Nintendo seems to be throwing all of its weight behind the upcoming Switch 2 console in 2025, with much of the console’s lineup of titles being kept under wraps likely until the April 2 Direct. Of the games confirmed for 2025,Metroid Prime 4: Beyondis arguably the most anticipated after undergoing a long development that included a complete reboot. However, the trajectoryMetroid Prime 4: Beyondhas taken bears a striking resemblance toZelda: Breath of the Wild, which could result in a similar post-launch reception.
The legacy ofMetroid Prime 4: Beyonddates back to the first year of the Nintendo Switch’s life, when it was originally announced to be in development in 2017. After years of radio silence, Nintendo announced thatMetroid Prime 4had restarted development in 2019, pushing the development back even further until the game was officially unveiled in 2024 with a release date slated for 2025. Much like howBreath of the Wildbegan as “Zelda for Wii U"before becoming iconic on the Switch,Metroid Prime 4: Beyondcould be a cross-gen title that defines the launch of the Switch 2.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond May Walk the Same Path as Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Could Redefine the Genre
While the wait forMetroid Prime 4: Beyondhas been long for fans, the extended development time could mean that the game is far more ambitious than initially expected. The reveal trailer forMetroid Prime 4: Beyonddidn’t show much in terms of gameplay, but what was shown confirms a return to form for thePrimeseries withSamus facing off against the mysterious Sylux. After the impressive visual overhaulMetroid Prime Remasteredreceived, the art direction showcased forMetroid Prime 4seems to be pushing the Switch’s hardware to its limits.
Breath of the Wild’s first reveal trailerunder that title showed off a similar amount of gameplay and world design, but the full scope of the game wouldn’t truly be known until its release.Metroid Prime 4: Beyondcould be gearing up to redefine the Metroidvania genre in a similar way, potentially taking the series open world or at least more open-ended than pastMetroid Primegames. With how secretive Nintendo has been aboutMetroid Prime 4: Beyond, it’s likely that there is far more to the game than what has been shown so far.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Could Be a Cross-Gen Hit
After years of waiting for the fabled “Zelda for Wii U,” it’s ironic that, whileBreath of the Wilddid release on the console, it is far better known as the headlining launch title for the Switch.Metroid Prime 4: Beyondcould repeat that same feat and launch on both the Switch and the Switch 2, with the latter being an enhanced version that takes advantage of the new console’s more powerful hardware. This way, fans who bought a Switch with the hope of playingMetroid Prime 4on it are still able to, but the game can still be a strong selling point for those considering purchasing the new console.
WhileMetroid Prime 4: Beyondis confirmed for the Switch, Nintendo hasn’t confirmed if the Switch 2 will receive a native version of the game.
The Switch 2’s rumored hardware could put it leagues ahead of its predecessor in terms of performance, potentially makingMetroid Prime 4: Beyondthe perfect game to show off the console’s next-gen capabilities. Just like howBreath of the Wildmade a bold statement about the Switch’s hardware capabilities compared to the Wii U’s in 2017,Metroid Prime 4: Beyondcould highlight just how improved theSwitch 2 is as a potential cross-gen game, becoming the must-have title for players looking to take full advantage of the Switch 2’s improved hardware.
