Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is an upcoming video game developed by Retro Studios and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. It was announced at E3 2017, and was reportedly initially developed by Bandai Namco Studios. In January 2019, Nintendo announced that development had restarted under Retro Studios, the developer of the previous Metroid Prime games. Kensuke Tanabe, who worked on all of the previous Prime games, returned as a producer. Prime 4: Beyond is scheduled for release in 2025.
| Metroid Prime 4: Beyond | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Retro Studios |
| Publisher(s) | Nintendo |
| Producer(s) | Kensuke Tanabe |
| Series | Metroid |
| Platform(s) | Nintendo Switch |
| Release | 2025 |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Development
editIn 2015, the producer Kensuke Tanabe said the next Metroid Prime game could involve the bounty hunter Sylux, who was introduced in Metroid Prime Hunters (2006). Sylux appeared at the end of Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (2007) in pursuit of the player character, Samus Aran.[1]
Nintendo announced Metroid Prime 4 during the Nintendo Direct presentation at E3 2017. Bill Trinen, the director of product marketing at Nintendo of America, confirmed that it would involve Tanabe but not Retro Studios, which had developed the previous Prime games.[2][3] While not confirmed by Nintendo, Eurogamer reported that Prime 4 was being developed by Bandai Namco Studios in Japan and Singapore.[4] The Bandai Singapore staff included former LucasArts staff who had worked on the canceled Star Wars 1313.[4]
The Nintendo of America president, Reggie Fils-Aimé, said in 2018 that Metroid Prime 4 was "well into development" and "proceeding well".[5][6] Nintendo did not show it at E3 2018; Trinen said they would share more when they "had something that would wow people".[7]
In January 2019, the Nintendo EPD general manager, Shinya Takahashi, announced that development had restarted under Retro Studios with Tanabe. Takahashi said that the previous studio had not met Nintendo's standards and that the decision to restart the project was not taken lightly.[8] Retro posted a job advertisement seeking storyboard artists in October 2020, seeking people to work on "emotional" and "interesting and innovative scenes that elevate the narrative".[9] Video Games Chronicle took this as an indication of a more cinematic focus.[10]
Release and promotion
editAfter releasing no further information since the game's announcement in 2017, Nintendo released the first trailer and the title Metroid Prime 4: Beyond in June 2024.[2][11] The trailer showcased similar gameplay to the previous games in the series, with Samus exploring a forest world, using her morph ball ability, scanning a Space Pirate and encountering Sylux.[12] Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is set for release in 2025.[11]
References
edit- ^ Otero, Jose (June 16, 2015). "E3 2015: What Metroid Prime's Producer Wants In the Next Sequel". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on September 30, 2015. Retrieved September 28, 2015.
- ^ a b McFerran, Damien (June 13, 2017). "Metroid Prime 4 Confirmed For Nintendo Switch, But Retro Studios Isn't Involved". Nintendo Life. Nlife Media. Archived from the original on June 15, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
- ^ Reeves, Ben (June 13, 2017). "Metroid Prime 4 Is Being Developed By "A Talented New Development Team"". Game Informer. Archived from the original on November 22, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
- ^ a b Phillips, Tom (February 9, 2018). "Yes, Bandai Namco is working on Metroid Prime 4". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on November 19, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
- ^ Reiner, Andrew (July 1, 2018). "Reggie Fils-Aimé Sheds Light On The Future Of Switch And His Progress In Breath Of The Wild". Game Informer. Archived from the original on November 9, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
- ^ Doolan, Liam (November 15, 2018). "Reggie Says Metroid Prime 4 Is Well Into Development". Nintendo Life. Nlife Media. Archived from the original on November 15, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
- ^ Hilliard, Kyle (June 12, 2018). "Nintendo On Metroid Prime 4's E3 2018 Absence". Game Informer. Archived from the original on June 17, 2018. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
- ^ Kato, Matthew (January 25, 2019). "Nintendo Restarting The Development Of Metroid Prime 4". Game Informer. Archived from the original on February 18, 2019. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
- ^ Robinson, Andy (October 13, 2010). "Metroid Prime 4 job ad mentions 'emotional scenes' and 'cinematic pillars'". Video Games Chronicle. Archived from the original on January 6, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
- ^ Robinson, Andy (October 13, 2020). "Metroid Prime 4 job ad mentions 'emotional scenes' and 'cinematic pillars'". Video Games Chronicle. Archived from the original on January 6, 2021. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
- ^ a b Lyles, Taylor (June 18, 2024). "Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Gameplay Finally Revealed". IGN. Archived from the original on June 23, 2024. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
- ^ Lane, Gavin (June 21, 2024). "Metroid Prime 4: Beyond - Release Date, News, Everything We Know About The New Metroid Game". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on June 20, 2024. Retrieved June 24, 2024.