Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Receives Korean Rating – Is Release Date Incoming?

07/26/2025 Nintendo

Hey everyone! Exciting news for all you Metroid fans out there! It looks like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond just got a rating over in South Korea, which has sent the internet into a frenzy. Could this mean we're finally getting closer to a concrete release date? I sure hope so!

The Korean Game Content Rating Board dropped the rating just yesterday, the 25th of July, giving the "Nintendo Switch 2 Edition" of the game a "12 and up" rating due to what they described as "mild violence." It seems like they got their hands on it for review around July 10th. I mean, mild violence in a Metroid game? Sounds about right, doesn't it?

While the rating itself doesn't give us a ton of juicy details, it does confirm a few things. The board mentioned that the game is a "first-person adventure" set on a planet called Buros. Apparently, Samus ends up there after running into Silux at a Galactic Federation research facility. Sounds like our girl is in for another wild ride! And because of the violence, we know we'll be using weapons attached to the suit to attack alien lifeforms.

I know, I know, we're all starving for a release date. While this rating doesn't give us a specific date, the fact that it's been submitted for classification suggests that the game is in a pretty complete state. Which, in my book, is a HUGE step in the right direction. I remember when that fake "out now" ad popped up in London. That was a painful day, but this feels much more real!

We got a sneak peek at some gameplay last June, and then Nintendo gave us an even deeper dive during the March Nintendo Direct, where they showed off Samus' psychic powers. I'm really digging the direction they're taking with this one!

Someone actually got to preview the game earlier this year and thought it was "the best example of Switch 2's varied control capabilities". The previewer played Metroid Prime 4 with each Joy-Con 2 placed on the thighs. He considered this surprisingly well and the controls responsive, despite being on an uneven surface. Nintendo told the reviewer that the sensitivity can be tweaked too, allowing for smaller movements.

I'll definitely be keeping my eyes peeled for more news and, of course, will keep you all in the loop as soon as I hear anything. Fingers crossed that we get a release date announcement soon!