Despite its age, the Nintendo Switch still has a lot of big games lined up, includingMetroid Prime 4. Fans have been waiting a long time for this title, and signs suggest that there is still a long road ahead. At this point, it may be a good idea for developers to target theNintendo Switch’s successor.
A Switch successor has yet to be announced, but it has been speculated that one is in the works. Despite bringing unique features to the console market, the Switch is a dinosaur in the modern gaming landscape. With better hardware to work on,Metroid Prime 4could more easily become a game that makes it feel like the long wait was worthwhile.
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When is Metroid Prime 4 Coming?
Metroidis a Nintendo franchise that has managed to remain relevant for decades. It centers aroundSamus the bounty huntergoing on intergalactic adventures.Metroid Dread’s recent launch on Switch introduced the series to a new generation, allowing them to experience the sci-fi fun and platforming action that characterize Samus' journeys. Naturally, fans have been eagerly waiting for moreMetroidexcitement, though it seems the wait might be long.
Metroid Prime 4was originally announced during E3 2017, shortly after the release of the Nintendo Switch. However, its development cycle has been a difficult one, which has led to it being delayed indefinitely, still without a release date. The game was originally developed by Bandai Namco Studios, but it was handed back to Retro Studios in 2019 for a complete reset. According to Nintendo senior managing executive officer Shinya Takahashi, the project originally didn’t meet the company’s standards. He also lets fans know that theyshouldn’t expectMetroid Prime 4anytime soon. There is a silver lining, as the switch in development teams means that Kensuke Tanabe, who worked on the firstMetroid Primegames, makes a return to the series.
Metroid Prime 4 Might As Well Be Released for the Nintendo Switch 2
The Nintendo Switch is about to turn six years old. This doesn’t make it terribly old, though with its lesser hardware compared to Sony’s PlayStation 5 and Microsoft’s Xbox Series X, it does feel outdated. Consequently, fans have been wondering when Nintendo will release a successor. The need for one is becoming ever-more apparent as even exclusives likePokemon ScarletandVioletstruggle with performance issues. WhileMetroidgames have never been particularly graphically intensive, the next game could still benefit from running on more powerful hardware.
There is evidence that theMetroid Prime 4will need the extra power that the Nintendo Switch 2 could provide. Job listings from Retro Studios reveal that the development team is searching for a storyboard artist who can help define “emotional scenes.” This suggests the upcoming game could contain more cinematics than an averageMetroidgame, and with better hardware to work with, the cinematics could be more eye-catching than what the Switch is able to provide.
At present, Nintendo has given no word on whether a Switch successor is in the works. Instead, the company has increased production of the current handheld that is still wildly popular, and has headlininggames likeThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomscheduled. Nevertheless, with each passing year, the graphical gap between the Switch and the rest of the current-gen consoles grows bigger, and Nintendo will have to address this sooner or later.
Metroid Prime 4is in development.
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