There’s no doubt thatMetroid Prime 4: Beyondis currently the most anticipated title for the Nintendo Switch. From its initial announcement during E3 2017,Prime 4has remained a popular talking point during the Switch’s lifespan as fans eagerly awaited the game’s release. With that in mind, it will surely be a relief for those fans that they’ll finally get their hands onPrime 4when it makes its way to the Switch in 2025.
However, in the years followingPrime 4’s first reveal, theMetroidfranchise as a whole has gone through some major changes. From new releases, to development struggles and delays, the series suddenly has a whole new set of eyes on it, and with that comes a wealth of new expectations.Prime 4is no longer another game in a slew of anticipated releases, but a key moment in determining the future of the series as a whole, making its release more important than ever.
Metroid Saw A Huge Renaissance On Switch
The Switch Includes Some Of Metroid’s Most Successful Games
Despite being responsible for some of Nintendo’s greatest games, theMetroidseries hasn’t always seen huge success. The franchise’s lackluster sales, which pale in comparison to the likes ofThe Legend of ZeldaandSuper Mario, meant thatMetroidwas often overlooked. In fact,prior to the series' return on Switch, theMetroidseries was at a low point in its history, thanks in large part to many long hiatuses interspersed with some disappointing entries, includingMetroid: Other Mand the infamousMetroid Prime: Federation Force.
Thankfully, Nintendo has made an effort to revitalize the beloved series on the Switch. Players were treated to some major releases, including theexcellentMetroid Dread, the series' first original 2D entry in 19 years, as well as aremaster ofMetroid Prime, one of the franchise’s most popular and acclaimed titles.These titles ended up being the boost thatMetroiddesperately needed, resulting in some of the best-selling games in its history and renewing interest in the series after its decade-long struggle.
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More important than the success of these titles is the clear message Nintendo is sending out toMetroidfans. The company is demonstrating a renewed commitment toMetroid, with its new releases, inclusion of classic titles on Nintendo Switch Online, and the upcomingPrime 4, all the while promising that the series could continue to deliver new and original experiences 38 years on. As reassuring as this may be to fans of the series, it places even higher expectations onPrime 4to fulfill this promise, and maintain the momentum thatMetroidhas garnered during the Switch’s lifespan.
Metroid Prime 4 Is The Switch’s Most Anticipated Title
Metroid Prime 4: Beyondalready holds high expectations as one of the Switch’s most-anticipated games, and it’s not hard to see how it achieved that title. For many,Prime 4achieved that status from its initial announcement alone. As the first original mainlineMetroid Primegame sinceMetroid Prime 3: Corruptionin 2007, the excitement and anticipation ofPrime 4’s announcement would naturally result in high expectations for the title to continue and improve on the original trilogy of games, before players were even shown a glimpse of gameplay.
Of course, at the time ofPrime 4’s announcement, no one could have predicted the long and arduous journey that the game would find itself on.Less than two years afterPrime 4was announced, development on the title restarted from scratch, as the project was handed back over to Retro Studios, who had previously worked on the first threeMetroid Primegames. Since then,Metroidfans have had to suffer long periods of radio silence, yearning for any inkling of information until Nintendo finally revealedgameplay forPrime 4during its Direct in June 2024.
The Long Wait For Metroid Prime 4 Has Caused A Huge Problem
Despite the excitement for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, one problem arising from the wait for the game could have a massive effect on its success.
Prime 4’s years of development and anticipation have changed how the title has been perceived. No longer isPrime 4just another game in a beloved series, butit has become this legend that has been a defining part of the Switch’s entire lifespan.Prime 4’s release is now this gargantuan event, a culmination of one of Nintendo’s most successful eras in gaming, putting insurmountable pressure on this single game to be the big pay-off that the Switch deserves.
Metroid Prime 4 Must Be Able To Maintain The Series' Success
There’s A Lot Of Pressure On The Upcoming Title To Succeed
These are the reasons whyMetroid Prime 4: Beyondis so important now, more than ever. Not only mustPrime 4live up to the same expectations of any new entry in a long-running series, butit must be able to maintain the momentum of successMetroidhas seen in the last few years, while also fulfilling its almost unattainable status as the Switch’s swansong. There’s a lot of important roles and expectations thatPrime 4is currently juggling, and there’s no telling whether this title will be able to pull it off.
That’s not to sayMetroid Prime 4has no chance of achieving this. Given theMetroidseries' incredible reputation, and Retro Studios' consistent quality of work,Prime 4will likely continue the critical acclaim that the franchise is well accustomed to. Despite this, there’s no doubting the amount of pressure onMetroid Prime 4: Beyondto be able to deliver an exciting, revolutionary experience that matches the level of importance that the title now holds.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
Metroid Prime 4 is the long-awaited sequel to 2007’s Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. Initially developed by Bandai Namco, the original development studio, Retro Studios, returned to work on the title after Nintendo rebooted development in 2019. The game is still slated for release on the Nintendo Switch.
