Metroid Prime 4 Changes Developers

The beloved series returns to the team that started it all.

Jan 28, 2019

By: Max Cannon

Metroid Prime 4 has been one of the most anticipated games coming to the Nintendo Switch ever since its E3 2017 announcement. Before Nintendo's new machine even released, we included it as a game we were hoping to see on the Switch and it was one of 2018's Most Anticipated Games. Though Metroid Prime 4 obviously didn't come out in 2018, it looks like it still isn't very close to releasing anytime soon according to a recent announcement straight from Nintendo -- but wait, it's not all bad news!

It's been over a decade since we last played a game from Samus's perspective.Courtesy of Nintendo

Metroid Prime 4's Development is Starting Over

Rather than dance around the situation and keep customers in the dark, an executive from Nintendo said the disappointing truth "that the current development process has not reached the standards we seek in a sequel to the Metroid Prime series." But rather than releasing a subpar game, Nintendo has "decided to re-examine the development structure" and they're bringing on the United States-based team over at Retro Studios! Why is this a big deal? Retro Studios is the team responsible for the original 3 games that made up the Metroid Prime Trilogy, which all released to critical acclaim. If the team that could make this series so beloved to begin with is on board then it is fair to assume that we'll be in for a great game.

Development update on Metroid Prime 4 for Nintendo Switch

This news means that the game's development is basically starting over to fit Retro Studio's vision, so I wouldn't count on seeing this game anytime soon or even during Nintendo's presentation at this year's E3. That doesn't mean that some of the work isn't already done though, the rumor is that Retro got the chance to return to Metroid by having sent Nintendo a demo of their take on the 4th game in the series and clearly impressed the folks over at Nintendo. So while we end up waiting a good while longer for Metroid Prime 4, there's a chance we may wind up playing another Metroid game in the near future...

Retro Studios is also known for the last couple of Donkey Kong Country titles.Courtesy of Nintendo

The Original Metroid Prime Trilogy

Last month, during the Game Awards, there were possible leaks of an upcoming Metroid Prime Trilogy for the Switch floating around the internet. While we've haven't heard any more concrete news about the classic games returning to the Switch, Imran Khan an editor for the gaming magazine Game Informer, let the rumor drop that a Metroid Prime Trilogy has been ready to roll by saying "it's been long done." So if that game is finished up then it's just on Nintendo to start the marketing machine and release it. Now the question is whether they'll give us those classic games sooner or wait until we're a bit closer to Metroid Prime 4. Regardless, I'd be willing to bet on the original trilogy coming to Switch at some point we just don't have any idea as to when.