Metroid Prime 4, Announced Back in 2017, Has Pre-Orders Cancelled by Amazon

Amazon is canceling pre-orders for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and contacting customers via email. This article explores the situation and its potential impact on the game's 2025 release.

Amazon Cancels Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Pre-Orders

Full Refunds Ensured

On January 11, 2025, numerous reports surfaced across online forums like Reddit and Resetera, indicating that Amazon was canceling Metroid Prime 4: Beyond pre-orders. Screenshots shared by users show Amazon's cancellation notification, citing "lack of availability" as the reason. Reassuringly, Amazon promises a full refund of the pre-order charge within one to two business days.

While disappointing for some fans who pre-ordered since the game's initial announcement at E3 2017, the cancellation doesn't signal the game's cancellation. It simply means the title is temporarily unavailable for pre-order through Amazon. For more in-depth information about Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, check out our dedicated article!

A Look Back at Metroid Prime 4's Development

Initially announced at E3 2017, Metroid Prime 4’s development journey has been anything but straightforward. The initial announcement notably excluded Retro Studios, the developer behind previous Metroid Prime titles. The developing studio remained undisclosed at that time.

Two years later, in January 2019, Nintendo revealed that development had been restarted under Retro Studios. In a YouTube video, Shinya Takahashi explained that the progress at that point didn't meet their standards for a Metroid Prime sequel.

A significant turning point came in June 2024 with a gameplay trailer showcased during a Nintendo Direct. This trailer revealed the full title, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and confirmed a 2025 release window. The trailer also introduced Sylux, the game's antagonist, leading Space Pirates.

More recently, Nintendo reaffirmed the 2025 release window in a January 3, 2025 news post. Despite Amazon’s pre-order cancellations, this statement strongly suggests the game remains on track for release this year.

With the imminent announcement of the Switch 2, the platform on which Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will launch (original Switch or its successor) remains to be seen.