sure to be filled with further reveals and details, as Nintendo positions Metroid Prime 4: Beyond as a must-play launch window title for the next generation of console gaming.
This marks not just a major software release for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, but also the long-awaited return of the celebrated Metroid Prime series, which last saw a mainline release nearly two decades ago. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, developed by industry veterans Retro Studios, returns star bounty hunter Samus Aran to the forefront after a turbulent development history.
Initially announced in 2017 during E3 in the first year of the Nintendo Switch’s lifecycle, the game was briefly under Bandai Namco Studios' direction.
However, after feedback regarding the game's quality, Nintendo made the decision in January 2019 to restart development with the franchise's original creators, Retro Studios.
This move was widely seen as a commitment to upholding the high standards fans have come to expect from the series. The new advertisements, rolled out in June 2024, each emphasize different aspects of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.
The first ad centers on the Federation Troopers—key allies that players will interact with throughout their journey.
Notably, it highlights beloved character Myles Mackenzie, offering glimpses into the expanded supporting cast and story depth that Retro Studios is aiming for.
The second ad introduces the innovative mouse controls available on the Nintendo Switch 2, demonstrating Nintendo’s focus on accessibility and gameplay evolution as it expands its hardware capabilities. For many fans, the wait for a new mainline Metroid Prime experience has been a lengthy one—eighteen years have passed since the acclaimed Metroid Prime 3: Corruption was released in 2007 on the Wii.
Aside from Metroid Prime: Federation Force in 2016, which offered a spin-off experience, the core series has been dormant.
The release of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond thus carries significant weight, with the gaming community’s expectations buoyed by Nintendo’s and Retro Studios’ reputations for excellence. Retro Studios, based in Austin, Texas, has a storied history with the Metroid franchise, having developed all previous Prime entries to both critical and commercial acclaim.
With Metroid Prime 4: Beyond set to both push the technical boundaries of Nintendo Switch 2 hardware and revisit the exploration-based gameplay that made the series iconic, anticipation is at an all-time high. As the eight-year wait since the original announcement comes to a close, and with new footage now circulating thanks to Nintendo’s focused marketing push, industry observers and Metroid fans alike are watching closely.
The road to December 4, 2025, is sure to be filled with further reveals and details, as Nintendo positions Metroid Prime 4: Beyond as a must-play launch window title for the next generation of console gaming.
