Metroid Prime 4: Beyond may stand as one of Nintendo’s most ambitious and costly projects to date, if a recent claim regarding its development budget proves accurate. According to Kiwi Talkz, a content creator known for interviews with current and former Retro Studios employees, the upcoming title has reportedly reached a budget of around 100 million dollars.
On social media, Kiwi Talkz remarked, “Prime 1 cost about $10 million dollars to make, Prime 4 is costing about $100 million to make. This game needs to sell between 4.5 – 5 million to break even.” When asked how the figure was obtained, he simply responded, “I’ve been told that.” While the statement has not been corroborated by Nintendo, the suggestion alone has sparked significant discussion among fans.
Nintendo has long carried a reputation for maintaining strict control over development costs, making the alleged figure a surprising one. However, the turbulent development history of Metroid Prime 4 could partly explain the number. The project was originally announced in 2017 alongside Bayonetta 3, yet unlike PlatinumGames’ title, it has endured repeated delays and even a full-scale restart. The game began under Bandai Namco Studios but was shifted back to Retro Studios in 2019 under the leadership of longtime producer Kensuke Tanabe.
If the budget estimate is true, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond would represent a significant escalation compared to past series entries. For reference, the original Metroid Prime reportedly cost about 10 million dollars to produce. By comparison, the new game’s rumored figure dwarfs prior development investments, reflecting both the scale of modern game production and the potential impact of years of retooling.
Commercially, Nintendo may not face as much risk as the break-even projection suggests. The franchise has recently seen its strongest sales ever, with Metroid Dread moving more than 3 million copies, becoming the best-selling game in the series. Meanwhile, Metroid Prime Remastered achieved more than 1.3 million units sold despite being shadow-dropped. With Metroid Prime 4: Beyond set to release on both Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, hitting the suggested 4.5 to 5 million mark may not be out of reach.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is slated for release on December 4, 2025. The game introduces new elements, including a motorcycle for Samus Aran and psychic abilities, all set against the backdrop of the mysterious planet Viewros. With a launch planned across two console generations, expectations for the title are high, and if the rumored budget is indeed accurate, it could be one of the boldest investments Nintendo has ever made in a single game.
