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Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Finally Looks Like the Game Fans Have Been Waiting For
After eight years of waiting and multiple false starts, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond has finally shown what fans have been hoping to see: a game that feels truly worthy of the Prime legacy.
Nintendo’s latest trailer has reignited excitement for Samus Aran’s long-awaited return. The game launches December 4 on both Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, marking the bounty hunter’s first new 3D adventure in nearly a decade.
A Trailer That Hits the Right Notes
The minute-long trailer delivers what previous showings couldn’t: genuine atmosphere, fluid combat, and that signature blend of exploration and tension that defines the Metroid Prime series.
Fans were quick to notice how it captures the franchise’s best traits from scanning alien creatures mid-battle to platforming across sprawling landscapes filled with windstorms, deserts, and icy research facilities. The pacing feels tight, the action sharp, and Samus’s movement purposeful.
There’s even a cheeky pop-culture nod: a perfectly executed Akira-style bike slide, complete with her sleek Vi-o-la hoverbike. This moment has already gone viral across social media, and deservedly so.
Classic Prime Gameplay with a Modern Touch
Nintendo’s latest footage highlights first-person exploration, puzzle-solving, and enemy scanning — the core pillars of Metroid Prime’s design — alongside brief transitions into third-person sequences for Morph Ball navigation and vehicle segments.
Longtime fans will find plenty of nostalgia, from the haunting alien architecture to the satisfying hum of Samus’s arm cannon. Yet, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond looks more fluid and modern, with improved lighting and environmental depth clearly benefiting from the Switch 2’s upgraded hardware.
Amiibos, Anticipation, and a Long Road to Release
Alongside the trailer, Nintendo revealed three Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Amiibo figures: Samus, Samus & Vi-o-la (out November 6), and antagonist Sylux (arriving December 4). Their in-game functionality will be detailed closer to launch.
The road to Metroid Prime 4: Beyond has been a turbulent one. Initially announced in 2017, the project was later rebooted and handed to Retro Studios, the developer behind the original Metroid Prime trilogy. Since then, updates have been scarce, leaving fans uncertain about the series’ future.
Now, with just a month to go, that uncertainty has given way to cautious optimism.
Fans Finally Feel Hopeful
Online reactions to the new trailer have been overwhelmingly positive, with long-time players praising its tone and pacing after months of lukewarm marketing.
While there are still calls for a dedicated Nintendo Direct deep dive, this trailer has achieved what it needed to: restore faith in Samus’s long-delayed return.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond launches on December 4 for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2.
