For years, rumors have swirled that Nintendo is looking to bring Metroid Prime Trilogy to the Nintendo Switch. There have been numerous Metroid Prime Trilogy Switch port retailer leaks and insiders have insisted that the game exists, only for Nintendo to never acknowledge it. Nintendo still has yet to actually announce Metroid Prime Trilogy for the Switch, but a reputable insider has said that the game has finished development.
On the latest episode of Jeff Grubb's premium GrubbSnax show hosted by Giant Bomb, he said that Metroid Prime Trilogy is done and Nintendo is simply holding on to it for now. According to Grubb, one possible reason why the Metroid Prime Trilogy Switch port has yet to release is due to the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on Nintendo's Quality Assurance process, as it isn't able to focus on as many games as once.
Another reason why Nintendo may be holding on to the Metroid Prime Trilogy Switch port for now is due to Metroid Prime 4. Grubb has speculated that Metroid Prime Trilogy will release when we're closer to Metroid Prime 4, as the collection will be used to generate interest in the new game. Unfortunately, Metroid Prime 4 doesn't have a release date in sight at the time of this writing.
Even though Metroid Prime 4 was announced at E3 2017, the game could still very well be years away from release. Metroid Prime 4 development restarted with Retro Studios just a couple of years ago now, meaning that the developers essentially started from scratch. Considering this, it wouldn't be surprising if the Metroid Prime 4 release date isn't until 2023 or even 2024. If that's the case, then it could be quite some time before Metroid fans are able to get their hands on the Metroid Prime Trilogy Switch port.
Maybe fans will get lucky and Nintendo will release the Metroid Prime Trilogy Switch port in 2022. As it stands, 2021 seems completely out of the question at this point. After all, Metroid Dread is releasing for the Switch this October, and it wouldn't make sense for Nintendo to release announce or release Metroid Prime Trilogy as the games would potentially cannibalize each other's sales.
While Metroid fans may have to wait a long time to get their hands on the Metroid Prime Trilogy Switch port, at least fans of the franchise have a lot to look forward to in the months and years ahead. Metroid Dread is dropping October 8, plus Metroid Prime 4 is in active development at Retro Studios. And a proper announcement for the Metroid Prime Trilogy Switch port is just a matter of time.
Metroid Prime Trilogy is out now for Wii.
Source: Giant Bomb