Nintendo Cancels Pre-Orders for Metroid Prime 4, Fans Speculate on the Reason

Nintendo has recently canceled pre-orders for an upcoming Nintendo Switch game, leaving fans puzzled and sparking various theories. This move has raised questions, especially since the company is winding down its new game releases for the current Switch console.

The cancellation specifically affects Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, which had been available for pre-order for over seven years. Pre-orders for Metroid Prime 4 had been live since shortly after the game’s announcement in 2017, with a planned release later this year.

However, Nintendo has started sending out emails to cancel these pre-orders, leaving fans to speculate on the reason behind this decision. One theory suggests that Metroid Prime 4 may be shifting to the next-generation Nintendo console, the Switch 2.

Some fans believe that Nintendo is preparing to release the game exclusively for the Switch 2, leading to the cancellation of pre-orders for the current Switch version. While rumors of a native Switch 2 release for the game have circulated, it’s unlikely that Nintendo would completely scrap the current version of the game for the existing Switch console.

Another possibility is that Nintendo is adjusting the price of Metroid Prime 4. Pre-orders had been set at $59.99, but Nintendo might decide to raise the price to $69.99, similar to how The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom was priced.

If this is the case, the company may have canceled the old pre-orders to align with the new pricing strategy. A third theory circulating is that Nintendo could be distancing itself from Amazon. Over the past year, Nintendo has quietly stopped making its games available through the massive retailer.

This could mean that the pre-order cancellations for Metroid Prime 4 are simply related to changes in Nintendo’s business dealings with Amazon, rather than a shift in the game’s platform or pricing.

No matter the reason, fans can likely expect more details about Metroid Prime 4 soon. Nintendo typically holds a Direct event in February, and if that happens in 2025, it’s likely that Metroid Prime 4 will make an appearance, clearing up some of the confusion surrounding its future.