Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Adverts Cause Release Date Confusion Ahead of Nintendo Switch 2 Launch

Nintendo Switch 2 Ad Campaign Sparks Confusion With Early Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Release Claim Nintendo's highly anticipated Metroid Prime 4: Beyond has unexpectedly entered the spotlight once again, following a puzzling advertisement spotted at the Oxford Circus tube station in London.

The new display, part of the wider Nintendo Switch 2 promotional campaign, boldly stated that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is "out now"—despite Nintendo officially announcing the game’s release window as 2025, with no precise date confirmed. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond remains one of the most eagerly awaited first-party titles on the horizon for fans of the franchise and Nintendo Switch owners.

Originally announced in 2017, the game experienced a complete development reboot in 2019, shifting production to Retro Studios, the widely respected team behind previous Metroid Prime titles.

After years of silence, Nintendo provided a significant update at the June 2024 Nintendo Direct, unveiling the official title and a first look at gameplay.

However, they reiterated that the launch would occur in 2025, likely aligned with the widely anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 hardware. Earlier this week, Video Games Chronicle (VGC) confirmed that multiple advertisements, including the one claiming Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is "out now," had been physically sighted at the Oxford Circus location—dismissing the possibility of digital alteration.

A similar "out now" label was also seen on an ad for Mario Kart World nearby, suggesting a broader issue.

Industry analysts and VGC reporters believe this may have resulted from a simple oversight, with template placeholders intended for later replacement.

The tube station’s tunnel was reportedly filled with Switch 2 banners, highlighting the platform’s expansion and its robust forthcoming library.

In a professionally paraphrased summary, VGC staff explained that the Metroid Prime 4: Beyond banner seemed to have mistakenly displayed 'out now,' likely the result of template confusion rather than any secret launch.

Given the high-profile nature of both the game and the upcoming Switch 2, such errors can create rapid speculation within the gaming community. Nintendo has previously executed surprise releases—most notably the shadow drop of Metroid Prime Remastered for the Nintendo Switch in 2023—leading some fans to briefly hope this might be a similar scenario.

However, in the case of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, there has been no official communication about an early release.

All current information from Nintendo points to a 2025 launch, and official channels confirm that the Switch 2 version will feature enhanced resolution, improved frame rate, and newly announced Joy-Con 2 mouse support for an optimal gameplay experience. For now, Metroid Prime fans are advised to await further details directly from Nintendo or via an official Nintendo Direct presentation.

The Metroid Prime 4: Beyond advertising mishap underscores how highly anticipated next-generation Switch 2 games have become—and how even simple errors can capture the attention of the global gaming audience.

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