Nintendo just delivered an exciting preview of Metroid Prime 4's open world and confirmed its release date! Continue reading to explore the highlights from the September 2025 Nintendo Direct.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Introduces Samus Exploring on a Motorbike

Launching December 4, 2025

For almost a decade, the galaxy has been waiting with bated breath to discover what lies ahead in Samus Aran's next journey. Today, that wait is finally over. During the hour-long Nintendo Direct earlier today, Nintendo delivered the announcement fans have been hoping for. Metroid Prime 4 will officially launch on December 4, 2025, for both the original Switch and the new Switch 2.

The road to this announcement has been far from straightforward. Metroid Prime 4 was first announced at E3 2017, with development initially reported to be in the hands of Bandai Namco Studios. However, in a public statement in 2019, Nintendo EPD's Shinya Takahashi announced that the project had been canceled and was restarting from scratch under Retro Studios, the original developers behind the beloved Metroid Prime series.

The game then went silent for years before being officially reintroduced with its subtitle, Beyond, and a 2025 release window during the June 2024 Nintendo Direct. It was later confirmed as a cross-generation title for both the Switch and Switch 2—a decision that sparked concerns among some fans that the original Switch’s hardware limitations could hold back the game’s full potential.

The new gameplay shown during the September Direct, however, appears to address many of those worries, presenting a title that looks like a worthy follow-up to the acclaimed Prime series. The trailer gave the clearest view yet of the game's new features and mechanics. While much of the gameplay stays true to the series' core—navigating alien planets through tight corridors—it also revealed that Samus will traverse these worlds on a motorbike known as the Vi-0-La, opening up larger, more open-world environments.

In addition, Samus appears to gain new psychic abilities—a power set likely used to interact with the environment and solve puzzles. While the full scope of these abilities wasn't detailed, footage showed Samus using them to manipulate objects, revealing new paths and hidden secrets.

For fans interested in collectibles, Nintendo will also release Metroid Prime 4 Beyond-themed amiibo. On November 6, you can pick up a Samus amiibo and another featuring Samus with her motorbike. Then, on the game's launch day, a Sylux amiibo will become available. Sylux, a bounty hunter from the DS game Metroid Prime Hunters and Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, appears to serve as an antagonist in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.

With a confirmed release date and a host of new gameplay details, fans can now eagerly anticipate stepping into Samus Aran’s power suit and exploring Viewros before the end of the year.

For more details on Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, be sure to check out our article below!