Nintendo Sets the Record Straight on Metroid Prime 4's Timeline Placement
Nintendo’s long-anticipated Metroid Prime 4 has reignited excitement and discussion within the gaming community since its official announcement for the Nintendo Switch.
Developed by Retro Studios, the newest entry into the celebrated Metroid franchise marks a major return for the Prime subseries that began with the GameCube classic in 2002.
However, one recurring question among fans and series enthusiasts has been where Metroid Prime 4 fits into the broader Metroid series timeline—especially given the complex lore surrounding bounty hunter Samus Aran and the titular Metroids. In a recent interview with Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu, Nintendo has finally provided a definitive answer.
According to company representatives, Metroid Prime 4 is situated chronologically after the events of Super Metroid and before the narrative of Metroid Fusion.
This key detail sets the stage for Samus’s new adventure and clarifies how Metroid Prime 4 connects to both the Prime subseries and the mainline 2D entries on platforms such as the Super Nintendo and Game Boy Advance. Nintendo explained to Famitsu that because Metroid Prime 4 involves Samus venturing into another dimension, the development team wished to establish an original, liberated setting for the game.
This approach ensures that the storyline of Metroid Prime 4 can unfold independently, without affecting the continuity and development of the main 2D Metroid series.
“We wanted the freedom to create a unique setting for Metroid Prime 4 without impacting the direction of the 2D Metroid saga,” a Nintendo spokesperson told Famitsu. The news provides clarity for longtime fans, especially following recent releases like Metroid Dread on the Nintendo Switch, which concluded the main 2D storyline introduced decades ago.
The Prime series, known for its rich atmosphere and first-person exploration, remains a foundational part of the franchise’s legacy, having shipped millions of copies worldwide across multiple Nintendo consoles including the GameCube, Wii, and Switch. With Metroid Prime 4’s timeline position now public knowledge, players can anticipate a narrative anchored within the rich events between Super Metroid and Metroid Fusion, giving Nintendo Switch owners yet another immersive chapter in the saga of Samus Aran.
For both returning fans and new players, this precise placement offers the promise of new story possibilities without altering established series canon.
As anticipation builds towards further announcements and a concrete release date, one thing remains clear: Metroid Prime 4 is set to become another defining moment in Nintendo’s celebrated franchise.
Developed by Retro Studios, the newest entry into the celebrated Metroid franchise marks a major return for the Prime subseries that began with the GameCube classic in 2002.
However, one recurring question among fans and series enthusiasts has been where Metroid Prime 4 fits into the broader Metroid series timeline—especially given the complex lore surrounding bounty hunter Samus Aran and the titular Metroids. In a recent interview with Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu, Nintendo has finally provided a definitive answer.
According to company representatives, Metroid Prime 4 is situated chronologically after the events of Super Metroid and before the narrative of Metroid Fusion.
This key detail sets the stage for Samus’s new adventure and clarifies how Metroid Prime 4 connects to both the Prime subseries and the mainline 2D entries on platforms such as the Super Nintendo and Game Boy Advance. Nintendo explained to Famitsu that because Metroid Prime 4 involves Samus venturing into another dimension, the development team wished to establish an original, liberated setting for the game.
This approach ensures that the storyline of Metroid Prime 4 can unfold independently, without affecting the continuity and development of the main 2D Metroid series.
“We wanted the freedom to create a unique setting for Metroid Prime 4 without impacting the direction of the 2D Metroid saga,” a Nintendo spokesperson told Famitsu. The news provides clarity for longtime fans, especially following recent releases like Metroid Dread on the Nintendo Switch, which concluded the main 2D storyline introduced decades ago.
The Prime series, known for its rich atmosphere and first-person exploration, remains a foundational part of the franchise’s legacy, having shipped millions of copies worldwide across multiple Nintendo consoles including the GameCube, Wii, and Switch. With Metroid Prime 4’s timeline position now public knowledge, players can anticipate a narrative anchored within the rich events between Super Metroid and Metroid Fusion, giving Nintendo Switch owners yet another immersive chapter in the saga of Samus Aran.
For both returning fans and new players, this precise placement offers the promise of new story possibilities without altering established series canon.
As anticipation builds towards further announcements and a concrete release date, one thing remains clear: Metroid Prime 4 is set to become another defining moment in Nintendo’s celebrated franchise.
