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- Image from Metroid Prime 4: Beyond courtesy of Nintendo

Metroid Prime 4 Release Date News: The Wait Is Almost Over!

Originally posted on Total Apex Gaming | By Mollie Dominy | Last updated Aug 4, 2025 7:23 PM ET

Alright, Metroid fans, it’s been checks calendar nearly eight years (yes, you read that right) since Nintendo first teased us with the announcement of Metroid Prime 4. It’s been so long that some of us started wondering if “4” was actually a placeholder for a release date in some dystopian future where we have flying cars and space vacations. But finally, there’s light at the end of this endless tunnel, and it’s coming sooner than we dared to hope!

When Is Metroid Prime 4 Actually Releasing?

Nintendo has confirmed that Metroid Prime 4 is set to blast onto the Nintendo Switch 2 (and still compatible with the OG Switch, if you haven’t made the jump yet) within the next 150 days. That’s right. That’s just five months! You could start preparing your Samus cosplay right now, and it might actually be ready in time for launch.

If we take Nintendo’s usual playbook into consideration, there’s a good shot they’re aiming for a late-year launch to cash in on the holiday shopping frenzy. Translation? Samus could be sitting under your tree wearing her iconic Power Suit this December. And honestly, isn’t that the festive miracle we all deserve?

The Long Road to This Moment

To say the development of Metroid Prime 4 has been bumpy is like saying Ridley is “kind of a problem” for Samus. This thing has been restarted, delayed, and shrouded in ambiguity so many times that it’s basically the gaming industry’s Loch Ness Monster. Bandai Namco was initially tasked with the game, but in a dramatic twist, Retro Studios (the folks behind the original Metroid Prime trilogy) swooped in to save the day back in 2019. It feels like an eternity ago, but fast forward to now, and reports from hands-on previews are bursting with excitement. That’s a good sign, right? RIGHT?

What Exactly Can We Expect?

Image from Metroid Prime 4: Beyond courtesy of Nintendo

We don’t know every detail yet, but here’s what has us cautiously optimistic. Early gameplay reveals have teased:

That classic bounty-hunting action we’ve been craving.
Graphical upgrades that make even the coldest planets feel alive.
Deep lore to sink your teeth into (because that’s what Metroid does best).
Modern features like dual control schemes (hello, mouse users!) to ensure everyone’s happy, even the picky ones.

Oh, and rumor has it that there will be a playable demo at Fan Expo Canada this month. Canadians, start sharpening your elbows because the rest of us are deeply jealous.

Metroid Prime 4 Release Date Predictions & Sales Strategy

Now here’s the juicy bit. Nintendo’s tight release cadence this year has been something of a masterstroke. With hits like Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, and Pokémon Legends Z-A, they’ve been rolling out games like clockwork. Logically, Metroid Prime 4 could claim the coveted fourth-quarter spot as Nintendo’s holiday crown jewel. It’s almost too perfect to be anything else.

This would also make sense given the Switch 2’s jaw-dropping install base of over 6 million. By dropping Metroid Prime 4 in December, Nintendo solidifies it as a must-have title for the holidays, reigniting the hype around the platform and locking in even more Switch 2 adopters. Smart move, Nintendo. Very smart.

Why This Game Is (Still) Worth the Wait

Here’s the thing about Metroid Prime 4: it’s got legacy in its DNA. The Prime series revolutionized first-person adventure games, and every installment left us wanting more. Sure, the wait has been excruciating, but would you expect anything less from a game that has to shoulder that kind of legacy? Greatness takes time, and judging by what we’ve heard and seen, Prime 4 might just be worth every agonizing year we’ve spent waiting.

Also, if you’ve played Metroid Prime Remastered, you know the bar has been set astronomically high for this release. Retro Studios has the chops, so yeah, we’re cautiously optimistic they’ll pull it off. (Please, Retro, don’t break our hearts.)

Closing Thoughts

At this point, fans are practically frothing at the mouth for more news about Metroid Prime 4. This isn’t just another game; it’s a long-overdue installment in one of Nintendo’s most beloved franchises. As the release date creeps closer, be prepared for the hype train to pick up speed. Fire up your Switch (or Switch 2) and start stretching those thumbs, because we’re heading back to the galaxy sooner than you think.

What are you most excited about for Metroid Prime 4? The gameplay? The epic visuals? Or just being able to FINALLY say, “Yeah, I’ve played it”? Sound off in the comments. And, hey, while you’re at it, keep an eye on Nintendo’s announcements. Something tells me they’re just getting started.

Metroid fans, it’s almost time to hunt again. Finally.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Gaming and was syndicated with permission.

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