Nintendo went all-out at E3 2017, showing off some of the Nintendo Switch's biggest releases of the year while also teasing fans with games on the distant horizon. One such game was Metroid Prime 4, which managed to drum up quite a bit of excitement despite the fact that the only thing shown of the game was its logo. In the months since, we have learned more about Metroid Prime 4, mainly that the game is not being developed by Retro Studios. And if one rumor is to be believed, the game may actually be the product of a collaboration between a new in-house development team at Nintendo and Bandai Namco.

This rumor comes from Marcus Sellars, a writer for various Nintendo-themed online publications that claims to have inside knowledge on the project. According to Sellars, Nintendo will reveal the first trailer for Metroid Prime 4 during a Nintendo Direct in January, and that's where fans will also learn that Bandai Namco is working with a new Nintendo studio on the game.

Some may question the notion that Nintendo would reach out to a third party publisher for assistance in developing what is one of the Switch's biggest upcoming exclusives. However, Nintendo and Bandai Namco have a strong relationship, having collaborated on past games together like Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS. Considering this, it's not out of the question that the Big N would look to Bandai Namco for help with developing Metroid Prime 4, especially if it speeds up the game's development time.

Metroid Prime 4 Now In Development for Switch - Metroid Prime 4 logo

Another claim made by Sellars makes the possible collaboration between Bandai Namco and Nintendo an even more likely possibility. According to Sellars, Bandai Namco will soon be announcing a slew of new games, including a number of titles that will be exclusive to the Nintendo Switch. If Bandai Namco is truly throwing its weight behind the Switch, then it may make Nintendo even more willing to work with the company on Metroid Prime 4.

Of course, fans should take Sellars' claims with a massive grain of salt. There is absolutely no evidence to back up what he says, and he could just be making everything up. However, his claims do mesh with another recent rumor that pointed to a Nintendo Direct in January 2018 that would feature the first footage of Metroid Prime 4, so it makes him a little easier to believe.

Then again, Nintendo indicated to its investors in an earnings report earlier this year that Metroid Prime 4 could still be years away. If that's the case, it's unlikely that Nintendo would show the game in a Nintendo Direct in January, as it may still be very early in development. Ultimately, fans will have to wait until January rolls around to see if there's any truth to these Metroid Prime 4 rumors.

Metroid Prime 4 is currently in development for the Nintendo Switch.