Metroid Prime 4: Beyond dated for Dec 4 — here’s what actually matters before you preorder

Metroid Prime 4 finally has a date – now let’s talk about what matters

Seven years after Nintendo’s infamous logo tease and a full reboot with Retro Studios in 2019, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is locked for December 4, 2025 on both Nintendo Switch and the new Switch 2. Preorders are live and, yes, there are actual deals already. What caught my eye isn’t just the date – it’s the open-world pivot, a mouse-style aiming mode on Switch 2, and some very un-Nintendo-like early discounts from French retailers.

Key Takeaways

• Release date is set: December 4, 2025 on Switch and Switch 2, with cross-gen saves promised.
• Retro is pitching an open-world Metroid with a new bike (Vi-O-La) and psychic abilities – a big shift for a series built on gated progression.
• Switch 2 edition touts technical upgrades and a “mouse” aiming option; expect better framerate/resolution and faster loads.
• Preorder value is uneven: Leclerc has standout prices (44.99 € on Switch, 51.90 € on Switch 2) while Micromania sticks to MSRP but tosses in a mousepad.
• Amiibo and possible collector extras are back; likely cosmetic bonuses, so don’t feel FOMO if you just want the game.

Breaking down the announcement: the game, not the gloss

“Open world” is the headline-grabber. Metroid has flirted with large interconnected zones, but it’s always been about doors you can’t open yet, the puzzle of route knowledge, and that lonely, deliberate pace. Going fully open world can either supercharge that sense of discovery or sand off the series’ identity. The new Vi-O-La bike and “psychic” abilities hint at traversal and combat options designed to keep momentum, but the devil is in pacing — does the bike trivialize backtracking? Do psychic powers replace the lock-and-key elegance of Morph Ball, beams, and visors, or complement them?

On the story side, Sylux stepping up as the antagonist feels earned. Nintendo’s been teasing this since Prime 3’s 100% ending and Federation Force’s stinger. If Retro leans into rival hunter energy — think cat-and-mouse encounters across Viewros — that could refresh Prime’s cadence without abandoning scanning, isolation, and environmental storytelling that made Prime Remastered sing on Switch.

Switch 2 upgrades and that “mouse mode” — what to actually expect

“Mouse-style aiming with Joy-Con” sounds like the natural evolution of Prime Remastered’s excellent gyro. Don’t expect a Wii-style IR pointer; this is likely a system-level cursor with fine gyro control, potentially with UI and sensitivity options that feel closer to PC. If it’s implemented well, it could make scanning and precision fights feel fantastic — and finally give folks who bounced off dual-stick aiming a legit alternative.

Technical boosts on Switch 2 are the other carrot. Nintendo hasn’t put numbers on it, but the safe bets are higher resolution, steadier framerate, improved texture filtering, better shadows, and snappier loads. Cross-save between Switch and Switch 2 is a quiet win; if you start on an OG OLED, you won’t be punished for upgrading later. The real test will be how the base Switch holds up in an open world — Prime Remastered hit a slick 60fps, but a seamless overworld with vehicles is another beast entirely.

Preorder math: where the value really is

If you’re in France, Leclerc is the outlier deal: 44.99 € for Switch and 51.90 € for Switch 2 at the time of writing. That’s a huge drop from the typical 69.99 € sticker. Micromania is sticking to MSRP but tossing in a mousepad — fine if you want a desk trinket, not great if you want savings. Digital convenience is nice for midnight players, but unless you’re married to preloading, those physical discounts are hard to ignore.

Collector editions and amiibo are doing their usual dance — flashy boxes, artbooks, figures, and in-game bonuses. Historically, Metroid amiibo content has been cosmetic or mild convenience, and that’s the right approach. If any meaningful upgrades are amiibo-gated, that’s a red flag. Otherwise, scalpers will nuke stock fast, so decide quickly if you truly want the shelf candy; everyone else should bank the savings and wait for reviews.

Open questions that will make or break it

• Performance on base Switch in open areas with high enemy density and bike traversal.
• How “open” is open world? Smart gating and sequence-breaking options are the soul of Metroid. Don’t lose that.
• Psychic abilities: meaningful toolset or one-note gimmick? Do they deepen combat, scanning, and puzzle routes?
• Vi-O-La bike: clever traversal that respects exploration, or a fast-travel crutch that skips the tension?
• Accessibility and controls: full remapping, gyro granularity, and parity between Switch and Switch 2 aim options.

The gamer’s perspective

I’m cautiously hyped. Retro Studios earned a lot of trust with Prime Remastered’s immaculate feel and art direction, and Sylux as a focused rival could be the narrative thread Prime 3 lacked. But an open-world Metroid is a tightrope walk, and cross-gen releases have a habit of promising the moon while the base hardware sweats. If you can snag Leclerc’s pricing, a preorder makes sense. Otherwise, the smartest play is to wait for performance previews and hands-on impressions.

TL;DR

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond lands December 4 with an open-world twist, Switch 2 tech perks, and real preorder deals in the wild. I’m optimistic about Retro’s direction, but I want to see base Switch performance and how the “open” design keeps Metroid’s identity intact before paying full price.