A massive advertisement for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond at London's Oxford Circus Underground station claims the game is "out now," leaving Nintendo fans bewildered during their morning commute.
First things first - if you've seen this advertisement, you're not hallucinating from the current London heatwave. Multiple fans have confirmed the ad genuinely states the game is currently available.
Officially, Nintendo has only confirmed a vague 2025 release window for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. While the game isn't actually out, its prominent display in such a high-traffic location has sparked speculation that the launch might be imminent.
"Why does the MP4 Beyond ad at the London Underground say 'out now'?" Reddit user orchestar questioned. "I'm genuinely confused. Maybe they mean Switch 2 is out? Though I wish the game was genuinely available!"
Fans have theorized this might be an outdated advertisement - perhaps reflecting Nintendo's original release plans before delays occurred. Others suggest it could be an accidental early display of marketing materials intended for the game's actual launch period.
For longtime Nintendo fans eagerly awaiting this title, the advertisement has raised hopes of a surprise release. However, this seems improbable given Nintendo's current focus on promoting Donkey Kong Bananza as their next major Switch 2 game.
IGN has reached out to Nintendo for clarification on this misleading advertisement.
Now developed as a cross-generation title for both Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is scheduled for release sometime in 2025 following its troubled development history.
First announced in 2017 as a sequel to Retro Studios' acclaimed GameCube/Wii trilogy, the project was rebooted in 2019 when development shifted from Bandai Namco back to Retro Studios after failing to meet Nintendo's quality standards. After years of anticipation, Nintendo finally showcased the game at their June 2024 presentation ahead of Switch 2's launch.
On Switch 2, the game will support 120fps performance and feature optional control schemes utilizing the Joy-Con's enhanced mouse functionality. Industry analysts predict its release will likely fall between Donkey Kong Bananza's July debut and Pokémon Legends: Z-A's October launch window.
