Amazon is currently canceling pre-orders for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and notifying customers via email. This move has sparked discussions about the game's future and its anticipated release in 2025. Let's dive deeper into what this means for fans and the game's development.
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. However, Amazon promised to refund the reservation charge within 1-2 business days, offering some relief amidst the disappointment.
The news has left many Metroid fans disheartened, especially those who had pre-ordered the game back in 2017 when it was first announced at E3. While the cancellation might be upsetting, it's important to note that it doesn't signal the game's cancellation. Instead, it indicates that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is currently unavailable for pre-order on Amazon.
For more detailed insights into the game, be sure to check out our comprehensive article on Metroid Prime 4.
Metroid Prime 4’s Development History
Metroid Prime 4 was unveiled at E3 2017, with Nintendo America's director of product marketing clarifying that Retro Studios, known for previous Metroid titles, would not be involved. Initially, Nintendo kept the identity of the new developer under wraps.
Fast forward to 2019, Nintendo announced a significant change in direction: development was being restarted under Retro Studios. This decision came after senior managing executive officer Shinya Takahashi expressed in a YouTube video that "the current development progress has not reached the standards we seek in a sequel to the Metroid Prime series."
A major update came in June 2024 during Nintendo's Direct, where a full gameplay trailer for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond was released, pushing the release to 2025. The trailer introduced the game's full title and showcased the antagonist, Sylux, leading Space Pirates in an unnamed facility.
More recently, Nintendo reaffirmed Metroid Prime 4: Beyond's 2025 release window in a news post dated January 3, 2025. Despite Amazon's pre-order cancellations, this reaffirmation suggests that the game remains on track for a release this year.
As speculation grows about the upcoming Switch 2, it remains to be seen whether Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will launch on the original Switch or its successor.
