The identity of the secret developer that is working on Metroid Prime 4, the highly anticipated next entry to the series for the Nintendo Switch, has finally been confirmed.
Most gamers, especially fans of the Metroid Prime franchise, would not have guessed the studio that was chosen for the game. What does the surprising choice mean for Metroid Prime 4?
Metroid Prime 4 Developer Confirmed
It all started as rumors, but it has now been verified by EuroGamer that the studio Nintendo tapped for Metroid Prime 4 is none other than Bandai Namco.
EuroGamer confirmed that it was specifically Bandai Namco Studios Singapore that is developing the game, after receiving information from multiple sources.
EuroGamer referred to the rumors from earlier in the week that Bandai Namco was behind Metroid Prime 4. At the ResetEra forums, a discussion grew out of a LinkedIn profile that apparently pertained to a Bandai Namco lead designer working on Metroid Prime 4 for the Nintendo Switch. Meanwhile, Press-Start noted that several staff members of Bandai Namco Studios Singapore did not hide the fact that they were working on "a well-known unannounced IP" or an "exciting unannounced IP" in their profiles.
Now that we know the Nintendo Switch exclusive is under development at Bandai Namco, the next question to ask is the Metroid Prime 4 release date. Fans are hoping that it will arrive this year, but Metroid Prime 4 will likely not launch until 2019 at the earliest.
Will 'Metroid Prime 4' Be Too Different?
If Metroid Prime 4 were to happen, many gamers expected that Retro Studios, the developer of the original Metroid Prime trilogy, would be behind the game. However, when it was announced in E3 2017, Nintendo revealed that Retro Studios will not be involved in the project.
Metroid Prime fans, however, should not worry that the game is not in good hands. Bandai Namco Studios Singapore houses some former employees from LucasArts Singapore, which was working on the ambitious Star Wars 1313 before it was canceled.
Bandai Namco is also not a stranger to developing games for Nintendo's major franchises, as it was the studio behind the Super Smash Bros. titles for the 3DS and Wii U and the Pokémon fighting game Pokkén Tournament for the Wii U and Nintendo Switch.
In addition, Metroid Prime series producer Kensuke Tanabe is still overseeing the project for Nintendo, which will be maintaining control over the project.
Metroid Prime 4 might be in uncharted territory with a new studio behind it, but fans of the franchise should take solace in knowing that Nintendo will not let the game become too different from what has made the series one of its most popular ones.
