Summary
Metroid Prime 4: Beyondis one of the most anticipated games of 2025, especially with its release date being so close to the launch of the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 console. After nearly two decades since the release ofMetroid Prime 3: Corruption,Metroid Prime 4is finally almost here, bringing Samus back into the fray in one of Nintendo’s most beloved franchises and series of all time.
While Nintendo and Retro Studios have remained silent about the full extent ofMetroid Prime 4’s story, there is plenty of evidence to suggest that the highly anticipated sequel could retcon all the lore that has come before it for an opportunity to begin anew. After all,Metroidhas never been afraid to adjust its timeline, rework characters, or just drop unresolved plot threads altogether, and considering thehistory ofMetroid Prime 4’s development, a retcon wouldn’t be at all surprising.
Metroid Prime 4 May Retcon the Series' Lore
Metroid Prime 4 Was in Development Limbo for Some Time and Was Then Rebooted
One of the main reasons whyMetroid Prime 4might decide to go ahead and retcon the lore established by previous entries is that it has now been nearly 18 years since the release of its predecessor,Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. Since then, it’s likely that either series veterans have moved on or forgotten the series' story and a new wave of players has plans to hop on theMetroid Primebandwagon with the release of the fourth entry. As such,Metroid Prime 4might wish to wipe the slate completely clean by simply ignoring the lore of theMetroid Primegamesthat came before it.
Metroid Primelaunched in 2002,Metroid Prime 2in 2004, andMetroid Prime 3in 2007.
Much of this delay is due toMetroid Prime 4going through development troubles and then even being rebooted at some point, both of which could contribute to a total retcon. WhenMetroid Prime 4was first announced by Nintendo at E3 2017, it was disclosed that Retro Studios, the developer behind the originalMetroid Primetrilogy, was not involved in the development ofMetroid Prime 4and had been replaced by Bandai Namco Studios. In 2019, however,Metroid Prime 4’s development was rebooted, with Retro Studios returning to the helm.
The Metroid Franchise Is Notorious for Phasing Out Certain Plot Threads
While the fact thatMetroid Prime 4has been developed by Retro Studios might see it preserving the series' lore, theMetroidtimeline has never been as tightly defined as franchises likeThe Legend of ZeldaorHalo. Previous games outside ofMetroid Primehave introduced plot threads that were either completely ignored or recontextualized, depending on which titles Nintendo deems are more important to the overarching narrative. For example,Metroid: Other M’s lore was mostly minimized after the release ofMetroid: Samus Returnsand thenMetroid Dread.
One of the main reasons whyMetroid Prime 4might decide to go ahead and retcon the lore established by previous entries is that it has now been nearly 18 years since the release of its predecessor,Metroid Prime 3: Corruption.
More than that, however, Retro might just choose to retcon the series' lore due to the amount of time that has passed since the launch ofMetroid Prime 3. Starting with a fresh narrative slate would give newcomers a chance to get into the series without feeling overwhelmed or left out by everything that has happened up to this point. At the very least,Retro Studiosmight have chosen to be selective with what it retcons, perhaps leaving the more complex plot threads in the past to make room for the new. In short, players shouldn’t be surprised ifMetroid Prime 4decides to be a reboot of sorts for the series and start things over again for a new generation ofMetroidfans.
