Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Hands-On Switch 2 Preview –The Game That Will Redefine The Series For A New Generation

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After eight years in development, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond marks both a grand finale for the Nintendo Switch and the first Metroid Prime adventure on the new Switch 2. Long development times are common in big-budget games, but it’s unusual—and satisfying—to see a game announced early in one console’s life finally launch at the beginning of its successor’s. With Metroid Prime’s return, this release across two console generations positions it for huge success, though some predictable challenges may arise.

I’ve been waiting for Metroid Prime 4 ever since it was announced in 2017, and after playing about 90 minutes of the Switch 2 version, it’s surprisingly normal that the game is exactly what I imagined – though it’s still thrilling! When the original Prime launched in 2002, a first-person Metroid game seemed risky, but it turned out to be a wonderfully immersive experience. It created a unique style of first-person shooter that hasn’t really been replicated in the over two decades since.

Metroid Prime Remains A Novelty Among First-Person Shooters

Lock-On Combat & Puzzles Galore

As a huge Metroid fan, I always loved how the original Metroid Prime tried to make you feel like you were inside Samus’s Power Suit, especially with those tank controls. But let’s be honest, even back on the GameCube, they felt pretty clunky! Thankfully, Metroid Prime Remastered fixed that with awesome dual-stick controls – it’s seriously the best way to play. But because the first game had those older controls, it actually led to the cool lock-on combat system we’re seeing in Metroid Prime 4 – which still feels fresh and unique!

Unlike most shooting games, Beyond doesn’t rely on hiding behind cover during fights. You’ll often be battling in the open, and the game lets you move, jump, and dodge easily while still shooting accurately. As you face different enemies and more complex battles, Prime 4 starts to feel like a ‘bullet-hell’ game, similar to Returnal, which is a clear influence.

It’s satisfying to revisit the action in Metroid Prime, battling Space Pirates and alien creatures. But the game’s combat system also makes it much easier to pick up and play. Metroid games are known for their complex, interconnected levels, which can be difficult for some players. Turning it into a first-person shooter could have made it even harder for casual players who aren’t used to 3D environments. However, by simplifying aiming with a lock-on system, Metroid Prime becomes surprisingly accessible, even though mastering the game still takes skill.

Okay, so aiming with the right stick even while locked on? It actually gives you a little more control, which is cool. In Metroid Prime 4, you can fine-tune your aim inside that lock-on reticle. I didn’t need it a ton at the very beginning, but it feels like something I’ll be using a lot more as I get further into the game, Beyond.

My early experience with Metroid Prime 4 suggests the puzzles will be well-designed. While the initial puzzles weren’t overly challenging thanks to Samus’ new psychic abilities, the difficulty clearly increases as you progress, which is promising. I’m hoping the game will feature some truly complex puzzles later on. These powers also unlock a new ability for Samus’ Arm Cannon: a beam that freezes time and lets you control the projectile in flight. This is used in a really smart way during one of the first boss fights, and I’m excited to see how this ability grows with the traditional Metroid upgrades.

Metroid Prime 4 delivers the classic Metroid experience players love – action-packed, lock-on combat, clever puzzles, and simple platforming. While the Switch 2 enhances the game’s graphics and performance, it’s still built as a game for the original Switch, and that’s apparent during gameplay.

Metroid Prime 4 Uses All The Switch 2’s Bells & Whistles

Multiple Control Schemes & Impressive Performance

I recently had a chance to play Metroid Prime 4: Beyond for a short time at an event in Manhattan. I played through two different parts of the game, starting with the tutorial mission on a Switch 2 in handheld mode. This tutorial, which takes place at a Galactic Federation research facility, has already been shown in trailers and gameplay videos.

Soon, I was sitting on a small stool facing a large 4K monitor. A Prime 4 mouse pad was on the table, with a Switch 2 Pro Controller and two Joy-Con 2 controllers on top. I started with the Joy-Cons since they were already powered on, and was immediately prompted to use the wrist straps, which I did. Then I began playing as Samus, exploring the beginning areas of Viewros, the new planet in Beyond.

Using two Joy-Con controllers, one in each hand, felt just like playing with them connected to the Switch 2. The real benefit came from being able to easily switch to mouse controls by simply turning the right Joy-Con on its side. The mouse controls worked flawlessly, particularly with a mouse pad, though I didn’t really need them. Since Metroid Prime doesn’t require super-precise aiming, the mouse controls are more of a convenient extra option.

I occasionally ran into a minor issue with the Joy-Cons where my finger would accidentally activate the motion controls while I was pressing buttons, briefly changing how the game was controlled until I pressed another button. This wasn’t specific to Metroid Prime 4 and could be fixed by simply adjusting how I held the controllers – I’d probably use a grip if I had one. Ultimately, I preferred using the Pro Controller for most of my playtime with Beyond.

I tested Metroid Prime 4 on the Switch 2 using both graphics settings. The ‘quality’ mode runs at 4K resolution with 60 frames per second, while ‘performance’ mode lowers the resolution to 1080p and allows for frame rates up to 120 FPS. I’ll probably stick with quality mode for this game—it’s one of the few where I prefer visual fidelity over frame rate. Usually, I don’t mind a lower resolution for smoother gameplay, but the detail was noticeably reduced in performance mode, especially when playing up close.

One of the best parts of Metroid Prime is discovering the alien world and using Samus’s Scan Visor to learn about its strange plants and creatures. While the performance mode in Beyond offered a higher frame rate, I eventually switched back to quality mode because I preferred the sharper visuals. It seems Prime 4 consistently hits its goal of 60 frames per second at 4K resolution, likely because it was developed for multiple generations of consoles.

The Switch Is Holding Back Metroid Prime 4, But Only Slightly

Nintendo Is Keeping A Promise

While the Switch 2 version of Metroid Prime 4 is impressive and performs well, a closer look reveals some visual shortcuts were made for the original Switch release. I haven’t played it on the older console, so I can’t comment on its performance, but the Switch 2 version contains textures and objects with a lower level of detail that feel like they belong to an older generation of games.

As a big fan, I’ve been digging into the details of the game, and a lot of the little things are really hidden! Like, you have to actively look for the subtle ground textures under the plants – the kind of stuff you’d normally miss. But then there are moments that jump out at you, like the blurry armor on MacKenzie, the engineer stuck on Viewros. It’s funny watching her have these one-way chats with Samus, and honestly, it’s a little awkward! It really highlights how Other M portrayed Samus, doesn’t it?

It’s difficult to criticize the game’s visuals, as Metroid Prime has never looked so good. The fact that it runs in 4K at 60 frames per second is a definite plus. Beyond is in a unique situation, having been originally announced for the Switch in 2017 and still being released on that platform as promised. While I generally think games should move to new generations more quickly to take advantage of better technology, Nintendo breaking its promise to release Prime 4 on the Switch would have been a major mistake.

With the new Beyond game coming out on multiple platforms, Metroid has a real chance to become even more popular. Playing Prime 4 confirmed for me how unique and enjoyable the series is, and I think the franchise deserves a bigger audience. While Metroid Prime 4 probably won’t sell as much as games like Mario Kart or Animal Crossing, several things suggest it could be the most successful Metroid game yet.

The Nintendo Switch is quickly becoming Nintendo’s most popular console of all time, surpassing even the DS, and the next console, Switch 2, is already generating a lot of excitement. Recent releases like Metroid Dread and Metroid Prime Remastered successfully revived the Metroid series, and Metroid Prime 4 will be a key exclusive title this holiday season, joining Kirby Air Riders and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment. Beyond, launching on both the Switch and Switch 2 and being one of the first Nintendo-published games for the new console, is attracting significant attention, particularly after its lengthy development process.

Metroid Prime 4 makes a fantastic first impression, and now the question is whether it can deliver on that promise. After a long wait, this fourth installment in the series might succeed simply because no other game has quite captured its unique blend of action, puzzles, and exploration – a formula that felt fresh 18 years ago with Metroid Prime 3: Corruption and still does today. With its immersive sci-fi world, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond could revitalize the series and bring it to a whole new audience.

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2025-11-14 17:04