Amazon has recently begun canceling pre-orders for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, notifying customers via email about the change. This development has sparked concerns among fans regarding the game's future and its anticipated 2025 release date. Let's delve into the details and what this might mean for the eagerly awaited title.
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 about Amazon canceling pre-orders for Metroid Prime 4. Screenshots shared by affected users showed emails from Amazon citing "a lack of availability" as the reason for the cancellations. Despite the disappointment, Amazon assured customers that any reservation charges would be refunded within 1-2 business days.
The news has understandably upset some fans, especially those who pre-ordered the game shortly after its announcement at E3 2017. However, it's important to note that the cancellation of pre-orders does not indicate that the game has been canceled; rather, it is currently unavailable for pre-order through Amazon. For more detailed insights into Metroid Prime 4, feel free to explore our comprehensive article on the game.
Metroid Prime 4’s Development History
Metroid Prime 4 was first unveiled at E3 2017, with Nintendo announcing that the project would not be developed by Retro Studios, the creators behind previous entries in the series. At the time, the identity of the new developer was kept under wraps.
Two years later, in January 2019, Nintendo revealed that development had been restarted with Retro Studios taking the helm. In a candid video message, Shinya Takahashi, a senior managing executive officer at Nintendo, explained that the initial progress did not meet the high standards set for a sequel to the Metroid Prime series.
Fast forward to June 2024, Nintendo unveiled a full gameplay trailer during a Nintendo Direct, confirming the game's title as Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and setting its release for 2025. The trailer introduced the antagonist, Sylux, leading a group of Space Pirates in an unnamed facility.
In a reassuring move, Nintendo confirmed the 2025 release window in a news post dated January 3, 2025. Despite the pre-order cancellations by Amazon, this reaffirmation suggests that fans can still look forward to the game's release this year.
With rumors swirling about the upcoming Switch 2, it remains to be seen whether Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will launch on the original Nintendo Switch or its anticipated successor.