Nintendo Confirms Metroid Prime 4: Beyond’s Place in the Series Timeline

🛰️ Story & Timeline Placement

Nintendo has officially clarified where Metroid Prime 4: Beyond fits within the broader Metroid timeline, putting to rest months of speculation from fans. According to the company, the game is set after Super Metroid but before Metroid Fusion, placing it in a pivotal period of Samus Aran’s journey.

Despite this placement, Nintendo has emphasized that Metroid Prime 4 exists in another dimension, meaning its story does not directly impact the narrative continuity of the franchise’s 2D entries. This distinction allows the game to explore new ideas without conflicting with established lore.

🌍 A New World and Fresh Direction

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond introduces players to Viewros, an undocumented planet built around a massive desert hub. Unlike earlier Prime titles, the game leans into broader exploration, allowing players to traverse wide-open environments, gather resources, and move freely between distinct regions.

Several new gameplay and story elements define this shift, including:

A central base camp that evolves as exploration progresses
Large-scale desert traversal designed around open movement
Story progression that blends classic Metroid isolation with modern exploration systems

These changes represent one of the most ambitious departures from the traditional Metroid Prime formula.

🧑‍🚀 New Characters and Gameplay Mechanics

Another notable change comes through the introduction of new companions, most prominently Myles Mackenzie. Unlike prior Metroid games that emphasized solitude, Beyond places greater focus on interaction and collaboration during Samus’ mission.

The game also introduces new traversal tools, including a motorcycle-style vehicle used to cross the planet’s vast desert landscapes. Combined with Samus’ newly introduced psychic-style abilities, Metroid Prime 4 pushes the franchise into more experimental territory.

🛠️ A Long and Complicated Development Journey

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond’s release follows a lengthy and highly publicized development cycle:

Initially announced in 2017
Early development handled by an external studio
Project later restarted entirely under Retro Studios
Multiple years of redevelopment before its eventual release in late 2025

This extended timeline helped shape the game’s ambitious scope, but it also raised expectations among fans eager for the franchise’s return.

🎮 Mixed Reception and Early Reactions

While anticipation for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond was extremely high, early reception has been mixed. Some players have praised the game’s bold experimentation, particularly Samus’ new abilities and the return of atmospheric dungeon design.

However, criticism has focused on:

The inclusion of NPC companions
Open-world pacing compared to traditional Prime titles
Changes to the franchise’s signature sense of isolation

Despite these concerns, the game performed strongly at launch, topping digital sales charts in North America during its release window.

🧠 Final Thoughts

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond marks a bold evolution for the franchise. By placing the game between Super Metroid and Metroid Fusion—while existing in a separate dimensional context—Nintendo has given itself creative freedom to experiment without rewriting established lore.

Whether these changes resonate long-term remains to be seen, but Beyond clearly represents an important step forward, blending classic Metroid design with modern gameplay ambitions.