Predicting Metroid Prime 4's Release Date

Since the initial announcement of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, fans have spent a long time waiting for the continuation of the story. It’s been almost 20 years since Metroid Prime 3: Corruption launched on Wii, and after subtle hints in spin-offs and two console generations later, fans will finally be able to play Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.

The fate of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond was a mystery for quite some time. Since its initial announcement at E3 2017, the game has faced many indefinite delays, as well as development of the project being restarted from scratch. Things looked bleak for some time for Metroid fans until the launch of Metroid Dread gave them a glimmer of hope. Now that gameplay has been shown, its slated 2025 release window seems definitive. The question remains, though, of when Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will finally release. It’s likely that players will know of the official release date very soon, but until that announcement arrives, there are some potential release windows which could work for the game.

Screenshot from the Metroid Prime 4: Beyond gameplay trailer which was revealed in a Nintendo Direct. The image of Samus Aran is contrasted with the year 2025 in the background

What to Expect From Metroid Prime 4: Beyond in 2025

Metroid Prime 4 currently has a release date scheduled for 2025, which has raised expectations to new heights despite the game's troubled development.

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By Amber Warnock-Estrada

Metroid Prime 4 Needs a Safe Release Date

October Could Cause a Clash

To avoid clashes with other releases, it’s unlikely that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will release during October. It was recently confirmed that Pokemon Legends: Z-A will release on October 16, 2025 for Nintendo Switch alongside the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. As support for the original Switch is coming to an end, it is unlikely that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will release simultaneously with another game for this platform, especially one that will also receive a Switch 2 Edition. It’s possible that these releases will be staggered, meaning that October could be off limits for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.

Avoiding an October release could be deviating from the path established by Metroid Dread’s release, but it could be beneficial for both Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Pokemon Legends: Z-A. Giving both their own space means that players are less likely to divide their time between either title, instead being able to dedicate their time to each individual release. It’s possible that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond’s release window will avoid October entirely, opting for a release in the months prior or after.

Avoiding Metroid's Competition

Keeping Metroid Prime 4: Beyond’s release date away from October could be the best for the game. The Metroid Prime series puts focus on its story, and on top of this, players are tasked with exploring every nook and cranny of the game’s sprawling landscapes in search of upgrades and lore. Players may need to dedicate a lot of time to this experience, so releasing the game away from other big releases could be what the game needs.

For this reason, October could almost definitely be ruled out as a release window. With other narrative-driven games like Ghost of Yotei and Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodline 2 releasing at either end of the month, it may not give Metroid Prime 4: Beyond room to breathe. Since players have been waiting for the game for almost 10 years, it could be better to release it during a safer month.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Could Be the ‘Breath of the Wild’ for the Nintendo Switch 2

Zelda: Breath of the Wild marked a strong start to the Switch's life and redefined a genre, and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond could follow that same path.

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By Drew Swanson

A November Release Is Likely for Metroid Prime 4

Excluding Metroid Prime Remastered, some of the most recent Metroid Prime titles like Metroid Prime 3: Corruption and Federation Force released in August of their given release years. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond has the potential to follow tradition with a Q3 2025 release date, possibly launching in August or September. However, the earlier Metroid Prime games released in November, and there could be good evidence that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will follow tradition.

So far, November looks like a fairly empty month for game releases, especially for the Nintendo Switch 2. Being a new console, it may be expected that the Switch 2’s library of games would round out more before the end of the year. Furthermore, with Switch 2 Editions like Kirby and the Forgotten Land with its Star-Crossed World expansion releasing in August, staggering the releases of the rest of the console’s titles could be the best decision. Since November is uncontested as far as release schedules are concerned, this could be the prime release window for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.

A hint pointing towards a November release is the fact that the game is still yet to receive a set date, while Pokemon Legends: Z-A has already secured one. Because this date has been shared so soon, it’s possible that Metroid’s later date reveal will also yield a later release. There are lots of expectations that have built up for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond as it nears release, so the team may be using all the time it has to perfect the expectation and deliver the game fans have been waiting for.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond could be a showstopper for the Nintendo Switch 2’s library. While it is releasing on the original Switch, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond’s stunning visuals and higher performance could be a real system seller. As it also makes use of the Nintendo Switch 2’s mouse features, it is presented as the definitive version of the Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, acting as a transitional point between the previous Switch system and the new one. Launching just before the holiday period could be the incentive some players need to upgrade to the Switch 2.

The wait for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is almost over, but fans are still waiting to know which date they need to look out for. There are rumors that another Nintendo Direct will be presented soon, so there is a chance that the date will be revealed here. A November release seems like the most unsurprising option, but there is the possibility that Metroid fans will be able to play the game much sooner. All is yet to be revealed, but players can most likely rest assured that the game will still release in 2025.

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