It's been a long time coming, but the wait is almost over as Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is due to hit Switch screens this December.
Thankfully, the Nintendo Switch 2’s launch earlier this year doesn’t mean that OG Switch owners are being left behind, as Samus Aran’s long-awaited return to first-person Metroidvania adventures is set to hit both ahead of Christmas 2025. Here’s everything we know about Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.
The Metroid games started as a side-scrolling action-adventure series, before making the jump to 3D first-person shooter with 2002's Metroid Prime — a phenomenal FPS that didn't sacrifice an ounce of what made the franchise special.
Over the years, Metroid Prime became its own saga, completing a trilogy with Metroid Prime 3: Corruption in 2007 (we've ranked all the entries in our best Metroid games list). Then began the excruciating ten-year wait before Nintendo finally announced a fourth game in 2017, which itself has taken another 8 years to arrive.
2023's excellent Metroid Prime remaster for the Switch and the 2D entries like Metroid Dread have filled the gap nicely, but we're long overdue for another big-budget Metroid title, and that wait is finally almost over. So, here's everything you need to know about Samus's latest outing.
What is the Metroid Prime 4: Beyond release date?
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is launching on December 4, 2025.
After the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal earlier this year, we were expecting Metroid Prime 4 to be a launch title, but it clearly needed more time in the oven. It wasn’t until late summer that we learned the game would be dropping ahead of Christmas. Both the Nintendo Switch 2 & Switch 1 versions are releasing at the same time.
Want to grow your sci-gaming wishlist? Our upcoming space games guide has you covered.
What platforms will Metroid Prime 4: Beyond be available on?
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will be released on both Nintendo Switch and the more powerful Nintendo Switch 2, with the Switch 2 version offering higher framerates and resolution targets, whether you're playing in docked or handheld mode, across Quality and Performance options.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond trailers
Metroid Prime 4's announcement trailer was released on June 18, 2024, and played out like a short, edited gameplay demo that ran for around one minute. As our first proper look at the game and its shiny presentation, it was exciting enough. You can watch it here:
On March 27, 2025, we got a longer look at the game running on the first Switch. It introduced the mysterious planet of Viewros and some of Samus' new abilities while also teasing enigmatic threats. Check it out below:
After the full Switch 2 reveal, on April 4, 2025, we got to see an extended gameplay demo of the Nintendo Switch 2 edition of Metroid Prime 4, which looks remarkably sharper than its Switch 1 counterpart and has a few surprises up its sleeve. Here you have it:
On September 12, 2025, a new look at the game shocked both new and longtime fans with the inclusion of an open-world map that could potentially connect the more closed-off areas we’re familiar with.
The biggest surprise? Samus can now ride a stylish alien bike that’s called Vi-O-La. This new preview also teased more linear sections and gave us the final release date. Watch it here:
On November 4, we also got a trailer for the Switch 2-specific version of the game, showing off the improved graphics, featuring a good blend of gorgeous environments, exploration, and action. You can see that below:
There was also the teaser trailer for the then-unnamed Metroid Prime 4 back in 2017, but that was literally just a logo reveal — effectively Nintendo saying "We're working on it, you can stop pestering us now". If that sort of thing charges your power suit then you can find that trailer below too:
What is the plot of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond?
Spoilers for Metroid Prime 3: Corruption ahead.
Metroid's history and lore are rather long and complex by now, so let's cover the basics first. Our protagonist is Samus Aran, a bounty hunter who protects the galaxy from menaces such as Space Pirates and parasitic aliens, with the jellyfish-like Metroids — and her relationship with them — taking center stage.
The original 1986 game was set in the year 20X5, which may or may not represent our 21st century. In any case, it's a futuristic sci-fi setting in which the Galactic Federation is steadily expanding across the stars. But of course, alien threats and mysteries abound out there. The seasoned bounty hunter Samus Aran ultimately becomes one of the Federation's greatest and most consistent weapons against such menaces.
The entire Metroid Prime saga is supposed to take place between the first Metroid game and Metroid II: Return of Samus, with Metroid 4: Beyond being a direct follow-up to Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. At the end of 2007's Prime entry, Phaaze, the planet where the dangerous Phazon substance originated, is destroyed. Samus then flies into hyperspace, with the mysterious bounty hunter Sylux trailing her.
Sylux previously appeared in the spinoff titles Metroid Prime: Hunters for the Nintendo DS and Metroid Prime: Federation Force for the 3DS. So far, they've been set up as a big antagonist, and the first trailer for Prime 4 confirmed our suspicions. They're seen leaving a research facility that belongs to the Galactic Federation with two Mochtroids – clones created by Space Pirates – and four marauder allies. Actual plot details are being kept under wraps for now (even after the recent extensive looks at the game), so at this point we’re expecting to get the full debrief once the game launches... or in a Prime 4-only special Direct.
What type of game is Metroid Prime 4: Beyond?
Much like the three previous Metroid Prime entries, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is a first-person shooter that borrows heavily from the action-adventure genre. Expect to see multiple interconnected areas that follow the 'Metroidvania' structure born from the template that the early Metroid and Castlevania games made so popular.
These games are largely defined by an interconnected world map that focuses on density rather than pure size, packing loads of hidden areas and secrets into each play area. Progression is typically gated and tied to the process of unlocking power-ups and weapons, as well as completing key objectives that push the story forward.
Traditionally, Metroid games involve retracing your steps across previously explored levels with new tools and movement options. Many players describe them as 'non-linear' platformers, but with combat and deeper exploration being so prominent, 'Metroidvania' titles are very much their own thing.
Of course, as 3D first-person shooters, the Metroid Prime games feel wider and even more mysterious. This also affects the design and difficulty of combat encounters, but for the most part, this saga has always excelled at playing by the same central rules as its 2D counterpart.
After so many years, Metroid Prime 4 will likely introduce plenty of new mechanics too, such as the surprising advanced motorbike Samus can use to cover vast distances faster. Despite all the teases, however, it seems like we won’t get the full explanation of what’s new until closer to the game’s launch.
