The anticipation surrounding the Nintendo Switch 2 is palpable, with new gameplay showcases capturing the attention of fans everywhere. Among the intriguing debuts, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond stood out, and for good reason—it’s a franchise that’s well-loved and familiar.
As a longtime fan of the Metroid series, I was drawn to the demo, which felt instantly recognizable. The area highlighted in the demo seemed introductory, likely from the very start of the game. Here, Samus hadn’t yet gained access to her powerful telekinetic abilities. Instead, she wielded her classic arsenal: the arm cannon, missiles, scanner, morph ball, and bombs. This set the stage for what initially appeared to be a straightforward continuation of the series, though it’s evident from other glimpses there’s much more in store with new abilities and mechanics. These details were withheld in the demo.
Nintendo and Retro Studios seemed deliberate in their choice of this demo section. The straightforwardness allowed the essentials of the Metroid Prime experience to shine, particularly on the enhanced hardware of the Switch 2.
One standout moment was when the Nintendo rep eagerly pointed out the game runs at 120 frames per second. Nintendo, known for its focus away from technical specifications, surprised me by leading with performance details, but the reason was clear—Metroid Prime 4 performs beautifully.
This new edition of Metroid Prime 4 on the Switch 2 represents an upgrade from its foundational design for older, weaker tech, if Nvidia’s claims hold weight. Despite this, it’s delivering full HD resolution effortlessly, and while 4K is available at 60fps, the 120fps smoothness is a revelation, making even the enhanced visuals from previous versions seem commonplace by comparison.
But what truly grabbed my attention was the Switch 2’s flexibility with controls. Aligning perfectly with its hybrid nature, the new feature that allows Joy-Con controllers to act like a PC mouse adds a fresh dynamic to traditional gameplay. Simple, yet clever in storage, these controllers transform with ease—no cumbersome menu switching required, just intuitive engagement.
Elsewhere during the Switch 2 event, games like Civilization 7 showcased the same mouse control capabilities, which function seamlessly, much like their PC counterparts. Metroid, adeptly straddling boundaries between metroidvania style and first-person shooter dynamics, naturally fit this mold.
Experiencing Metroid Prime 4 with mouse controls was a unique blend of innovation and nostalgia. Switching between traditional and mouse controls felt organic. Exploring or utilizing the morph ball comfortably used typical controller functions. Yet, when combat intensified, transitioning to mouse controls made all the difference.
During an intense boss battle, rapid transitions to mouse controls allowed precise targeting of weak spots. It’s an advantage that was keenly felt, offering a speed and accuracy traditionally reserved for PC action, now in the palm of your hand on a console.
The smooth operation at 120fps and fluid control options create an experience so premium, it almost feels like a loophole, circumventing the Switch’s usual performance pitfalls. If Metroid Prime 4 is indicative of what’s to come, it redefines expectations with its incredible blend of visual fidelity and performance enhancements.
While there might eventually be an option to play Metroid Prime 4: Beyond on the original Switch, the new Switch 2 stands as the definitive choice for those seeking the ultimate experience when it launches later this year—an ideal showcase for the power of next-gen gaming.
