Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Confirmed for 2024 Release, Playable at Fan Expo Canada

The agonizing eight-year wait for Samus Aran’s return is nearing its end. Nintendo has officially reconfirmed that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will launch in 2024, thrilling fans who have patiently endured its tumultuous development journey. Even more exciting, players will get their first hands-on experience with the highly anticipated title at Fan Expo Canada in Toronto this August. The game joins a star-studded lineup of upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 titles, including Mario Kart World, Hades II, and Elden Ring Tarnished Edition, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre from August 21-24. This pivotal appearance signals Nintendo’s confidence in finally delivering the sequel fans deserve.

What Can Gamers Expect from Metroid Prime 4: Beyond?

After its initial 2017 announcement and subsequent development reboot—shifting from Bandai Namco back to original creators Retro Studios—Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is poised to redefine the acclaimed series. Nintendo’s 2024 reconfirmation, bolstered by a recent listing on South Korea’s GRAC rating board, strongly suggests no further delays. The Fan Expo Canada debut marks a critical milestone, offering the public its first direct encounter with Samus’s latest adventure. Industry analysts view this playable demo as a strategic move to rebuild trust and showcase the game’s evolution after years of silence. Attendees will explore the remote planet Tenmaar, immersed in a chaotic battle between the Federation Force and Space Pirates—a deliberate shift from the series’ traditional isolation to large-scale conflict. The expo timing, overlapping with Europe’s Gamescom, underscores Nintendo’s global confidence in this flagship title.

Hands-On Impressions: A Glimpse into Samus’s New Adventure

Early access previews, including insights from Wccftech’s Nathan Birch during the Nintendo Switch 2 event, reveal a technically stunning experience. Birch described the demo as “relatively brief,” covering the game’s intro and first boss battle. Players are thrust into Tenmaar’s warzone, surrounded by intense action—a notable departure from the franchise’s signature solitude. Key technical advancements stood out:

• Fluid Performance: The game targets 120fps on Switch 2 hardware, a first for Nintendo consoles.
• Precision Controls: Mouse controls were confirmed as fully functional and responsive.
• Modernized Gameplay: While retaining the core Metroid Prime exploration and combat, the scale feels grander.

Birch noted, “It’s more of a good thing that we haven’t got a fresh dose of in a long time… Metroid Prime fans have a rewarding bounty coming their way,” highlighting the demo’s polished feel despite minor tweakable issues. The emphasis on technical prowess and engaging combat suggests Retro Studios has harnessed the Switch 2’s capabilities to deliver the definitive Metroid Prime experience.

The long interstellar wait for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is finally ending, with a 2024 release locked in and a thrilling hands-on debut at Fan Expo Canada this August. Early impressions confirm this sequel masterfully blends the series’ beloved exploration with breathtaking technical innovation on Switch 2. Mark your calendars, secure your expo tickets, and prepare to join Samus Aran on her most explosive mission yet.

Must Know

When was Metroid Prime 4 first announced?
Nintendo initially announced Metroid Prime 4 during their E3 2017 presentation with a simple logo reveal. Development restarted in early 2019 when Nintendo moved the project from Bandai Namco back to Retro Studios, the original creators of the trilogy, significantly extending the timeline.

Why did Metroid Prime 4 face such long delays?
The primary cause was the 2019 development reboot. Nintendo, dissatisfied with progress under Bandai Namco, made the rare decision to restart development entirely with Retro Studios. This ensured quality and alignment with the series’ legacy but added several years to the production schedule.

Where can I play Metroid Prime 4: Beyond early?
The first public playable demo will be available at Fan Expo Canada, held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre from August 21-24, 2024. It will be featured alongside other anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 titles like Mario Kart World and Hades II.

What’s new about the setting in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond?
Early demos take place on the planet Tenmaar, showcasing a large-scale battle between the Galactic Federation and Space Pirates. This introduces a more action-oriented, chaotic environment compared to the isolated exploration typically associated with the Metroid Prime series.

What are the key technical improvements in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond?
Previews highlight targeting 120fps on Nintendo Switch 2 hardware, refined mouse/keyboard control support, and significantly enhanced environmental detail and particle effects, leveraging the new console’s capabilities for a smoother, more immersive experience.

Is Metroid Prime 4: Beyond still coming in 2024?
Yes. Nintendo has explicitly reconfirmed a 2024 release window. The playable demo at Fan Expo Canada and the recent GRAC (South Korean rating board) listing strongly indicate the release is on track without further delays.