Metroid Prime is indeed delayed and will not hit the European shelves until March 3rd next year. Nintendo announced this date along with some other dates:

Metroid Prime March 03
Resident Evil 0 March 03
Phantasy Star Online Q1
Super Monkeyball 2 Q1
Rayman 3 Hoodlum Havoc Q1
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Q1
The Legend of Zelda Q2
1080� Avalanche Q2
Wario World Q2
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Q4
True Crime Q2/Q3
Hitman 2: Silent Assassin Q2
Enter The Matrix Q2

Look for the full press release a bit later today!

Ouch... why did Nintendo have to delay Metroid? It is not fair! :(