Metroid Prime 4: Beyond has inched one step closer to finally hitting in our hands. The long-awaited Nintendo title just scored an ESRB rating in the U.S., marking another milestone before launch.
While the classification hasn’t shown up in the official ESRB database yet, the info comes straight from Nintendo itself. That’s basically a green flag telling us the game is moving down the release pipeline.
A Development Saga That Feels Longer Than a Chozo Ruin
This game has been cooking for forever. Originally announced back in 2017, Metroid Prime 4 reportedly went through a full reboot around 2019, sending it back to the drawing board.
After years of silence, Nintendo has finally dropped a 2025 release window in mid-2024. Since then, fans have been waiting on an exact date like bounty hunters waiting on their next mission.
ESRB Rating: Teen, With Blood and… In-Game Purchases?
The new ESRB rating, spotted in late August 2025, lists the game as “Teen” due to “animated blood, violence,” and “in-game purchases.” Pretty on-brand, since every other Metroid Prime entry has carried the same Teen tag.
But the real eyebrow-raiser? The mention of in-game purchases. Don’t panic—this probably isn’t loot boxes.
Nintendo has already confirmed that the Metroid Prime 4 will offer a premium Switch 2 upgrade, meaning players can pay extra for shinier graphics and performance perks. While DLC could still be a possibility down the road, this upgrade is the most likely explanation.
What This Actually Means for Release
Now before you start polishing your arm cannon a rating does not necessarily mean the game is ready to ship. All these classifications usually come from game descriptions, not finished builds. Still, it’s a good sign.
Combine this with Nintendo reassuring fans earlier this August that the game is not slipping into 2026, and the hype levels are officially rising. Add in the fact that South Korea’s GRAC already rated the game just a few weeks earlier, and it feels like we’re stacking up all the usual pre-launch dominoes.
So When is the Drop?
Nintendo has not locked in a date yet, but all signs point to a Holiday 2025 launch. And if the rumors are true, the big reveal could land during the September 2025 Nintendo Direct. Perfect timing for Samus to headline the Switch 2’s first big holiday lineup.
