After Nintendo announced the new 2D entry, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, interest in Metroid Dread has surged. In the six days since the new title's reveal, this 2021 release has been steadily climbing the ranks on the Nintendo eShop charts.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond was officially unveiled during a recent Nintendo Direct, accompanied by its first trailer. The game continues the series' tradition of 2D side-scrolling gameplay and is scheduled for release on January 28, 2027.
Following the announcement of the new game, some players have returned to or tried for the first time the previous 2D entry, Metroid Dread. Its ranking on the eShop has surpassed titles like Super Mario Galaxy, Super Mario Galaxy 2, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, although specific sales figures have not been disclosed.
Metroid Dread was released in 2021 and holds an average media score of 88 on Metacritic. The new title is once again being developed by MercurySteam, the studio previously involved in creating Metroid: Samus Returns and Metroid Dread.
The Metroid series first launched on the NES in 1986, and its 2D entries were among the key inspirations for the later "Metroidvania" genre. The series subsequently expanded into first-person 3D titles, but the 2D side-scrolling branch continues to receive new releases.
Metroid Dread is currently part of a Nintendo promotion, with its price reduced by 30% from the original, bringing it down to $41.99. This discount coincides with the announcement of the new title, encouraging players to revisit the previous installment.