Nintendo and Retro Studios have released a new minute-long "Survive" trailer for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, offering fresh glimpses of gameplay and cinematics as the long-awaited first‑person adventure readies for a December 4 release on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2.
What the new trailer shows
The short teaser packs a mix of previously seen sequences and a few new touches that underscore the game's tone and systems:
- Combat, scanning and navigation in first‑person view, the franchise's hallmark mechanics.
- Samus's new psychic abilities and environmental interactions, including what appear to be levitating platforms.
- The Vi‑O‑La motorbike in open desert and jungle settings, plus brief motorbike action and cutscene dogfights.
- Encounters with wildlife (pack fights and wolves), dramatic locales and a flourish of movement — Samus even pulls off an "Akira"‑style slide.
- Launch date: December 4, 2025
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2
- Samus and Samus & Vi‑O‑La Amiibos — arriving November 6, 2025
- Sylux Amiibo — arriving December 4, 2025
- More hands‑on previews and reviews as outlets and streamers get advance access in the weeks around release.
- Any announcements about special or collector's editions, downloadable content or cross‑platform features between Switch and Switch 2.
- Community reaction to the Amiibo functionality once the figures are available in November and December.
- If you own a Switch 2 and care about upgraded performance, check reviews after launch to see how the two versions compare before committing to a purchase.
- Amiibo collectors should note the staggered release dates (Samus and Samus & Vi‑O‑La on November 6; Sylux on December 4).
- If you prefer to wait for wider hands‑on coverage, reputable reviews will appear around release day and will be the best guide on whether the game lives up to expectations.
Retro and Nintendo continue to keep major story beats under wraps, but the trailer reinforces the core pitch: Samus must use her gear, new psychic powers and the Vi‑O‑La to survive and escape the mysterious planet Viewros after an accident transports her there.
Release details and merchandise
The trailer also ends with a reveal of three Amiibo figures tied to the release:
Retailers in some regions have begun posting preorder bonuses around the game (for example, Australian retailers listed items such as desk mats and metal keyrings), so shoppers should check local stores for region‑specific incentives and bundles.
Context: a long road back to Samus
Metroid Prime 4 has been one of Nintendo's most talked‑about comebacks. The project was first teased in 2017, endured a highly publicized restart and development changes, and has been the subject of intermittent reveals over the past several years. That history leaves some fans cautious even as new footage raises expectations.
Critical and fan reaction to previous previews has been mixed. Earlier showcases — including a three‑minute Direct demo and a motorbike‑focused trailer — drew complaints from some observers who felt pacing and editing undercut the game's atmosphere. The latest "Survive" trailer has been read by many outlets and players as a stronger, more coherent look at what made the Prime series compelling: exploration, combat and environmental scanning.
How to read the trailer — excitement and restraint
Coverage of the trailer struck a broadly similar note: it reassures players who want classic Metroid Prime gameplay while leaving open the question of whether the final game will fully deliver on the series' legacy. Some commentators highlight sequences that recapture the first‑person exploration and mood of earlier Prime titles; others warn that trailers only hint at quality and that we won't know how the pieces come together until reviewers and players get hands‑on time after launch.
What to watch for next
Buying guidance
If you follow the Metroid series and want to play at launch, preorders are already appearing and the game will be available for both Switch and Switch 2 on December 4. Consider these points when deciding whether to preorder or wait:
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond now has a clearer marketing cadence as it heads into its final month before launch. The new trailer has reignited enthusiasm for Samus's return while reminding players that the ultimate verdict will arrive when they can play the game themselves.