Metroid Prime 4: Beyond was created at the request of Nintendo of America

The long and difficult development of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond has a clear origin: the project was originally initiated at the direct request of Nintendo of America. This was revealed in a new interview with the Japanese magazine Famitsu.

A project with a bumpy start

Metroid Prime 4 was announced back in 2017, but at that time only with a logo. What followed was one of the longest and most complicated development phases in Nintendo’s history. In 2019, Nintendo officially confirmed that the collaboration with Bandai Namco had not gone as planned. The project was then completely restarted and handed over to Retro Studios.

Retro Studios then started from scratch on the title, which later became Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.

Nintendo of America provided the impetus

In an interview, a member of the development team looks back on the origins of the project. According to him, the impetus did not come from Japan, but from the USA. Nintendo of America specifically requested a new, numbered main game in the Metroid Prime series.

The goal was to preserve the essence of the Prime series while creating new gaming experiences. At the same time, the team wanted to implement a central story idea that had been in the works for some time.

Focus on Samus and Sylux

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond places a significant focus on the relationship between Samus Aran and Sylux. The developers believe that this dynamic should have been addressed in a future title for some time, and it is now a central element of the plot.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond thus combines the classic DNA of the series with new narrative elements that go beyond a pure focus on exploration and action.

A long way to go

The release of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond after more than eight years of development proves how ambitious this project is. With a fresh start at Retro Studios, a clear focus on a main spin-off, and an emphasis on central characters, the aim is to ensure that the game meets the high expectations of fans.

FAQ