The long-awaited Metroid Prime 4: Beyond may not be released until the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 (the successor to Nintendo's current Nintendo Switch gaming console). The speculation, which comes as rumors of the Switch 2 have heated up this winter, stems from a tweet by prominent Nintendo leaker @SamusHunter2.
In a post on social media, SamusHunter2 playfully teased: "I won't be hunting space pirates, for that I will wait until Switch 2's launch day..."
The message references the Metroid Prime franchise as a whole but is more than likely pertaining to Metroid Prime 4.
Metroid fans have been waiting for years for Metroid Prime 4, which was first announced back in 2017. The game has been stuck in development hell, undergoing numerous delays and setbacks, including a complete change in development studios from Bandai Namco to Retro Studios (the developer of the previous Metroid Prime games).
It wasn't until June of this year that we got our first proper look at the game as well as its official name, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and logo. The impressive announcement trailer also confirmed a 2025 release window.
Since this trailer, there have been no updates on the game, though. At the time, I speculated that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond would be arriving at the end of the current Nintendo Switch's lifecycle, and the closer we get to the Switch 2's debut, the more likely it seems.
This move wouldn't be too surprising though. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will be, without a doubt, a system seller. And what better way to encourage current Switch owners to upgrade their console than by releasing it alongside one of the most anticipated games in years?
Nintendo has still not revealed much about the Nintendo Switch 2. In November, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa reiterated the company's plans to announce the Nintendo Switch's successor before the end of the current fiscal year. This means an announcement could come any time before March 31, 2025.
A recent rumor suggested that the Nintendo Switch 2 could officially be revealed in January 2025. This would be followed by the system's actual launch in March 2025. If that's the case, and this leak is to be believed, then Metroid Prime 4: Beyond may be launching in just a few months.
Keep in mind that this is all pure speculation stemming from rumors and leaks. Nintendo has not made any sort of official announcements, so take this all with a grain of salt.