Metroid Prime 4: Beyond release date, gameplay and latest news

After first being announced in 2017, the Metroid Prime 4: Beyond release date is nigh upon us, and we've got everything you need to know, including the Metroid Prime 4 launch time, pre-orders, gameplay and story details, trailers and more!

We certainly liked what we played in the Metroid Prime 4 preview, and reviews point to the game being well worth the wait.

If you're new to the series or can't quite remember what happened in previous games, then be sure to check out the Metroid timeline and chronological story, which also goes over the best order to play the games in.

To get the best Metroid Prime 4 experience, you'll definitely want to pick it up for the Switch 2, and if you haven't got one yet, we've got the best places to buy one.

But there's very little time until Metroid prime 4 comes out, so read on!

When is the Metroid Prime 4: Beyond release date?

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond releases on 4th December 2025 for the Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch.

For a long time, all we had to go on was a vague 2025 release window, and at one point, banners spotted on the London Underground advertised the game as "Out Now".

This bizarre mix-up was quickly corrected, however, with new posters going up a few days later with the same old 2025 release date we already knew about.

Thankfully, all that speculation is now dead and buried, with Nintendo confirming the official release date in their September 2025 Nintendo Direct.

When is the Metroid Prime 4 launch time?

Metroid Prime 4 will launch at local time midnight 12:00AM Thursday 4th December.

This is the same across the world, except for countries that observe multiple time zones, such as the United States, where Nintendo uses Eastern Standard Time (EST) to time releases, meaning players living in time zones west of EST can start playing on the evening of 3rd December, such as folks in Pacific Standard Time (PST) who can start playing Metroid Prime 4 at 9PM PST, the lucky dogs...

Can I pre-order Metroid Prime 4?

Yes! Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is now available to pre-order.

Nintendo Switch 2 owners can purchase the game digitally from the Nintendo eShop for £58.99 / $69.99 / €69.99.

Alternatively, you can get it for slightly cheaper on the Nintendo Switch 1, again from the eShop, for £49.99 / $59.99 / €59.99.

Later on, you can pay £7.99 to upgrade to the superior Switch 2 version if you choose to.

As for physical copies, it doesn't look like they're available to pre-order just yet, but we'll keep an eye out for them, so be sure to check back!

Which consoles and platforms can play Metroid Prime 4?

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond has been confirmed for Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch.

Despite the Nintendo Switch 2 having already been announced, the game strangely wasn't confirmed for the console for a while, though that has now been resolved.

That being said, it is interesting that the game is receiving a cross-platform release, with other first-party Nintendo titles like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza releasing as Switch 2 exclusives.

Metroid Prime 4 gameplay and story details

Thanks to its official reveal trailer, we now know a little bit about the gameplay in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. Surprise, surprise, it's first-person again.

The famous scanner is back, as is the Morph Ball, which looks like it shares the physics and controls of the earlier Prime games.

We also know that the Missile Launcher and Standard Blaster are back – as you'd expect. It's developed by Metroid Prime studio Retro Studios, and if you've played any of the previous three games you should know what to look forward to.

For the story, details are also thin. We know that it's set in the Cosmic Year 20X9 and Sylux is involved as an antagonist, leading an attack on a Galactic Federation Research Facility along with Space Pirates and, of course, Metroids.

We did get a bit more information in March's Nintendo Direct, which confirmed that the game takes place on the planet Viewros where Samus is stranded and has to find a way home.

Strangely, she also now has some psychic abilities which look like they'll largely be used for solving puzzles dotted around the game.

Is there a Metroid Prime 4 trailer?

Yes! There is a Metroid Prime 4: Beyond trailer, which reveals the game's new logo and name, shows off some gameplay, teases the story and gives us a good look at the game's gorgeous visuals.

Check it out below:

Check out more of our Gaming coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.