UPDATE: 2025-08-04 15:16 EST BY LARA JACKSON
Nintendo clarifies the situation.
Since the time of publishing, Nintendo has confirmed toIGNthat the billboard is an error. A spokesperson told the publication: “We can confirm that the ‘Out Now’ message on this advert is incorrect. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition are not yet available and are scheduled for release in 2025.” Original story as follows.
Reddit Has Theories On The Metroid Prime 4 Ad
Could A Shadow-Drop Be Close?
Nintendo has made no official comment on the banner in question, but that has not stopped the fan theories from coming.CZ4RC4SMon Reddit thinks this could mean a shadow-drop of the game is close, writing:“Talk about your all-time shadow drops…“We have seen several shadow-drops this year already, including theunexpected release ofThe Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remasteredand theLies of P: OvertureDLC expansion, so a shadow-drop isn’t impossible, but given how highly-anticipatedPrime 4is after 18 years of absence from the series,a shadow-drop seems unlikely.
Other fans, likeemeraldbar77, think this could’ve beenput up early by mistake, with the user writing:“Might be a bit far-fetched, but maybe they accidentally put it up on 18/06/25 instead of 18/09/25 (which will be a Thursday),“suggesting the banner should have been put up on September 18, which is the month several fans are speculating to be the release month of the title.
Other major first-party Nintendo releases for this year with confirmed dates includeDonkey Kong Bananzaon July 17 andPokemon Legends: Z-Aon October 16, leading many to wonder if September will be the month forPrime 4. Based onNintendo’s release strategy for 2025,the company’s three-phase strategy might putPrime 4in the September or December release month, since Nintendo has planned its phase two to focus on third-party titles for October and November. That is, of course, just speculation, andPokémonis already set for October, so the dates aren’t concrete.
Does This Mean Metroid Prime 4 Is Coming Soon?
It’s Not Impossible, But It Doesn’t Seem Likely
The Switch 2 has only been out a few weeks, and since then, the spotlight has been onMario Kart World. WithDonkey Kong Bananzaset for release in just a few weeks, and with a confirmed release date forPokémon Legends: Z-Ain October,it doesn’t seem like Nintendo would take the focus away fromBananzaright now, or fromPokémonlater, especially after theimpressive showing ofDonkey Kong Bananzaat the recent Nintendo Direct.
The banner seems like a mistake at the moment. Nintendo has shadow-dropped titles and DLC in the past, but withPrime 4being one of its biggest games for 2025, a sudden release with barely any marketing and only a few minutes of released footage, would probably not be the best business decision. Either way, seeing what looks to be an official banner for the game is exciting, andMetroid Prime 4: Beyondis still slated for a 2025 release, so hopefully we’ll get more information soon.
