Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is set to release on December 4, 2025, for the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, marking the return of Samus Aran in a first-person adventure with innovative gameplay mechanics. Preorders are now live.
The game’s journey began with its reveal at E3 2017 as a sequel to Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. However, development hit a snag in 2019 when Nintendo restarted the project from scratch, handing it to Retro Studios. After six years, the game is finally ready. Set on Planet Viewros, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond introduces Samus to new psychic abilities that complement her iconic suit and arsenal. Players will navigate alien landscapes, scanning flora and fauna to uncover lore, while engaging in battles against hostile creatures.
A central antagonist emerges in the form of Sylux, a rival bounty hunter with resentment toward the Galactic Federation and Samus. This narrative thread promises tense confrontations and deeper storytelling. Gameplay emphasizes exploration, true to the Prime series. Samus gains access to the Vi-O-La, a versatile motorcycle enabling rapid traversal across expansive areas. Players can launch off ramps, perform skids to attack enemies, and transition between mounted and on-foot combat seamlessly.
Preorder options cater to both current and future Nintendo owners. The Nintendo Switch 2 edition is priced at $69.99, available at retailers like Amazon, Target, and the Nintendo eShop. The original Switch version is $59.99, with similar availability. Nintendo offers a $9.99 upgrade pack via the eShop, allowing owners of the standard Switch version to enhance their game to Switch 2 specifications. This upgrade includes higher resolution, elevated frame rates, reduced load times, and a novel aiming feature utilizing the Joy-Con 2 controller as a mouse.
Nintendo outlines two display modes: Quality Mode, prioritizing visual fidelity at 60 frames per second in 4K resolution when docked, and Performance Mode, focusing on smoothness with 120 frames per second at 1080p docked. Both modes support HDR for enhanced color and contrast.
Three new amiibo figures are launching simultaneously, each priced between $29.99 and $39.99. The lineup features a solo Samus figure, Samus on the Vi-O-La motorcycle, and the antagonist Sylux. While Nintendo has not detailed the in-game benefits of scanning these amiibo, past Metroid collectibles have integrated seamlessly with gameplay.
No preorder bonuses have been announced for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. Retailers and Nintendo may introduce incentives closer to the release date. The absence of bonuses does not detract from the preorder buzz, as the game’s pedigree and enhancements position it as a must-have for action-adventure enthusiasts.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond integrates series staples with fresh innovations, including psychic powers that allow Samus to manipulate environments and foes. The scanning mechanic encourages thorough investigation, revealing hidden details about Viewros’ biodiversity and tying into the plot. For Switch 2 players, graphical upgrades and mouse-aiming promise a refined experience.
Early impressions highlight the game’s polished feel, with seamless transitions between exploration and intense skirmishes. The Vi-O-La’s inclusion stands out, offering dynamic movement that breaks up traditional on-foot segments. As Nintendo’s Switch 2 ecosystem expands, titles like this underscore the console’s backward compatibility and upgrade-friendly design.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond arrives at a pivotal time for Nintendo, following a slate of high-profile releases and amid anticipation for the Switch 2’s full reveal. Its December 4 debut caps a narrative of perseverance, transforming years of uncertainty into a beacon for Metroid devotees. With preorders open and amiibo ready to collect, the countdown to Samus’ next chapter has begun.
