Everyone's talking about the vulvas in Metroid Prime 4

We wrote earlier in the year about how much we like Metroid Prime 4's art direction, describing it as a 1970s pulp sci-fi alien aesthetic piped through Halo. It feels fresher than many recent AAA games, and the game's release this month hasn't disappointed.

What we didn't mention was one particular aspect of game's art that seems to be getting all the attention on social media: why does the interior design in Chrono Tower look so yonic? Perhaps the 'T' rating isn't only for the violence.

Lotta vaginas in this game.

— @aidanmoher.com (@aidanmoher.com.bsky.social) 2025-12-08T14:59:41.999Z

In case you needed a reminder that Samus is a woman...

— @daruniasage.com (@daruniasage.com.bsky.social) 2025-12-08T14:59:42.065Z

Good news. I found the clitoris.

— @langoustine.bsky.social (@langoustine.bsky.social.bsky.social) 2025-12-08T14:59:42.108Z

Social media is awash with screenshots from fans showing apparent vulvas in Metroid Prime 4 Beyond. Developer Retro Games appears to have taken carnal inspiration for the door designs in particular.

The designs vary in size, and some of the doors require Samus to shoot at them or use her psychic powers to pull down small protrusions on top of them. Other objects have also been noted to have yonic shapes to varying extents.

Fans have various theories about the intention behind the designs. These range from an argument that they're accidental to suggestions that they're intended to remind us that the lead character Samus Aran is a woman, or even to hint at sapphic desire on the intergalactic bounty hunter's part.

Some believe the doors are supposed to be “vertical third eyes”, referencing the game's theme of psychic energy. Others suggest they're inspired by plants and fruits, with some noting that the name of the game's plant-like boss Carvex sounds not unlike Cervix.

However, Metroid has always taken inspiration from HR Giger's sexual biomechanical vision for the movie Alien, which had a strong theme of motherhood. The games have also developed this theme to an extent through Samus's bond with the “Baby Metroid” in Metroid II and Super Metroid. It may be that the architecture on the planet Viewros is simply intended to follow this tradition and evoke a harmony with nature, and thus fertility and reproduction.

Let us know your theory in the comments below. For more inspiration, see our features on concept art and video game art styles.