Today we’re sharing another translated interview! In the March 2026 issue of Nintendo Dream, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond producer Kensuke Tanabe, composer Kenji Yamamoto and Retro Studios’ Design Director Bill Vandervoort were interviewed about the game’s development. They discuss, among other topics, the challenges of development from its restarting and the impact of COVID, the process of designing the Vi-O-La bike, writing the Logbook and the Galactic Federation troopers’ dialogue, and building the world of Viewros. They also elaborate on Sylux’s role in the game.
Most significantly, Tanabe-san has confirmed that Metroid Prime 4 is his final game at Nintendo, and he is retiring after 40 years with the company. Although a sequel is not currently planned, Tanabe-san hopes that his Associate Producer, Risa Tabata, will succeed him as Producer of the Metroid Prime series and see Sylux’s arc through to its end.
On behalf of the Shinesparkers team, I want to congratulate Tanabe-san on his retirement and thank him for his role on the Metroid Prime series since its inception in 2002.