So, I think it’s safe to say that Nintendo had the most exciting showcase during Summer Game Fest, yeah? Sure, there was the usual crop of smaller announcements that aren’t that big of a deal, but then they came out with punch after punch! DKC Returns HD! Mario and Luigi: Brothership! The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom! Super Mario Party: Jamboree! And, the biggest home run of all: Metroid Prime 4! Holy cow! It’s finally happening!

It’s been about 7 years since the game was announced and FIVE years since development was restarted under Retro Studios. Seriously, Metroid Prime 4 has been a long time coming, so long that it had more or less entered development hell meme territory. Seriously, would it have killed them to tell us something over the course of the past 5 years?? I was over here wondering if it had become vaporware, you know?

But no, Metroid Prime 4 is still a go and it’s (hopefully) due out next year! We didn’t get to see much, but what was shown has me feeling very hopeful. All the hallmarks of the original were there: the cool, first-person perspective from behind the visor, scanning enemies and getting all those cool little extra images along with the info, proper lock-on, beautiful artwork, a high frame-rate, Samus’ classic look (albeit a bit redesigned) and even a blast from the past of a main enemy. Seriously, it all looks awesome!

I’m not entirely sure that what we saw here was real gameplay either. I mean all the elements were there, but I dunno. Some of it just felt too…smooth for Switch, I suppose. I could be wrong. Still, It should also be remembered that first look gameplay trailers like this that supposedly show what the experience will be like aren’t necessarily reflective of the actual thing. I mean, we just have to look at the likes of Cyberpunk 2077, The Division, or even Watch Dogs for reminders of that.

Even so, I’m feeling hopeful that we will at least get an experience in line with what we’ve seen in past Metroid Prime games. It’s still Retro Studios making it, and they’re still consistently doing good work even 20 years out from the original trilogy. So, chances are good that we will at least get the base substance of what one would want from a Prime game. Anything more would just be a bonus, but here’s hoping that bonus gets delivered all the same. Honestly though, I’m just super relieved to finally see it again. It’d been way too long!

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Are you psyched for Metroid Prime 4? Do you think Retro Studios can manage one more awesome adventure in this series?

Image from the Metroid Prime 4 Announcement trailer