Amazon has begun canceling pre-orders for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, reaching out to customers via email. This development has sparked discussions about the game's future and its planned 2025 release. Let's dive into the details and what this could mean for eager fans.
Amazon Cancelling Metroid Prime 4: Beyond’s Pre-Orders
Reservation Charge will be Refunded
On January 11, 2025, reports surfaced on platforms like Reddit and Resetera that Amazon was canceling pre-orders for Metroid Prime 4. Screenshots shared by affected users revealed that Amazon cited "a lack of availability" as the reason for the cancellations. Despite this setback, Amazon reassured customers that the reservation charge would be refunded within 1-2 business days.
This news has understandably disappointed some Metroid fans, especially those who placed their pre-orders back when the game was first announced at E3 2017. While the cancellation of pre-orders on Amazon is disappointing, it does not signify the cancellation of the game itself; rather, it indicates that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is currently not available for pre-order on this platform.
For further insights into Metroid Prime 4, you can check out our detailed article on the game!
Metroid Prime 4’s Development History
Metroid Prime 4 was initially unveiled during E3 2017. At the time, Nintendo's director of product marketing for America announced that the game would not be developed by Retro Studios, the team behind previous Metroid titles. The identity of the new developer was not disclosed then.
However, two years later, on January 25, 2019, Nintendo announced via a YouTube video that development had been restarted under Retro Studios. Senior managing executive officer Shinya Takahashi explained that "the current development progress has not reached the standards we seek in a sequel to the Metroid Prime series."
Fast forward to June 2024, and Nintendo showcased a full gameplay trailer for Metroid Prime 4 at the end of its Nintendo Direct, confirming a 2025 release window and revealing the game's full title, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. The trailer also introduced the game's antagonist, Sylux, leading a group of Space Pirates in an unnamed facility.
More recently, on January 3, 2025, Nintendo reaffirmed the 2025 release window for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond in a news post. Despite the pre-order cancellations by Amazon, this reaffirmation suggests that the game is still on track for a 2025 release.
With the anticipated announcement of the Switch 2 looming, it remains to be seen whether Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will launch on the original Switch or its successor.
