Metroid Prime 4 arrives this December as previews show progress after long delay

Metroid Prime 4 approaches release after years of redevelopment and shifting expectations from fans

Metroid Prime 4 is nearing release after a lengthy development period that began with its initial announcement in 2017.

The sequel, now titled Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, will launch on December 4 for both Nintendo Switch and its successor, Switch 2.

Its unusually long timeline has shaped considerable expectations, with some fans expressing hopes while others suggest tempering them due to the delays.

The game was first revealed alongside the debut year of the original Switch, but updates soon disappeared. In 2019, Nintendo confirmed that progress on the project had not met internal standards.

Development was restarted under Retro Studios, the team behind the first three Prime titles, after previously being handled by Bandai Namco.

A recent preview event in New York City offered an early look at the opening chapter and a later section set in a jungle region known as Fury Green.

The initial sequence places Samus Aran alongside Galactic Federation marines during an attack led by antagonist Sylux. This section functions mainly as a guided introduction to movement, basic combat and Morph Ball mechanics.

The Fury Green area then shifts into more traditional Metroid structure. As in previous entries, Samus begins with her full abilities but quickly loses them, requiring players to explore for upgrades. New psychic abilities, including a Psychic Visor and a Psychic Glove, form the basis of puzzles and environmental interactions. These powers are used for tasks such as tracing invisible trails and directing remote projectiles.

Early impressions show a more linear structure than earlier Prime games, although only an initial portion of the title has been shown publicly.

Visuals include detailed lighting and environmental effects, though some graphical elements appear designed with the original Switch hardware in mind. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond releases for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 on December 4.