A massive advertisement for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond at London’s Oxford Circus Underground station has caused confusion among Nintendo fans, as it boldly claims the game is currently available—despite no official release date being announced.
Is the Game Really Out?
For those who’ve seen the ad, rest assured—it’s not a hallucination induced by London’s sweltering heatwave. Multiple fans, along with IGN staff on-site, have confirmed the poster indeed states the game is "out now."
Officially, Nintendo has only confirmed a 2025 release window for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, with no specific date provided. However, the appearance of such a high-profile ad in a major transit hub has reignited hopes that the long-awaited sequel could be launching sooner than expected.
Fan Reactions and Theories
The unexpected wording has sparked debate online, with some speculating the ad may have been printed prematurely or that Nintendo originally intended to release the game sooner.
One Reddit user, orchestar, posted:
"Any idea why the MP4 Beyond ad in the London Underground says 'out now'? I’m genuinely confused. Do they mean the Switch 2 is out? I wish the game was truly out though haha."
Others have theorized that the ad could be part of a future marketing campaign accidentally displayed early. While some optimistic fans have entertained the idea of a surprise shadow drop, this seems improbable, given that Donkey Kong Bananza is currently positioned as Nintendo’s next major release.
Part of a Larger Switch 2 Marketing Push
According to IGN senior commerce editor Rob Anderson, who visited the site, the entire Oxford Circus platform is wrapped in Nintendo Switch 2 promotional material, featuring upcoming titles like Super Mario Party Jamboree and Donkey Kong Bananza. The Metroid Prime 4: Beyond ad appears to be one segment of this broader campaign rather than a standalone announcement.
A Long-Awaited Return
Originally announced in 2017, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond underwent a complete development reboot in 2019 after its initial version by Bandai Namco failed to meet Nintendo’s standards. Now under Retro Studios’ direction, the game is set to launch as a cross-gen title for both Nintendo Switch and the upcoming Switch 2.
Recent reports suggest the Switch 2 version will run at 120 FPS and feature optional motion controls leveraging the Joy-Con’s gyroscopic capabilities. While no exact release date has been confirmed, industry speculation points to a launch window between Donkey Kong Bananza (July 2025) and Pokémon Legends: Z-A (October 2025).
For now, fans will have to wait for an official update—but the mysterious ad has certainly stirred excitement for Samus Aran’s next adventure.