Samus Aran fans who are hoping that Nintendo will pull a fast one on us and stealth release Metroid Prime 4 soon like it did for Metroid Prime Remastered can give up all hope for that – at least given the recent rumors. According to multiple sources, including controversial Nintendo leaker Zippo, the upcoming game might see a release no sooner than summer 2024.
This speculation aligns with the idea that Metroid Prime 4 could be the last major release for the Nintendo Switch before the launch of its highly anticipated successor console, the Nintendo Switch 2. Nevertheless, we’d advise Metroid fans to temper their expectations given Zippo’s less than stellar track record recently.
The development of Metroid Prime 4 has been anything but smooth. Initially announced at E3 2017, the game’s development faced significant challenges. Originally being developed by Bandai Namco, Nintendo decided to restart the project with Retro Studios, the creators of the original Metroid Prime trilogy. This decision pushed the game’s development timeline even further.
Retro Studios’ involvement is seen positively by many fans. The American developer was the brains behind the acclaimed Metroid Prime trilogy on the Gamecube and Wii, making them an ideal choice to helm this project. Its expertise and familiarity with the series promise a game that will do justice to Samus Aran’s legacy.
While Nintendo has been notably silent about the game’s progress, there have been a few hints dropped here and there. An Amazon pre-order page for Metroid Prime 4 appeared briefly before being deleted, and a job listing in early 2022 reignited conversations about the game.
Additionally, a Twitter banner on Retro Studios’ account brought the game back into discussion, and more recently, Xbox Insider Nick Baker teased a return of exceptional visuals in the upcoming title. While there’s no concrete information about the gameplay and story, fans can make educated guesses based on previous titles.
The last Metroid Prime games developed by Retro Studios featured first-person shooting mechanics. It’s likely that Metroid Prime 4 will follow suit, incorporating elements from the previous trilogy. Features like Samus’s helmet display, radar, and classic gameplay elements like puzzles and platforming might make a return.
As for the story, it’s challenging to predict a direction. The third installment, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, had multiple endings based on in-game achievements. All endings were open-ended, leaving ample room for the Metroid Prime 4 narrative to take any direction.
Are you looking forward to Metroid Prime 4, or has the extended development timeline dampened your enthusiasm for the game? Let us know in the comments section below.
