It’s been a while since Nintendo offered any information about Metroid Prime 4. The long-awaited sequel was confirmed to be in development at E3 2017 but subsequently skipped E3 2018. Unfortunately, it seems it’ll be even longer until we actually see it. In a recent update video, senior managing executive officer of Nintendo, Shinya Takahashi announced that Metroid Prime 4’s current development had been restarted.
Previous work has been scrapped and a new developer, Retro Studios, is in charge (with producer Kensuke Tanabe also on-board). The name should be familiar to fans, since Retro Studios developed the first three titles in the series. With the release being delayed, Takahashi said that it will take some time before more information is offered.
As for the reason for the delay, Takahashi said that the previous development had “not reached the standards [Nintendo seeks in] a sequel to the Metroid Prime series.” Once the current development has wrapped, Metroid Prime 4 will “stand shoulder to shoulder with the past Metroid Prime series titles.” Metroid Prime 4’s original development team was never really disclosed, though rumours did indicate that it was Bandai Namco Singapore. Tanabe, who is the producer for the series, was overseeing that project as well.