Metroid Prime 4: New Rating Received in South Korea

Exciting Developments for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond as Release Approaches

Good news for gamers eagerly awaiting the launch of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond: the South Korean rating authority, GRAC (Game Rating and Administration Committee), has officially rated the game, suggesting a release could happen sooner than anticipated.

Previous GRAC Ratings Hint at Release Dates

Historically, the GRAC has provided clues regarding upcoming game launches. For instance, the rating for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach was issued on February 6, with the official release date revealed just a month later, on March 9. The game itself launched on June 26, reinforcing the idea that GRAC ratings can predict imminent announcements.

Potential Announcement Venues and Release Timeframe

With the recent rating, fans can expect announcements about Metroid Prime 4 within the next few weeks. Major events like a Nintendo Direct, Gamescom, or even the Tokyo Game Show might serve as the platforms for these updates, possibly indicating a release in late 2025 or early 2026.

Contradicting Rumors on Game Status

This listing presents a surprising counterpoint to recent claims from gaming insider Reece ‘KiwiTalks’ Reilly, who asserted that the game lacks an official release date due to unfinished development. However, the release of the GRAC rating raises questions about the validity of that information.

Game Details and Rating Insights

The GRAC has rated Metroid Prime 4: Beyond as suitable for players aged 12 and up, providing the following insights:

The game is a first-person adventure set on the planet Buros, following Samus Aran during an unforeseen incident after her altercation with Silux at a Galactic Federation research facility.
The gameplay features mild violence, where Samus employs her suit’s weaponry to confront alien lifeforms.

Development Challenges and Positive Early Impressions

The development of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond has faced significant hurdles. Initially announced for the original Nintendo Switch in June 2017, the project was initially handed to Bandai Namco. Due to unsatisfactory progress, Nintendo opted to reboot the project, returning it to Retro Studios, the franchise’s original developers.

At a recent Nintendo Switch 2 reveal event, our own Nathan Birch had the opportunity to play Metroid Prime 4, providing encouraging feedback:

“Based on my early hands-on, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond probably won’t change how most fans feel about the series. It’s more of a good thing that we haven’t got a fresh dose of in a long time, and make no mistake, this is going to be the most playable, technically-sound version of Metroid Prime to date. A few easily-tweakable issues aside, the mouse controls work, and 120fps on a Nintendo console is a real thing that’s actually happening. I still have a lot more I need to play, but it seems like Metroid Prime fans have a rewarding bounty coming their way.”