Ahead of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond’s release this December, fans of the iconic Nintendo series can revisit the original Prime Trilogy in written form. On October 28, an official Metroid Prime Trilogy retrospective will be published by Piggyback, the strategy guide publisher best known for its excellent Legend of Zelda guidebooks. Preorders for Metroid Prime 1-3: A Visual Retrospective are available now at Amazon for $46.49 (was $50).
With Amazon’s preorder price guarantee, you’ll automatically get any price cuts offered between the time you order and launch.
$46.49 (was $50) | Releases October 28
The book’s full title is Metroid Prime 1-3: A Visual Retrospective: The Official Art and Making of Metroid Prime 1-3.
The 212-page clothbound hardcover with a stitched binding and etched metallic foil cover art featuring Samus Aran wearing the Varia Suit. Piggyback is using high-quality, sheet-fed art paper to showcase the concept art and sketches from the development of the original Metroid Prime (2002), Prime 2: Echoes (2004), Prime 3: Corruption (2007), and Metroid Prime Remastered (2023).
Along with the artwork, the book contains commentary from Retro Studios developers. The foreword was written by Metroid Prime series producer Kensuke Tanabe, and each of the four sections are introduced by a developer from Retro Studios.
Preorder Metroid Prime 4: Beyond + Amiibo
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond launches December 4 on Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch. The Switch 2 version is available to preorder at Amazon, Walmart, and other major retailers for $70. The original Switch version is up for preorder for $60. If you want to upgrade to Switch 2 to play Metroid Prime 4 in 4K resolution, Amazon finally has Nintendo’s new console in stock. The upcoming Pokemon Legends: Z-A Bundle has sold out a couple of times, but the Mario Kart World Switch 2 Bundle is available for $499.
Nintendo is also releasing three new Amiibo for Metroid Prime 4. Two different Samus Amiibo figures launch November 6, while Sylux releases December 4. Amazon is sold out of two of the Amiibo, while Walmart is sold out of the one Amiibo Amazon has in stock. You can also still get the Metroid Dread Amiibo 2-Pack featuring Samus and E.M.M.I. for $28.73 at Amazon.
More Metroid Games
Metroid Prime Remastered
If you haven’t played Metroid Prime Remastered, we’d highly recommend checking it out ahead of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. It’s one of the very best games for Nintendo Switch and will serve as a good primer (sorry) for Beyond. For classic side-scrolling Metroid, check out Metroid Dread for Switch and Metroid: Samus Returns on 3DS. The latter is a great remake of Metroid II that flew a bit under the radar because it launched in 2017 after the Switch hit the market. Dread and Samus Returns were developed by MercurySteam.
Nintendo Switch Online members can play the first five Metroid games on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. Metroid, Metroid II, and Super Metroid are available with the Switch Online Individual membership ($20/year). To get the Game Boy Advance games–Metroid Fusion and Zero Mission–you need the Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership ($50/year).
And if you want to play all of these Metroid games with a controller themed around the franchise, PowerA recently launched an officially licensed wireless controller featuring Samus Aran and a galactic background. You can also grab a pair of wired Metroid-themed earbuds packaged in a drawstring bag with Metroid artwork.
More Nintendo Guide & Art Books
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom / Breath of the Wild Official Strategy Guides
Amazon has deals on the hardcover editions of Piggyback’s other recent Nintendo books. We’ve included a list of those below. And if you’re looking for more official Nintendo art and lore books, you should check out Dark Horse’s series of Zelda and Super Mario books.
Piggyback’s Zelda Guides:
Nintendo Art & Lore Books: