Amazon Cancels Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Pre-Orders – What Does This Mean?
Reports surfaced on January 11, 2025, across various online platforms, including Reddit and Resetera, indicating that Amazon was canceling pre-orders for the highly anticipated Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. Affected customers received emails from Amazon citing "lack of availability" as the reason for the cancellation. Amazon has assured customers that pre-order reservation charges will be fully refunded within one to two business days.
While disappointing for fans who pre-ordered, particularly those who've been anticipating the game since its initial announcement at E3 2017, the cancellation doesn't signal the game's cancellation. Instead, it simply reflects a temporary unavailability for pre-order through Amazon. For further details on the game itself, check out our dedicated Metroid Prime 4 article.
A Look Back at Metroid Prime 4's Development
The journey of Metroid Prime 4 has been a long one. Initially announced at E3 2017, the project initially excluded Retro Studios, the developers behind previous Metroid Prime titles. However, in 2019, Nintendo announced a development restart under Retro Studios, citing the initial progress as not meeting their standards.
A full gameplay trailer was finally unveiled in June 2024 during a Nintendo Direct, revealing the game's official title, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and its antagonist, Sylux. The trailer also confirmed a 2025 release window. This release date was reaffirmed by Nintendo on January 3, 2025.
The Future of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
While Amazon's pre-order cancellation might raise concerns, Nintendo's recent statements suggest the game remains on track for a 2025 release. The upcoming launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 adds another layer of intrigue, leaving the question of which console will host the game's debut unanswered for now.
