Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Rated in Korea – Could a Release Be Close?

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is finally showing signs of life after years of silence. The South Korean GRAC (Game Rating and Administration Committee) has officially rated the game, fueling speculation that a release date announcement is imminent.

Historically, GRAC ratings have been reliable indicators of upcoming launches, as seen with Death Stranding 2, which received its rating about a month before its official date reveal and was released a few months later.

The rating for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond hints that Nintendo may be gearing up for a big announcement during one of the upcoming events-be it a Nintendo Direct, Gamescom, or Tokyo Game Show. A late 2025 release is looking increasingly likely, though early 2026 can’t be ruled out either.

The game was rated ’12 years old and up’ and is described as a first-person adventure set on the planet Buros. Players will follow Samus Aran after her encounter with Silux at a Galactic Federation research base. Expect mild violence and alien combat, using Samus’ suit weapons-classic Metroid fare.

The road to this rating has been anything but smooth. Originally announced in 2017 for the Nintendo Switch, the title began development at Bandai Namco. However, dissatisfaction with progress led Nintendo to reboot the project and hand it back to Retro Studios, the original developers of the Metroid Prime series.

At a recent behind-closed-doors demo for the Switch 2, our own Nathan Birch got a taste of the game. He reported a refined and technically robust experience with 120fps performance and working mouse controls-a first for a Metroid title on a Nintendo platform. Though some minor issues remain, the foundation appears strong, suggesting this will be the most polished Metroid Prime yet.

Despite recent rumors from Reece ‘KiwiTalks’ Reilly suggesting the game isn’t ready, the GRAC rating tells a different story. With development now seemingly wrapping up, all eyes are on Nintendo to deliver the next chapter in Samus Aran’s legacy. And yes, the game is still coming to the original Nintendo Switch, just as initially promised.