Amazon is currently canceling pre-orders for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and notifying customers via email. This development has sparked concerns and curiosity about the game's future and its planned release in 2025. Let's delve 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 emerged on platforms like Reddit and Resetera about Amazon canceling pre-orders for Metroid Prime 4. Users shared screenshots of emails from Amazon stating that the cancellations were "due to a lack of availability." However, Amazon has committed to refunding the reservation charges within 1-2 business days, offering some relief to disappointed fans.
The cancellation news has been disheartening for many fans, especially those who pre-ordered the game soon after its announcement at E3 2017. Despite this setback, it's important to note that the game itself hasn't been canceled; it's just no longer available for pre-order on Amazon.
For more in-depth coverage on Metroid Prime 4, be sure to check out our detailed article.
Metroid Prime 4’s Development History
Metroid Prime 4 was first unveiled at E3 2017, with Nintendo's director of product marketing announcing that Retro Studios, known for previous Metroid titles, would not be involved. The developer for the project remained undisclosed at that time.
Two years later, on January 25, 2019, Nintendo revealed that the development had been restarted with Retro Studios at the helm. Shinya Takahashi, a senior managing executive officer at Nintendo, explained in a YouTube video 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, Nintendo showcased a full gameplay trailer for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond during a Nintendo Direct, confirming a 2025 release date. The trailer introduced the game's antagonist, Sylux, leading a group of Space Pirates in an unnamed facility.
Nintendo further solidified the 2025 release window in a news post dated January 3, 2025, reassuring fans that despite Amazon's pre-order cancellation, the game is still on track for a release this year.
With the upcoming announcement of the Switch 2, it remains to be seen whether Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will launch on the original Switch or its successor.
