Metroid Prime 4: Beyond's Long-Anticipated Release Date is…

After years of speculation and anticipation, a release date for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond has finally been confirmed, and it's right around the corner. This year has held its fair share of major Nintendo announcements, and now that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond has a release date set in stone, fans of the franchise have something else to celebrate.

During the recent Nintendo Direct event, it was confirmed that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will arrive on December 4. After the launch of the Switch 2 back in June, many had been expecting a Metroid Prime4: Beyond reveal, and that day has finally come. As exciting as the official release date is, though, there is one big downside to its place on the calendar.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond was first announced at E3 back in 2017. After two years of development, production was restarted from scratch in 2019.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond's December Release Window Keeps it From A Lot of Awards Nominations

metroid prime 4 beyond screenshots samus close up

Nintendo is Ending the Year on a High Note, But With a Major Catch

By the time Metroid Prime 4: Beyond gets here, the nominations for The Game Awards will have already been announced, meaning that the long-awaited chapter will be out of the running. Plus, it will also be left out of the Golden Joystick Awards. This year is already packed with plenty of heavy-hitters, and while Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is definitely among that list, it will unfortunately be absent from the end-of-year-game celebrations. After the release of Hollow Knight: Silksong, it was hard to believe that the rest of the year would hold many more surprises, but Nintendo has shaken up the 2025 calendar once again.

However, just because Metroid Prime 4: Beyond won't make the cutoff to be a nominee at many of the year's biggest awards ceremonies, that doesn't mean it won't be a huge launch. December is usually a more relaxed time for game releases, so Nintendo will have the spotlight as the year comes to a close. So, despite Metroid Prime 4: Beyond likely not getting a Game of the Year nomination, the title at least has the advantage of being front and center when it comes to the December lineup.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will also be available for the original Switch in addition to the Switch 2.

2025 Has Been a Stellar Year for Nintendo

At this point, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is simply the icing on the cake of an already strong year. A brand-new console, Mario Kart World, and Donkey Kong Bananza have all been major highlights of 2025, and a fresh Metroid Prime entry is bound to make it feel even sweeter.

Although this Nintendo Direct was still missing long-awaited Animal Crossing news, the confirmation of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond alone is an update worth celebrating. Seeing Samus lead another action-packed story is a thrilling thought, and the wait is now shorter than ever.

metroid-prime-4-beyond-release-date-nintendo-direct-game-rant-4-1

After the release of Hollow Knight: Silksong, it was hard to believe that the rest of the year would hold many more surprises, but Nintendo has shaken up the 2025 calendar once again.

A new feature for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond confirmed at the Nintendo Direct is a motorbike for Samus.

The clock is ticking on Metroid Prime 4: Beyond's release date, and when that day finally gets here, it will be a big moment for longtime fans of the series who have been waiting for years. It will be fascinating to see how Metroid Prime 4: Beyond goes about showcasing the Switch 2's unique features, and even without end-of-year nominations, it's set to cause plenty of celebration from Nintendo lovers.

Rating block community and brand ratings Image